Rob Cowles

2017 Law Resulting in Long List of Outdated DNR Water Standards

Nearly 50 groundwater standards for PFAS, pesticides, metals and other compounds remain unaddressed.

One-Fourth of Assembly Will Be Newbies

Fair maps drawn by both parties for first time in 12 years could transform the 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.

Gov. Evers Calls Joint Finance Committee into Special Meeting to Release Critical Funds to Fight PFAS Statewide, Stabilize Healthcare Access in Western Wisconsin

Senate Fires 8 Evers Appointees, Approves 3 Constitutional Amendments

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

Gov. Evers Slams Republicans for Continued Delays Releasing Critical Funds to Fight PFAS Statewide, Stabilize Healthcare Industry in Western Wisconsin

Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee set to meet Monday without taking any action to release funding to fight PFAS, address urgent healthcare industry needs in Western Wisconsin

State Appeals Court Blocks DNR’s Regulation of PFAS

2-1 decision upholds lower court ruling limiting agency's authority to clean up PFAS.

PFAS Ban Wouldn’t Start Until 2028 Under New Bill

New legislation by western Wisconsin Democrats would ban products with added PFAS, offer alternative approach to spending state PFAS trust fund

Evers Seeks Compromise on Republican PFAS Bill

Threatens veto of GOP plan, saying 'I'm not signing bill letting polluters off the hook.'

Gov. Evers Urges Lawmakers to Support Compromise to Release $125 Million to Fight PFAS Contaminants Statewide

Governor submits compromise to Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee to immediately release funding to fight PFAS without controversial provisions benefitting polluters contained in Republican-backed bill

Parties Seek New Candidates in New Districts

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

Legislature Passes PFAS Bill, But Evers Likely To Veto It

$125 million is set aside in trust for addressing forever chemicals, but bill would limit DNR authority.

Republican Proposal Moves Forward PFAS Standards

But Democrats, DNR sought different path for forever-chemical regulation.

GOP Bill Addresses PFAS Pollution

Republicans support a municipal PFAS grant program, but add restrictions on state DNR.

DNR Leader Says State Budget Needs More Money For Clean Water

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

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.

State Expects $25 Million Federal EPA Funds for PFAS Cleanup

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

Uncertainty Around Solar Financing Regulations Limits Wisconsin Installations

Solar developers awaiting new PSC ruling following initial ruling to allow third-party financing.

Report Says Information Lacking on How State Spent Federal Pandemic Funds

Legislative Audit Bureau calls for transparency on decision making by Evers administration.

Will PSC Allow Third Party Financing Of Solar Projects?

State oversight body allowed one project. Solar advocates push for general approval.

Residents Express Outrage At Hearing Over Plan To Hike Electric Rates 13%

We Energies proposal would increase average bill by $14 per month, more than twice original proposal.

Democrats Want Audit of Gableman’s 2020 Election Review

Request comes after Assembly Speaker Robin Vos called Gableman "an embarrassment."

Should Wisconsin Establish Right to Clean Water?

5 counties will have referendums on this question in November election.

Needed Expansion of Wisconsin Clean Energy, Energy Efficiency & Water Conservation Finance Program Signed into Law

Clean Wisconsin applauds expansion of PACE program to include electric-vehicle infrastructure, stormwater-control measures and energy-reliability improvements

GOP Legislators Reject Evers Tax Rebate, Approve MPS Breakup

Last day of session also passes parental bill of rights, expanded vouchers, replacing Lincoln Hills.

Senate Passes a Dozen Voting Bills

Republicans say bills address election ‘irregularities.’ Democrats charge ‘voter suppression.'

State Senate Votes on Guns, Vaccines, China

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

State Still Has $1.8 Billion In Pandemic Funds

Evers update shows 60% of $4.6 billion federal relief funding has been spent or allocated.

Republicans Offer Slate of Election Bills

They won’t suppress votes, Bernier and other GOP legislators promise. Democrats skeptical.

Sexual Assault Kit Bills Finally Sent to Governor

Bills aimed at preventing a future backlog took years to make it through state legislature.

Republicans Again Attack Wolfe, WEC

Rep. Macco calls Wolfe and elections commission “repugnant and insulting” at committee hearing.

Charges Against Election Officials Are Partisan Stunt

Using unproven allegations to cause distrust of democracy.

About Those Election ‘Irregularities’

Is there any truth to Republican complaints about the 2020 election?

Senate Targets Elections Commission

Three separate elections investigations pushing for changes. What's the likely impact?

Nonpartisan State Election Review Finds No Widespread Fraud

Legislative Audit Bureau recommends changes to election laws.

GOP Bill Would Allow Leasing of Solar Panels

Energy utilities in Wisconsin oppose the bill.

How Biden Plan Could Help State

Two intertwined bills would pay for roads, bridges, energy grid, replacing lead pipes, much more.

Democrats Lose Experience In Legislature

10 years of Republican control helps creates Legislature with less experienced Democrats.

Nass Pushes Legislature to Sue UW System

Thompson, system leaders refuses to submit mask and testing rules for Republican approval.

Scott Walker’s Right, Get Vaccinated Now

As variants cause new rise in COVID-19, more Republicans urging people to get the vaccine.

GOP Obamacare Lawsuit a Cynical Political Stunt

U.S. Supreme Court strikes down suit. Meanwhile, Vos and and state GOP obstruct Medicaid expansion.

Where Are Act 10 Players Today?

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

Evers Budget Has Green Goals

Significant investment to combat climate change, protect public land.

