Joan Ballweg

The Legislature’s Revolving Door

Lots of turnover of legislators in both parties. Why?

Minority Leader Neubauer Believes Democrat’s Gains Will Change Assembly

Republicans will be forced to take up a number of "really popular issues" they've previously sidelined.

GOP Losses Will Test Vos, LeMahieu

Smaller majorities in each house will change state Capitol, make it tougher to pass Republican bills.

Republicans Replace Senate President, Keep Majority Leader

State Sen. Mary Felzkowski will preside over slightly smaller GOP majority in upcoming legislative session.

Dems Need To Win Three Key Senate Races For Control of Wisconsin Government

Races could create pathway for Democratic control of Senate or lock-in Republican control for years.

DLCC Spotlights 14 Democratic Candidates for State Legislature

National group helps with funding, messaging; goal is Democratic Assembly takeover.

On 2nd Anniversary of Dobbs Ruling, Democrats Say Abortion Rights Still Key Issue

Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade, causing 1849 law to go into effect in Wisconsin until challenged.

Parties Target 5 State Senate Seats With No Incumbent

More competitive races will mean fierce battles and huge spending.

Legislators Agree on Opioid Plan, Still Withhold PFAS, Hospital Funds

Standoff between Republicans on Joint Finance Committee and Gov. Evers continues.

UW-Platteville Vacating Richland Campus

Democrats blame Republicans for cutting UW system funding.

Evers Vetoes Bill Restricting Transgender Athletes in School Sports

Governor blasts 'hateful' rhetoric by Republicans, who say he's 'against women.'

Senate Fires 8 Evers Appointees, Approves 3 Constitutional Amendments

Senate ends session for year with governor 'apoplectic' over 'petty partisan politics.'

Republican Senator Joins Democrats Against Transgender Sports Bill

Sen. Joan Ballweg cites higher rate of depression, suicide for transgender youth.

Wisconsin’s Medicaid Postpartum Protection Lags Most States

Legislature has refused to accept federal money to expand Medicaid, with harmful results.

Parties Seek New Candidates in New Districts

New state legislative maps means races are the fairest and most wide open in 12 years.

Senate Republicans Fire Four Evers Appointees

GOP boots one from DNR board, three from UW Health board.

Hoping To Avoid Court Drawing Them, GOP Approves New Legislative Maps

But Gov. Tony Evers said he will veto proposal, which leaves Wisconsin Supreme Court in control.

Republicans Offer Revised Tax Cut Plan

'Governor, we heard you and we look forward to your signature' on this bill.

Senate Votes to Fire Evers Appointee from Public Service Commission

Tyler Huebner rejected. Senate also passes electric vehicle, nudity ban and tax cut bills.

Milwaukee Wants More Reckless Drivers Towed

United council backs state law change. But proposal could die in Legislature.

Legislative Committee Okays $6 Million for 2nd Juvenile Facility

What would that mean for Milwaukee's youthful offenders?

Senate Republicans Pass Budget That Cuts Taxes and Democrats’ Policies

Two Republicans join Dems in voting against. "Generational harm," says minority leader.

Republican Budget Would Require $4 Million Move-to-Wisconsin Campaign

Democrats proposed a much larger program focused on childcare.

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.

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.

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.

DNR Secretary Says PFAS Efforts Need Funding

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

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.

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.

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.

GOP Plan Restricts Local Control Over Quarries

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

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.

Study Shows Poverty’s Impact on Kids

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

Legislative Musical Chairs

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

The Governor and the Empire Builder