Referendums

Republicans in the state Assembly approved a bill that would ask voters whether to restrict abortion in Wisconsin after 14 weeks.

Foreign nationals would be banned from spending money on state and local referendums in Wisconsin under a bill introduced by Democratic state lawmakers.

Foreign nationals would be banned from spending money on state and local referendums in Wisconsin under a bill introduced by Democratic state lawmakers. Supporters say it’s aimed at closing a loophole created by a federal ruling that foreign donors can finance U.S. referendum campaigns. In 2021, the Federal Election Commission ruled that referendum ballot initiatives…

As 2024 approaches, the heads of police and firefighting services in two western Wisconsin communities are looking ahead with concern. Like the leaders of other rural first responders, Galesville fire Chief Lucas Teska and Cadott police Chief Daryl Pries are feeling under pressure from staffing and funding shortages. Each chief recently appeared on WPR’s “The…

School districts in Wisconsin would have to comply with competitive bidding requirements for construction projects costing more than $150,000 under a new legislative proposal. Wisconsin is one of only three states that allows a project of any size to be awarded on a no-bid basis, according to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures.…

The future of Milwaukee’s Mitchell Park Domes could soon be in the hands of the voters, as Milwaukee County officials are considering asking residents to vote on a funding plan for the beloved landmark through a binding referendum. In December, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution that gives them the leeway to…

The future of a county-owned nursing home in central Wisconsin remains unclear, after the Lincoln County Board voted against a referendum to boost funding for the facility. A resolution authorizing a referendum that would have asked voters to approve exceeding the county’s tax levy limit by $3 million annually for the next decade in order…

A deal to overhaul local government funding cleared a major hurdle Wednesday, passing both houses of the Legislature to cement the biggest bipartisan compromise in Wisconsin state government in years. The passage of the bill with a combination of Republican and Democratic votes sent the plan to Gov. Tony Evers’ desk. Evers, who helped negotiate…

A sweeping state shared revenue deal announced last week gives Milwaukee a chance to dig its way out of a pension crisis through a new sales tax. But it is still unclear whether the Milwaukee Common Council will approve the plan, which comes with strings attached. At least one Milwaukee alder plans to vote against…

For most of this year, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republicans who run the Legislature have seemed on the cusp of a deal that would overhaul how the state funds local government expenses like police, emergency medical services and roads. They can still get there, and maybe soon. But they’ve hit obstacles recently that could…