Republicans continue to leave those on Unemployment out in the cold:

Even as some of them voted to give their own businesses a tax break

GOP Lawmakers Order Audit of State’s Election System

Republicans say they are responding to constituent concerns regarding the 2020 election.

Will Supreme Court Act on Mask Mandate?

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

GOP State Legislators Asked Pence to Not Certify Election

15 legislators signed the letter. Four of them serve on Assembly elections committee.

EPA Requires Lead Testing for Schools, Day Cares

But fails to speed up removal of lead lines. A “heart breaking failure,” critics charge.

GOP Lawmakers Strip Emergency PFAS Rule

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

Unemployment System Audited After Pandemic Failures

Massive delays in claims, duplicate payments and an unreliable call center among issues found in report.

Green Bay Replaces Every Lead Pipe

Five-year effort replaces more than 2,000 pipes. Lambeau Field tax helped pay for it.

99% of State Public Water Meets Standards

But new report finds more than 300 water systems unsafe, violate federal standards.

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

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

Half Of Legislative Seats Already Decided?

Probably. And why? Gerrymandering.

Ten Years After Act 10

Most of those who voted for it are gone. How has the Capitol changed?

272 Candidates Running for State Legislature

Highest number since 2012, many contested primaries.

GOP Underfunds Youth Corrections Plan

Republican legislators only approved funding for four out of six new youth corrections facilities.

Hot Debate, Limited Action by Senate

Limited bills on homeless, clean water passed, nothing on dark stores tax loophole.

Can State’s Energy Go Carbon Free by 2050?

Legislators and PSC leader consider Evers' 30-year goal for Wisconsin.

Senate Debates PFAS in Firefighting Foam

Republican plan to ban it far too narrow in scope, Democrats argue.

Kaul Pushes Assembly for Rape Kit Bill

AG wants legislation to ensure no more backlog of untested sexual assault kits.

Evers Pushes Action on Water Quality

After 13 public hearings across state, water quality policy proposals are being drafted.

A World Without Scott Fitzgerald

Capitol insiders wonder who will be senate majority leader if Fitzgerald wins race for Congress.

Report Shows State Jobs Agency Still Fails

Audit of WEDC finds companies given tax credits and loans created only 35% of promised jobs.

Electric Scooters Could Return This Year

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

Bipartisan Group of Legislators and AG Kaul Propose Legislation to Prevent Future Backlog of Untested Sexual Assault Kits

"The legislation we’re proposing today, which is supported by nurses, law enforcement, advocates for survivors, and a bipartisan group of legislators, sends a clear message: Wisconsin must never have another backlog of untested sexual assault kits."

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."

Senate Majority Leader Fitzgerald Announces Senate Standing Committees, Chairs

"I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate this session as we continue to pass reforms that put hard-working families first."

Legislature Works Overnight To Curb Evers Power

Limits on early voting, constraints on Evers campaign promise on health care.

DNR Wastewater Permit Backlog Still a Problem

One year after critical audit DNR still slow to review potential municipal, industrial and agricultural pollution.

Audit Shows Big Problems at State Fair Park

Management issues, revenue shortfalls, contracts not tracked, environmental laws violated.

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

Governor Walker Signs Assembly Bill 538 into Law

It is Act 140.

Bipartisan animal first aid bill passes Assembly

Next stop: Governor Walker’s signature

Governor Walker Signs Leading on Lead Act into Law

"The health and safety of Wisconsin families is our top priority."

Bill Suppresses Victim’s Mental Health Records

Defendant couldn’t request, jury couldn’t see records unless victim allows it.

Governor Walker Signs 19 Bills Into Law

Acts 65-83.

The Myth of DOT Mismanagement

It amounts to 2 percent of highway spending. That won’t solve roads budget deficit.

Governor Walker Signs Legislation to Change Procedure for Law Enforcement Dogs

The bill changes procedures for law enforcement dogs if they bite a person.

A Special Bill for Special Interests

They dole out $30 million on candidates, get a bill cutting regulations on businesses.

WMC Opposes Lead Pipes Bill

Business lobbyist opposes loans to homeowners to replace pipes.

Regent Nominees Gave Walker $22,550

The two nominees also gave more than $64,000 to other candidates.

Legislature Begins to Address Lead in Drinking Water

Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters Praises Senate Bill 48, ‘Leading on Lead’

Stepp’s Slothful Style of Running DNR

Or is it a Chamber of Commerce mentality? You be the judge.

Did Walker Raid Veteran’s Home Fund?

Cap Times story on nursing home shows funding was diverted while care declined.

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

Conservation Scorecard 2015-2016 Released

Governor Walker Signs Legislation Protecting Wisconsin’s Children

Children with disabilities and those children repeatedly physically abused gain new protections

Governor Scott Walker Signs 49 Bills Into Law

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

GAB Head Refutes Republican Attacks

Point by point, he refutes lead attacker, GOP state Sen. Leah Vukmir.

A Tale of Three Sports Facilities

How the funding and politics varied for Lambeau Field, Miller Park and Bucks’ new arena.

Scott Walker Push For Milwaukee Bucks Arena Subsidy Could Benefit His Fundraising Chief

Why Walker Had to Cut UW Funding

His presidential ambitions left him with no other option.

State Releasing Far More Sex Offenders

Number released from mental lockup has quadrupled, but officials say risk to residents is low. First of a three-part series.

The GOP’s Young Guns

Some of the newest Assembly Republicans, including four accountants, dictated the final budget.

Loading Up the Budget With Policy and Pork

In violation of his campaign promise, Walker's budget has 58 policy or non-monetary items and 15 pieces of pork.