Meghan Kuemmel - The Daily Cardinal

Katie Scheidt, Katie Scheidt

STATE NEWS

Baldwin requests funding for opioid crisis while potential government shutdown looms

By Meghan Kuemmel | Apr. 27, 2017

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and other senators called Tuesday for the legislation to include funding for the growing opioid crisis, while Congress attempts to avoid a government shutdown. A type of appropriation legislation, called a continuing resolution, is being negotiated in Congress to avoid a shutdown. Unless Congress proposes a new spending bill and President Donald Trump signs it into a law, the federal government’s funding will run out Friday at midnight. Issues over many aspects of the legislation have been debated, including Trump’s contentious promise to establish a border wall with Mexico. Members of both parties in Congress are to agree on a new spending bill.

Four Republican bills were introduced last week to help homeless Wisconsinites get off the streets and into stable, safe housing.

Amileah Sutliff, Amileah Sutliff

STATE NEWS

Assembly Committee considers bills to combat statewide homelessness

By Meghan Kuemmel | Apr. 19, 2017

With over 5,000 residents throughout Wisconsin having an unstable living arrangement every night, a committee in the Legislature considered a series of bills that address homelessness in a hearing Tuesday. The Assembly Committee on Public Benefit Reform discussed a package of Republican bills introduced last week that were initially criticized by Democrats as being a “cosmetic solution” that would not provide any real improvements for families currently living on the streets.

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., held a town hall on campus Thursday to discuss local and national issues with students and community members.

Evan Taber

STATE NEWS

Pocan talks to UW students, community in town hall

By Meghan Kuemmel | Apr. 13, 2017

While home on congressional recess, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., held a town hall Thursday in Dejope Hall to answer questions from students and community members alike.

Two Republican state representatives proposed a bill Tuesday that would allow residents to carry concealed firearms without a permit or training.

Katie Scheidt, Katie Scheidt

STATE NEWS

Bill would allow concealed carry without permit in school zones

By Meghan Kuemmel | Mar. 28, 2017

Wisconsinites could be allowed to carry concealed handguns without a permit if a bill proposed by multiple Republican state legislators Tuesday passes. The legislation replaces state gun-free school zone laws, and instead allows individual schools to determine by posting signs whether firearms are prohibited in their school or on school grounds under state trespass law. The bill, which comes six years after licensed concealed weapons were legalized in the state, would also allow people with concealed carry permits to bring guns into places they are currently banned, including school grounds and hospitals, unless signs are posted stating otherwise. Current Wisconsin law states that the exposed carry of a firearm is legal without a license, but it cannot be concealed in any way except for when a permit is obtained. The proposal, also called “Right to Carry” legislation, would eliminate the Wisconsin law requiring that anyone seeking a permit to carry a concealed weapon obtain a license and take a firearms training course.

Gov. Scott Walker, chair of the Republican Governors Association, talked to other Republican governors this week who are worried about aspects of the Assembly health care overhaul bill.

Leah Voskuil, Leah Voskuil

STATE NEWS

Walker hesitant to show support for Obamacare replacement

By Meghan Kuemmel | Mar. 9, 2017

Though failing to say whether he supports the bill or not, Gov. Scott Walker expressed concern over certain aspects of the recent federal health care overhaul bill Wednesday. Walker said the plan’s lack of a price tag was one of his main concerns.

The Legislature’s Audit Committee introduced a bill Tuesday in direct response to an audit that discovered the Department of Transportation underestimated the cost of completed and ongoing highway projects by failing to account for inflation.

Katie Scheidt

STATE NEWS

Following hearing on recent DOT audit, bill would require more accountability

By Meghan Kuemmel | Feb. 21, 2017

The state’s Joint Legislative Audit Committee proposed a bill Tuesday that would hold Wisconsin’s Department of Transportation accountable for factoring in inflation when estimating highway project expenses.

State Sen. Howard Marklein introduced a rural broadband bill Tuesday to “make immediate, significant impact on rural broadband in Wisconsin.”

Photo Courtesy of Wisconsin State Legislature

STATE NEWS

Republican lawmakers aim to improve workforce through broadband access

By Meghan Kuemmel | Feb. 14, 2017

Hoping to increase funding and expand high-speed internet access in rural school districts, state Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, proposed a collaborative rural broadband expansion bill Tuesday.

Gov. Scott Walker pledged $20 million more to less populated school districts and $10.4 million for transportation costs in rural schools Wednesday as part of his K-12 public funding plan.

Katie Scheidt, Katie Scheidt

STATE NEWS

Walker releases specific details of his K-12 funding proposal

By Meghan Kuemmel | Feb. 1, 2017

Gov. Scott Walker announced Wednesday specific details of a plan that offers more financial support to Wisconsin’s rural public schools as part of his biennial budget proposal.

Jon Yoon, Jon Yoon

STATE NEWS

Trump reverses block on Keystone XL, Dakota Access Pipelines

By Meghan Kuemmel | Jan. 25, 2017

Construction will advance on the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines following President Donald Trump signing an executive order Tuesday, in a move that directly opposes an environmental action taken by former President Barack Obama. Energy Transfer Partners, the owner of the 1,172-mile Dakota Access Pipeline, were denied a permit by the Obama administration late last year after months of protests at Standing Rock Indian Reservation, which would be affected by the oil line.

James Lanser, James Lanser

CITY NEWS

Congressman Sean Duffy, Madison politicians square off over presidential recount

By Meghan Kuemmel | Dec. 8, 2016

Republican congressman Sean Duffy is facing criticism for describing Madison as a “communist community” when he attacked the ongoing presidential recount in Wisconsin Wednesday.