Joan Ballweg

DSPS Secretary, Republicans Debate Licensing Staffing, Backlog

Secretary-designee wants to use its revenue to hire staff, Republicans question backlog, push for fewer licenses.

Bipartisan Support For Extending Medicaid Benefits For Postpartum Mothers

Approximately 50 post-partum deaths annually that the Wisconsin health department believes are preventable.

GOP Building Commission Members Reject Gov. Evers’ $3.8 Billion Plan, Setting Up Budget Showdown

State building commission deadlocks on every funding proposal.

Gov. Evers Reacts to Republican Rejection of Historic Investment in State Infrastructure

Republicans again obstruct state infrastructure investments estimated to provide 45,000 family-supporting jobs, $6.8 billion in economic impact

Bipartisan Bill Would Extend Postpartum Medicaid Coverage

Would extend coverage from 60 days to one year to improve infant and maternal health.

Republicans Holding Confirmation Hearings For Gov. Evers’ New Appointees

Agriculture, DNR secretaries get hearings, a marked change from Evers' last term.

Should State’s Schools Require Financial Literacy Course?

17 states require it. Evers, some Republicans favor it, but won't fully fund it.

Wisconsin Court of Appeals Race Takes Partisan Turn

Donations from mega-donors, political action committees funding attack ads.

Senator Agard Supports Child Victims’ Act

Senator Agard has been a leader on this subject in previous sessions

Bipartisan Bill Would Extend Postpartum Medicaid Coverage

Increasing healthcare access could help address racial health disparities.

Can We Please Discuss Criminal Justice Reform?

Democratic legislators plead with Republicans, who cut off any attempt to discuss reforms.

Republicans Slash Evers Education Budget

Reduction in spending could mean state loses $1.5 billion in federal pandemic relief funding for education.

City of Weyauwega receives $93,000 state grant to support redevelopment of vacant Main Street building

WEDC investment to help fund construction for commercial space and apartments

City of Green Lake receives $250,000 state grant to support redevelopment of hotel and resort

WEDC investment to help fund reopening of the Heidel House

DNR Secretary Says PFAS Efforts Need Funding

PFAS identification and cleanup and public land purchases are budget priorities for the agency.

As State Looks to Bounce Back from Pandemic, Gov. Evers Urges Bipartisan Support for $2.38 Billion in Capital Budget Investments to Provide Estimated 29,000 Family-Supporting Jobs, $4.3 Billion in Economic Impact 

Governor's 2021-23 capital budget to be taken up by State Building Commission this week includes major projects in both Republican and Democratic districts

Where Are Act 10 Players Today?

Governor and three-fourths of legislators engaged in 2011 battle over law crushing public unions have moved on.

Bill Blocks Vaccine Priority for Inmates

Rep Wangaard seeks to correct ‘mistake’ by Gov. Evers.

GOP Lawmakers Strip Emergency PFAS Rule

Committee votes to eliminate targets for safe levels of the harmful forever chemical.

GOP Lawmakers Target DNR’s PFAS Regulatory Power

A Republican backed bill would remove rules for acceptable levels of harmful forever chemicals.

Can Evers, Republicans Mend Fences?

Their first two years weren't very cooperative. But that might change with a new Legislature.

Republicans Have ‘Blood On Their Hands”

Evers signals he will ignore Legislative restriction, challenges GOP to present their pandemic plan.

City of Ripon receives $190,000 state grant to support redevelopment of a vacant grocery store

WEDC investment to help fund renovation of vacant building into an urban vertical farm

Gov. Evers Announces Appointments to Governor’s Task Force on Student Debt

Can Democrats Retake State Senate?

An uphill fight. Retirements by seven incumbents make races hard to call.

GOP Reveals Tax Cut Proposal

Gov. Evers wants money for schools, GOP wants tax relief.

Riverwood Eagle’s Nest breaks ground on construction of new senior community project in Wisconsin Dells

WEDC will provide $250,000 to the City of Wisconsin Dells to help fund project

The Use and Abuse of Jobs Data

Walker administration used flimsy interpretations of jobs reports to put a positive spin on the state's economy.

Healthy Babies, Working Mothers Act Introduced During National Breastfeeding Month

Representative Subeck Circulates Bi-Partisan Bill to Support Nursing Mothers in the Workplace

GOP Plan Restricts Local Control Over Quarries

Legislators get donations from frac sand companies, reduce oversight of sand mines and quarries.

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order #19 Relating to the Creation of the Committee to Celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of Wisconsin’s Ratification of the 19th Amendment

Gov. Evers today designated Mrs. Kathy Evers as the Chairwoman of the Executive Committee.

Governor Walker Signs Bills to Create and Expand Outdoor Recreation, Attract Talent to Wisconsin, and Improve Medical Assistance

93 bills signed into law at the Wisconsin State Capitol

Supporting Wisconsin’s Children and Families: Governor Walker to Sign 11 Bills to Improve Outcomes for Children in Foster Care

This legislative bill package was created by the 2017 Speaker’s Task Force on Foster Care.

Governor Walker Signs Bills on Improving Family Access to High-Quality Child Care, Creating Transitional Jobs Program for Wisconsin Veterans, and Increasing Funding for Watershed Protection Grants

Governor Walker signs 64 bills into law at the Wisconsin State Capitol

State GPS Monitoring Has Huge Problems

Malfunctions, unnecessary jailings plague growing offender monitoring program.

Kwik Trip Cashes in on Walker Support

Convenience store chain gave Walker $90,000, got $21 million from state jobs agency.

With Elections Just a Year Away, Legislature Abandons Wisconsin Families

Industrial Acid Mining Bill Will Put Public Health at Risk for Generations

Leah unveils 100+ Wisconsin endorsements

Elected officials, grassroots activists and business owners unite behind Leah

Representatives Highlight Healthy Babies, Working Mothers Act on Child Health Day

“The bill would ensure new mothers can make the healthy decision to breastfeed their babies, while still being able to provide economic security for their families.”

Committee Holds Hearing Today on Regulatory “Sunset” Bill

Americans for Prosperity-Wisconsin today called on lawmakers to approve AB 384, a measure that would require the re-adoption of government rules every seven years under a rigorous review process.

Representative Subeck Will Reintroduce Healthy Babies, Working Mothers Act to Support Nursing Mothers in the Workplace

LRB-1206 would bring Wisconsin law in line with federal employment regulations regarding breastfeeding.

Study Shows Poverty’s Impact on Kids

New UW study shows 20% of test scores deficit due to lags in early brain development.

Governor Scott Walker Signs 58 Bills Into Law

Acts 200 - 257.

Governor Scott Walker Signs 46 Bills Into Law

Acts 154 - 199.

Healthy Babies, Working Mothers Act Receives Hearing with Strong Public Support

Advocates, health care professionals and mothers spoke in support of workplace breastfeeding accommodations

Healthy Babies, Working Mothers Act Gains Strong Bi-Partisan Support

Proposed bill removes workplace barriers to breastfeeding

Representative Subeck Introduces Legislation to Support Nursing Mothers in the Workplace

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for an infant’s first six months, with continued breastfeeding as complementary foods are introduced.

Legislative Musical Chairs

A new Republican leader and many other changes coming this fall.

The Governor and the Empire Builder