County Board chairman files lawsuit against Co. Exec. Abele over alleged pay changes, budget meetings
MILWAUKEE COUNTY -- Milwaukee County Board Chairman Theodore Lipscomb has filed a lawsuit against Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, for his "continued refusal to appear before the public in committee meetings" on the Milwaukee County budget, "as required by law" -- and allegations he made changes to Milwaukee County employees' pay, which exceeds his authority under state statute."If you were simply reasonable and would come, we wouldn't have to resort to this," said Milwaukee County Board Chairman Theo Lipscomb says of meetings missed by Abele.Lipscomb says the County Board is requesting Abele's presence so they can ask him questions about his proposed 2016 budget.
Wisconsin unemployment drops to 4.3 percent in September
MADISON — New data shows Wisconsin's preliminary unemployment rate in September was 4.3 percent, down slightly from 4.5 percent in August.State Department of Workforce Development reports released Thursday show added 1,400 nonfarm jobs over the month.
Five highway projects facing delays, Gov. Walker asks that $350M be set aside for transportation
MADISON — Governor Scott Walker says he wants to work with Republican senators to find a solution to funding for road projects in Wisconsin that has led to a delay in some work.Walker spoke to Republican state senators in the Capitol on Tuesday, October 6th.He also voiced his support for replacing the nonpartisan Government Accountability Board with a bipartisan panel, banning the sale of aborted fetal tissue and overhauling the state's 110-year-old civil service system.Walker says he hopes at least "some portion" of $350 million set aside in the state budget for transportation projects can be tapped to continue road projects.This, after a report by researchers at UW-Whitewater for the Transportation Development Association that suggests delaying several major highway projects in Wisconsin could end up costing taxpayers an extra $160 million, while delaying other economic benefits to residents and businesses that would benefit from the improved roads.Walker's Department of Transportation last week announced it was delaying work on five major projects for two years.Walker told senators at the Capitol Tuesday he's willing to work with them on alternatives.The budget passed this summer authorized $500 million in borrowing, with lawmakers reversing the option to authorize up to $350 million more over the next year.Here is a list of the five major highway projects facing two-year delays, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation:
Local unemployment drops in Wisconsin cities, counties
MADISON — Unemployment rates have dropped between July and August in every Wisconsin county and large city.The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development reported the latest figures Wednesday.
"Good things are happening in Milwaukee:" Mayor presents 2016 proposed budget to Common Council
MILWAUKEE – Mayor Tom Barrett presented his 2016 proposed executive budget to the Milwaukee Common Council on Tuesday morning, September 22nd.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett to present 2016 budget proposal to Common Council Tuesday
MILWAUKEE -- Mayor Tom Barrett is set to present his 2016 proposed city of Milwaukee budget to the Common Council on Tuesday, September 22nd.The Mayor's Office says this budget "will include a continued commitment to public safety, strong and healthy neighborhoods, economic security for residents and solid fiscal management."The budget proposal is set to be presented to the Common Council at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday.
Holding steady: Wisconsin unemployment rate remains 4.6 percent
MADISON — Wisconsin's unemployment rate for July is 4.6 percent, unchanged from June.The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development reports Thursday that the state added 8,200 private sector jobs over the month.The state's unemployment rate continues to be lower than the national average, which was 5.3 percent in July.The state data is based on a survey of 3.5 percent of Wisconsin employers.
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.
New figures: Unemployment up in most Wisconsin cities, counties
MADISON -- Unemployment rates increased in most Wisconsin cities and counties in June.
Attorney General files lawsuit over food stamp drug testing in budget signed by Gov. Walker
MADISON -- Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel on Tuesday, July 14th filed a lawsuit against the federal government -- seeking clarification that the state can require certain welfare recipients to undergo drug testing to satisfy the work requirement for food-stamp benefits.The budget Republican Gov.
Governor Walker signs two-year spending plan: "With this budget, taxpayers come first"
WAUKESHA -- Republican Governor Scott Walker on Sunday afternoon, July 12th signed the state budget at a valve manufacturing company in Waukesha.Governor Walker signed the two-year, $73 billion spending plan at Valveworks USA, a valve and wellhead component manufacturer.
Two-year spending plan now in Gov. Walker's hands, but it's unclear at this point when he'll sign it
MADISON -- The state's nearly $73 million, two-year spending plan is now in the hands of Governor Scott Walker.
UW System Board of Regents approves budget that will absorb first year of $250M cut
MADISON — The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents has approved a budget that will absorb the first year of a $250 million cut in state aid.The budget approved by the regents Thursday, July 9th would reduce funding to the flagship Madison campus by nearly $59 million.The Wisconsin State Journal reports the system-wide $6.2 billion budget was approved on a voice vote.The System will draw on $180 million from its reserves to help cover the first year of the state budget cut, despite warnings from budget officials that it's not sustainable.The Legislature this week passed the state budget that includes $250 million in cuts to the university system.
Republican opposition to budget largest ever for Governor Scott Walker
MADISON — More Republican state lawmakers voted against the budget this year than has ever happened under Gov.
Wisconsin Assembly passes budget, sends two-year spending plan to Gov. Walker
MADISON — The Wisconsin state budget is now in Governor Scott Walker's hands.The state Assembly early Thursday morning, July 9th voted 52-46 to pass the $73 billion two-year spending plan.
7-day work week measure in budget: More freedom for employees, or does it weaken workers' rights?
MADISON -- Will it allow employees to work the hours they want -- or is it an effort to weaken workers' rights?
18-15 vote: Senate passes $73B, two-year spending plan; Assembly to vote Wednesday
MADISON -- The Wisconsin Senate has passed the budget, sending the $73 billion two-year spending plan to the state Assembly.The budget passed on an 18-15 vote, with Republican Sen.
Budget debate: Senate Democrats fail to remove provision in budget that would allow 7-day work weeks
MADISON -- Senate Democrats have failed to remove a provision in the Wisconsin state budget that would allow workers to voluntarily agree to work seven-days a week without a day off.Republicans on Tuesday voted down a Democratic attempt to remove the change from the two-year state budget.
Budget debate: Senate votes 17-16 to repeal state's prevailing wage law
MADISON -- The state Senate has passed a rollback of the state's prevailing wage law, which sets minimum salaries for construction workers on public projects.The Senate voted 17-16 on Tuesday to repeal the law for all local government projects like those done by school districts and municipalities, while keeping it in place for state projects.
Budget debate: Republican-controlled Senate rejects restoring $250M in cuts to UW System
MADISON -- A Democratic proposal to restore a $250 million budget cut to the University of Wisconsin System has been rejected in the Republican-controlled state Senate.Democrats argued Tuesday, July 7th that it would irreparably harm the university system to move forward with the cut backed by Gov.