Wisconsin Examiner
Forcing legislators to face the public
A bill allowing Wisconsinites to petition for a public hearing could circumvent the majority’s lock on discussion
Sen. Melissa Agard holding copies of her public hearing petition bill | Agard Facebook
There are a number of bills that poll extremely well with the public many getting a thumbs up from significantly more than half the people in Wisconsin, including most Republicans. Think cannabis legalization, closing the dark store tax loophole, nonpartisan redistricting, universal background checks for gun sales, expanding BadgerCare using federal resources, raising the minimum wage.
Not only do these bills never pass the state Legislature, they never get voted on, even in committee. In fact, most never see the light of day in committee, not even for a public hearing.
Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday this week announced his 2021-2023 biennial budget, laying out his Badger Bounceback agenda to help make sure Wisconsin can bounce back from this pandemic and
Gov. Tony Evers announced Friday that the state plans to take legal action against PFAS contaminators. Evers and Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul asked the Department of the Administration (DOA) to select an outside law firm to assist the state in addressing companies responsible for contamination.
State lawmakers concerned but undeterred by threats of violence
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MADISON (WKOW) Wisconsin state lawmakers say FBI reports of armed protests and violence directed at government buildings this week and next are worrying. My own kids have expressed concern about me going to work tomorrow, Sen. Melissa Agard (D-Madison) said. My parents have reached out to me and expressed concerns about me going to work. I ve had a number of constituents who have reached out to me and expressed concern. This isn t the way it should be.
Agard said she has noticed more Capitol Police officers in and around the statehouse since Wednesday s violence in Washington, D.C. She said this has been reassuring.