Schedule

On July 26, 2024, the Wisconsin Elections Commission held a special meeting on the following agenda:

A. Call to Order

B. Administrator’s Report of Appropriate Meeting Notice

C. Discussion of Recent Attorney General Opinion / Discussion and Possible Adoption of a Commission Communication Relating to Wisconsin Constitution art. III, § 7 (1) & (2)

D. 2025–2027 Biennial Budget Update/Request

E. Review and Potential Action Relating to Administrative Complaint Forms

F. External Use of Agency Materials, Logos, and Branding: Consideration and Possible Action

G. Closed Session**

1. Litigation Update and Consideration of Potential Litigation

H. Adjourn

On July 26, 2024, WisconsinEye’s Rewind Host and CBS 58 Capitol Reporter Emilee Fannon and CBS 58 Reporter A.J. Bayatpour reviewed this week in state politics. (Brought to you by the Wisconsin Realtors Association).

On this week’s episode:

• VP Harris Campaigns in Milwaukee
• WisGOP Reacts to Presidential Shakeup
• Black Voters: Varying Levels of Excitement
• Where are WI Delegates?
• GOP Ballot Access Challenge Unlikely
• Democrats Split on Netanyahu’s Speech to Congress

On July 26, 2024, Wisconsin Policy Forum will host a Forum Friday focusing Wisconsin’s growing challenges in providing its residents with an adequate range of affordable housing. The event, moderated by Forum President Jason Stein, included a presentation detailing recent Forum research on housing trends followed by a panel discussion with the following guests:

• Joe Peterangelo Research Director at Wisconsin Policy Forum
• Satya Rhodes-Conway Mayor City of Madison 
• Josh Schoemann County Executive Washington County
• Teig Whaley-Smith Chief Alliance Executive Community Development Alliance (Milwaukee)

Additional Resource / Report: WI Policy Forum Home Prices Outpace Incomes

On July 27, 2024, the Boys and Girl Club of Dane County will sponsor an event in honor of Vel Phillips that includes the unveiling of her statue on South Hamilton Capitol walkway. This marks the first outdoor sculpture of an African American woman to reside on the grounds of any U.S. state capitol. Vel Phillips’ life was one characterized by breaking boundaries. She made history as the first woman to be elected alderwoman of the Milwaukee Common Council, the first woman and first African American to serve as a jurist in Wisconsin, and perhaps most notably as the first African American woman to hold statewide office in Wisconsin, serving as Secretary of State from 1979-1983.

On July 29, 2024, the Rotary Club of Milwaukee will host Jacqulyn Honl, COO of Transit Innovations on the E-Way Regional Commuter Rail System to discuss impact of the project.

Nearly two weeks out from the August 13th partisan primary Wisconsin’s local election officials are scrambling to understand and implement new guidance related to recent court rulings, new election laws and changes to the state constitution. So what has changed at the polls this year and what do voters need to know? On July 29, 2024, WisconsinEye’s Newsmakers features a conversation with Wisconsin Election Commission Chair Anne Jacobs and Commissioner Don Millis. (Brought to you by Nicolet National Bank).

On July 31, 2024, the Wisconsin Public Education Network will host their 10th annual Summer Summit. Coverage features the morning meeting with the following speakers:

• Mat Thompson, Principal, La Follette High School
• Nichelle Nichols, President, MMSD School Board
• Dr. Joe Gothard, Superintendent, Madison Metropolitan School District
• Welcome Address: Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly – WHY WE’RE HERE: Protecting and Defending the Public Schools Our Kids Deserve – Taking a Stand for Educational Equity and Racial Justice
• U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin – Video Appearance

On July 31, 2024, the Department of Health Services will host the second of two online public input sessions regarding the renewal of the IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) waiver. This waiver is a special set of rules that allows the agency to have Medicaid programs like the IRIS program which is a long-term care program for older adults and adults with disabilities in Wisconsin.

On August 1, 2024, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Drinking Water and Groundwater Study Group will meet on the following agenda:

9:30 a.m. Welcome 

9:40 a.m. Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Community Outreach Grant Olivia Fronmueller, Federal Programs Project Manager, DNR 

10 a.m. 2024 WI Public Water Systems Annual Compliance Report Highlights Beth Goldowitz, Public Water Supply Specialist, DNR 

10:45 a.m. Member Roundtable 

11 a.m. Internal Updates

On August 1, 2024, the Legislative Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes will hold their first meeting at the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center. The study committee is directed to review and recommend options for legislation relating to the management of Wisconsin’s sandhill crane population. The committee shall examine population trends and determine whether any changes to state law would effectively address the incidence and consequences of crop damage caused by sandhill cranes in this state. As part of a comprehensive review of policy options, the committee may consider whether the Department of Natural Resources should seek federal approval to establish a hunting season for sandhill cranes. The committee shall recommend legislation to manage the population of sandhill cranes and address the agricultural impact of sandhill cranes. Agenda includes:

Organizational matters

Presentations by invited speakers:

• Taylor Finger, Migratory Game Bird Ecologist, Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
• Anne Lacy, Director of Eastern Flyway Programs – North America, International Crane Foundation
• Kent Van Horn, Former Section Chief, Area Wildlife Supervisor, and Migratory Game Bird Ecologist, DNR

Discussion of committee assignment

On August 1, 2024, the Legislative Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes will tour Horicon Marsh following after their first meeting.

On August 5, 2024, WisconsinEye’s Newsmakers Host Lisa Pugh will sit down with experts to preview the partisan primary election. Check out more campaign and election coverage on our Campaign 2024 page. (Brought to you by Nicolet National Bank).

On August 6, 2024, the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety will hold an informational hearing in Merrill, Wisconsin on the administration of Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Schools. Speakers include:

• Department of Corrections Secretary Jared Hoy
• Department of Corrections Administrative Officials
• Current and Former Department of Corrections Staff
• Affected Family Members

On August 6, 2024, WisPolitics.com will host a luncheon at The Madison Club for a talk about a new bipartisan group, Democracy Defense Project, and its polling. In attendance will be pollster Dave Sackett of the Tarrance Group along with major Wisconsin supporters of the group, including Mandela Barnes, J.B. Van Hollen, Mike Tate and Scott Klug. Barnes is a former Dem Lt. Gov. and U.S. Senate candidate; Van Hollen is the former Republican attorney general of Wisconsin; Tate is the ex-chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party; and Klug is a former GOP Congressman from Madison. (Brought to you by the Wisconsin Insurance Alliance).