Public News Service

Meat-processing facilities have become a flashpoint in the debate over rolling back child labor laws in various states. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Even with WI veto, some fear further weakening of child labor laws

Despite a recent policy victory, Wisconsin labor leaders still express concern about the current environment for shielding young teens from unsafe …

PFAS are chemicals used since the 1940s. They are found in everyday products such as nonstick cookware. Public officials are sounding the alarm about health risks associated with the chemicals, including their presence in drinking water. (Adobe Stock)<br />

WI, other states prepare for new PFAS drinking water rule

Efforts to limit human exposure to so-called forever chemicals continue to unfold in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, advocates are hopeful residents will be …

As with most presidential elections, Wisconsin is viewed as a

Constitutional amendment highlights WI primary ballot

Early voting is underway for the Wisconsin primary election and while the presidential primaries already appear settled for now, pro-democracy …

Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is helping states accelerate efforts to boost access to high-speed internet. That includes the approval of Wisconsin's vision for creating digital equity. (Adobe Stock)

WI poised to break through digital equity logjam

Wisconsin has announced a big development in trying to establish more digital equity around the state. Gov. Tony Evers and the Public Service …

In addition to not having as many EV charging stations as some neighboring states, analysts said Wisconsin lacks fast-charging stations for the public to access. (Adobe Stock)

WI poised to hit fast track in adding EV charging stations

Wisconsin has lagged behind neighboring states in adding electric vehicle charging stations, but the Badger State is about to take a big leap forward …

According to the World Resources Institute, more than 1,200 electric school buses are operating in the United States, with several thousand more either on order or being delivered. (Adobe Stock)

Electric bus movement looks to accelerate

Most school and transit buses on the nation's roadways these days are still powered by diesel engines but in Wisconsin and elsewhere, there is hope …

A recent survey showed 65% of Americans will likely trust 2024 election results, compared with 54% in April last year. (John Davis/Adobe Stock)

WI elections administrator: Feds need to help bolster voting infrastrucure

Americans are preparing to vote this year in what's described as a "high-stakes" presidential election. But those who oversee the voting process…

Census data show the 2021 Child Tax Credit expansion helped reduce the nation's child poverty rate to a record low of 5.2%. (Adobe Stock)

New expansion of Child Tax Credit advances in Congress

Tax-filing season is underway, and Congress is one step closer to helping low-income families get a bigger break on their returns. Policy experts say …

The Wisconsin Office of Rural Health said the health-care workforce still has not recovered from the earlier stages of the pandemic when staff experienced burnout after being thrust onto the front lines. (Adobe Stock)

Rural health leaders: WI task force should address regulatory issues for hiring

Gov. Tony Evers announced a new task force this week to address hiring issues within health care in Wisconsin. Those speaking up for rural health …

According to insurer State Farm, Wisconsin is considered a

Urgency builds in preventing vehicle collisions with wildlife

Data show Wisconsin is among the top five states for car-animal collisions and on a national scale, wildlife advocates are highlighting efforts to …

According to United Health Foundation's latest America's Health Rankings report, Wisconsin is 26th in the nation when it comes to adult tobacco use. (Adobe Stock)

WI in top half for health rankings, but resources low for public outreach

Wisconsin ranks 22nd in the country when it comes to a range of health measuring sticks, and local public health officials said more resources could …

Republican leaders in a number of states, including Wisconsin, have increasingly tried to cut or limit DEI programs at public colleges and universities. (Adobe Stock)

Deal limiting diversity work on WI campuses prompts calls for action

Campuses in Wisconsin's public university system now face hard limits on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts following a controversial budget …

Research work led by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute found while massive flood events call attention to cost impacts for state and local governments, increased frequency of mid-scale flood events can wear on rural communities. (Adobe Stock)

Taxpayers, like farmers, can get a bang for their buck from conservation funding

If you live in a flood prone community, soil health from nearby farmland may have something to do with it. Ag voices in Wisconsin say government-…

