"Sad day in America:" Republican Wisconsin Assembly speaker calls out Donald Trump
MADISON — Republican Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he is embarrassed about Donald Trump being the GOP presidential nominee, calling it a "sad day in America."But he tells The Associated Press that he's not rescinding his support for Trump because he says Democrat Hillary Clinton would be worse.Vos wrote a column Friday in advance of a Trump rally in Green Bay.
Republican lawmakers target urban schools for more aid
MILWAUKEE — Republican state lawmakers say they want to increase funding for Wisconsin's urban schools.The recommendations were included in a state Assembly task force report released on Wednesday.
Scott Walker, other Wisconsin Republicans avoid Trump talk at state convention
GREEN BAY – Republicans gathered in Green Bay for their annual state convention Saturday, but many of the party’s leaders avoided the topic of presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Gov. Walker, Tommy Thompson among Wisconsin statewide delegates
MADISON -- Wisconsin Gov.
State Assembly to vote on bill limiting school revenue Thursday
MADISON — The Wisconsin Assembly plans to vote Thursday on legislation enabling public schools to recoup their losses when students leave through the state's voucher program.The program subsidies private school tuition.
Controversial idea: Robin Vos suggests using marketing money to pay for Wisconsin Center expansion
MILWAUKEE -- Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has an idea of how to pay for an expansion to the Wisconsin Center in downtown Milwaukee.Vos is suggesting tapping into the $7 million in sales tax proceeds the convention hall's owner pays annually to VISIT Milwaukee for marketing.The idea has proven controversial.Owners of hotels in Milwaukee County support funding VISIT Milwaukee because it helps fill their rooms with tourists and conventioneers.Vos cautioned that his idea is preliminary.CLICK HERE for more on this story via the Milwaukee Business Journal.
Bill would provide amnesty for sexual assault victims
MADISON — Wisconsin legislators are proposing a bill that would ensure sexual assault victims and reporters can't be cited or disciplined for underage drinking.Rep.
Vos: Campus carry bill unlikely, lawmakers to take second look at fetal tissue ban
MADISON --Wisconsin lawmakers, back in Madison for a brief session before focusing on their own re-election efforts for the rest of 2016, will consider one bill making it easier to hire and fire state workers and another banning the use of fetal tissue from abortions.Elections will dominate 2016 in Wisconsin politics -- including a presidential primary and state Supreme Court election in April, a U.S. Senate rematch, and Democrats trying to win back seats in Madison.Both sides have upside-down approval ratings.
"I'm not a Grinch:" Against GOP criticism, fire marshal defends decision to ban real Christmas trees in churches
MADISON -- Republican lawmakers are circulating a bill that would prohibit Wisconsin municipalities from banning live Christmas trees in the state Capitol rotunda and churches.Fire marshals with two fire departments, Kewaskum and Jackson, have told church leaders they can no longer put real trees in their churches.
State Rep. Joe Sanfelippo wants to impound cars if drivers lack license
MADISON — A Republican legislator has introduced a bill that would require drivers who lack valid licenses to immediately surrender their vehicles to police.Rep.
Wisconsin Assembly plays France, U.S. national anthems to begin its session day
MADISON — The Wisconsin state Assembly is playing both the French and U.S. national anthems to begin its session day.Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says the decision to play France's national anthem Monday was meant as a sign of solidarity to show Wisconsin stands united against terrorism.Republicans and Democrats joined hands and stood silently as a recording of France's national anthem played in the chamber.
Assembly Democrats, Republicans spar over student loan bill
MADISON — Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos isn't allowing Democrats to get an immediate vote on a bill allowing higher education student loan debt to be refinanced.But Vos said Tuesday in the spirit of "wiping the slate clean" he will allow the bill to be referred to the budget committee where it could be examined more closely.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos wants to 'wipe slate clean,' take up Democratic student loan bill
MADISON — Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is offering to take up a Democratic bill that would allow higher education student loan debt to be refinanced.Vos says he is inspired by newly elected House Speaker Paul Ryan and is making the offer in the spirit of "wiping the slate clean" to improve relations between Democrats and Republicans.Democrats said at a news conference prior to the start of the session that they planned to force debate of the higher education refinancing bill Tuesday.
Republicans unveil plan to dismantle, replace Wisconsin's top government watchdog
MADISON — Legislative Republicans on Wednesday unveiled their plans to break up and then replace the Government Accountability Board, which has overseen some of the most contentious elections in state history during its short lifespan.Some of the Republicans backing the current plan to scrap the GAB voted in favor of creating the agency in 2007, in the wake of the caucus scandal that shook up the state Capitol."It was a well-intentioned eight-year experiment, one that at one time was held up as a model for the nation," said Rep.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, Rep. Dean Knudson to unveil legislation to overhaul GAB
MADISON — Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Rep.
GAB board chair warns Republican changes could disrupt 2016 elections
MADISON — The chairman of the nonpartisan board that oversees Wisconsin elections is warning Republicans that overhauling board operations could have serious consequences for the 2016 contests.Republicans are crafting a bill that would re-shape the Government Accountability Board, a group of six retired judges that oversee elections and ethics laws.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos 'optimistic' Assembly will take up fetal research ban
MADISON -- Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he's optimistic the chamber will vote on a bill outlawing research on tissue taken from aborted fetuses.The GOP-authored measure would ban research on tissues, organs and cells from fetuses killed in elective abortions after January 1st, 2015, and ban the commercial sale of fetal tissue.