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Tougher penalties for those who provide drugs in fatal overdose cases

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The state Senate on Tuesday approved a bill toughening penalties for those who provide drugs to people who fatally overdose – like the brother of Milwaukee Democrat LaTonya Johnson.

“I don’t give a damn if this bill doesn’t stop people from using.” said Johnson. “I do give a damn that it takes the person off the street who is killing other people because of their addictions.”

Milwaukee Democrat Chris Larson voted no.

“It solves nothing. It makes the problem worse.” said Larson. “Over 400 overdose deaths in Milwaukee County and we refuse to work together, we’ve refused to collaborate.”

It’s unclear whether Governor Tony Evers will veto the measure if it also passes the Assembly. The Senate and Assembly also approved bills defining carjacking and providing a penalty. Evers has indicated he’ll sign those.

Senate confirms some Evers appointees

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Some members of Governor Tony Evers’ administration are finally official. Many people named to posts by the Democratic governor in his first term have yet to be confirmed.

But on Wednesday, the state Senate unanimously confirmed several, including Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary Missy Hughes, and Anne Sayers as Secretary of the Department of Tourism.

Both had been serving in an “acting” capacity. Hughes was appointed by Evers in 2019, Sayers in 2020 after her predecessor Sarah Meaney left without ever having been confirmed.

Senate Republicans shut down debate on conversion therapy in Wisconsin

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Republicans in the Wisconsin Senate shut down debate on conversion therapy on Wednesday, and acted to allow the controversial and discredited practice to continue in the state.

Republican legislation preventing the Evers administration from enacting rules prohibiting conversion therapy from being offered by licensed therapists was sent back to committee, over protests of Democrats like Senator Mark Spreitzer. “Every day that this bill sits in committee, conversion therapy hurts more kids,” the Beloit lawmaker said.

Like Spreitzer, Milwaukee Democrat, Sen Tim Carpenter is gay. “The bottom line in my opinion – fear, ignorance is winning on the Senate floor today, and I’m embarrassed by that,” Carpenter said.

The partisan action effectively shelves the issue for the remainder of the legislative session, meaning conversion therapy may continue in Wisconsin. No Senate Republicans spoke to the issue during Wednesday’s floor session.

UW Madison based Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center receives funding renewal

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The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded a UW–Madison based research center another five years of funding to develop sustainable alternative fuels.

“The mission of the Center is to make liquid transportation fuels and chemicals. Out of non food, crap material. It’s called lignocellulosic biomass. So we call them energy crops,” explains Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center Director Tim Donohue.   

“We’re developing new crops that we’ll be able to use to make fuels and chemicals without the need for fertilizer and without the need of pesticide. Both of those are huge sources of co2 emissions.”

Donohue says the work can benefit Wisconsin agriculture. “Farmers who could use abundant corn stover and leftover soybean that’s not used to produce food now and converted into fuels and chemicals.”

The U.S. Department of Energy has The center was established in 2007 and is slated to receive $27.5 million this year, bringing the lifetime awards more than $410 million and making it the largest federally funded project in UW–Madison history. 

Evers dismisses criticism over Secretary of State appointment

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“An odd story.” That from Governor Tony Evers Tuesdday, on suggestions from some Republican lawmakers regarding his pick for Secretary of State. “The idea that somehow I colluded with Godlewski, and Mandela and all these other people.”

That’s Sarah Godlewski, the former state Treasurer and US Senate candidate who dropped out of the primary. Mandela Barnes later lost to incumbent Ron Johnson.  Doug LaFollette, who’d been Secretary of State for decades, abruptly resigned last week.

“He brought my office a letter saying ‘I’m sick of this stuff.’ He left. I appointed a completely competent person to do the work, and that’s the end of that story,” Evers said.

LaFollette was reelected in November. Evers won’t call a special election to fill the remainder of his term, as called for by some Republicans.   

