The Legislature’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) held an executive session on August 3 to vote on the University of Wisconsin System’s COVID-19 policies. On a 6-4, party-line vote, the committee ordered the UW System to submit its COVID-19 protocols as an emergency rule within 30 days, arguing that measures such as regular testing […]
DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk Has Retired
September 9, 2021
Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk has retired as of September 10. Governor Tony Evers (D) announced one week earlier that Willems Van Dijk would retire and that Deb Standridge would take her place starting September 13. Previously, Standridge directed Wisconsin’s temporary care site for COVID-19 patients at State […]
Wisconsin COVID-19 Update: Three Million Fully Vaccinated; Case Rates Have Risen Since June Lows
September 9, 2021
As of September 7, Wisconsin had administered about 6.17 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with just over 3 million Wisconsin residents or 51.9 percent of the state’s population fully vaccinated. About 84.9 percent of Wisconsinites aged 65 and older have received at least one dose. All U.S. adults are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine […]
Governor, Legislators Introduce Prescription Drug Package
September 9, 2021
On August 4, Governor Tony Evers (D), Rep. Lisa Subeck (D-Madison), and Sen.Jon Erpenbach (D-West Point) announced a package of bills that they argue will reduce the cost of prescription drugs in Wisconsin. Called the “Less for Rx” prescription drug plan, the package includes a variety of proposals recommended by the Governor’s Task Force on Reducing […]
Two Key 2022 Congressional Races Shaping Up in Wisconsin
August 13, 2021
In 2022, Wisconsin will host at least two key congressional races affecting the political balance of power in Washington, D.C. First, one of the state’s two seats in the U.S. Senate will be on the ballot statewide. The seat is currently held by Republican Senator Ron Johnson, who has yet to announce whether he will […]
Governor Signs State Budget With 50 Partial Vetoes
July 22, 2021
On Thursday, July 8, Governor Tony Evers (D) signed 2021 Act 58, the state budget for the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium, which began July 1. The Wisconsin Assembly approved the budget bill (Assembly Bill 68) on June 29, with the Senate concurring in the bill the following day. The two-year budget, assembled by the Republican-led Joint Finance Committee […]
Legislature Passes State Budget
July 1, 2021
This week, the Wisconsin Legislature passed a state budget for the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium, which began on July 1. The Assembly approved the budget bill (Assembly Bill 68) on June 29, with the Senate concurring in the bill the following day. The two-year budget proposal, assembled by the Republican-led Joint Finance Committee (JFC), would spend […]
State Budget Recap: Health Services, Insurance, Children and Families (June 15)
June 22, 2021
On Tuesday, June 15, the Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) held an executive session to consider various motions related to the 2021-23 state budget. Below is a list of motions that JFC considered on June 15, including whether each motion was adopted and how the committee voted. The committee includes 12 Republican members and […]
Governor Calls for Special Session on Medicaid Expansion; Legislative Leaders Plan to Gavel Out Immediately
May 21, 2021
On May 19, Governor Tony Evers (D) signed Executive Order 116, directing the Legislature to convene a special session on his proposal to expand Wisconsin’s Medicaid program, also known as BadgerCare. The bill put forward by the governor, LRB-3568, would accept federal money to expand Medicaid coverage to about 90,000 additional people. Over the next […]
Vaccine Update: About 40 Percent Fully Vaccinated; State Resumes Administration of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
May 21, 2021
As of May 19, Wisconsin had administered almost five million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with more than 2.3 million Wisconsin residents or 39.8 percent of the state’s population fully vaccinated. About 82.5 percent of Wisconsinites aged 65 and older have received at least one dose. All U.S. adults are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine […]