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Content referencing Patrick Testin
Wisconsin Assembly Is Done Legislating for 2026
Here's what lawmakers got done -- and left unfinished.
Feb 23rd, 2026 by Brittany Carloni
Bipartisan Deal Would Fund WisconsinEye After Shutdown
Senate passes bill including nearly $600,000 and seeks competitive bids for future broadcast rights.
Feb 19th, 2026 by Rich Kremer
Key Committee Approves Changes to Knowles-Nelson Reauthorization Bill
'Killing a popular program out of spite does not make a great bumper sticker.'
Feb 17th, 2026 by Baylor Spears
Lawmakers at Odds on Funding WisconsinEye As Time Running Out
Senate Republicans now want a competitive bidding process.
Feb 16th, 2026 by Rich Kremer
Republicans Struggle to Save Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund
GOP legislators 'have strong feelings both for and against' land acquisition program.
Feb 5th, 2026 by Baylor Spears
‘Clear as Mud’ Hemp Rules Targeted by Wisconsin Lawmakers
After Congress closed a hemp loophole, legislators float competing plans that could reshape THC products or shut many of them down entirely.
Jan 9th, 2026 by Anya van Wagtendonk
Republican Attacks Misleading on State Stewardship Program?
Data shows just 1.13% of all state land conserved by Knowles-Nelson program.
Dec 22nd, 2025 by Henry Redman
Senate Committee Debates ‘Community Solar’ Bill
Allowing private companies to construct small solar projects. Utilities oppose it.
Dec 10th, 2025 by Henry Redman
Conservation Projects Face 2026 Cutoff of State Stewardship Fund
'So many beautiful, wonderful places kind of on the chopping block.'
Dec 9th, 2025 by Henry Redman
Groundbreaking Held for Tiny Homes for Veterans
Veterans Community Project serves veterans experiencing homelessness.
Oct 13th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Bill by Wisconsin Democrats Revives State’s Land Purchase Program
Republicans didn't reauthorize bipartisan Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
Aug 27th, 2025 by Danielle Kaeding
State Budget Included $15 Million in Earmarks for Robin Vos’ District
Gov. Evers didn’t veto funds sought by Assembly speaker as part of budget deal.
Aug 18th, 2025 by Noe Goldhaber
UW System Pays To Settle DEI Demotion Lawsuit
Settlement ends lawsuit brought by former UW-Eau Claire DEI administrator who claimed she was demoted because she's white.
Aug 11th, 2025 by Rich Kremer
Bipartisan Law Allows Advanced Nurses To Set Up Their Own Practices
Compromise becomes law after previous versions stalled.
Aug 10th, 2025 by Sarah Lehr
State Budget Cuts Stewardship Funds But Underwrites Timber Industry
$100 million for funding public lands cut, $1 million to help timber industry added.
Jul 7th, 2025 by Henry Redman
Bipartisan Budget Deal Gets Mixed Reviews From Wisconsin Legislators
A 'step in the right direction' or a 'little sad' and 'unacceptable'?
Jul 2nd, 2025 by Baylor Spears
Legislature Passes Advanced Nursing Bill Evers Expected to Sign
Bipartisan bill allows nurses with advanced training to practice independently.
Jun 23rd, 2025 by Erik Gunn
State Senate Passes Bill That It Says Targets ‘Violent Riots’ With New Felony Penalties
But Sen. Larson says it could be used on protesters.
Jun 19th, 2025 by Rich Kremer
Republican Lawmakers Float Bill to Reauthorize Stewardship Program
But with less funding than the popular land purchase program currently gets.
Jun 5th, 2025 by Danielle Kaeding
Republican Legislators Push Tax Credits for Films Made in Wisconsin
Republican leaders had removed similar item from Evers' budget.
May 21st, 2025 by Baylor Spears
Twice-Vetoed Bill to Let Nurses Practice Independently Overcomes Divisions
Compromise between Republicans and Governor signals measure likely to pass.
May 15th, 2025 by Erik Gunn
With Budget Debate Looming, Assembly Fills Remainder of Powerful Finance Committee
Rep. Mark Born and Sen. Howard Marklein will continue to chair JFC.
Dec 19th, 2024 by Baylor Spears
Senate Members of Legislature’s Powerful Joint Finance Committee Announced
The 16-person panel is responsible for how Wisconsin spends tens of billions of dollars. Assembly up next.
Dec 5th, 2024 by Anya van Wagtendonk
Can Wisconsin Become a Video Game Player?
Business and political leaders seek tax breaks, broadband access to build industry.
May 16th, 2024 by Jonah Beleckis
Evers Vetoes Nursing Licensure Bill
Evers, Republicans couldn't agree on supervision requirements.
