Tony Evers

Wisconsin will extend Medicaid coverage for mothers to one year postpartum starting July 1, benefiting an estimated 16,000 mothers through 2027. The policy, signed into law in March, faced opposition from Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos but was supported by Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, which highlights its potential to reduce maternal deaths and improve health outcomes.

The USDA released 2025 SNAP payment error rates, showing Wisconsin and eight other states with rates below 6% will avoid federal penalties requiring states to match 5-15% of benefits costs. Wisconsin’s 5.72% error rate will save up to $205 million in the 2027-28 fiscal year, while 18 states with higher error rates face penalties or must invest in error reduction.

Wisconsin advocates argue the Department of Corrections is not adequately implementing a 2013 law (Act 196) requiring short-term sanctions for minor violations of community corrections terms to avoid jail. A new policy starting July 1 allows up to 90-day jail sentences for high-level violations, contradicting the law’s intent to minimize disruption to employment and family.

Governor Tony Evers raised the Juneteenth flag at the Wisconsin Capitol, honoring the late Michael Johnson and celebrating the holiday marking the end of slavery in the U.S. The event featured a libation prayer and songs, with Evers emphasizing ongoing efforts for racial equality. The article notes Juneteenth's 2021 federal holiday status under former President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump's removal of the holiday from fee-free national park days.

Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein outlined Democratic priorities for the next legislative session, including school funding and affordable housing, as the party aims to flip four Senate seats to secure a majority. Hesselbein criticized Republican leadership for a 'stranglehold' on the state legislature and addressed conflicts with Governor Tony Evers over a rejected tax cut and school funding deal.

Democratic Party of Wisconsin delegates expressed optimism about winning trifecta control despite undecided seven-way gubernatorial primary. Outgoing Gov. Tony Evers criticized Republican candidate Tom Tiffany's policies and alignment with Trump.

Wisconsin Rep. Gwen Moore introduced a bill to repeal the federal school voucher tax credit program, which provides tax incentives for donations to private school scholarship organizations. The program, created under President Donald Trump, could cost up to $51 billion annually and faces opposition from Moore and several Democratic governors, who argue it diverts funds from public schools.

Wisconsin and Tyco Fire Products have settled for $10 million to address PFAS contamination in Marinette, providing clean drinking water and environmental cleanup. The settlement concludes a 2022 lawsuit over Tyco's failure to disclose and remediate PFAS pollution, though a separate legal action against PFAS manufacturers remains pending.

Tyco Fire Products agreed to a $10 million settlement with Wisconsin over PFAS water contamination, addressing decades of pollution from firefighting foam. The settlement includes a trust fund for cleanup, with Tyco continuing to provide clean water solutions and monitoring. Governor Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul hailed the agreement as a milestone in the state's fight for clean water.

Gov. Tony Evers raised the Progress Pride flag over the Wisconsin State Capitol for his eighth and final time, emphasizing the state's commitment to recognizing and celebrating LGBTQ Wisconsinites. He highlighted the importance of Pride Month amid national political tensions, referencing efforts to erase LGBTQ history and the recent court ruling against the military ban on trans service members.

Wisconsin Republicans are emphasizing anti-trans messaging in their 2026 campaign, including opposition to gender-affirming care for minors and restrictions on trans youth in sports. The Republican majority in the state Legislature has passed bills targeting transgender individuals, which Governor Tony Evers has vetoed. Democratic Sen. Melissa Ratcliff criticized the strategy as harmful to trans youth.

A proposed deal to boost Wisconsin special education funding and cut property taxes collapsed after advocates discovered the funding guarantees were not as promised, leading to criticism of the plan's tax giveaways and insufficient long-term solutions for school funding. The agreement, which included $300 million in general school aid and an $870 million income tax rebate, was projected to create a $3 billion state deficit, with critics arguing it prioritized tax cuts over addressing systemic school budget shortfalls.

Wisconsin Republican legislators have requested Governor Tony Evers to suspend his commutation initiative, citing concerns over victim distress and public confidence in the justice system. Evers announced plans to process commutations after 25 years, creating advisory boards and specific eligibility criteria for applicants.

A Marquette Law School poll found 80% of Wisconsinites believed a budget surplus bill should have passed, though it failed in the Senate amid concerns about a projected $2.95 billion deficit by 2027-29. The bill, backed by Gov. Tony Evers and GOP leaders, aimed to reduce property taxes, boost special education funding, and provide tax rebates.

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany announced plans to cut taxes and increase spending on schools and healthcare if elected governor, including returning Wisconsin's budget surplus to taxpayers and overturning a school funding increase. He emphasized prioritizing education, transportation, and healthcare in budgeting but did not detail how to fund his proposals. Tiffany, running in a midterm election, faces challenges due to shifting political dynamics and new voting maps.

Two Christian counselors, Terri Koschnick and Joy Buchman, are challenging a Wisconsin rule that restricts conversion therapy, arguing it violates their First Amendment rights. The lawsuit was filed after a recent US Supreme Court ruling on a similar case in Colorado. The counselors provide faith-based talk therapy to clients who seek it out voluntarily.