Sondy Pope

School Choice Splits Legislators, Educators

Republican bill removes all limits on voucher program, as Democrats predict huge costs.

Assembly Passes Early Vote Counting Bill

A raft of election related bills passed, some adding additional requirements to absentee voting.

Assembly Passes MPS Breakup Bill

Plus a 'parental bill of rights' and several mandates for UW System.

Legislative Leaders Release Package Aimed at Maintaining Wisconsin’s Education Workforce

Assembly Considering ‘Parents Bill of Rights’ Legislation

Rights determine medical care, child's name and pronouns used at school and review of instructional materials, among others.

Legislature Plans Culture War Against Evers

Fall session could include “born alive” abortion bill, forbidding teachers from discussing race and more.

Democrats Lose Experience In Legislature

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

Democrats Walk Out Of Assembly Committee

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

Rep. Robyn Vining Co-Authors Baby Bonds Bill to Improve Economic Security for Wisconsin Families

Whose Vision Will Prevail In Budget Battle?

Republicans got their way in budget rewrite, but Evers' vetoes loom.

Rep. Robyn Vining Introduces Bill to Support Students, Teachers, School Districts & Summer School Programs

GOP Pushes Stimulus Approach Evers Already Vetoed

11 Republican bills try to dictate how governor allocates federal pandemic aid.

MilliporeSigma expands operations in Verona

$65 million expansion will create approximately 50 full-time jobs

34 State Legislators Endorse Jill Underly for State Superintendent

Where Are Act 10 Players Today?

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

Underly Campaign Announces Endorsement of 12 State Legislators

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin Celebrates Endorsed Candidates Advancing to General Election

Ten Years After Act 10

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

Wisconsin Conservation Voters endorses its second wave of candidates

Democrats Call for Paid Sick Leave Bill

Under state law, as workers have to self-quarantine, they are left with no pay.

Bipartisan Water Quality Bills Pass

Though, they do not make it through the sharply divide legislature without some disagreement.

Voucher Programs Cutting Into Public School Funding

State Sen. Erpenbach and Rep. Pope introduce legislation requiring a referendum before state aid to school districts can be cut.

Democrats Introduce “Raising the Bar on Clean Water” Legislative Package

The package consists of five bills which repeal a multitude of regressive Republican water policies.

Democrats introduce legislation to protect taxpayers from unaccountable voucher programs

Many taxpayers have had to increase their own taxes in order to keep their public school doors open while vouchers drain the district’s resources without any transparency or accountability.

Democrats Push Paid Family Leave Bill

Modeled after other states, bill creates insurance trust fund paid for entirely by employees.

Wisconsin legislators rally behind Judge Jill Karofsky for Wisconsin Supreme Court

Judge Karofsky currently serves as a criminal court judge in Dane County.

State School Spending Hits Record $6 Billion

Both parties take credit for K-12 schools funding hike. But can it be sustained?

Oh, Those Dreaded Plastic Bags

Council debates what to do with bags that clog up recycling process.

Democratic leaders blast Brad Schimel for putting politics before kids’ safety

"If Brad Schimel truly had wanted to keep our kids and our classrooms safe, these funds would have been distributed months ago"

No Choice in 36% of Legislative Races

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

GOP Legislative Districts Heavily White

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

State Should Expand Family Medical Leave

Republican proposal would slash coverage; Democratic bill would expand it.

Former federal prosecutor Josh Kaul raises over $170,000

Announces endorsements from Pocan, Moore, and others from across Wisconsin

Legislators Introduce Family Medical Leave Insurance Act

Proposal gives working families much needed benefit to care for sick family member or themselves without having to give up pay

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin Praises Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act

This bill would allow working people in Wisconsin to take paid time when they are caring for a new child, for a seriously ill family member or recovering from their own serious illness.

Citizen Action of Wisconsin announces endorsements in state legislative primaries

Citizen Action endorsed in legislative races with contested primaries where a progressive champion is on the ballot and sought our endorsement.

Democratic Family Feuds

Eight Democratic legislators face primary challengers, but not one GOP legislator does.

Rep. Bowen calls on Governor Walker to hold Milwaukee public meeting on Lincoln Hills

"It is imperative that residents of Milwaukee have answers..."

Rep. Barnes Renews Call for Hearing on Alleged Abuses and Mismanagement at State Facility

“For far too long, the safety and security of youth, staff, and other individuals in facilities like Lincoln Hills have been jeopardized by the mismanagement of Gov. Walker...”

Time to Shed Light on Alleged Abuse at State Facility

“I continue to be shocked by the appalling allegations of cruel, unjust, and potentially criminal behavior at the Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School for Girls facility.”

Medical Leave Reform Would Give Families More Flexibility

According to the United States Department of Labor most workers in the private sector service industry do not have paid sick leave.

Republican Budget Shifts Up to $800 Million from Wisconsin’s Public Schools to Private Voucher Schools

GOP Budget Another Major Shift of Funds from Public Schools to Private Schools to Support Gov. Walker’s Presidential Ambitions

GOP giving up on voucher school accountability

Waste, fraud and abuse in taxpayer-subsidized program to continue

Rep. Barca announces Democratic committee assignments for upcoming legislative session

Today Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) announced the Assembly Democratic members of the standing and joint committees for the 2013-2014 legislative session.