The Legislature today took steps to uphold objections to administrative rules to regulate PFAS, ban gay conversion therapy and prohibit landlords from charging a fee for late rent during the pandemic. They and other rules were in a half-dozen bills
Assembly lawmakers unanimously approved an amended bill that would begin the process of overhauling the state’s UI computer system. The bill would also, among other things, waive a one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits through mid-March and provide businesses with
The state Senate today overwhelmingly approved taking the first steps to overhaul Wisconsin’s problem-plagued unemployment insurance computer system, but didn’t provide any money to do so. The bill, which cleared on a bipartisan 27-3 vote, would instead require the Department
Assembly Republicans voted today to revoke Tony Evers’ public health declaration and the statewide mask mandate the guv has put in place since late summer, accusing the guv of abusing his power by issuing multiple orders without lawmakers’ input. The
Republicans abruptly shifted tactics today on COVID-19 legislation and a resolution to overturn Gov. Tony Evers’ public health declaration. Assembly Republicans, on a party-line 59-35 vote, again amended the COVID-19 bill, this time with a provision designed to ensure the
Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said the Assembly will put off voting to overturn Gov. Tony Evers’ public health declaration to give lawmakers additional time to understand the fiscal impact of the move. The Assembly had been scheduled to vote this
Senate Republicans today amended a COVID-19 bill in an attempt to spare the state from losing millions in enhanced food stamp funding after their vote to overturn Gov. Tony Evers’ public health declaration put the funding at risk. The amendment
GOP senators Tuesday took a step toward overturning Gov. Tony Evers’ mask mandate over the objections of many health groups and Dems who argued the requirement should remain in place with a pandemic that is still raging. GOP state Sen.
The Assembly today passed an amended COVID-19 bill that reinserted some provisions stripped out by the Senate two weeks ago. Lawmakers voted 58-34 along party lines on a pair of amendments before a party-line vote on final passage. One of
Gov. Tony Evers today praised the Senate COVID-19 bill as a “good start” and urged the Assembly to pass the amended legislation so he can sign it “without delay.” But Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna, criticized the changes his
The state Assembly Thursday voted along party lines to pass a COVID-19 package after the chamber convened nearly two hours later than originally scheduled as Republicans caucused on the bill. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, earlier this week said he
The state Senate — meeting virtually for the first time — today unanimously approved legislation responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, sending the bill to Gov. Tony Evers. The guv is expected to sign the bill quickly. The state faces deadlines
The state Senate met in a virtual session to approve a bill to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill was approved 31-0. See more on the meeting here. See the slideshow for images from the meeting. Screenshots are from WisconsinEye
The state Assembly, often deeply divided on big issues, today overwhelmingly backed legislation to help Wisconsin deal with the impact of COVID-19 as leaders praised the measure as an example of what can be done when lawmakers work together. The
Assembly lawmakers met in person and via video conference to take up legislation to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Screenshots in the slideshow above are from Wisconsin Eye video. Other photographs are by Rick Wood of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald today said he is postponing the March 24 floor period “out of an abundance of caution” for senators and their families during the coronavirus pandemic. The Juneau Republican said he and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos,
The state Assembly early Friday approved legislation that would create additional steps to address PFAS contamination. But the legislation didn’t go as far as two bills that overwhelmingly cleared an Assembly committee earlier this week. Rep. John Nygren, whose district
The state Assembly on Thursday approved a pared-back bill to extend closing time for bars by two hours until 4 a.m. during the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee this July. The bill’s author Rep. Rob Swearingen, R-Rhinelander, said the changes
The state Assembly signed off on a package of bills designed to help Wisconsin’s farmers through tax breaks and other measures. The effort began in earnest after Gov. Tony Evers called in his State of the State last month for
The Assembly today passed a proposal to raise the legal age to buy nicotine and tobacco products from 18 to 21. The bill’s author Rep. John Spiros, R-Marshfield, said the bill was required for law enforcement officers to comply with
