state-news - The Daily Cardinal

Native activists swarmed the Capitol in 2015 to protest Gov. Scott Walker's decision to reject a proposed casino from the Menominee Nation.

STATE NEWS

Native groups look ahead to 12th annual State of the Tribes address

By Jason Snyder | Feb. 4, 2016

The state released Wednesday the date for the 12th annual State of the Tribes address to take place this month, amid increased activism by native groups. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, reiterated the importance of finding common interests between state government and tribal leaders. “I’m pleased that we can continue this Assembly tradition.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (clockwise from left), Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and business mogul Donald Trump were frontrunners in the Iowa caucuses Monday.

STATE NEWS

Populists surge in Iowa, parties scramble as New Hampshire looms

By Lucas Sczygelski | Feb. 3, 2016

Firebrand populists in both parties grabbed America’s attention in the Iowa caucuses as Texas Senator Ted Cruz and real-estate mogul Donald Trump captured over half the Republican vote, while heavily favored former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton barely escaped a repeat of 2008 by holding off Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

The bill would tighten penalties on people falsely trying to collect unemployment benefits.

STATE NEWS

Bill to toughen unemployment fraud penalties clears committee

By Lilly Price | Feb. 3, 2016

An Assembly committee approved a bill Tuesday that will tighten penalties for those falsifying a statement or representation to collect any unemployment benefit payment, but those opposed to the bill say it won’t be effective.

Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel filed a brief last week to support a Texas abortion regulation.

STATE NEWS

Attorney General Schimel files brief supporting limited abortion access

By Noah Habenstreit | Feb. 1, 2016

Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel filed an amicus brief last week in support of a 2013 Texas law regarding abortion.

Gov. Scott Walker unveiled the package of college affordability bills in his State of the State address earlier in the month.

STATE NEWS

College affordability, sexual assault bills clear committees

By Ningyuan Ma and Andrew Bahl | Jan. 29, 2016

A package of college affordability bills proposed by legislative Republicans passed an Assembly committee Thursday, despite all five Democrats on the committee voting against them.

According to a recently released Marquette University Law School poll, Donald Trump maintains favor among likely Wisconsin voters with 24 percent of voter support.

STATE NEWS

New poll shows Clinton, Trump leading in Wisconsin

By Alanna Conley | Jan. 29, 2016

A new Marquette University Law School Poll released Thursday shows Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are leading their party’s primary races, while former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold maintains his lead in the Wisconsin senatorial race.

Republicans are proposing a bill that would make county-based veterans service officers optional.

STATE NEWS

Proposed bill would alter state veterans’ services

By Andrew Bahl | Jan. 28, 2016

Changes to how Wisconsin veterans access services could be coming in a bill circulated this week by legislative Republicans.

Two lawmakers are proposing a bill that would allow women to receive up to 12 months of birth control at once.

STATE NEWS

Democrats introduce bill in attempt to increase birth control access

By Yifan Yu | Jan. 28, 2016

Two Democratic lawmakers introduced a bill Wednesday that would allow women to extend their birth control prescriptions for a year after receiving an initial three-month supply. Currently, health insurance plans in Wisconsin only cover contraceptive prescriptions ranging from one to three months.

Legislators logged more travel expenses in 2015 than in previous years, despite working fewer days.

STATE NEWS

Policy change gives lawmakers more in per diem, documents show

By Andrew Bahl | Jan. 27, 2016

Members of the state Assembly logged over $900,000 in travel and per diem expenses in 2015, according to state documents.

With more state funding, Chancellor Blank revives cluster hiring program

CAMPUS NEWS

Bill would eliminate drinking tickets for victims, witnesses of sexual assault

By Madeline Heim | Jan. 25, 2016

Victims of sexual assault and bystanders who provided assistance would not receive consequences for improper alcohol consumption, state legislators and university personnel explained in a bill unveiled Monday.

State Rep. Melissa Sargent, D-Madison, is calling for an increase in financial aid to help in-state students graduate debt-free.

STATE NEWS

Democrats unveil proposal for debt-free college

By Andrew Bahl | Jan. 25, 2016

College affordability has been on the lips of many state politicians in recent days, and two state Democrats continued the trend Monday by introducing a bill that would expand state financial aid programs.

Sen. Fred Risser is once again trying to eliminate the state statute criminalizing abortion, which has been unenforceable since Roe v. Wade became federal law in 1973.

CAMPUS NEWS

State Senator renews push to eliminate state statute criminalizing abortion

By Noah Habenstreit | Jan. 25, 2016

Wisconsin state Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, is proposing a bill to eliminate an outdated state statute that criminalizes abortion.

Gov. Scott Walker signed a pair of bills into law Thursday cutting funding for Planned Parenthood by roughly $8 million.

STATE NEWS

Legislators clash over college affordability bills in Assembly hearing

By Lilly Price | Jan. 21, 2016

An Assembly committee heard testimony Wednesday on six bills Legislative Republicans say would help ease the burden of student loan debt and make college more affordable, although some say the bills don’t go far enough.

Madison Police Chief Mike Koval testified against a bill that would sanction cities for preventing law enforcement from asking about a person's immigration status.

STATE NEWS

Bill to eliminate “sanctuary cities” sparks outrage

By Lucas Sczygelski | Jan. 21, 2016

A bill that would forbid local Wisconsin governments from passing laws prohibiting law enforcement from questioning crime suspects about their immigration status drew hundreds to an initial hearing Wednesday and scorn from local immigration experts.

STATE NEWS

State Senate approves civil service, Planned Parenthood bills in busy session

By Andrew Bahl | Jan. 20, 2016

The state Senate approved Wednesday an overhaul to the state’s century-old civil service system, as well as bills designed to defund Planned Parenthood.

Gov. Scott Walker touted a series of bills that he says would make college more affordable at Tuesday's State of the State address.

STATE NEWS

Economy, education themes of Governor’s State of the State address

By Annie Schoenfeldt | Jan. 20, 2016

Gov. Scott Walker gave his sixth State of the State address Tuesday, using the speech as an opportunity to tout workforce development in Wisconsin and roll out several policy plans, including a series of bills to reduce student loan debt. In his address, Walker lauded the improvements to the state economy, including a budget surplus and an increased labor force participation rate.

Wisconsin has become a more conservative state under Gov. Scott Walker's administration. Whether or not the state's progressive past is seen in society and government today is up for debate.

STATE NEWS

College affordability, gun bills among things to watch at Capitol

By Andrew Bahl | Jan. 20, 2016

As students return from their holiday break, so do state legislators, who will wrap up their floor session in the coming months. Here are five things students should keep an eye on at the Capitol this semester.

State News