Apr 5th, 2024 by Baylor Spears
GOP Senators Renew Fight Over Abortion, Tax Cuts
And override an Evers' budget veto, part of busy session Tuesday.
Oct 18th, 2023 by Shawn Johnson
Republicans Outraged By Evers’ Vetoes
Blasting 'trickery' of 'radical governor,' they vow to 'stand up and fight.'
Jul 7th, 2023 by Baylor Spears
Bill Gives Advance Practice Nurses More Freedom
Credentials allow them to work independently from doctors. But doctors oppose bill.
May 31st, 2023 by Erik Gunn
Ron Johnson Suggested Legislature Choose Electors in 2020 Election
Top state Republican Party leaders opposed senator's push to overturn election.
Jan 4th, 2023 by Rich Kremer
Will Republicans Legalize Marijuana?
Gov. Evers and two-thirds of voters support it. How long will legislators resist?
Nov 25th, 2022 by Bruce Murphy
Statewide Republican Candidates
Hotly-contested race for gubernatorial nomination is just the tip of the iceberg.
Aug 8th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Everyone Wants to Be Lt. Governor
10 candidates in all, including just two Democrats. Who stands out?
Aug 6th, 2022 by Bruce Murphy
8 Republicans, 2 Democrats Running for Lt. Governor
Crowded Republican primary includes two state senators. Democrats include non-profit leader and a state representative.
Jul 29th, 2022 by Leah Treidler
State Republicans Make No Endorsement in Top Races
No candidate for governor, attorney general, lieutenant governor chosen at state convention.
May 24th, 2022 by Shawn Johnson
Historic Turnover Will Change Legislature
Retirements, redistricting and members pursuing higher office could transform Legislature.
Mar 28th, 2022 by Steven Walters
Republicans Speak At Event With Anti-Government Flag
Kleefisch, Nicholson, Grothman, others speak. Photos of this removed from GOP Facebook page.
Feb 1st, 2022 by Henry Redman
Bowen Will Run For Lieutenant Governor
Rep. David Bowen joins Lena Taylor, Sara Rodriguez in Democratic primary.
Nov 15th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene and Graham Kilmer
Why The GOP Push To Oust Wolfe
If elections commission administrator resigned and board deadlocks on who should replace her, Vos and Republicans get to choose new leader.
Nov 8th, 2021 by Steven Walters
Senate Targets Elections Commission
Three separate elections investigations pushing for changes. What's the likely impact?
Nov 1st, 2021 by Steven Walters
Lena Taylor Is Running For Lieutenant Governor
Veteran state senator would be first Black woman to hold the position.
Oct 4th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Republicans Resist State Help for Afghan Refugees
Testin raises concerns over resettling refugees at Fort McCoy, Tiffany opposes plan.
Aug 23rd, 2021 by Laurel White
Nearly 200 Officers Fired Or Forced Out Are Back On The Job
Hired again across the state after allegations including sexual harassment, drunken fights.
Aug 22nd, 2021 by Peter Cameron
Evers Vetoes Bill to Help Paper Mills
A 'gut punch,' Republican says. Using federal pandemic aid could be prohibited, Evers says.
Jul 11th, 2021 by Rob Mentzer
Bill Requiring National Anthem Unworkable?
Youth sports leaders in state say Republican bill — for every kids' soccer game? — is overly broad.
Jul 5th, 2021 by Henry Redman
Who’s the Most Right Wing Of All?
Conservative group ranks state’s most conservative members of Congress and Legislature.
Apr 27th, 2021 by Melanie Conklin
Bill Allows Testimony Via Video, Phone
Opponents say it violates defendants’ right to confront witnesses against them.
Mar 7th, 2021 by Gretchen Schuldt
Bill Requires National Anthem Before Games
Republican legislator’s bill mandates anthem played in all taxpayer-funded facilities in state.
Feb 26th, 2021 by Henry Redman
No Veto-Proof Majority for Republican Legislators
They flipped two of three seats needed to get two-thirds majority in Senate.
Nov 4th, 2020 by Shawn Johnson
Wisconsin’s Legislature Laziest in U.S.?
Other states with full-time legislators have met 18 times more frequently than in Wisconsin.
Oct 6th, 2020 by Bruce Murphy
4 Reasons Legislature Won’t Reconvene
Haven’t met since April, won’t return this year. Republicans explain why.
Oct 5th, 2020 by Steven Walters
Legislative Donors Give Record Amount in 2020
$7.1 million showered on legislative races in first half of 2020, shattering 2016 record of $5.1 million.
Aug 10th, 2020 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Could Floyd’s Killing Lead to State Reform?
