Archive | Legislative Updates

Gov. Tony Evers (D) gave his third biennial budget address on February 15, unveiling his 2023-25 executive budget. He proposes an operating budget of $103.8 billion over the next two fiscal years, adding a net 816.55 FTE positions. For comparison, the 2021-23 state budget spent $87.5 billion with a net reduction of 174.19 FTE positions. The […]

On April 15, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) issued what are likely to be his final signatures and vetoes of the 2021-22 legislative session. With the Assembly and Senate standing adjourned as of their final floor days in February and March, respectively, any outstanding bills passed by both houses were sent to the governor’s desk […]

The Wisconsin Legislature stands adjourned following the Senate’s final planned floor day on March 8. The Assembly adjourned two weeks earlier after its final votes on February 23 and 24. Barring any unusual circumstances, the Legislature will not convene again until the next legislative session begins in January 2023. Also on March 8, Republican leaders […]

On February 4, Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced his actions on 18 bills recently presented to him by the Legislature. The governor signed 14 bills into law and vetoed four others. Notably, Gov. Evers signed Senate Bill (SB) 309, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 121, which incorporates the definitions of “telehealth” and other related terms from the Medical Assistance program […]

The Wisconsin Senate met on the morning of January 25 for a floor session to vote on bills and resolutions, while the Assembly met that afternoon to take a series of votes. The Assembly also met on January 20, which we covered in this article. Senate Floor Calendar, January 25 The Senate passed 55 bills […]

The Wisconsin Assembly met on January 20 for a floor session to vote on bills and resolutions. Both the Assembly and Senate also met on January 25, which we covered in this article. Assembly Floor Calendar, January 20 The Assembly passed 39 bills and three resolutions, mostly via voice votes. Notably, the Assembly voted 95-0 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]