Expanding Secure Detention of Juveniles Illustrates Shortcomings of Budget Process Early in the budget process, legislators generally make a show of stripping from the biennial budget a lot of the non-fiscal policy measures inserted by the Governor. Although they did that to some extent in the current budget, they have spent the last...
The White House has released estimates of how Wisconsin would be affected by the proposed Early Learning Initiative.Some highlights:$54 million in the first year of the Preschool for All program, building on Wisconsin’s strong 4K program. 11,801 children from birth to three would have access to high quality early care and education...
GOP Motion Includes Correction in Coverage for Pregnant Women, but Doesn’t Remove Harmful Changes for Kids The Joint Finance Committee voted 12-4 this afternoon to approve an omnibus Medicaid motion, which approves most of the Governor’s recommendations, including his proposal to cap BadgerCare eligibility for adults at the poverty...
In 2012 there were 8,952 youth admissions to juvenile detention in Wisconsin; almost one-third of admissions were in Milwaukee County.
The US Supreme Court ruled today, in the case of a Maryland law that permitted collection of DNA samples at the time of arrest for serious offenses. The court ruled 5-4 in upholding the law, essentially indicating that it was akin to taking fingerprints or photos of suspects who ultimately may not even be charged or convicted of an...
More Spending for Hospitals Would be a Reasonable Response to an Unreasonable Political Choice The Milwaukee Business Journal reported on Friday that GOP leaders are working on a budget amendment that responds to concerns of Wisconsin hospitals about an anticipated increase in uncompensated care from the Governor’s proposal to remove...
The state budget deliberations in the Capitol have been very disappointing so far for advocates urging improvement in early learning and development. The Joint Finance Committee has now voted on most of the key issues, and there is slim hope that those decisions will be changed by the full legislature. However, there are some bright...
A 14-page motion that was unveiled and voted on in the Joint Finance Committee today would make sweeping changes to the state’s unemployment insurance (UI) laws. Rep. Cory Mason called the motion, which was approved on a party-line vote of 12-4, an abuse of the budget process and an “end run” around the UI Advisory Council. The measures...
The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) holds another executive session on the budget bill on Thursday, May 30. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. in Room 412 E. The two major areas on the agenda are the remaining issues related to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the state building program. A full list of the...
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) paper relating to options for improving or restricting access to BadgerCare was released late today, and it confirms that the state could cover far more people for a lot less money by accepting the enhanced federal Medicaid dollars provided by the Affordable Care Act. In fact, a compromise that would...
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