Democrats introduce measure to repeal Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion law

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At the Capitol on Tuesday, Governor Tony Evers joined Democrats in the legislature, as they proposed a bill to repeal Wisconsin’s 1848 abortion law.

“The Republicans have their bill. The Democrats have their bill. The people of Wisconsin should be able to hear a debate about this issue not silence,” Evers said. A debate is unlikely, as the Democrat’s proposal will almost certainly not advance.

Republican legislation would update language regarding the life of the mother in the existing 1849 law, and also allow for 1st trimester abortions in cases of rape or incest. However, that measure lacks support from state Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, who has noted that Evers pledges to veto anything that falls short of restoring Roe v. Wade era rights to abortion.           

Abortion key topic in SCOWIS debate

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Abortion was a key topic as candidates for state Supreme Court debated for the first and only time on Tuesday. Despite the endorsement of pro choice groups liberal Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz insists she won’t guarantee how she’d rule if the state’s 1849 abortion law comes before her.

“But I can tell you that if my opponent is elected, I can tell you with 100% certainty, that 1849 abortion ban will stay books,” Protasiewicz said.

Former Justice Dan Kelly said statements of support from pro-life groups wouldn’t influence him. “So, I had no conversations with those organizations about how I would rule on any issue, including the abortion issue.”

Abortion – along with partisan redistricting – is the critical issue in this closely watched race. You can listen to WRN interviews with the candidates here.            

 

Early voting begins in Wisconsin

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Early voting begins Tuesday in Wisconsin. In-person absentee voting, also known as early voting, runs through March 31 in most locations, based on where you live and what your municipal clerk’s office offers.

Go to MyVote.WI.gov to view in-person absentee voting site locations and hours of availability, and your clerk’s by appointment absentee voting information. Eligible Wisconsin voters may also vote absentee by mail. The deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed to you is Thursday, March 30.

Kaul leads coalition asking Kia and Hyundai to do more regarding easily stolen models

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Kia and Hyundai are getting more pressure to fix easy to steal vehicles. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul leads 23 attorneys general urging the automakers to do more to stop thefts.

The coalition cites the companies’ failure to equip vehicles with anti-theft immobilizers. It’s been a particular problem in cities across the U.S. including Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay.

“I like to think of Milwaukee as a leader nationally. But quite frankly, when it comes to the issue of thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles, I wish it would have started somewhere else,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

A letter from the AGs to the companies says a recently announced customer service campaign for owners of older vehicles is positive news but less than is called for under the circumstances.

Republican proposal to alter 1849 abortion statute won’t advance in Senate

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A proposal by Republicans to allow some abortions in Wisconsin is a non-starter with Democrats, and the Majority Leader in the state Senate.

The bill would update language regarding the life of the mother in the existing 1849 law, and also allow for 1st trimester abortions in cases of rape or incest. Governor Tony Evers says he’ll reject any measure that falls short of restoring full rights to abortion in Wisconsin. The century-old law went into effect following last year’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling which overturned Roe vs. Wade.

Senator Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma) said the measure “updates the life of the mother to deal with today’s medical conditions and technology.”

Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard (D-Madison) said Democrats want full restoration of abortion access in Wisconsin. “This is an absolute non-starter in the legislature, and it will not move forward into law.”

Governor Tony Evers has also rejected the bill, calling for full repeal of the repeal 1849 criminal abortion ban, which is also being challenged in a lawsuit by Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul.

“I am super disappointed that Governor Evers has drawn such a bright line to say that unless we basically have abortion until the baby is coming out of the birth canal, he will not sign any update to the statute,” said Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester). “I think that’s reckless and irresponsible.”

Just hours after Republican lawmakers announced legislation on Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) said the bill would not be considered on the Senate floor. In a statement, LeMahieu said abortion “is not a topic to use as a political football,” and criticized the response of Governor Evers.

Senate sponsor Felzkowski also said Republicans do not currently have the 17 votes needed to pass the bill in the Senate.