It’s a Christmas Tree

By Rep. Kevin Petersen, 40th Assembly District A beautiful 30-foot tree adorns the Wisconsin State Capitol rotunda. It looks like a Christmas tree, smells like a Christmas tree, and is decorated like a Christmas tree. But wait! At the Wisconsin State Capitol, it’s simply labeled the State Capitol Holiday Tree. Excuse me, but what holiday […]

Six of Sen. Ballweg’s bills signed into law

PRESS RELEASE Six bills from State Sen. Joan Ballweg (R-Markeson) were signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers on Dec. 6. “Getting six individual bills across the legislative finish line is a great accomplishment,” said Ballweg. “I am grateful for the work from supporters for each of these bills. These pieces of legislation will make […]

Why retirees may pay ‘significant increases’ in 2024 Medicare Part D drug premiums

By Kerry Hannon, yahoo!finance Senior Columnist, Sun, December 3, 2023 A new law, the Inflation Reduction Act, caps seniors’ prescription drug costs covered under Medicare, starting in 2025, to $2,000, and beginning next year allows no more than a 6% annual jump in Part D premiums. Overall, average monthly premiums for Part D will be “substantially […]

The State of Local News: A 2023 report on local news sources in America

The 2023 The State of Local News report has been issued by the Local News Initiative at Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism. “The data and insights collected and analyzed in this 2023 report on The State of Local News paint the picture of a country and society increasingly divided between the journalism-have’s — mostly […]

Update on what’s happening politically in Madison

By MacIver Institute A lot has been going on at the Capital – here’s an update on some of the top stories. Annual Fiscal Report: $7 Billion Surplus; Tax Collections Up But Spending Up a Bit More The state released its Annual Fiscal Report (AFR) which shows the state has a more than $7 billion […]

State Senate overrides Gov. Evers vetoes

Assembly must now act on overriding vetoes By State Sen. Joan Ballweg Wisconsin’s constitution affords the governor with the most powerful veto pen in the United States. The constitution also affords the legislature power to override a governor’s veto. A successful veto override requires a two-thirds vote by both the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly. […]

A view of Wisconsin’s Redistricting Plan

By State Rep. Kevin Petersen In recent weeks, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz and her statements during the recent spring election campaign have made national headlines. During the campaign, Justice Protasiewicz stated in a TV interview: “When we say the maps are rigged, those maps are rigged. I don’t think you could sell to […]