Mary Felzkowski

Legislators Agree on Postpartum Medicaid Expansion

But not Robin Vos. Just two states haven't extended coverage from 60 days to a year.

Wisconsin Senate Won’t Have Election Committee

For first time in nearly two decades, no designated election committee.

Gov. Evers Announces State Building Commission Approves Critical UW Projects

Republicans Push Tax Cuts as New Wisconsin Legislature Convenes

Democratic leader calls for 'common-sense solutions' and no 'partisan bickering.'

A Christmas Gift List For State Officials

What would Tony Evers, Robin Vos, Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson like to get?

Gov. Evers Announces Building Commission Approves More Than $81 Million in Projects Across Wisconsin, Republican Members Delay Approval of Funding for Critical UW System Building Projects

Republican legislators delay the reallocation more than $70 million in building projects for UW System, continuing obstruction of critically needed projects

‘We Still Hold the Majority’ Wisconsin GOP Senate President Warns

Are there any issues where Republicans and Democrats are likely to agree?

Grief and Talk of Action After School Shooting in Madison

But political leaders part ways on solutions.

Hesselbein Will Revive Medical Marijuana Bill

Democratic state Senate leader expects more bipartisan legislation in new session.

Wisconsin Senate Democrats Plan To Work Across The Aisle

With major gains in the number of seats, Democrats see opportunity.

Only 30% of Wisconsin Hospitals Obey Federal Price Transparency Rules

New report shows widespread violation of rules meant to lower hospital costs.

State Senate Minority Leader Backs Using Budget Surplus to Fund K-12 Schools

Dianne Hesselbein suggests pairing this with a middle-class tax cut.

GOP Losses Will Test Vos, LeMahieu

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

Will Republicans Support Transparent Hospital Prices?

It could become bipartisan legislation. Or an attack issue for Democrats.

Now In Leadership Post, Felzkowski Still Seeking Hospital Pricing Transparency

New Republican senate president seeks data to better inform patients.

Robin Vos Will Continue as Assembly Speaker

Senate Democrats also reelected Diane Hesselbein as minority leader

Women Lead Democratic Gains in Legislature

Wisconsin voters rejected Kamala Harris but back many other women for office.

Republicans Replace Senate President, Keep Majority Leader

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

DNR Requests Surge in Funding To Address Backlog, Increase Stewardship

Agency proposes reauthorizing Stewardship program for a decade with $100 million annually.

Following Counselor Death, Staff, Family Plead for Help At Lincoln Hills 

Counselor's family tells Senate death could have been prevented and state failed.

Wake Boats on Wisconsin Lakes Cause Controversy

Surfers love the waves; others cite impact on fishing, canoeing, shoreline erosion.

Lawmakers Grill Wisconsin Prison Officials Over Safety, Employee Death at Youth Facility

The eight-hour public hearing followed the death of a Lincoln Hills employee.

Right Wing Group Opposes Conservation of Land in Wisconsin

American Stewards of Liberty influences Republican legislators on Pelican River project.

Wisconsin Senate Votes to Override Governor’s Vetoes

Effort unlikely to pass Assembly.

Wisconsin Ranks Last In Per-Visit State Parks Funding

New Wisconsin Policy Forum report shows 69% funding drop for DNR compared to mid-1990s.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Hears Lawsuit Over Legislature’s Authority

Gov. Evers sued over Joint Finance Committee's actions to hold up stewardship funds.

Rep. Shelia Stubbs Celebrates Assembly Passage of AB 182

Relating to: Rental Readiness and AB 183-Relating to: Establishing and Operating Reentry Centers

Senate Republicans Fire Four Evers Appointees

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

Will Dental Therapists Solve State’s Shortage of Dentists?

Advocates say yes. Bill licensing dental therapists goes to Gov. Evers for his signature.

Sen. Johnson Releases Statement on Wisconsin Republicans’ 14-Week Abortion Bill

Why GOP Divided on Medical Marijuana

Republican divisions between geographic areas, between Senate and Assembly on the bill.

GOP Proposal Supports Small, State-Run Medical Marijuana Program

A plan for five state-run dispensaries with 'tight controls,' says Republican legislator.

Evers Says Republican Firings Make It Hard to Find DNR Secretary

Stop blocking his appointees, governor pleads. GOP lawmakers defend their actions.

