Joel Kitchens

2024 Roundup- Gov. Evers Completes Annual 72-County Tour of Wisconsin

Hotel Industry Honors Gov. Evers, Sen. Ballweg, Rep. Kitchens for Support of Tourism

Department of Public Instruction Asks Lawmakers To Approve New Reading Curriculum

Proposal overrides the Literacy Council, which DPI says failed to meet deadlines.

Assembly Committee Votes To Overhaul Voucher School Funding

Governor Evers has already signaled his opposition.

Wisconsin Reading Law Could Be Amended For Bilingual Learners

Parents, educators concerned about reading tests being conducted in English.

Assembly Bill Would Allow Milwaukee, Other Cities To Count Absentee Ballots Early

Day-before processing seeks to end late night results.

Legislators Battle Over Redistricting Bill

Democrats, civic groups argue bill has loophole to maintain Republican control over drawing of legislative maps.

Bill Would Allow New Bars To Offer Indoor Cigar, Pipe Smoking

City of Milwaukee could support the bill, but raised questions over regulation.

Proposal Would Require Insurance Coverage Of Additional Breast Cancer Screenings

The secondary tests, which can cost thousands of dollars, would be covered for at-risk patients

Assembly Passes Bill To Overhaul How Reading Is Taught

DPI gives support after changes. Plus: Pharmacists could prescribe birth control, alcohol regulations overhauled.

Even After Change, DPI Opposes Reading Bill

Issue centers on proposal to hold third graders back.

Despite Legal Gay Marriage, Wisconsin Laws Still Centered On Husband and Wife

From birth certificates to court documents, same-sex parents have concerns.

Republicans Have $50 Milllion, Science-Based Plan To Revamp How Children Learn To Read

DPI Superintendent says bill is "non-starter" as it includes 3rd grade retention requirement.

Bipartisan Bill Allows Pharmacists To Prescribe Birth Control

Shortage of primary-care doctors in many parts of state limits access to birth control.

Bipartisan Plan Aims To Change How Children Learn To Read

Phonics-focused curriculum would be modeled after efforts in more than 30 other states.

Republicans Propose Exceptions To Wisconsin’s 1849 Abortion Ban

But Senate Majority Leader says he won't let proposal move forward, become political football.

Bill Would Require Armed School Resource Officers

Republican proposal requires all schools to track crimes, hire officer after enough incidents.

MPS Literacy Coach Films Reading Series Across Wisconsin

Dannette Justus films readings of children's books at interesting locations and Wisconsin landmarks.

Democrats Walk Out Of Assembly Committee

Citing COVID-19 risk and no Republicans wearing masks. 'This is so far from real democracy.'

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

Will Supreme Court Act on Mask Mandate?

State high court has sat on case for months, could decide fight between governor and Legislature.

Republicans End Mask Mandate, Evers Puts It Back In Place

Governor issues new health order after Republicans end his prior one.

State’s Partisan Divide the Worst Ever?

‘The worst it's ever been,’ says one legislator. Are voters echoing politicians or vice versa?

Age, Race, Politics, and Conservation – Addressing the Elephants in the Room

Wisconsin’s Green Fire announces Annual Meeting Series, September 9-26, 2020

City of Sturgeon Bay receives $250,000 state grant to support redevelopment of former department store

WEDC investment to help fund renovation of new retail center

Lawsuit Demands State Mail Ballots to Voters

Activist groups say April election excluded voters, demand mailed ballots to all this fall.

4-Year-Old Kindergarten Gets Bipartisan Support

Senate taking up bills in committee that would expand early childhood education programs.

Working for Clean Energy a Tricky Task

Polls show bipartisan support, but how you talk about it matters.

Finally, Some Leadership on Teen Mothers

Republican and Democratic legislators offer separate bills to provide broader access to contraceptives.

Gerrymandering Bill is Bipartisan

Three Republican legislators are co-sponsers of bill calling for nonpartisan redistricting.

Electric Scooters Could Return This Year

Bill working its way through state Legislature to legalize electric scooters.

Farmers, Environmentalists Applaud Water Quality Trading Bill

GOP bill would create a clearinghouse to trade credits from reducing water pollution.

Statement on Cowles Water Quality Trading Bill

"I am encouraged to see continued attention on solutions that will reduce the phosphorus pollution that plagues our waterways."

No Choice in 36% of Legislative Races

Gerrymandering and decline in number of candidates leaves 2.5 million residents with no choice.

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

Bipartisan animal first aid bill passes Assembly

Next stop: Governor Walker’s signature

Assembly Approves Rollback of Wetlands Protection

Bill backed by WMC, Kochs, could destroy 1 million acres of wetlands.

GOP Legislators Push Harsher Bail Rules

State constitutional amendment opposed by defense lawyers, supported by City of Milwaukee.

GOP Legislative Districts Heavily White

Republican assembly districts are up to 96% white, senate districts as high as 95% white.

Politics May Doom School Funding Panel

Nearly everyone agrees system needs reform, but can’t agree how to do it.

New Approach to Funding Schools Needed

Blue Ribbon Commission studying the many problems with current approach.

Governor Walker Signs 19 Bills Into Law

Acts 65-83.

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

Governor Walker Signs Senate Bill 293 Into Law

Act 36 makes several technical changes to the state’s voucher programs.

Big Agriculture Rewards Legislators

Industry wants high capacity wells, gives $220,000 to key committee members.

Water Woes Big Issue in Fall Elections

Water pollution hotly debated in key legislative races and Feingold vs Johnson.

Conservation Scorecard Shows Record Attacks on Water, Air, and Land

Conservation Scorecard 2015-2016 Released

Bacteria Taints State’s Drinking Water

169,00 households served by private wells that tested positive for coliform bacteria.

Governor Scott Walker Signs 58 Bills Into Law

Acts 200 - 257.

Death by a Thousand Straws (AB 874)

Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters' Statement

Walker “Listening Sessions” Not for All

Invitations are closed to media and for invited guests only.

Polluter Grab Bag (AB 600/SB 459)

Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters' Statement

Governor Scott Walker Signs 49 Bills Into Law

Governor Scott Walker signed 49 bills into law today at the Wisconsin State Capitol.

Conservation Voters Convene

Former congressmen Obey and Petri make a League of Conservation Voters fundraiser a stop on their bipartisan road trip.

New Radio Ads, Mail Pieces Thank Legislators for Prevailing Wage and Budget

Legislature Shows Yet Again It Has The Courage To Do What's Right for Wisconsin Taxpayers