Around the State

REPUBLICANS FIRE EVERS APPOINTEES: “Republicans who control the state Senate fired eight more of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ appointees Tuesday, including two Universities of Wisconsin regents who voted against a deal that limited campus diversity and four judicial watchdogs who wouldn’t commit to punishing liberal state Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz.” – Wisconsin Watch, March 13, 2024

VOS RECALL STALLS: “Supporters of former President Donald Trump who organized an effort to recall Assembly Speaker Robin Vos did not gather enough signatures to trigger the recall election under one scenario reviewed by elections officials Tuesday, but it likely will be up to the state Supreme Court to ultimately decide the fate of the recall effort.” – Wisconsin Watch, March 13, 2024

ABSENTEE BALLOT DROP BOXES: “The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Tuesday voted to accept a case from a liberal voting rights group that would overturn a 2022 decision by the Court to ban the use of absentee ballot drop boxes in the state.” See Wisconsin Examiner story here.

AG-RELATED REGULATIONS: “Some of Wisconsin’s largest agricultural interest groups supported legislation passed by the state Senate Tuesday that would prevent local governments from creating agriculture-related regulations that are stricter than the state’s, according to an analysis of lobbying records by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.” Read the Wisconsin Examiner story here.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ADVANCE: Three Constitutional amendments will go to voters in August to approve. According to the Wisconsin Examiner, “AJR 6, a constitutional amendment that gives the lawmakers more say in the way that federal funds are allocated in Wisconsin, passed in a 22-10 party-line vote.” “AJR 109 passed 22-10. The proposal would change the Constitution to prohibit governmental entities from discriminating against or granting “preferential treatment” to people and groups on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in public employment, public education, public contracting or public administration.” “AJR 112 passed 22-10. It would further restrict the governor’s veto power by prohibiting the creation or increase or authorizing the creation or increase of any tax or fee.” – Wisconsin Watch, March 13, 2024