WKOW - Politics

JFC removes statewide GPS tracking funding from budget

Greg Neumann — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:55:00 EDT

There will be no statewide funding for increased GPS tracking in the next state budget, despite the fact that Governor Scott Walker (R-Wisconsin) requested it to cut down on severe incidents.

Group wants to halt Common Core Standards in schools

Greg Neumann — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:33:00 EDT

Opponents of new national education standards are hoping to put a stop to them here in Wisconsin, but public school officials say that would be a big mistake.

Plan would penalize state workers who smoke

Greg Jeschke — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:37:00 EDT

Lawmakers will debate a plan this week that would penalize state workers who smoke.

Committee to consider double dipping changes

Brittany Schmidt — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:24:00 EDT

The Legislature's budget committee is set to consider Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to more than double the amount of time a public employee must stay retired before being hired for another job.

Rent-to-own stores may be excused from consumer protection laws

Kristen Summers — Sun, 19 May 2013 10:17:00 EDT

Walker's budget would exempt rent-to-own businesses from Wisconsin's consumer protection laws and not require them to disclose interest rates.

UW-Madison seeks exemption from state open records law

John Beard — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:40:00 EDT

The University of Wisconsin-Madison says it wants to keep research data private until the information is published or patented

Gov. Scott Walker speaks at fundraiser in Iowa

Evan Bolin — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:32:00 EDT

Governor Scott Walker spoke at a Republican fundraiser in Iowa Thursday night, fueling speculation that he's gearing up for a presidential run in 2016.

Budget committee votes to slash UW System funding

Evan Bolin — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:58:00 EDT

The Joint Finance Committee voted to slash funding for the UW System in the upcoming state budget.

UPDATE: JFC blocks rent-to-own plan

Greg Neumann — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:51:00 EDT

The state Joint Finance Committee voted Thursday to block Gov. Walker's proposal to exempt rent-to-own businesses from Wisconsin's consumer protection laws.

Ex-Walker aide behind bars for 2nd OWI

Matthew Hippe — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:27:00 EDT

Gov. Scott Walker's former campaign spokesperson is serving 20 days in jail for her second drunken driving conviction.

Bow hunting will not be allowed near Wisconsin schools

Greg Neumann — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:50:00 EDT

After months of controversy, a State Assembly committee has decided against a provision to allow bow hunting closer to schools.

Sen. Baldwin delivers first speech from Senate floor

Danielle Lama — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:29:00 EDT

Wisconsin lawmaker Tammy Baldwin delivered her first speech from the Senate floor Wednesday.

Rep. Paul Ryan to release book in 2014

Evan Bolin — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:10:00 EDT

Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan (R-Janesville) is writing a book.

UPDATE: WI budget committee approves sand mining plan

Claire Sarafin — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:00:00 EDT

The state Joint Finance Committee approved pulling money from the state's environmental management fund to cover sand mining inspections.

UPDATE: Committee delays vote on ACT test requirement

Brittany Schmidt — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:56:00 EDT

The Legislature's budget committee delayed a vote on whether to have every high school junior in Wisconsin take the ACT college entrance exam.

UPDATE: Bargaining over health benefits narrowed

Brittany Schmidt — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:50:00 EDT

Public safety workers could collectively bargain over their health insurance premiums, but not other costs of their plan under action taken by the state Joint Finance Committee.

UPDATE: JFC approves process for selling state properties, double-dipping limits

Greg Neumann — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:30:00 EDT

In a week full of controversial proposals at the State Capitol, the Joint Finance Committee is expected to vote on one Tuesday that would allow the state to sell a variety of properties.

JFC votes to limit double-dipping

Greg Neumann — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:33:00 EDT

The Legislative Joint Finance Committee voted to increase the amount of time a retired state worker must wait to be re-hired for a state job.

WI panel to hear bill limiting local recalls

Claire Sarafin — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:14:00 EDT

It would be harder to recall a local Wisconsin elected official from office under a proposal up for a hearing before a legislative committee.

Bill aims to give Vets priority registration status at UW schools

Greg Neumann — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:20:00 EDT

Military veterans who attend schools in the University of Wisconsin System could soon have a better chance of finishing their degrees on time thanks to a bipartisan Assembly bill.

Bill would give election observers increased access at polls

Greg Neumann — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:39:00 EDT

Legislation introduced last week would give election observers more access to the interaction between voters and poll workers.