Congress averted a government shutdown in September by approving a temporary spending plan. But time is running out to come up with long-term appropriations, and political observers say a lot of uncertainty looms over budget talks. (Adobe Stock)

Wisconsinites warn of negative outcomes if federal programs are cut

Congress has one week to approve a new federal spending plan or risk a government shutdown, and some Wisconsinites are calling on lawmakers to keep …

Places such as national parks close their gates during a government shutdown, but poverty-fighting groups say those who rely on such programs as nutrition assistance are left in the lurch, too. (Adobe Stock)

Key aid programs tied up in government shutdown chaos

As the federal government nears a shutdown over a budget impasse in Congress, Wisconsin offices that help low-income individuals worry they'll have …

Ag-based organizations say if there's a government shutdown, it would add more stress to those trying to adopt a new Farm Bill because lawmakers could not consult with furloughed USDA staff about the importance of certain programs. (Adobe Stock)

WI ag groups in 'wait-and-see mode' on Farm Bill

The current Farm Bill expires Sept. 30 and with a looming government shutdown, reauthorization does not appear imminent. Wisconsin farm groups say …

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says nationwide, up to 600,000 eligible people would be turned away from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children under a spending proposal from House Republicans. (Adobe Stock)

WI Families Could See 'Double Whammy' From Budget Policies

Congress is again steeped in a looming budget crisis as lawmakers face a deadline to approve a new government spending plan. In Wisconsin, policy …

AARP researchers say nearly 450,000 Wisconsin residents, or 46% of those 65 and older, live in families that rely on Social Security for at least half of their income. (Adobe Stock)

Hearing From People, Not Politicians, About Social Security

Keeping Social Security afloat without enacting cuts remains a thorny topic in Congress. As those debates continue to unfold, Wisconsin residents …

According to the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University, more than half a million children have been disenrolled from Medicaid in just 21 states that post child enrollment data on a more-timely basis. (Adobe Stock)

WI Kids Losing Health Coverage in Medicaid Unwinding

As Wisconsin kids head back to school, families who rely on Medicaid are reminded to ensure their children still have health insurance. States are …

Beyond changes to Social Security, a large group of House Republicans in Washington proposes reforms to Medicare critics argued would amount to privatization of the system. (Adobe Stock)

Talk of Social Security Cuts in D.C. Renews Longstanding Concerns

There is renewed debate in Congress over the future of programs like Social Security and Medicare, and Wisconsin voices and advocacy groups are …

Wisconsin's more than 500 municipalities will share an additional $260 million in state aid over the next two years for priorities like police and fire protection and public works. (Adobe Stock)

WI Revenue-Sharing Plan Highlights Complexities Cities Face

For many years, Wisconsin towns and cities have been asked to do more with less but updates to the state's shared-revenue plan means additional …

In a number of states where Republican lawmakers have a strong influence on budget decisions, there have been growing debates over whether taxpayer dollars should be used to increase vouchers for private schools. (Adobe Stock)

WI School Funding Agreement Doesn't Ease Concerns of Rural Districts

Wisconsin education leaders are reacting to a budget deal that provides some extra funding to public schools but also increases support for private sc…

In key categories measuring child well-being, Wisconsin consistently ranks among the top 20 states in an annual report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Despite High Ranking, Child Well-Being Concerns Persist in WI

An annual report measuring child well-being in the U.S. said several benchmarks have worsened overall. States like Wisconsin fared better in the …

With the debt-ceiling debate winding down, Congress faces future budget battles, including the Farm Bill reauthorization this fall. (Adobe Stock)

WI Working Family Advocates Put Spotlight on Reps' Voting Records

This week's debt ceiling deal saw federal policymakers compromise on budget-related matters, but a new awareness campaign from a Wisconsin grassroots …

This legislative session, Wisconsin Republicans have sought tighter caps on unemployment benefits, while adding more eligibility benchmarks. (Adobe Stock)

Veto Calls Grow Over Public-Aid Restrictions Proposed in WI

A coalition of Wisconsin groups is asking Gov. Tony Evers to reject bills it contends would make it harder for people struggling to get by to bounce …

