February 17, 2022 •
Wisconsin Governor Calls Special Session
Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order 156 calling for a special session of the Wisconsin Legislature to begin Tuesday, March 8. Evers wants lawmakers to consider his plan to use a portion of the state’s $3.8 billion projected surplus to […]
Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order 156 calling for a special session of the Wisconsin Legislature to begin Tuesday, March 8.
Evers wants lawmakers to consider his plan to use a portion of the state’s $3.8 billion projected surplus to provide a $150 surplus refund to every Wisconsin resident, provide targeted relief for childcare and caregiver costs, and invest in education.
August 30, 2021 •
Wisconsin Lawmakers Introduced Seven Bills to Overhaul Campaign Finance
Wisconsin lawmakers introduced seven bills to address a campaign finance system perceived to favor wealthy donors. The proposed campaign finance reforms include lower contribution limits for statewide candidates; a broader definition of political action committee; a prohibition on making expenditures […]
Wisconsin lawmakers introduced seven bills to address a campaign finance system perceived to favor wealthy donors.
The proposed campaign finance reforms include lower contribution limits for statewide candidates; a broader definition of political action committee; a prohibition on making expenditures for certain mass communications if coordinated with a candidate; a prohibition on corporate or labor organization contributions to a segregated fund; and disclosure of donor employment information for cumulative contributions of more than $100.
July 27, 2021 •
Wisconsin Governor Calls Special Session
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order 127 calling for a special session of the Legislature to begin Tuesday, July 27 to consider a proposal to invest more than $500 million in funding for K-12 schools, the University of Wisconsin […]
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order 127 calling for a special session of the Legislature to begin Tuesday, July 27 to consider a proposal to invest more than $500 million in funding for K-12 schools, the University of Wisconsin and Technical College systems, special education funding, and per pupil aid.
May 25, 2021 •
Wisconsin Lawmakers Gavel In and Out of Session
Wisconsin lawmakers convened the special session called by Gov. Tony Evers on May 25 for less than a minute and adjourned without considering the governor’s plan. Evers called the special session to consider the expansion of BadgerCare, the Wisconsin Medicaid […]
Wisconsin lawmakers convened the special session called by Gov. Tony Evers on May 25 for less than a minute and adjourned without considering the governor’s plan.
Evers called the special session to consider the expansion of BadgerCare, the Wisconsin Medicaid system, and invest the $1 billion in cost savings realized under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into Wisconsin’s economic recovery.
As of today, 38 states have approved Medicaid expansion to become eligible for the additional federal funding.
May 20, 2021 •
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers Calls for Special Session
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #116 today calling for a special session of the Legislature to begin at noon on Tuesday, May 25 to consider the expansion of BadgerCare, the Wisconsin Medicaid system, and invest the $1 billion […]
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #116 today calling for a special session of the Legislature to begin at noon on Tuesday, May 25 to consider the expansion of BadgerCare, the Wisconsin Medicaid system, and invest the $1 billion in cost savings realized under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into Wisconsin’s economic recovery and more than 50 projects and economic development initiatives across the state.
Wisconsin would be the 37th state to approve Medicaid expansion and become eligible for the additional federal funding.
April 29, 2021 •
Wisconsin Governor Announces Special Election July 13
Gov. Tony Evers issued an executive order calling for a special election on July 13. The election will fill the Assembly District 37 seat being vacated after Sen. John Jagler was elected to the 13th Senate District. A primary, if […]
Gov. Tony Evers issued an executive order calling for a special election on July 13.
The election will fill the Assembly District 37 seat being vacated after Sen. John Jagler was elected to the 13th Senate District.
A primary, if necessary, will be held on June 15.
January 14, 2021 •
Wisconsin Governor Calls Special Session
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced he was calling a special session of the Legislature during his State of the State address, delivered virtually for the first time in the state’s history. He called the special session to consider the State […]
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced he was calling a special session of the Legislature during his State of the State address, delivered virtually for the first time in the state’s history.
He called the special session to consider the State Unemployment System.
Evers explained that, due to an outdated system, the Department of Workforce Development has struggled to keep up with an unprecedented number of claims.
January 4, 2021 •
Wisconsin Lawmakers Adjourn Special Session
Wisconsin Lawmakers ended the third special session on December 22, with a final adjournment pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1. The session was called by Gov. Tony Evers and began on August 31, 2020. Wisconsin law does not require lawmakers […]
Wisconsin Lawmakers ended the third special session on December 22, with a final adjournment pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.