Former WI Democratic Party spokesman resigns

Jennifer Kliese — Sat, 18 May 2013 21:28:00 EDT

A well-known Democratic Party of Wisconsin adviser is leaving his position.

WI Tea Party takes aim at tax code

Jennifer Kliese — Sat, 18 May 2013 21:09:00 EDT

Wisconsin Tea Party members shot flaming arrows and shotguns at a stack of paper as large as the tax code, saying it should be simplified.

Conservative group says Paul Ryan hasn't answered their questions on gay adoption

Greg Neumann — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:52:00 EDT

The President of Wisconsin Family Action tells 27 News that Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI1) has not answered the group's request that he clarify his stance on gay adoption.

Bipartisan bill requires annual WEDC audit

Brittany Schmidt — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:10:00 EDT

A bipartisan group of legislators introduced a bill that would make some changes to Wisconsin's troubled economic development agency.

Walker: Online sales tax could lead to income tax relief

Evan Bolin — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:10:00 EDT

A national sales tax for online purchases could mean tax relief for you.

UPDATE: Wisconsin added 53,334 jobs in Gov. Walker's first two years

Greg Neumann — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:42:00 EDT

New data released by the Department of Workforce Development shows Wisconsin added 53,334 jobs during Governor Scott Walker's first two years in office.

Obama walking a familiar path on IRS allegations

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:31:00 EDT

The Internal Revenue Service controversy dogging President Barack Obama is hardly the first time a White House and the tax agency have been accused of political meddling and bias. Nor is it the first time that political and...

Case challenging redistricting dropped due to no evidence

Brittany Schmidt — Thu, 16 May 2013 07:18:00 EDT

A group that challenged the 2011 redistricting of Wisconsin's Legislative and Congressional Districts has agreed to drop its push for Republican Records.

Walker revises UW budget, calls for tuition freeze; UW System agrees

Evan Bolin — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:56:00 EDT

Students in the University of Wisconsin System will get a two-year tuition freeze.

A timeline of the IRS's scrutiny of the right

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:30:00 EDT

By CALVIN WOODWARD Associated Press A look at events leading to the disclosure that the Internal Revenue Service placed conservative groups under special scrutiny for 18 months before the 2012 elections, a...

JFC moves to strip State Treasurer of last real function

Greg Neumann — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:03:00 EDT

State Treasurer Kurt Schuller said he was "stunned" when the Joint Finance Committee voted to essentially gut his agency Wednesday.

UPDATE: Democrats want Gov. Walker removed as WEDC Board Chair

Greg Neumann — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:27:00 EDT

Democratic lawmakers are proposing an ambitious plan to overhaul the way the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation(WEDC) operates, which includes removing Gov. Scott Walker as WEDC Board chairman.

Gov. Walker vows to give more control to WEDC Board

Dani Maxwell — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:53:00 EDT

Governor Scott Walker is holding an emergency meeting of the WEDC after an audit and recent 27 News investigation found problems with the agency.

Sen. Grothman: Revenue workers "mean and heartless"

Matthew Hippe — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:56:00 EDT

A Republican state senator says he has concerns about adding more workers to collect delinquent taxes because he says Wisconsin Revenue Department workers are "mean and heartless."

Wis. Assembly passes drunken driving sentences

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:51:00 EDT

The state Assembly has passed a Republican bill that would ensure repeat drunken drivers spend time behind bars.

WI legislature passes tax break for military families

Dani Maxwell — Wed, 15 May 2013 00:49:00 EDT

The Wisconsin Legislature has passed a bill that would exempt from taxes military income for a soldier killed in combat.

WI Assembly approves underage drinking bill

Brittany Schmidt — Wed, 15 May 2013 00:29:00 EDT

The state Assembly has approved a Republican bill that would allow bars and liquor stores to sue underage patrons or their parents for $1,000.

Dalai Lama addresses Wisconsin Legislature

Greg Neumann — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:18:00 EDT

A man respected worldwide as a religious and political leader spoke to the Wisconsin State Legislature Tuesday afternoon.

Walker says IRS screening 'more than political'

Matthew Hippe — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:21:00 EDT

Gov. Scott Walker says the IRS's screening of conservative political groups seeking tax-exempt status is "more than just a political scandal."

UPDATE: Budget panel wants to see Corrections plan

Matthew Hippe — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:12:00 EDT

The Legislature's budget committee wants to see more details from the Department of Corrections about its plan to hiring additional staff before handing over the money.

