Wednesday, Jan. 6
In the wake of the alleged abuses at Lincoln Hills School juvenile correctional facility, Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) introduces a package of bills to improve safety at Wisconsin prisons by increasing training, adding guards and making incident reports public records.
Thursday, Jan. 7
City Attorney Michael May tells the Wisconsin State Journal that city officials are suspending the enforcement of Madison’s controversial panhandling ordinance in response to pressure from the ACLU of Wisconsin.
Monday, Jan. 11
Madison Police Officer Matt Kenny will not return to patrol duties this year, Madison Police Chief Mike Koval tells the State Journal.
Gov. Scott Walker introduces a set of bills aimed at making college more affordable by deducting all student loan interest from taxes, creating emergency grants for students in need and enhancing internship opportunities. Give the guy credit, these are good ideas. But Democrats say their (currently stalled) college affordability bills are better.
After an overwhelming response from journalists and citizens, the state Public Records Board votes unanimously to reverse a controversial measure that allowed officials to destroy records that were deemed “transitory.” Score one for open government.
Tuesday, Jan. 12
Rep. Bob Gannon (R-Slinger) flips off Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) during an argument about comments Gannon made regarding crime in Milwaukee. Yes, Gannon is the same guy who said concealed carry permit holders should “clean our society of scum bags.”
Lawmakers do get some work done on their first day back in session, though. The state Assembly lifts a ban on new nuclear power plants and approves a package of bills aimed at targeting the abuse of prescription opiate medications.