The session was called by Gov. Tony Evers and began on August 31, 2020.
Wisconsin law does not require lawmakers to take any action during a special session and none was taken.
The constitution prohibits either chamber from adjourning without consent of the other for more than 3 days.
Lawmakers then convened and immediately adjourned every Tuesday and Thursday without taking any action until the final adjournment.
September 1, 2020 •
Wisconsin Lawmakers Convene and Leave Session Open
Wisconsin lawmakers convened the special session called by Gov. Tony Evers on August 31. The session met for less than a minute and adjourned until September 3, in what is termed a skeletal session. No Senate Republicans were present for […]
Wisconsin lawmakers convened the special session called by Gov. Tony Evers on August 31.
The session met for less than a minute and adjourned until September 3, in what is termed a skeletal session.
No Senate Republicans were present for the session.
Wisconsin law does not require lawmakers to take any action during a special session.
The session is adjourned for three days to comply with the constitutional requirement that neither house may adjourn without the consent of the other for more than 3 days.
They may continue in this manner until both houses agree on a course of action or to adjourn sine die.
August 27, 2020 •
Wisconsin Governor Calls Special Session
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is calling the legislature into special session. The main topic will be to consider a package of nine bills introduced in June relating to police reform in the wake of recent protests. The special session is […]
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is calling the legislature into special session.
The main topic will be to consider a package of nine bills introduced in June relating to police reform in the wake of recent protests.
The special session is set to begin at noon on August 31.
The length of the session will be determined by the Legislature.
July 15, 2020 •
Wisconsin Ethics Commission Adopts Formal Opinion
The Wisconsin Ethics Commission adopted a formal opinion stating lobbyists may make a campaign contribution to partisan elective state officials and candidates for partisan elective office, regardless of whether the individual is on the ballot for that election, during the […]
The Wisconsin Ethics Commission adopted a formal opinion stating lobbyists may make a campaign contribution to partisan elective state officials and candidates for partisan elective office, regardless of whether the individual is on the ballot for that election, during the contribution window.
The contribution window begins the first day authorized by law for the circulation of nomination papers as a candidate at a general election or special election and closes the day of the general or special election.
A contribution to a candidate for legislative office may only be made during the period if the Legislature has concluded its final floor period and is not in special or extraordinary session.
The contribution window opened on May 14 and will close on November 3.
April 24, 2020 •
Wisconsin Republicans Postpone Party Convention Until July
The Republican Party of Wisconsin postponed its annual state convention from May to July because of the coronavirus pandemic. The convention will now take place over two days instead of three on July 10-11 in Green Bay. State Democrats have […]
The Republican Party of Wisconsin postponed its annual state convention from May to July because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The convention will now take place over two days instead of three on July 10-11 in Green Bay.
State Democrats have already changed their convention to one day, June 12, in Wisconsin Dells.
Additionally, the party will decide by May 1 whether it will be in-person or change to a virtual event.
April 7, 2020 •
Wisconsin Moves Forward with Primary; Absentee Deadline Today
The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers’ executive order delaying the state’s presidential primary over coronavirus fears. The court ruled 4-2 Evers lacked the authority to move the election on his own. The decision means the election will […]
The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers’ executive order delaying the state’s presidential primary over coronavirus fears.
The court ruled 4-2 Evers lacked the authority to move the election on his own.
The decision means the election will occur as originally scheduled on Tuesday.
Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday to count after the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the deadline in the first coronavirus-related case to reach the justices.
April 6, 2020 •
Wisconsin Governor Issues Order to Delay Election
Gov. Tony Evers issued an executive order to delay the state’s presidential primary from April 7 until June 9 because of the coronavirus pandemic. If Evers’ executive order holds, Wisconsin would become the 16th state to delay its election amid […]
Gov. Tony Evers issued an executive order to delay the state’s presidential primary from April 7 until June 9 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
If Evers’ executive order holds, Wisconsin would become the 16th state to delay its election amid the pandemic.
Republicans are expected to immediately challenge the governor’s order in state court.
Evers had been reluctant to act due to concerns a postponement would be quickly overturned by the state Supreme Court and impact his authority to fight the pandemic.
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