Grothman urging rejection of rent-to-own rules

Matthew Hippe — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:20:00 EDT

A Republican member of the Legislature's budget committee says he doesn't know if he's convinced enough of his colleagues to reject a proposal freeing rent-to-own businesses from Wisconsin's consumer protection act.

Bill would forgive dead soldiers' taxes

Matthew Hippe — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:21:00 EDT

The parents of a Wisconsin soldier killed in Afghanistan are backing a bill that would forgive state taxes for military members killed in combat.

Work searches for unemployed up for vote

Matthew Hippe — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:11:00 EDT

Unemployed people in Wisconsin would have to double their searches for work from two to four a week or lose their benefits under a proposal up for a vote.

WI projected to get $500 million more in revenue

Dani Maxwell — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:08:00 EDT

A new report shows Wisconsin is projected to collect roughly half a billion dollars more in state revenue than originally thought.

WI board to take up mining scope statement

Brittany Schmidt — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:38:00 EDT

The state Natural Resources Board is set to vote next week on a scope statement for rules implementing Republican changes to Wisconsin's mining regulations.

Wisconsin and Minnesota on opposite trails for gay marriage

Gordon Severson — Sun, 12 May 2013 19:57:00 EDT

One state over in Wisconsin, many wonder if a similar bill will someday pass here.

WI teen pushes for organ donation legislation

Danielle Lama — Sat, 11 May 2013 22:44:00 EDT

One young woman is hoping her story will convince lawmakers to adopt a small budget provision that would have big implications for thousands in Wisconsin.

Governor urges review of mental health commitment standard

Tony Galli — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:36:00 EDT

Governor Walker urges review of the standards for involuntary mental health commitments, in wake of Lafayette County triple homicide

Committee signs off on venture capital bill

Matthew Hippe — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:18:00 EDT

A bill that would put $25 million in state money into Wisconsin startups passed its first hurdle in the Assembly despite controversy surrounding Gov. Scott Walker's jobs-creation agency.

WI panel to vote on bill that helps startups

Claire Sarafin — Fri, 10 May 2013 08:33:00 EDT

A bill that would put $25 million in state money into Wisconsin startups is up for a vote in a legislative committee.

Privacy from drones in WI

Amber Noggle — Fri, 10 May 2013 00:02:00 EDT

Some state lawmakers are working to protect your privacy by limiting the use of drones.

15-mile residency rule approved for state workers

Amber Noggle — Fri, 10 May 2013 00:02:00 EDT

The Joint Finance Committee approved a change to the state's residency rule.

Finance committee increases funding but cracks down on WEDC

Gordon Severson — Thu, 9 May 2013 23:44:00 EDT

Democrats were hoping to cut the agency's future budget, but a republican led majority said the funding will stay.

Minnesota a vote closer to approving gay marriage

Thu, 9 May 2013 16:17:00 EDT

Minnesota is positioned to become the 12th state to approve gay marriages following a historic vote in the state House.

Joint Finance Committee votes to stop cities from banning junk food

Greg Neumann — Thu, 9 May 2013 15:28:00 EDT

Republican lawmakers on the Joint Finance Committee passed a measure to prohibit local governments from banning large soft drinks and other high-calorie food and drink.

Lawmakers take their shots at WEDC in audit hearing

Greg Neumann — Thu, 9 May 2013 12:04:00 EDT

Democratic lawmakers on the Joint Legislative Audit Committee are wasting no time blasting the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation at a pubic hearing Thursday morning.

WI lawmaker set to unveil drone legislation

Katie Priebe — Thu, 9 May 2013 05:15:00 EDT

A bipartisan group of Wisconsin lawmakers is scheduled to unveil legislation that would ban the use of drones in Wisconsin.

Assembly to take up informed consent bill

Brittany Schmidt — Wed, 8 May 2013 07:28:00 EDT

The state Assembly is set to vote on a bill Wednesday that would not require doctors to give patients as much information about available alternative treatments.

UPDATE: Legislature approves sanitation safety bill

Brittany Schmidt — Tue, 7 May 2013 23:57:00 EDT

The Wisconsin Legislature has approved a bill to protect sanitation workers from reckless drivers.

Wis. Assembly approves junk food stamps bill

Evan Bolin — Tue, 7 May 2013 19:23:00 EDT

A state bill is moving forward that limits the type of food that can be bought with food stamp benefits.

