Happy Valentines Day and happy first day of Lent to all who celebrate
Republicans were faced with choosing the least bad of five possible scenarios as far as the new legislative district maps went. They could take the partisan maps drafted in secret and proposed by Governor Evers, or leave it up to either the other three maps being considered by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, or test their luck with the partisan ‘experts’ the Courts have retained. Rather than roll the dice, they voted for their least bad option.
It is now up to the Governor. Once the legislation is sent to him Thursday he has six days to sign it, as he promised. Will he veto his own maps. Again, the only certainty here is that we will keep you informed.
GOP-led Wisconsin Legislature passes Democratic governor’s legislative maps – The Associated Press
Democrats said that the Wisconsin Supreme Court should be allowed to implement the maps. Republicans said that voting for Evers’ maps, rather than waiting for the state Supreme Court to install maps that might be even better for Democrats, was their last best remaining option.
AP
“Republicans were not stuck between a rock and hard place,” Republican state Sen. Van Wanggaard said in a statement. “It was a matter of choosing to be stabbed, shot, poisoned or led to the guillotine. We chose to be stabbed, so we can live to fight another day.”
We believe it is almost certain the Governor will veto the latest GOP tax cut. Again. As Benjamin Yount reports:
Republicans skeptical Evers will sign latest tax cut plan – The Center Square
The proposals would lower income taxes for families making less than $150,000 a year, make retirement tax free for most Wisconsin retirees, expand Wisconsin’s child care tax credit and provide more tax relief for married couples.
Our state universities would be required to admit the top academic performers from Wisconsin high schools if Evers signs off on legislation brokered by Republican Speaker Robin Vos.
Legislature sends UW ‘automatic admission’ bill to Evers’ desk – WPR
The plan would enshrine in state law part of a GOP-authored deal that unlocked state funds for university pay raises and building projects in exchange for new limits on campus diversity, equity and inclusion programs, or DEI.
WPR
The bill would require the University of Wisconsin-Madison to admit the top five percent of students from state high schools. Other Universities of Wisconsin campuses would be required to admit the top 10 percent of high school students.
As we relayed to you last week, the state Superintendent of Public Instruction is opposed to legislation that would bar the chronically truant students who miss six weeks of school from advancing grade levels. WKOW in Madison has more on the growing problem of truancy.
Wisconsin school districts face chronic absenteeism problem post-pandemic – WKOW
A recent analysis of federal education data by the nonprofit Attendance Works shows 51 percent of Wisconsin schools saw high or extreme chronic absence rates in 2021-22 — the most recent data available. That’s a jump from 21 percent in 2017-18.
WKOW
In that same time, the percentage of Wisconsin students who were chronically absent — meaning they missed 10 percent or more of school days — rose from 15 to 26 percent, mirroring a nationwide trend.
Somehow we know their solution will be heavy on funding, and light on results…
But like getting things done in the state legislature or Congress, it wasn’t easy and it wasn’t pretty.
Finally, as the UW and Milwaukee Bucks’ roller coaster basketball seasons continue, state hoops fans may soon be hitching a ride on the Maarquette band wagon. The fourth ranked Warrio…um Golden Eagles won again last night.
Ok, since we gave up chocolate for Lent, we’re not bothered by the fact no one gave us chocolate today. Right? We’ll ponder this today and will have new Key Reads for you tomorrow…
