Evers calls proposed $1.3 billion tax increase ‘small’
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers said Thursday that the state budget he proposed is "pretty close" to not raising taxes, even though it would increase them by $1.3 billion over two...
The Latest: Disabled urge removal of offensive language
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Latest on a bill that would remove the phrase "mental retardation" from a number of state agencies' administrative code (all times local):
Evers orders removal of offensive wording in state code
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has ordered the replacement of derogatory or offensive terminology from state administrative code.
Evers wants to freeze private voucher school enrollment
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Tony Evers wants to cap enrollment in Wisconsin's private voucher schools, setting up another fight with Republicans who made it a priority the past eight...
APNewsBreak: Senator wants review of Guard assault policies
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A powerful Wisconsin legislator has demanded a detailed review of the state National Guard's sexual harassment and assault policies after meeting with a soldier who alleges...
Vos, Fitzgerald push for tolling to fund roads
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Legislature's top Republicans promised Wednesday they wouldn't quarrel among themselves again over transportation funding during state budget deliberations and advocated for toll roads as a means of generating enough money to fix deteriorating roads.
Wisconsin lawmakers claim nearly $800,000 in expenses
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin state lawmakers claimed nearly $800,000 in daily expense reimbursements last year, including $11,600 from a senator who lives right across the street from the Capitol.
The expenses claimed were down from $1.3 million in 2017, a budget-writing year when lawmakers put in more time in the Statehouse than they did last year.
Republican Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, of Juneau, led all 132 state lawmakers with $14,960 in the claims known as per diems.
The Latest: Republicans disappointed with Evers speech
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Latest on Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers' State of the State speech (all times local):
8:10 p.m.
Republicans say they are disappointed with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' priorities as outlined in his first State of the State speech.
Evers touted his plans for cutting income taxes for the middle class, raising spending on K-12 schools and expanding Medicaid.
Wisconsin GOP moves to remove ‘retardation’ from state code
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A pair of Republican state senators are pushing to remove the phrase "mental retardation" from state administrative code.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and state Rep. John Jagler announced Tuesday that they'll introduce legislation to remove the term "mental retardation" and all its derivatives from code and replace it with the phrase "intellectual disability."
The Latest: Vos says too soon to comment on Evers offer
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Latest on Wisconsin Legislature (all times local):
3:45 p.m.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says it's "too early to tell" whether Republicans will accept changes sought by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to a bill guaranteeing health insurance coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.
Evers met Thursday with Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald to discuss the measure. Vos responded to a shouted question as he walked into Fitzgerald's office later Thursday.
Evers predicts he will prevail on Medicaid expansion
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Tony Evers told Republicans in a closed-door Capitol meeting Tuesday that he will push for accepting a federal Medicaid expansion, even though GOP leaders said the issue was a "nonstarter" for them.
Evers said he also reiterated his decision not to pursue organizational changes to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, a reversal from what he campaigned on, while he will push for more transparency for the Foxconn Technology Group project.
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Fitzgerald walks back comments on Medicaid expansion
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald is walking back comments he made that he wouldn't rule out accepting federal money to expand Medicaid.
The Republican said on WISN-AM radio Friday that he "went too far" in saying that on Thursday. Fitzgerald told reporters at a news conference Thursday that he didn't support taking the money. Then he added, "there's a lot of moving parts but I don't want to be presumptuous and rule it out."
The Latest: Senate leader said GOP questioning Evers’ pick
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Latest on Gov.-elect Tony Evers' Cabinet picks (all times local):
2:22 p.m.
The Republican leader of the Wisconsin Senate says some Republican senators are questioning Democratic Gov.-elect Tony Evers' pick of a roads lobbyist to head the state Department of Transportation, putting his confirmation in peril.
GOP Senate leader won’t rule out Medicaid expansion
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said Thursday that he wouldn't rule out accepting federal money to expand Medicaid in the state, breaking with fellow Republicans including outgoing Gov. Scott Walker.
GOP lame-duck bills would move primary, limit early voting
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Republicans released sweeping lame-duck legislation Friday that would move the 2020 presidential primary, restrict early voting and weaken both Democratic Attorney General-elect Josh Kaul and Gov.-elect Tony Evers.
The GOP aims to hold a hearing on the bills Monday and take floor votes on Tuesday, giving current Gov. Scott Walker a chance to reshape state government again before he leaves office in January.
Republicans eye pre-existing conditions bill for lame duck
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican lawmakers are considering passing a bill guaranteeing health insurance for people with pre-existing conditions as part of a lame-duck legislative session next week that could also include measures to weaken Wisconsin's Democratic Gov.-elect Tony Evers.
Short of Kimberly-Clark votes, GOP moves ahead on lame duck
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republicans worked behind closed doors Tuesday on a package of proposals to take up during a lame duck session before Democratic Gov.-elect Tony Evers takes office, even as GOP Senate leader Scott Fitzgerald said a bill that might save 390 jobs at a Kimberly-Clark plant is up to seven votes short.
The Latest: Republicans talk about moving primary date
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Latest on lame duck legislative session (all times local):
3:30 p.m.
Wisconsin Senate Republican Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says lawmakers are looking at moving the 2020 presidential primary to improve the chances for conservative Supreme Court Justice Dan Kelly.
Fitzgerald told reporters Tuesday that moving the primary date was among many things GOP senators discussed taking up in a lame duck session before Democrat Tony Evers takes over.
Senate GOP leader says Kimberly-Clark has 10, 11 votes
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican leader of the Wisconsin Senate says six or seven more votes are needed to approve a tax incentive package designed to stop consumer products company Kimberly-Clark from closing a plant near Appleton.
