Today, Republicans in the state legislature gave a nod to a bill permitting conversion therapy for LGBTQ Wisconsinites. The practice has been under review by the state’s Department of Safety and Professional Standards, which sets rules for ‘professional conduct’ of therapists and counselors. Under Senate Bill 31, the department would be barred from penalizing those who […]
Lawmakers propose raising Wisconsin’s tipped minimum wage
A new bill – proposed by State Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison) and Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) — would set a minimum tipped wage of $7.25 an hour, bringing tipped employees’ pay rate in line with the rest of the state’s workers. The current tipped minimum wage, which can range from $2.13 to $2.33 an hour, […]
Republican lawmakers move to block vaccines to state’s prisoners
In the past year, COVID-19 has infected more than half of Wisconsin’s overall inmate population, and the infection rate in correctional facilities is five times higher than the state average. That’s according to a recent analysis from investigative outlet Wisconsin Watch. Protesters and advocacy groups have spent months pushing Wisconsin’s lawmakers to address the crisis. […]
State Senate Votes to End Mask Mandate
In a sharply partisan session of the Wisconsin State Senate on Tuesday, Republican lawmakers moved to strike Governor Evers’ mask mandate. Democratic state Senators, meanwhile, defended the measure that most easily protects Wisconsinites from catching a virus responsible for the death of more than 6,000 people in the state. The resolution would end the statewide […]
Republican Lawmakers Cut Out Parts of PFAS Emergency Rule
Republican state lawmakers have repealed several key provisions from an emergency rule meant to regulate contamination of PFAS, a toxic family of forever chemicals, from firefighting foam. Republican lawmakers argue the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is overstepping its authority. Democrats on the other side of the aisle say it’s essentially gutting the rule altogether. […]
U.S. Secretary of State addresses Wisconsin lawmakers
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited the Wisconsin State Capitol today for a discussion with Wisconsin lawmakers and business leaders. Pompeo’s visit is the latest in a procession of Trump administration appearances in the battleground state. It’s also the first time a sitting Secretary of State has visited the Wisconsin State Capitol, says Senate […]