GOP Legislators Probe Views of Evers’ New DNR Appointees

After firing first Evers picks, Republicans raise issues of wolf management, PFAS cleanup.

Evers Calls On Legislature to Release PFAS Funds

Also pushes GOP legislators to approve DNR groundwater rule targeting pollution.

GOP Legislators Battle Lac du Flambeau Tribe

Reacting to tussle over access to tribal land, Finance Committee withholds gaming revenue.

Fetuses Would Count For Tax Exceptions Under Republican Proposal

State Senate endorses plan, which also includes per dependent exception increase of $300.

Milwaukee Could Get State’s First Reentry Center For Those Leaving Prison

State-sponsored facility aims to be one-stop shop for resources.

Republicans Reject 7 Evers Appointees

Including elections commissioner and 4 DNR board members. 'This is insanity,' says Evers, then immediately names replacements.

Senate Targets 6 Evers Appointees

Republicans leave elections commission unbalanced and board overseeing DNR unable to act.

Republicans Vote Down 4 of Evers’ 5 DNR Board Nominees

But full Senate must still weigh in.

Wisconsin Conservation Voters calls on key legislators to remove the poison pill from the PFAS legislation

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

The Last Hurrah For Rep. Goyke

At his last budget hearing Milwaukee legislator Evan Goyke gets teased and praised.

Legislature Passes Local Revenue, Schools Bills

Deal heads to Gov. Evers’ desk. Despite bipartisan support, some are calling for him to veto proposals.

Milwaukee Sales Tax Deal Reached, Referendum Dropped

Deal at Capitol requires Common Council, County Board to pass new taxes with two-thirds votes. Includes substantial policy measures.

Bill Gives Advance Practice Nurses More Freedom

Credentials allow them to work independently from doctors. But doctors oppose bill.

Felzkowski Leads on Health Care Pricing

Requiring transparency on prices could help battle health care inflation.

Senate Mulls Milwaukee’s Financial Peril

Struggling to create plan for shared revenue and sales tax that's acceptable to Assembly and Gov. Evers.

County Executive David Crowley Public Testimony on Senate Bill 301

Republican Legislators At Odds Over Milwaukee Sales Tax

Assembly wants referendum, Senate may remove requirement to reduce uncertainty.

Assembly Republicans Settle on Plan To Fund Cities

But deal leaves many questions for Milwaukee. Senate still needs to pass bill. Gov. Evers could veto.

Evers Vision Trashed by Republicans

It's governor's vision vs. 12 Republicans on Joint Finance Committee. Who's right?

GOP Revenue Sharing Plan Penalizes Cities

Milwaukee gets 10% hike in funding, rural towns get increase as high at 723%.

Vos Doubles Down On Sales Tax Referendum

Milwaukee would get sales tax, but only if voters approve it in referendum.

DNR Leader Says State Budget Needs More Money For Clean Water

Republican-controlled Legislature will determine funding, with some members indicating support.

Bill Targets Hospital Pricing Transparency

Sen. Mary Felzkowski leads GOP proposal focused on creating "shoppable services."

Legislative Committee Rejects Funds for State’s Largest Land Conservation Plan

Republicans spike proposal to preserve 70,000 acres of forest in northern Wisconsin.

DNR Secretary Promises Review of How Agency Works With Local Governments

Potential changes coming as a result of Pelican River Forest mix-up.

GOP Legislators Bash Evers ‘Reckless’ Budget

DOA Secretary defends 'prudent' fiscal decisions at Joint Finance Committee hearing.

Bipartisan Support For Extending Medicaid Benefits For Postpartum Mothers

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

State Funding Has Plummeted For Parks, Public Lands, DNR

DNR funding down 41% in 25 years, spending on state parks lowest in U.S., study finds.

Republicans Propose Exceptions To Wisconsin’s 1849 Abortion Ban

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

DNR Member Warns Wisconsin Needs Money To Maintain Its Conservation Land

The state has acquired approximately 1.5 million acres of land through stewardship programs.

State Expects $25 Million Federal EPA Funds for PFAS Cleanup

$5 billion from bipartisan infrastructure law will address toxic impact of 'forever chemicals.'