GOP Senate leader: Nothing ruled out for lame duck session
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Nothing has been ruled out for consideration during a lame duck legislative session next month before Democratic Gov.-elect Tony Evers takes office, Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said Monday.
Analysis: Tales of reinvention abound in Oscars race
NEW YORK (AP) — F. Scott Fitzgerald, who said there are no second acts in American lives, might have felt differently had he seen this year's Oscar race.
In mid-November, there is much solidifying, scrapping and self-promotion to come (not to mention a few potential awards heavyweights). But most of the expected contenders have by now been seen and there's a definite theme: Reinvention is the season's most sought-after attribute.
Evers wants to do stuff as governor, but it will be tough
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Tony Evers made a lot of promises during his successful campaign against Republican Gov. Scott Walker — some specific, many more vague.
Now he has to figure out how to deliver — in the face of a Republican Legislature already scheming to limit his power before he even takes office.
Here's a look at promises Evers made, the challenges in getting them done, and other factors that will be at play when he takes over as Wisconsin's 46th governor on Jan. 7.
The Latest: GOP leader downplays attempts to limit Evers
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Latest on Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Legislature (all times local):
3:10 p.m.
Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald is downplaying what Republicans may do to limit powers of incoming Democratic Gov. Tony Evers before he takes office.
Kimberly-Clark tax break bill to get hearing, vote uncertain
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A $100 million tax break bill designed to keep paper products giant Kimberly-Clark Corp. from closing an Appleton-area plant will get a public hearing in the Legislature, but approval remains uncertain.
The Assembly passed the bill earlier this year but it stalled in the Senate. Without it, Kimberly-Clark has said it plans to close a Fox Crossing plant that employs about 500 people.
Republican Fitzgerald re-elected as leader as GOP gains seat
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin state Sen. Scott Fitzgerald has been re-elected as majority leader, two days after Republicans picked up a seat over Democrats.
Fitzgerald, of Juneau, was the unanimous choice Thursday and ran unopposed for the leadership position he's held since 2011 when Republicans took control away from Democrats.
Vos open to looking at ways to limit Evers’ powers
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said Wednesday he is open to looking at ways to limit the power of incoming Democratic governor Tony Evers before he takes office in January.
MPR to sell theater where Keillor’s ‘Prairie Home’ was based
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Public Radio is selling the century-old theater where Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" was based.
MPR President and CEO John McTaggart announced Wednesday that the radio network is selling the 1,000-seat Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul to Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue .
GOP lawmaker: Support ‘unanimous’ for pre-existing coverage
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Republican leader in the Wisconsin Senate says support is "unanimous" among GOP senators for guaranteeing that people with pre-existing health conditions have access to health insurance.
Sen. Alberta Darling expressed confidence Tuesday after Senate Republican Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald last week seesawed on whether there votes for the idea.
Fitzgerald says GOP would pass pre-existing guarantee
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald seesawed Tuesday on whether his majority would pass a bill guaranteeing insurance coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, first questioning whether there was enough support to do so before declaring a few hours later that the chamber would pass it "if it becomes necessary."
Kimberly-Clark lobbyist, wife gave Republicans $4k
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A new Kimberly-Clark lobbyist and his wife gave Republican legislators and their supporters more than $4,000 in late August, a little more than a month before GOP leaders decided to reconvene to consider tax incentives for the Texas-based papermaker, campaign finance reports show.
The Latest: Vos open to other bills during K-C session
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Latest on Wisconsin Legislature's plans to return for vote on Kimberly-Clark tax break bill (all times local):
1:35 p.m.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he'd be open to considering other bills during a post-election extraordinary legislative session to pass tax incentives for paper-maker Kimberly-Clark.
Gov. Scott Walker and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald on Tuesday announced the session for Nov. 12, a week after the Nov. 6 election.
Winfrey to present literary award to Toni Morrison
NEW YORK (AP) — The latest prize for Nobel laureate Toni Morrison will be presented by Oprah Winfrey.
The Center for Fiction announced Thursday that Morrison will receive a lifetime achievement honor for "Excellence in Fiction."
Winfrey, who has chosen such Morrison novels as "Song of Solomon" and "Paradise" for her book club, will introduce the author during a Dec. 11 dinner ceremony.
Today in History for September 24th
The Latest: Walker: We’re working ‘hard’ on Kimberly-Clark
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Latest on work to reach incentive deal for Kimberly-Clark (all times local):
9:30 a.m.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says it would be easier to call the state Senate back to vote on an incentive package for Kimberly-Clark after the November election, but the company says it wants action by the end of the month.
GOP Senate leader: Wisconsin juvenile prison a ‘mess’
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican leader of the Wisconsin Senate said Wednesday that the state's juvenile prison has "been a mess for some time" and that Gov. Scott Walker's administration should have done more to fix the problems earlier.
The Latest: GOP lawmakers say Evers didn’t lead on issue
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Latest on Wisconsin governor's race (all times local):
11:35 a.m.
Republican legislative leaders say there's no evidence that state Superintendent Tony Evers led the charge to change a state law making it easier to revoke licenses of problem teachers.
Evers has said he worked with the Legislature to fix a loophole in the law that he says prevented him from revoking the license of a teacher who viewed pornographic images on his school computer.
Senate leaders talk about Kimberly Clark incentives
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Democratic and Republican leaders of the Wisconsin Senate are talking about a tax incentive package that could keep open a pair of Kimberly-Clark Corp. plants in northeast Wisconsin.
Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling said Thursday she spoke briefly by phone with Republican Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald. She says Fitzgerald did not ask her if any Democrats would vote for the bill.