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Rural electric co-ops to get $10.7B in USDA funds for clean energy grants, loans
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin to administer two loan and grant programs worth nearly $11 billion to boost clean energy systems in rural areas, administration officials said Tuesday. Congress approved the federal spending — $9.7 billion for a grant and loan program the department is calling the New Empowering Rural America program, or […] The post Rural electric co-ops to get $10.7B in USDA funds for clean energy grants, loans appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Budget, shared revenue bill test Assembly Speaker Vos’ vision of bipartisan compromise
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) said the “disappointing” results of Wisconsin’s 2022 elections — where Democratic Gov. Tony Evers won reelection by a healthy margin and Republicans held onto their majority in the state Legislature but fell short of a veto-proof supermajority — made him decide to hit the “reset button” in Wisconsin. “Where we […] The post Budget, shared revenue bill test Assembly Speaker Vos’ vision of bipartisan compromise appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Fast federal response to pandemic key to U.S. economic recovery, economists say
The public health emergency declaration ended last week, and with it some of the policies that helped the U.S. recover from the many of the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Although COVID-19 is still a public health threat, the national economic crisis it created has subsided with the U.S. economy back to its pre-pandemic […] The post Fast federal response to pandemic key to U.S. economic recovery, economists say appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
EPA again proposes power plant carbon rules
The Obama administration’s 2015 Clean Power Plan — intended to cut carbon emissions from power plants — was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Trump administration’s much-criticized replacement, the Affordable Clean Energy rule, derided as a “tortured series of misreadings” of the U.S. Clean Air Act, was also tossed by a federal court. […] The post EPA again proposes power plant carbon rules appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Federal judge in Florida blocks Biden administration from releasing some migrants
A federal judge in Florida in a late Thursday order granted the state’s emergency request to temporarily halt a new Biden administration policy to release from federal custody some immigrants who enter the country without prior authorization. The order from U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell II, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, […] The post Federal judge in Florida blocks Biden administration from releasing some migrants appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Speedier permitting of energy projects gains bipartisan backing on U.S. Senate panel
Members of both parties on the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voiced their support Thursday for reforming the federal process for approving energy projects, saying it should be prioritized to secure domestic energy supply and boost renewable energy. There is bipartisan interest in revising the permitting process and members of both parties have […] The post Speedier permitting of energy projects gains bipartisan backing on U.S. Senate panel appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Madison teachers draw attention to issues facing educators by cutting extra hours of work
Teachers in Madison have been only working contract hours this week, hoping to draw attention to deteriorating wages and working conditions during Teacher Appreciation Week. Michael Jones, the president of the Madison Teachers Union, or MTI said teachers are underpaid for the amount of work they do, which is why they have been “reclaiming their […] The post Madison teachers draw attention to issues facing educators by cutting extra hours of work appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
U.S. House passes bill to reinstate Trump-era immigration policies
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans on Thursday pushed through a border security package that mirrors Trump-era immigration policies, aiming criticism at the Biden administration for ending a pandemic-era public health measure used to expel millions of migrants from the country. The House passed the measure in a 219-213 vote. Only two Republicans voted in opposition, […] The post U.S. House passes bill to reinstate Trump-era immigration policies appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Parting thoughts from an advocate for democracy in Wisconsin
It’s been quite a stretch of time, for Wisconsin and for our nation, these past eight and a half years. During this time, our system of government has been tested as never before, and we’ve seen the rise of a full blown anti-democracy movement in this country. And we’ve witnessed things I thought I’d never […] The post Parting thoughts from an advocate for democracy in Wisconsin appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
As the COVID public health emergency ends, prepping for a new pandemic is next
WASHINGTON — After more than three years and 1.1 million deaths, the United States on Thursday ended the public health emergency for COVID-19 — and Congress is attempting to better prepare for a possible resurgence of that virus or another. The expiration of the designation, originally put in place in January 2020, means alterations to […] The post As the COVID public health emergency ends, prepping for a new pandemic is next appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Near unanimous public opposition to sewer district cutting flow to Badger Mill Creek
The Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District’s (MMSD) looming deadline to decide how it will reduce the amount of phosphorus it discharges into Badger Mill Creek drew dozens of attendees to a public hearing at Fitchburg City Hall Thursday morning. Unanimously, community members expressed their opposition to the MMSD staff recommendation that the phosphorus be reduced by […] The post Near unanimous public opposition to sewer district cutting flow to Badger Mill Creek appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Sinema says Arizona ‘bears the brunt of the crisis’ as Title 42 immigration policy ends
WASHINGTON — In a rare sit-down with reporters, U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona said Thursday that border states are not prepared for the end of a pandemic-era measure called Title 42 used to expel millions of migrants at the border. Sinema, an independent, was joined at the press event at the U.S. Capitol by […] The post Sinema says Arizona ‘bears the brunt of the crisis’ as Title 42 immigration policy ends appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
As COVID-19 emergency ends, changes will be far-reaching — and nearly invisible
Good-bye mask requirements. Good-bye free COVID-19 tests. Good-bye free health care for COVID-19 illness or its treatment. With the arrival of May 11, 2023, the national COVID-19 public health emergency that has been in place for more than three years is over. On Friday, May 5, the World Health Organization declared the global health emergency […] The post As COVID-19 emergency ends, changes will be far-reaching — and nearly invisible appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Senate committee considers bills to expand victims’ rights during parole process
The Senate Judiciary and Public Safety committee heard testimony on a bill that would expand the consideration of victims when an inmate is up for parole on Wednesday. Senate Bill 230 would expand current law that allows victims to make statements during the parole process by requiring a parole commission or sentencing court to allow […] The post Senate committee considers bills to expand victims’ rights during parole process appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
U.S. House GOP wants spending cuts — and also $10B in home-state earmarks
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans have requested more than $10 billion in earmarks to be included in next year’s appropriations bills, despite demanding massive spending cuts as a contingent for raising the nation’s debt ceiling. All but a handful of House Republicans barely pushed through a bill that would temporarily raise the U.S. borrowing limit, […] The post U.S. House GOP wants spending cuts — and also $10B in home-state earmarks appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
U.S. senators press pharma executives on cost of insulin, prescription medications
WASHINGTON — U.S. senators sparred with pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy benefit managers during a Wednesday hearing on the costs of insulin and other prescription medications. Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, the top Republican on the panel and a physician, noted that a century ago a diabetes diagnosis was essentially a death sentence for patients before the […] The post U.S. senators press pharma executives on cost of insulin, prescription medications appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
New claims aired by GOP of Biden family influence-peddling, but questions remain
U.S. House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer and fellow House Republicans on Wednesday used newly unearthed bank records to claim that President Joe Biden’s family members sought to improperly benefit from his vice presidency — though the preliminary findings leave several major questions unanswered. No direct ties to Biden while he served as […] The post New claims aired by GOP of Biden family influence-peddling, but questions remain appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Title 42 nears an end, marking a shift in U.S. immigration policy at the border
WASHINGTON — A pandemic-era measure that allowed for the swift expulsion of millions of migrants at the Southwest border is set to end Thursday, and the Biden administration and state officials across the U.S. are bracing for a potential increase in asylum seekers. At the same time, House Republicans this week are pushing through a […] The post Title 42 nears an end, marking a shift in U.S. immigration policy at the border appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Bipartisan bill would give grants to gun shop owners to support suicide prevention
Wisconsin gun shops would be eligible to receive grants to support prevention of suicide by firearms throughout the state under a bipartisan bill proposed by a two Republican lawmakers. Co-author Sen. Jesse James (R-Altoona) said during an Assembly Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention committee hearing on Tuesday that the bill would be one way […] The post Bipartisan bill would give grants to gun shop owners to support suicide prevention appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Biden and congressional leaders fail to reach a debt limit deal, but will meet again Friday
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden and top congressional leaders were unable to reach a bipartisan debt limit agreement during a closed-door meeting Tuesday, leaving the dispute unresolved as the country moves closer to a default predicted as soon as early June. White House staff and aides to the four congressional leaders, however, will meet throughout […] The post Biden and congressional leaders fail to reach a debt limit deal, but will meet again Friday appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
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