Evers calls for long-delayed bill on deadly use of force by police to be taken up by Legislature.
Jun 3rd, 2020 by Melanie Conklin
Will Senate Act on Assembly-Passed Bills?
160 bills passed by Assembly haven’t gotten consideration by state Senate.
Apr 27th, 2020 by Steven Walters
GOP Legislators Way Ahead on Donations
Republican legislators went into 2020 with four times more campaign cash than Democrats.
Mar 3rd, 2020 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Evers Signs Industrial Hemp Bill
Hemp becoming state’s “comeback crop,” Republican Sen. Testin says.
Nov 27th, 2019 by Laurel White
The Path to Brad Pfaff’s Firing
Why GOP legislators shot down Agriculture Secretary. And why Evers was incensed.
Nov 11th, 2019 by Steven Walters
Polluted Wells Issue is Urgent, Legislator Says
Rep. Shankland, member of Water Quality Task Force, says state funding needed to help families.
Oct 26th, 2019 by Rob Mentzer
State Resists Immunizations
Wisconsin ranks 35th in percent of immunized children, yet bipartisan bill to address problem is stalled in committee.
Oct 20th, 2019 by Melanie Conklin
A World Without Scott Fitzgerald
Capitol insiders wonder who will be senate majority leader if Fitzgerald wins race for Congress.
Oct 14th, 2019 by Steven Walters
Democrats Push Medical Marijuana, Red Flag Law
Democratic legislators want to take up issues during fall legislative session.
Oct 7th, 2019 by Laurel White
Bipartisan Bill Would Legalize Medical Marijuana
But Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald strongly opposes the bill.
Oct 3rd, 2019 by Isiah Holmes
Legislature May Debate Few Fall-Session Issues
Short fall legislative session doesn't leave a lot of room for action on major issues.
Sep 30th, 2019 by Steven Walters
Unanimous Senate Committee Vote on Hemp Bill
Bipartisan bill would make pilot program for growing hemp in the state permanent.
Sep 1st, 2019 by Mary Kate McCoy
GOP Lawmakers Have Big Lead in 2019 Funds
Raised twice as much as Democrats in campaign donations in first half of 2019.
Aug 16th, 2019 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Legislators Want to Protect ACA Coverage
Laws needed to assure health coverage continues if courts overrule it, Democrats say.
Jul 22nd, 2019 by Erik Gunn
Vos Wants Medical Marijuana Bill
Assembly Speaker wants to push this bill in fall. Will Senate oppose it?
Jul 1st, 2019 by Bruce Murphy
Legislature Passes “Born Alive” Abortion Bill
Evers has vowed to veto bill, along with three other abortion measures.
Jun 6th, 2019 by Laurel White
Hemp Industry Calls for Updated State Law
Hemp farmers, businesses say new federal law made state hemp regulations obsolete.
May 31st, 2019 by Laurel White
Republican Pushes for Medical Marijuana
State Sen. Patrick Testin could be the key man in the success or failure of proposal.
May 14th, 2019 by Bruce Murphy
State’s Hemp Industry Blooming
Will medical or recreational marijuana be next?
May 12th, 2019 by Ellie Colbert
GOP Defends Anti-Abortion Bills
Bill offers more restrictions on abortions. Medical professionals oppose legislation.
May 8th, 2019 by Shamane Mills
Body Camera Bill Balances Privacy, Openness
Legislative Study Committee has created bipartisan bill with sensible regulations of police body cameras.
May 6th, 2019 by Kyle Geissler
Bill Allows Pharmacists to Vaccinate Children
In reaction to measles outbreak, lawmakers look to strengthen state’s response.
Apr 22nd, 2019 by Shamane Mills
GOP Bill Targets Race, Sex-Based Abortions
Doctors punished for abortions done solely because of race, ancestry, sex, conditions like Down syndrome.
Apr 15th, 2019 by Shamane Mills
Conservatives Discover Renewable Energy
Republican-leaning groups who like solar and wind power, who knew?
Jun 20th, 2018 by Chuck Quirmbach
GOP Legislators Push Harsher Bail Rules
State constitutional amendment opposed by defense lawyers, supported by City of Milwaukee.
Feb 1st, 2018 by Gretchen Schuldt
GOP Legislative Districts Heavily White
Republican assembly districts are up to 96% white, senate districts as high as 95% white.
Jan 15th, 2018 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Hemp’s Time Has Come
Benefits of legalization are many. Will legislature, Walker approve it?
Oct 30th, 2017 by State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout
Ag Interests Want Legalized Hemp
Farm groups back bill, gave legislators $1.3 million.
May 10th, 2017 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
