Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he's not pursuing open records changes
MADISON — Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says lawmakers will not be pursuing changes to the state's open records law this session, despite a request from his office to have a bill drafted setting different standards for the Legislature.Vos said Tuesday, September 8th that the bill drafting request submitted in July was done so there could be a starting point for discussions by a yet-to-be-formed study committee.The bill his office requested be drafted would allow the Legislature to set its open records policy by rule, rather than by law as is currently required.That possibility sparked an outcry from open government advocates Tuesday, since it would allow the Legislature to set its own policies separate from other governmental bodies without passing a bill that must be signed by the governor.
Assembly Speaker Vos creates three bipartisan task forces to issue recommendations for law changes
MADISON — Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has created three bipartisan task forces to issue recommendations for law changes in the coming months.The groups announced Tuesday, August 4th will study Alzheimer's and dementia, urban education and youth workforce readiness.The Republican-led committees will begin their work this summer with the goal of completing it by the end of next year.Vos's office says the Alzheimer's task force will look at ways to reduce the cost of long-term care, as well as promote community-based resources.The urban school group will look at ways to improve education, including studying teacher recruitment and retention.And the youth workforce group will look at ways to encourage young people to pursue careers in the trades, manufacturing industry and technical fields.“The goal of each bipartisan task force is to explore possible solutions and recommend legislation to the full Assembly,” said Speaker Vos. “I’m pleased that we’ll have bipartisan collaboration on matters that impact our families, our workforce and the future of our state.”Each task force has an Assembly Republican chair and an Assembly Democratic vice chair.
Deal close at hand: Assembly to approve funding for $500 million Bucks arena
MADISON— Republican and Democratic state Assembly members are joining together to support a $500 million financing plan for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena.
Open records changes: Newly released emails show Assembly Speaker Robin Vos drafted the language
MADISON -- Newly released emails specify which lawmaker led the push to restrict access to government records.
Lawmakers make progress toward budget agreement; Assembly to vote on spending plan next week
MADISON — After nearly a month-long stalemate, Republican leaders in Madison say they're making progress toward a budget agreement.
Senate leader promises vote on Bucks arena funding plan next week
MADISON — The Wisconsin Senate's Republican leader says he plans to vote on a bill to fund a new Milwaukee Bucks arena next week.The deal lays out a $500 million financing plan for the arena that includes $250 million from taxpayers.
Deal reached on new state budget; Bucks arena funding, prevailing wage to be in separate bills
MADISON -- Republican legislative leaders have reached a deal on a new state budget that removes the Milwaukee Bucks arena funding proposal and prevailing wage reforms -- to be taken up later as separate bills.Joint Finance Committee co-chair Rep.
Arena financing deal: Speaker Vos says he has the votes in the Assembly, but what about the Senate?
MADISON -- Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he has enough votes to pass a financing plan for a $500 million Milwaukee Bucks arena that relies on $250 million from state and local taxpayers.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos unveils measure to cut use of prevailing wage by 60%
MADISON — Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says a proposal scaling back the use of prevailing wage in Wisconsin has the votes to pass the Assembly -- and he's waiting for Senate leaders to say what they have the votes to do.Vos on Monday, June 29th joined with other Republican Assembly members to unveil a measure to cut the use of the prevailing wage by 60%.
Walker says framework of budget deal likely in next few days; others not so optimistic
MADISON -- Governor Scott Walker on Wednesday, June 24th said the framework of a budget deal to break a nearly month-long impasse is likely in the next few days.Walker did not say Wednesday what the deal may look like.But Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says in response, "It sounds like the governor is more optimistic than I am."Walker is downplaying the budget delay, noting that only three budgets have been signed before July 19th since 1983 and two of those were when he was governor.He also defends his involvement in the budget negotiations, saying he has been more active this year than ever before.Meanwhile, Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says he still does not have the votes to pass the state budget.Fitzgerald said Wednesday that he is still working with Republican senators who want to see items "included, eliminated or modified."The budget-writing Joint Finance Committee has not met since May 29th and has no meetings scheduled.Republican leaders said Tuesday their goal was to be done by July 1st, which is unlikely.Fitzgerald says Republicans have yet to reach agreement on several key issues, including whether to delay work on the Zoo Interchange near Milwaukee to deal with cuts in road funding, whether to remove a financing deal for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena from the budget and what changes to make to the state's prevailing wage law.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos wants borrowing for state highway projects cut by $800M
MADISON (AP) — Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he wants to see borrowing for state highway projects cut by at least $800 million.Vos said Tuesday that Assembly Republicans have not agreed to an exact amount.
"We want a good deal or no deal at all:" Group concerned over quality of jobs associated with new Bucks arena
MILWAUKEE -- Governor Scott Walker joined state and local leaders, including Speaker Robin Vos, Majority Leader Fitzgerald, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in announcing a plan to protect state taxpayers from a loss of approximately $419 million, if the NBA relocates the Milwaukee Bucks.
Bucks arena funding deal finally reached? News conference set for 3:15 p.m. in Madison
MILWAUKEE -- A deal may have finally been reached as it relates to funding for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena in downtown Milwaukee.
No deal yet on arena for Milwaukee Bucks; but some details on plan revealed
MADISON — While no one will say a financing plan to pay for a new downtown arena for the Milwaukee Bucks is done, FOX6 News is learning new details about that plan.A source tells FOX6 News the state's contribution is $80 million -- $55 million in principal, the rest in interest.
Arena-funding deal may be close at hand; Bucks, city leaders optimistic
MILWAUKEE (WITI) — Milwaukee leaders and the president of the Milwaukee Bucks say a deal could come as soon as Wednesday, May 27th regarding a new $500 million downtown arena.Following a meeting on Tuesday morning, May 26th, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said the number of issues remaining has narrowed.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says prevailing wage hearing could derail reform
MADISON (AP) — Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says efforts to take up prevailing wage repeal could hinder efforts to reform the program in the state budget.A Wisconsin state Assembly Labor Committee has scheduled a public hearing and vote Wednesday on a bill to repeal the prevailing wage.Vos says there isn't enough support in the Republican-controlled Legislature for a full repeal of the law that that requires construction workers on certain government projects be paid wages equivalent to what they would earn working on other projects in the area.Republican Senate Majority Scott Fitzgerald said last week he doesn't have the votes for a full repeal, but he hopes to make changes in the state budget.The budget-writing Joint Finance Committee hopes to complete its work this week.
Working towards deal: Barrett's chief of staff, County Exec. Abele take part in Bucks arena meeting in Madison
MADISON (WITI) -- Key players are still working towards a deal as it relates to funding for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena in downtown Milwaukee.
A who's who of Wisconsin Republican Party, lawmakers wrap up state convention, look toward 2016
LA CROSSE (WITI) -- The weekend-long 2015 Wisconsin Republican Convention wrapped up Sunday morning, May 17th in La Crosse with a prayer breakfast.
Gov. Walker says sluggish tax revenue growth could impact funding plan for new Bucks arena
MADISON (WITI) -- No new revenue.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos mum on whether UW cut will be reduced
MADISON (AP) — Assembly Speaker Robin Vos isn't saying whether Gov.