Bill requires sex offenders to notify schools

Robyn Turner — Tue, 7 May 2013 16:30:00 EDT

Assembly passes bill requiring registered sex offenders to notify schools when they will be on school grounds.

UPDATE: WEDC official resigns after 27 News investigation

Greg Neumann — Tue, 7 May 2013 12:59:00 EDT

The man hired to help the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation with its public image resigned late Monday after 27 News made inquiries about his status as a tax scofflaw.

WI panel to vote on drunken driving penalties

Brittany Schmidt — Tue, 7 May 2013 07:48:00 EDT

A legislative committee will vote this week on a bill that would ensure repeat drunken drivers spend time in jail.

Senate to pass bill on food stamp trafficking

Brittany Schmidt — Tue, 7 May 2013 07:32:00 EDT

The state Senate is set to discuss a bill that would expand definitions in state law of what constitutes illegal food stamp trafficking in Wisconsin.

WI Senate to take up dental insurance changes

Brittany Schmidt — Tue, 7 May 2013 07:02:00 EDT

The Wisconsin state Senate will vote on a bill with bipartisan support that would allow dentists to charge more for certain services by changing existing private contracts.

Fortune 500 company cries foul, removed as Wisconsin's worst tax scofflaw

Tony Galli — Mon, 6 May 2013 23:57:00 EDT

Baxter Healthcare was originally listed on Wisconsin's tax delinquency web site as owing $5.6 million.

Soglin asks departments to prepare for budget cuts

Mon, 6 May 2013 23:45:00 EDT

Some city departments may have to scale back on future projects.

Gov. Walker wants WEDC board to meet on audit findings

Greg Neumann — Mon, 6 May 2013 18:09:00 EDT

Governor Scott Walker is calling a special meeting of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Board to discuss the problems revealed in an audit report on the agency last week.

Gov. Walker may shift UW dollars towards more tax relief

Greg Neumann — Mon, 6 May 2013 18:08:00 EDT

It seems clear at least some of the money originally designated for the UW System will go towards public schools and tax relief in the next state budget.

WI bill to expand sexual assault victims' rights

Kristen Summers — Sun, 5 May 2013 16:07:00 EDT

A bill circulating in Wisconsin's State Legislature would allow sexual assault victims to be accompanied by trained advocates during any step in the criminal justice process.

WI's top Republicans speak at GOP Convention

Jennifer Kliese — Sat, 4 May 2013 20:20:00 EDT

Some high profile Wisconsin Republicans are up in the Wausau area this weekend for the annual GOP Convention.

Circus World Museum prospects discussed on Capitol City Sunday

Greg Neumann — Fri, 3 May 2013 23:15:00 EDT

Steve Freese, Executive Director of Circus World Museum in Baraboo is one of the guests on Capitol City Sunday this weekend.

Conservative group asks Paul Ryan why his stance on gay adoption has changed

Greg Neumann — Fri, 3 May 2013 15:04:00 EDT

Wisconsin Family Action is calling on Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) to explain why he now supports gay adoption.

Bill would rework WI vehicle lemon law

Danielle Lama — Fri, 3 May 2013 11:45:00 EDT

A new bill being circulated in the state Legislature would rework Wisconsin's vehicle lemon law.

Controversial landlord-tenant bill packs public hearing room

Greg Neumann — Thu, 2 May 2013 19:42:00 EDT

Tenant-rights advocates are upset over a fast-tracked State Assembly bill that would loosen a number of regulations on landlords.

Bill would make jail mandatory for 7th OWI and higher

Greg Neumann — Thu, 2 May 2013 19:41:00 EDT

The Assembly Committee on the Judiciary held a public hearing Thursday on a bill that would impose mandatory minimum jail sentences on anyone who gets more than six OWI's.

Walker open to new audit of WEDC

Matthew Hippe — Thu, 2 May 2013 12:52:00 EDT

In the wake of a stinging audit of his premier job-creation agency, Gov. Scott Walker says he's open to lawmakers' calls for a follow-up audit.

UW officials: Reserve will grow to $1.2 billion

Matthew Hippe — Thu, 2 May 2013 11:46:00 EDT

University of Wisconsin System officials are telling legislators they expect to have $1.2 billion in reserve by the end of June.