Siena Chrisman of State Innovation Exchange, Kellon Patey of People's Action and Caitlin Cromwell of Northern Plains Resource Council discuss policy goals at the 2023 Rural Policy Action Summit. (Photo courtesy of Rural Democracy Initiative)

Wisconsin Voices Reflect on Rural Summit

Rural advocates from around the U.S. recently gathered to lay out policy priorities at the state and federal levels in hopes of making smaller …

Newly-compiled data from a policy group showed while sales-tax revenue in Wisconsin has grown, income-tax revenue has decreased. Researchers warned if more tax cuts are pursued for the wealthy, state programs could suffer. (Adobe Stock)

WI Budget Debate: Some Call for Giving Tax Burden the Boot

Another tax season has wrapped up, and Wisconsin researchers found it is a reminder the state's overall tax structure leaves low- and middle-income …

The most recent Farm Bill covered areas such as agricultural conservation, trade and foreign food assistance, farm credit and research. (Adobe Stock)

Ag Research Community Urges Congress to Avoid Farm Bill Delays

The U.S. Farm Bill is up for reauthorization, and Congress faces calls to avoid any delays so certain programs can keep helping farmers and consumers …

In a new AARP report, the work of unpaid family caregivers in Wisconsin is valued at $16.97 per hour. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Uptick in Hours, Value of Unpaid Family Care in WI

The economic value of uncompensated family caregiving in Wisconsin has increased by more than $2 billion, according to the latest report estimating …

A national study from 2022 found a higher percentage of young adults ration their insulin supply, compared to those 65 and older. (Adobe Stock)

An Insulin Hurdle Out of The Way, Others Remain

Some older patients with diabetes are now getting easier access to insulin. But there is concern many younger ones are still navigating a difficult …

Sara Wuorinen first contacted the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services in Sept. 2021 to become a licensed substance abuse counselor. After 16 months of navigating the state bureaucracy, she still doesn't have the license. (Photo courtesy Derek Montgomery for Wisconsin Watch)

After Rejecting Staffing Requests, WI Republicans Approve DSPS Audit

By Matthew DeFour for Wisconsin Watch.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for Wisconsin Watch-Public News Service C…

Members of LIUNA Local 464 welcomed President Joe Biden on Wednesday to the Laborers Apprenticeship and Training Center in DeForest, Wisconsin. The latest jobs report shows the unemployment rate fell to 3.4%, the lowest job level since May 1969. (Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons)

Biden Promotes Jobs Creation at Wisconsin Training Center

President Joe Biden visited the presidential battleground state of Wisconsin on Wednesday to promote his economic agenda and strengthen his ties to wo…

Senior advocates point out that family caregivers perform a range of tasks such as shopping, transportation, meal preparation, medication management, wound care and home updates, ultimately saving the state money. (Adobe Stock)

WI Sees Renewed Calls for Caregiver Tax Credit

Wisconsin lawmakers are back in session and have a large budget surplus to work with. Advocates for the state's older residents hope any spending …

A public health administrator in western Wisconsin says local-level offices have been chronically underfunded for years, limiting their reach in providing prevention tools and other services. (Adobe Stock)

Lack of Public Funding Overshadows WI Health Ranking

Wisconsin is 21st in the country when measuring health data, but an annual ranking found the Badger State is behind most other states in funding …

As part of the federal infrastructure law, the City of Milwaukee was recently awarded nearly $80 million to replace lead water pipes. (Adobe Stock)

One Year In, WI Communities Measure Impact of Infrastructure Law

Yesterday was the first anniversary of the signing of the federal infrastructure law. Groups pushing for support for Wisconsin towns and cities say …

Not all states have updated their laws to allow public employees such as teachers to qualify for Social Security benefits. Wisconsin is one of the states to have taken such action. (Adobe Stock)

WI Educator: Social Security Vital for Eligible Teachers

Wisconsin is one of 33 states allowing Social Security benefits to be extended to teachers. As the future of the program is debated, a retired …

