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State labor secretary reviews efforts to expand the workforce in Wisconsin
The year just ended set new workforce-related records for Wisconsin: a record high for jobs and a record low for unemployment. Those 2023 milestones — 2.4% unemployment in April and May and more than 3 million jobs in November — have been widely reported. But Amy Pechacek, secretary-designee at the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development […] The post State labor secretary reviews efforts to expand the workforce in Wisconsin appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Immigration negotiations in Congress center on parole, asylum policy
WASHINGTON — A deal on changes to immigration policy remained elusive on Tuesday for top U.S. Senate negotiators. Those leading the talks — Sens. James Lankford, Republican of Oklahoma, Chris Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut and Kyrsten Sinema, independent of Arizona — have worked for weeks to strike a deal between the White House and Senate […] The post Immigration negotiations in Congress center on parole, asylum policy appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
U.S. Capitol Police union says not enough done to improve security after Jan. 6 attack
WASHINGTON — The union representing U.S. Capitol Police is warning that the federal law enforcement agency doesn’t have enough manpower to address threats to members of Congress and is criticizing the Architect of the Capitol for not implementing some of the changes proposed following the Jan. 6, 2021 attack. “We’ve never seen a threat environment […] The post U.S. Capitol Police union says not enough done to improve security after Jan. 6 attack appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Three-judge federal panel grills Trump lawyer on claim of presidential immunity
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump appeared in federal court Tuesday seeking immunity from charges that he schemed to overturn the 2020 presidential election results and knowingly fed lies to supporters who turned violent on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump, who is leading polls in the 2024 Republican presidential primary field, watched while his attorney D. […] The post Three-judge federal panel grills Trump lawyer on claim of presidential immunity appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Wisconsin would operate five dispensaries under limited medical marijuana legalization program
Assembly Republicans announced a limited proposal Monday to make medical marijuana available for Wisconsinites with certain medical conditions and received mixed reactions from lawmakers and Gov. Tony Evers. At a press conference in the state Capitol, Rep. Jon Plumer (R-Lodi) called the bill a “really strong starting point.” Under the plan, five state-run dispensaries would […] The post Wisconsin would operate five dispensaries under limited medical marijuana legalization program appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Political spin distorts Whitewater immigration ‘crisis’
A few days after Whitewater Police Chief Dan Meyer wrote to President Joe Biden asking for federal aid to help cope with an influx of recent migrants to his city, the right-wing news outlet Breitbart jumped on the story, publicizing the letter under the misleading headline: “Biden floods small Wisconsin town with 1,000 migrants.” This […] The post Political spin distorts Whitewater immigration ‘crisis’ appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Trump legal problems abound as first test of 2024 presidential campaign nears in Iowa
WASHINGTON — On the cusp of a 2024 election season like none other in U.S. history, former President Donald Trump’s legal and political worlds are set to converge. Trump’s lawyers on Tuesday will argue before a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. that he is immune from prosecution for actions he’s accused of taking while […] The post Trump legal problems abound as first test of 2024 presidential campaign nears in Iowa appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Ride-share, delivery companies renew push to declare drivers independent contractors
For the second time in three years state lawmakers are considering bills that would dictate that app-based ride-share and delivery drivers are independent contractors, not employees. Authors of the bills contend the legislation, AB-477 and SB-559, would allow companies such as Uber, Lyft and DoorDash to offer drivers additional benefits without turning the drivers — […] The post Ride-share, delivery companies renew push to declare drivers independent contractors appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Milwaukee County Exec reflects on the past year, prepares for 2024
The new year brings a sense of cautious optimism for Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s most populous and diverse county. Among the defining peaks and valleys of 2023 was the passage of new shared revenue and local sales tax laws under Act 12. “Without those dollars, Milwaukee County wouldn’t have been able to actually, quite frankly, do the […] The post Milwaukee County Exec reflects on the past year, prepares for 2024 appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Fight for congressional majorities launches against backdrop of presidential campaigns
WASHINGTON — The 2024 battle for control of Congress is underway in the states, accompanying the accelerating race for the presidency. Republicans are preparing to funnel money and staff into a select few Senate races in an effort to flip that chamber back to their control, while Democrats are looking toward the districts President Joe […] The post Fight for congressional majorities launches against backdrop of presidential campaigns appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Presidential candidates largely mum about details on how to ‘save’ Social Security
WASHINGTON — The winner of this year’s presidential election could very well be holding the reins when it comes time to address Social Security’s complicated financial situation. The program, which millions of retirees depend on for income stability, will see benefits cut by nearly a quarter in 2033 if Congress and the White House haven’t […] The post Presidential candidates largely mum about details on how to ‘save’ Social Security appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Biden in Pennsylvania: America must decide whether democracy remains its sacred cause