Meet The Candidates Seeking Open State Senate Seat

Three Republicans, one Democrat running for seat held by retiring Sen Alberta Darling.

Vos Casts Doubt on Medical Marijuana

'We're not that close' to legalizing it, says Assembly Speaker, as some GOP legislators see it as gateway to recreational pot.

Evers Wants $100 Million For PFAS, Will Republicans Back Proposal?

Residents with polluted water want solutions, but have waited years.

Republican Lawmakers Oppose Record-Breaking Wisconsin Land Conversation

Sen. Felzkowski leads opposition to preserving 56,000 acres of forest near Rhinelander.

Evers Will Propose Legalizing Marijuana

As he did in his last budget. If Republicans disagree he would sign medical marijuana bill.

State Lawmakers Hold Hearing on Medical Marijuana

But the state Legislature has already adjourned for the year, so a bill won't pass in 2022.

New Youth Detention Facility Clears State Budget Committee

$42 million for a state facility to replace Lincoln Hills passes Joint Finance Committee.

Senate Votes 33-0 To Fund Youth Prison

Also passes bills to restrict teaching race, limit safety net, allow higher bail.

State Senate Votes on Guns, Vaccines, China

Against vaccine mandates and China and for guns on school grounds.

Will Lincoln Hills Youth Prison Finally Close?

And at what cost? Legislature debates the issue anew.

Two Medical Marijuana Bills Proposed

One by legislators from each party. 37 states, including Mississippi, now allow it.

School Voucher Lobby Wants More State Funding

Pushing for more public funding of private schools.

Two GOP Legislators Push Medical Pot Bill

Bill allows medicinal marijuana use for those meeting a narrow list of qualifications.

Erpenbach Statement on GOP Medical Cannabis Bill

Senator Agard Responds to GOP Medical Marijuana Bill

GOP Bills Ban Customer Vaccine Requirements

State legislature considering bills that prohibit businesses requiring vaccination.

Tourism, Businesses Back More Child Labor

GOP bill allows some businesses to schedule later working hours for children under 16.

Governor Evers Signs Public School Spending Transparency Bill into Law

WILL supported new law to develop online dashboard for public school spending

State Senate Approves Longer Work Hours for Teens Under 16

Bill passed on divided vote. It applies to small businesses exempt from federal labor act.

Ted Nugent Joins GOP Push for Sandhill Crane Hunt

Republican sponsored legislation would repeal Wisconsin hunting regulations.

Do Vaccinated and COVID-19 Survivors Have Same Immunity?

An epidemiologist says no. Legislation at state level would exempt those previously infected from vaccine mandates

WILL Works With Lawmakers to Advance Transparency Bills to Governor Evers

Bills shine light on public school spending, curriculum

Lawmakers Back Milwaukee Youth Prison

Bipartisan group seeks $43 million to fund replacement for scandal-plagued Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake facilities.

Suit Charges ALEC Unlawfully Helps Republicans

Nonprofit's help to GOP politicians in Wisconsin, other states, violates its tax status?

Bill Requiring National Anthem Unworkable?

Youth sports leaders in state say Republican bill — for every kids' soccer game? — is overly broad.

Our Fourth Of July Crisis

Voting rights imperiled and a push to mandate singing the national anthem.

State Legislature Passes Biennial Budget

Lawmakers cut billions from the Governor's budget.

Legislators Approve $125 Million for Broadband Expansion

But Gov. Evers allocated money for it. Republican proposal uses borrowed money.

GOP Lawmakers End Weekly Unemployment Boost

State legislature votes to end $300 federal supplement. Governor Evers could veto.

Can We Talk About Marijuana? Democrats Ask

GOP legislative leader won’t allow a vote or even discussion of medical marijuana.

Republicans Slash Evers Education Budget

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

Enough Is Never Enough for Gun Zealots

Senate and Assembly bills would make Wisconsin a Second Amendment sanctuary state.

Republicans Miffed By MPS Pandemic Aid

MPS gets 16 times more per pupil than Wauwatosa schools under federal formula awarding more to low-income students.

Legislators Resist Plans to Help Workers

GOP sniping at Evers plans for workforce training, minimum wage hike, funding to fix UI system.

Legislature’s Budget Roadshow Coming Soon

Since 1985 regional budget hearings have been held. Planned for April, all in small towns.