Anya van Wagtendonk

3 days ago | wpr.org | Anya van Wagtendonk

As the Trump White House looks to reduce federal spending, Wisconsin lawmakers have begun the process of writing the state budget. State Republicans who hold the powerful Joint Finance Committee, which writes Wisconsin's biennial budget, say they're not worried about national uncertainty. In an appearance on WISN-TV over the weekend, Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, said the budget committee navigates changes in federal funding all the time. "They've made changes in previous budgets.

3 weeks ago | wpr.org | Anya van Wagtendonk

Wisconsin Democrats have introduced a bill that would do away with restrictions on abortion in Wisconsin, including repealing a Civil War-era law long interpreted as banning abortion in the state. The proposal is unlikely to progress in the GOP-held Legislature, but advocates say they're responding to the preferences of voters. "This is clearly on voters' minds. Abortion rights are incredibly popular, and we need to show people that we are united," said Sen. Kelda Roys, a lead sponsor.

3 weeks ago | apg-wi.com | Anya van Wagtendonk

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republicans who run the Legislature both say they’re having productive conversations about passing a tax cut, even as timing of the state budget is in limbo. At an event early Tuesday, Evers told reporters that he met with Republican leadership and that their respective staffs have also had “good” meetings. kAm“xE H2D 2== 23@FE E2I 4FED 2?5 H92E E96J H2?E E@ 5@ H:E9 E92E 2?5 H92E H6 9@A6 E@ 5@ 2?5 D66 :7 H6 42? 7:?5 2 4@>>@?

3 weeks ago | wpr.org | Anya van Wagtendonk

Republicans in the state Assembly approved a series of changes to Wisconsin's unemployment insurance program Tuesday, including renaming it "reemployment assistance" and adding requirements for eligibility. GOP lawmakers also passed another bill that would prevent local communities from using public dollars to implement any kind of guaranteed income program. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said Tuesday's proposals were aimed at addressing Wisconsin's worker shortage.

3 weeks ago | wpr.org | Anya van Wagtendonk

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republicans who run the Legislature both say they're having productive conversations about passing a tax cut, even as timing of the state budget is in limbo. At an event early Tuesday, Evers told reporters that he met with Republican leadership and that their respective staffs have also had "good" meetings. "It was all about tax cuts and what they want to do with that and what we hope to do and see if we can find a common ground," he said.