According to the Social Security Administration, the average monthly benefit is $1,542.22. (Adobe Stock)

Social Security Benefits to See Big Jump, But Concerns, Debates Linger

Social Security benefits again could see their highest increase in several decades, but those advocating for beneficiaries in Wisconsin and elsewhere …

Roughly 50% of small-business owners in the United States offer health insurance, but some worry about being able to keep it if costs continue to rise. (Adobe Stock)

Health-Care Subsidy Extension a Relief for WI Small Businesses

Average Affordable Care Act premiums in Wisconsin would have been 56% higher this year without temporary subsidies from the federal government…

Supporters of managed grazing say grass-based farms and ranches are an important strategy for introducing new farmers and ranchers to livestock, because they're better for an operation's bottom line. (Adobe Stock)

WI Farmers to Get New Support for 'Managed Grazing'

Managed grazing is one of several ways farmers can implement climate-friendly practices, and after a lengthy absence, a key source of federal aid has …

Last year, Congress passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package. Smaller, rural communities want to be sure they aren't forgotten as those funds are allocated. They're hopeful an economic development provision in the CHIPS Act will even things out. (Adobe Stock)

Pilot Program Within CHIPS Act Could Help with Rural WI Development

A program approved by Congress aims to give rural communities a leg up when applying for federal dollars. Municipal leaders in Wisconsin say this …

According to city documents, Madison's new electric bus fleet will cost about $70 million. In its 2022 budget, the city set aside roughly $26 million in local funding for the project. (Jonah Chester)

WI Communities Prepare to Receive Federal Infrastructure Funding

Six months ago this week, President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan infrastructure law, and Wisconsin's towns and cities are planning how best to …

The Biden administration has set a goal of achieving a fifty percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2030. (Adobe Stock)

Elected Officials to Feds: Accelerate Clean Energy Transition

As folks across America celebrate Earth Day, nearly 500 lawmakers have signed a petition calling on the President and Congress to develop a Climate …

According to AARP Wisconsin, prescription drug prices have outpaced inflation in recent years. (Adobe Stock)

Petition Pushes Congress to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

More than 126,000 Wisconsinites have signed an AARP petition urging Congress to lower prescription drug prices. According to GoodRx, an American …

Wednesday's press conference commemorating the 12th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act was hosted by Opportunity Wisconsin, Protect Our Care Wisconsin, the Committee to Protect Health Care and For Our Future Wisconsin. (Adobe Stock)

On 12-Year Anniversary of ACA, Wisconsinites Discuss its Impacts

Wednesday marked the twelve-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which currently extends health insurance coverage to roughly 224,000 …

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake youth prisons, located in Irma, will be repurposed into a new adult facility. (Adobe Stock)

Closure of Controversial WI Youth Prisons on Horizon

Wisconsin legislators passed a bipartisan agreement this month to build a replacement for the controversial Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake youth prison…

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Wisconsin is one of ten states with full-time legislatures. Despite taking home an average annual salary of more than $50,000, Wisconsin's lawmakers are not scheduled to meet again until next year. (Adobe Stock)

WI Lawmakers Reintroduce 'Economic Justice Bill of Rights'

Wisconsin's legislative session has concluded, but Democrats still are pushing for a so-called "Economic Justice Bill of Rights." Among other things…

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the PFAS family includes more than 4,700 distinct chemicals, which are used in everything from firefighting foam to non-stick cookware. (Adobe Stock)

WI Natural Resources Board Approves New Standards for 'Forever Chemicals'

Wisconsin's Natural Resources Board has approved new contamination standards for Perfluorinated and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS), a family of …

According to Feeding America, more than 530,000 Wisconsinites are facing hunger. (Adobe Stock)

WI Lawmakers Eye Repealing Pandemic Food-Aid Waivers

At the beginning of the pandemic, Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS) waived numerous requirements to participate in the state's food-aid …

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PNS Daily Newscast - April 16, 2024

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WI: Budget Policy & Priorities