Developing: Assembly Republicans to pass school testing pause bill

MADISON (AP) — Republicans in control of the state Assembly say they will pass a bill next month that ensures results from the Badger Exam being taken by grade school students this spring will not be used against teachers or schools.Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and other Republicans said Thursday they will pass a bill similar to the one that already cleared the Senate that puts off publishing report cards for schools with results from the tests.The scores would also not be used as part of teacher evaluations.The scores would still be reported to comply with federal law, and parents could see how their children and schools fared.The Badger Exam has been beset with numerous implementation problems and Gov.

Support right-to-work legislation? Assembly Republicans have new way for you to show it

MADISON (WITI) -- Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) announced on Thursday, February 26th a new opportunity for supporters of worker freedom to sign a petition in favor of the right-to-work legislation (Assembly Bill 61, Senate Bill 44) that is coming before the Wisconsin State Assembly next week.The website can be found at WisconsinWorkerFreedom.com.

Assembly speaker anticipates more mental health legislation

MADISON (AP) — Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he wants to revisit mental health issues this legislative session with a focus on improving access to care.Vos, a Rochester Republican, created a task force last session to examine mental health needs in the state and has formed a new Assembly committee to work on mental health reform this session.Vos told a Wisconsin Health News luncheon in Madison on Thursday that he wants to do more to address mental health care.

Worthless distraction? State GOP says "no" to right to secede

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Assembly Republicans are urging delegates at the GOP state convention to reject a tea party-backed resolution calling on lawmakers to affirm Wisconsin's right to secede.Fifty of the Assembly's 69 Republicans, including Speaker Robin Vos and Rep.

Assembly Majority Leader Bill Kramer says he's entering treatment

MADISON (AP) -- Assembly Majority Leader Bill Kramer (R) says he is entering treatment as he faces pressure to resign amid charges he sexually harassed multiple women at a Republican fundraiser.Kramer's office released a two-sentence statement Saturday, saying the Waukesha Republican is entering treatment, and would have no further comment.Kramer has been asked to resign his post because of allegations that he sexually harassed multiple women at a meeting in Washington, two Republicans with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Saturday, March 1st.Rep.

State lawmakers ponder idea of toll roads in Wisconsin

MADISON (WITI) -- Wisconsin appears to be one step closer to joining neighboring states like Illinois and Minnesota -- states that have toll roads.Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a Republican from Burlington, says drivers who use Wisconsin's interstates may some day help "pitch in" for the maintenance of the roads."We know that the transportation fund over the long haul has a serious deficit.