Wednesday, Feb. 17
The state Group Insurance Board votes unanimously to seek bids from companies for self-insured health plans for Wisconsin’s more than 250,000 state employees. One consultant says the move could save the state $42 million, but another said it could cost the state $100 million.
Thursday, Feb. 18
In the last day of the legislative session, the Assembly passes several bills, including one that would cut $5.3 million from school districts with students who attend private voucher schools, one that would prevent county executives from serving concurrently in the Legislature and a pair of “private property rights” bills that relax environmental regulations.
Friday, Feb. 19
A special community task force releases a report on police use of force, presenting about 60 recommendations for improving law enforcement practices, training, community education and officer well-being to improve relations between police and minorities and to reduce the use of “excessive force.”
Tuesday, Feb. 23
Student employees and graduate assistants at UW-Madison are finally getting a raise next fall, campus officials announce. Minimum wage for the school’s 10,000 student employees will increase from $7.25 to $9 per hour, and the more than 5,300 graduate assistants will get a 2% pay bump. Hope they don’t spend it all in one place!
State Supreme Court candidate JoAnne Kloppenburg scores an endorsement from former rival Joe Donald, who lost in the primary to Kloppenburg and Justice Rebecca Bradley. Donald, a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge, had previously endorsed Bradley for lower court seats, but says she isn’t qualified for the state Supreme Court.