http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/hill-testify-s5.jpgTrump was running 'personal political errand' in Ukraine while U.S. government officials tried to pursue national security policy.

PRESCOTT - Gov. Tony Evers on Friday signed Senate Bill 74, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 49, a bipartisan bill that repeals 2015 Act 116 and related statutes to ensure Wisconsin's continued participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.

In September, Mr. Jeff Ryan, a social studies and civics teacher who has taught at Prescott High School for the last 31 years, sent a letter inviting Gov. Evers to visit his classroom. Mr. Ryan has invited every Wisconsin Governor since 1990 to Prescott, and wrote to Gov. Evers saying he hoped the “30-year streak of no visits to our school will end with you.” Gov. Evers signed 2019 Wisconsin Act 49, together with Mr. Ryan and Prescott High School students, at a school assembly after visiting Mr. Ryan's class.

“I'm especially excited to be here today, not just to be able to visit Prescott for Mr. Ryan, but because I get to show students firsthand what lawmaking and civics look like, and how important they are to our state,” said Gov. Evers. “It's easy to read the local newspapers and watch the news and to think that all elected officials do is fight and disagree—what I call 'huffing and puffing'—but today we get to show students that when folks set aside politics and put people first, there's a lot of things we can do and work together on to make our state a better place.”

Senate Bill 74, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 49:

• Repeals 2015 Act 116 which set a sunset date of Wisconsin's participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact of Dec. 16, 2019; and
• Repeals related statutes that were impacted by the enactment of Act 116.

The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact is an agreement with over 25 states and provides a voluntary expedited pathway to licensure in multiple states for qualified physicians. By participating in the Compact, licensed physicians can qualify to practice across state lines if they are board-certified, in good standing in their home state, and have no malpractice claims.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/univ-student-vote-s5.jpgFoundation's complaint argues that current use of student voter ID is unconstitutional and asks the Court to enjoin the law.

AB 426 includes enhanced penalty for intentionally causing damage and trespassing. Governor hopes free speech rights of Tribal Nations will be honored.

MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers signed Wednesday Assembly Bill 426, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 33, and released the following statement:

“Today, I signed Assembly Bill 426, which aims to ensure each energy provider is treated the same under the law while still protecting the right to exercise free speech and the right to assembly. However, I did not sign this bill without any consternation or objection.

I have said—and reaffirm today—that our Tribal Nations deserve to have a voice in the policies and legislation that affect indigenous persons and our state.

Thus, while I am signing this bill today, I expect that moving forward members of the Legislature will engage in meaningful dialogue and consultation with Wisconsin's Tribal Nations before developing and advancing policies that directly or indirectly affect our Tribal Nations and indigenous persons in Wisconsin.”

Assembly Bill 426, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 33:

• Expands the scope of the enhanced penalty for intentionally causing damage and trespassing to include property owned, leased, or operated by public water utilities, cooperative associations producing or furnishing water, and companies that operate a gas, oil, petroleum, refined petroleum product, renewable fuel, water, or chemical generation storage transportation or delivery system.

Bipartisan bill creates a definition for electric bicycles and provides a regulatory framework for rider safety.

MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers  on Wednesday signed Assembly Bill 132, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 34, a bipartisan bill that creates a definition for electric bicycles and provides a regulatory framework for rider safety.

“Electric bicycles are not only a fun alternative to regular bicycles, but they offer a more sustainable and accessible transportation option for Wisconsinites,” said Gov. Evers. “Whether its visitors sight-seeing in a Wisconsin community, folks choosing an environmentally friendly commute to work, or a transportation alternative for our seniors and people with disabilities, this is a great transit option for our local communities. I am happy to sign this bipartisan bill that ensures Wisconsinites can enjoy the ride safely.”

Assembly Bill 132, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 34:

• Creates three categories of electric bicycles based on the type of motor and assistance it provides to the rider;
• Specifies that riders under the age of 16 cannot ride a Class C electric bicycle that allows the motor to assist riders up to 28 miles per hour;
• Requires manufacturers to permanently affix a label that provides the classification of the bicycle's motor; and
• Ensures that electric bicycles are regulated and treated in the same manner as human-powered bicycles, except that local municipalities or the Department of Natural Resources may prohibit the use of electric bicycles on a bike path under its jurisdiction.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/humantrafficking-s5.jpgHuman trafficking impacts all of Wisconsin's 72 counties, and truck drivers are on the front line of this issue.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/sondland2-s5.jpgSondland confirms the President ordered it and everybody knew.

Lt. Gov. Barnes' attendance at talks in Madrid will highlight his work on equity and sustainability in Wisconsin.

MADISON — Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes announced today he will join American leaders at the U.S. Climate Action Center at the upcoming UN climate talks in Madrid. These leaders from state, city and tribal governments, businesses, colleges and universities, healthcare and other institutions, are stepping up as the federal government steps away from global climate leadership.

"The time is now for leaders across our country to step up and show the world that we’re serious about combatting climate change," Lt. Gov. Barnes said on the call. "Despite our President’s ill decision to formally withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, we will continue to do this work urgently and diligently."

This delegation of over 70 American leaders will be larger than the official U.S. government delegation. Collectively, coalitions of U.S. institutions taking action in support of the Paris Agreement represent nearly 70% of U.S. GDP and nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population.

Lt. Gov. Barnes' attendance will highlight his work on equity and sustainability in Wisconsin. Currently, the lieutenant governor serves as the Chair of Gov. Tony Evers' Task Force on Climate Change, as well as co-Chair of the NewDEAL Forum Climate Change Policy Group, a national network of rising state and local elected leaders.

In August, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #38, creating the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy, with the goal of moving Wisconsin to 100-percent clean energy by 2050.

In a joint statement, the delegation vowed to continue making progress towards meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement and outlined what they hope to accomplish by attending the U.N. climate talks. Several organizations, including Climate Action Reserve, The Climate Registry and Georgetown Climate Center, worked together to host and coordinate the delegation. At COP25, Lt. Gov. Barnes will meet with foreign governments, businesses and local leaders to share their efforts to meet the United States’ Paris climate targets and explore opportunities for collaboration to jointly raise their ambition further.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House on Tuesday passed a month-long continuing resolution (CR) in a 231-192 vote, pushing off a government shutdown fight until December 20, even as more comprehensive spending negotiations stalled.

“This CR will allow additional time to negotiate and enact responsible, long-term funding for priorities that make our country safer and stronger and give working families a better chance at a better life,” House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) said.

Read the developing report here

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/hunting-deer-s5.jpgThree days away from gun hunting season, Sen. Smith writes about the threat CWD poses to the future of hunting in Wisconsin and legislation introduced to help stop the spread of this disease.