UPDATE: Bill to require vets to report all animal abuses

Brittany Schmidt — Thu, 2 May 2013 00:15:00 EDT

A Wisconsin state lawmaker is looking for co-sponsorship on a bill that would require veterinarians to report all cases of animal abuse to law enforcement or humane society officers.

Event discusses impact Affordable Care Act will have on business

Gordon Severson — Wed, 1 May 2013 19:10:00 EDT

Congressman Mark Pocan met with area business owners Wednesday afternoon to discuss the impact the Affordable Care Act will have on small businesses.

UPDATE: Audit reveals WEDC broke state law

Greg Neumann — Wed, 1 May 2013 19:05:00 EDT

A new nonpartisan audit shows a series of problems with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

Circus World officials say their budget is in the black

Evan Bolin — Wed, 1 May 2013 18:45:00 EDT

Circus World in Baraboo says its financial outlook isn't as bad as the state makes it look.

Bill would require political groups to reveal donors

Matthew Hippe — Wed, 1 May 2013 12:26:00 EDT

Two state senators have re-introduced a bill that would require special interest groups who put out campaign issue ads to report their donors and spending.

FoodShare junk food bill moves on to full Assembly

Greg Neumann — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:42:00 EDT

A bill that would limit the amount of junk food that Wisconsin FoodShare recipients can buy with their Qwest Cards passed the Assembly Committee on State Affairs Tuesday.

UPDATE: State will not take over operation of Circus World Museum

Greg Neumann — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:37:00 EDT

The Joint Finance Committee unanimously voted to remove a proposal from Gov. Scott Walker's budget that would have handed over operations of the Circus World Museum to the state.

Republicans introduce tuition tax credit bill

Matthew Hippe — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:49:00 EDT

A Republican-sponsored bill that would give tax credits to parents of students in private schools has been introduced in the legislature.

Congressman Paul Ryan now supports gay adoption

Greg Neumann — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:33:00 EDT

JANESVILLE (WKOW) -- Congressman Paul Ryan says he has changed his opinion and now supports gay men and women adopting children.

WI bill proposal adds penalties for those who harass lawmakers

Kristen Summers — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 13:01:00 EDT

WI lawmaker pushes for harsher penalties on those who harass members of the Legislation and their families.

GOP bill redefines "minor child" to include zygotes

Greg Neumann — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:55:00 EDT

A Republican lawmaker wants a fetus at any stage of development to be considered a minor child.

Legislative committee votes to cut jobs at Wisconsin DNR

John Beard — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:57:00 EDT

The Republican-authored proposal passed in the legislature's budget committee on a party line vote.

UPDATE: Vehicle was supposed to check clearance for truck that caused bridge collapse

Evan Bolin — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:24:00 EDT

A special car traveled the route before the Canadian trucker did to ensure the load would fit, according to the trucker's wife.

Hershberger expected to take stand Friday in raw milk trial

John Beard — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:22:00 EDT

Vernon Hershberger's attorney says the farmer will be the final witness called by the defense, in a case that has drawn the attention of raw milk advocates across the country

OK father remembers 2 daughters lost in tornado

Brittany Schmidt — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:45:00 EDT

After the deadly tornado that ripped through central Oklahoma on Monday, the families of some of the victims still haven't taken the time to grieve the loss of loved ones.

Safe room mandates remain rare in tornado states

Brittany Schmidt — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:28:00 EDT

When a deadly tornado whipped through the central Oklahoma City of Moore, many survivors emerged from their storm shelters to find their homes completely blown away.

Milwaukee hosts Moose International

Brittany Schmidt — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:21:00 EDT

Milwaukee is hosting nearly 8,000 people at the 125^th Annual Moose International Convention through Wednesday.

Sentencing for man convicted of killing mother

Brittany Schmidt — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:16:00 EDT

A man convicted of killing his mother in 2010, using her credit cards and hiding her body is due for sentencing in Adams County.

Fort McCoy campground summer season set to open

Brittany Schmidt — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:08:00 EDT

Pine View Campground's summer season will start Friday and run through the Labor Day Weekend, ending on September 2.

107 displaced by Allouez apartment fire

Brittany Schmidt — Fri, 24 May 2013 06:57:00 EDT

More than 100 people have been displaced after an apartment fire in the Green Bay area.

8.2 magnitude earthquake hits eastern Russia

Katie Priebe — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:54:00 EDT

Slight tremors were felt in Moscow after a powerful 8.0 magnitude earthquake hits eastern Russia.