WHITPAIN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Reflecting on the fight to establish America as a democracy and the events that nearly toppled it three years ago, President Joe Biden warned of the danger he believes former President Donald Trump poses to American ideals. “Today we’re here to answer the most important question. Is democracy still America’s sacred […] The post Biden in Pennsylvania: America must decide whether democracy remains its sacred cause appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Democrats, Governor, voters in redistricting case oppose Legislature’s motion to reconsider
The Republican-held Wisconsin Legislature’s request that the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision last month tossing out the state’s legislative maps be reconsidered was rejected by several other groups involved in the lawsuit in court filings on Thursday. Facing the possible end of their hold on a disproportionately large legislative majority, Republicans in the Legislature had filed […] The post Democrats, Governor, voters in redistricting case oppose Legislature’s motion to reconsider appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
U.S. House speaker leads GOP lawmakers to the border to slam Biden on immigration
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson led a delegation of House Republicans on a Wednesday trip to the U.S.-Mexico border to demand hard-line immigration proposals in exchange for passage of President Joe Biden’s emergency global security supplemental request. “If President Biden wants a supplemental spending bill focused on national security, it better begin by […] The post U.S. House speaker leads GOP lawmakers to the border to slam Biden on immigration appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Gov. Evers on his relationship with the Legislature, redistricting and priorities for 2024
The last time the Examiner checked in with Gov. Tony Evers for a year-end interview, one year into his first term, he compared working with hostile Republican legislative leaders, who rushed to take away some of his executive powers even before he took office, to rolling a rock up a hill like Sisyphus. This year, […] The post Gov. Evers on his relationship with the Legislature, redistricting and priorities for 2024 appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Advocates warn that Jan. 6 Capitol attack marks Trump as a danger to democracy
During his 30-year career in the U.S. Navy, Michael Smith says he stayed mostly detached from politics. Now the retired rear admiral has assumed a new post-military mission: working to keep Donald Trump from returning to the White House. It’s not a matter of partisanship, he says. “The election that’s in 2024 is clearly not […] The post Advocates warn that Jan. 6 Capitol attack marks Trump as a danger to democracy appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Assembly lawmakers consider school materials review bill
The Assembly Education committee considered a bill on Thursday that would require public schools to meet resident requests to review classroom materials within a certain timeframe. Under AB 638, co-authored by Rep. Barbara Dittrich (R-Oconomowoc) and Sen. Dan Knodl (R-Germantown), public school districts would be required to comply with written requests from residents in the […] The post Assembly lawmakers consider school materials review bill appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Wisconsin Planned Parenthood employees say they want to unionize
Employees at Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI) announced Wednesday they were forming a union, and management of the nonprofit health care and reproductive rights provider indicated the organization will not oppose the drive. More than 100 Planned Parenthood nurse practitioners, registered nurses and other health care workers would be covered under the umbrella of the […] The post Wisconsin Planned Parenthood employees say they want to unionize appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Congress was full of postponements in 2023. Now 2024 could be even less productive.
WASHINGTON — Congress got next to nothing done during the past year and could accomplish even less in 2024 as attention shifts to the November elections. House Republican and Senate Democratic leaders reached agreement on bills and resolutions they sent to the president’s desk just 34 times during the first year of the 118th Congress […] The post Congress was full of postponements in 2023. Now 2024 could be even less productive. appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Pornography, political correctness and campus free speech
The news about UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow, who was fired on Dec. 27 for producing pornographic videos with his wife, dropped just in time to stir up some juicy gossip at New Year’s cocktail parties. In a joint statement, UW System president Jay Rothman called Gow’s conduct ”abhorrent” and UW System Regent President Karen […] The post Pornography, political correctness and campus free speech appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
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The Wisconsin Examiner is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news site offering a fresh perspective on politics and policy in our state. As the largest news bureau covering state government, the Examiner will offer investigative reporting and daily coverage dedicated to the public interest. In Wisconsin’s great progressive tradition, we aim to hold the powerful accountable to the people, follow the money, and dig out the truth. Although we give you the inside scoop, we are not a publication for “insiders.” Instead, we cover stories and voices that too often go unheard. We take our inspiration from the motto emblazoned on a ceiling in our state Capitol: “The Will of the People Is the Law of the Land.” The Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. We retain full editorial independence.
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