State and federal government officials were on hand for a news conference held July 9, 2010 in Baraboo, regarding the disposition of the Badger Army Ammunition Plant. Those present at the conference were Governor Jim Doyle, Wisconsin DNR Secretary Matt Frank, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, Tad Davis, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Environment, and Tom Gilbert of the U.S. Department of Interior.

Following the news conference held July 9, 2010 in Baraboo regarding the disposition of the Badger Army Ammunition Plant, WisconsinEye caught up with some of those in attendance to talk to them about Badger Ammunition. Those interviewed include: Joan M. Kenney, commander's representative for the Badger Army Ammunition Plant; Anne Thundercloud, public relations officer for the Ho-Chunk Nation; Joan Fordham, District 17 supervisor Sauk County board; Hank Kuehling, hydrogeologist for the Dept of Natural Resources; and Thomas M Bennwitz, environmental engineer for the Dept of Natural Resources.

Governor Jim Doyle held a news conference on July 8, 2010 in Milwaukee to announce a $4.55 million federal Workforce Investment Act, which would fund programs that prepare Wisconsin workers and employers.

Milwaukee-Area State Senate and Assembly Legislators, along with various victims of, and advocates against, drunk driving held a news conference on July 1, 2010 at the Tippecanoe Public Library in Milwaukee, to voice support for Wiscosnin's new, stricter drunk driving laws.

Governor Doyle, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and County Executive Kathleen Faulk gathered at the Department of Administration Building in Madison on July 1, 2010 to announce the location of Madison's future high speed train station.

The Finding Forward Coalition, made up of county and municipal government, private businesses, organized labor, non-profit associations and other groups, held a news conference on June 28, 2010 to call for consitutional protection of the state's transportation fund. Speakers at the conference included: Craig Thompson, Executive Director of the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin; Terry McGowan, Business Manager for Local 139; Brendan Scholz of the Wisconsin Grocers' Association; and Allison Bussler, Director of Public Works of Waukesha County.

State Superintendent Tony Evers held a news conference June 24, 2010 at the Lussier Community Education Center in Madison to present a framework for reforming Wisconsin's school funding system. The framework calls for a minimum level of state aid for every student regardless of where they live. It proposes using student poverty as a factor in a portion of state aid. It also calls for growth in state support for schools and expanded sparsity aid and transportation funding to support rural schools. Evers said he wants to allocate the School Levy Tax Credit, valued at $900 million, to general school aids, stating that this will not result in a net increase in property taxes.

Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan held a news conference to announce the completion of the environmental impact statement for the proposed I-39/90 expansion, which would widen a stretch of road between the state line and Madison from four to six lanes. State leaders also announced a new plan to shorten the I39/90 construction period by two years.

The Government Accountability Board held a news conference to announce the launch of the new website http://gab.wi.gov. The new site combines the formerly separate Election and Ethics Divisions’ sites and presents information in one location.

Governor Doyle was interviewed at the State Capitol on May 19, 2010 to discuss his decision to veto Senate Bill 434 that would allow the sale of unpasteurized 'raw' milk directly to consumers, and his partial veto of SB530 auto loan bill. Read the governor's veto message here.

The 46 Assembly Republicans on May 18 proposed a constitutional amendment that would limit state general-fund spending to 6.5% per year, or slightly below the 6.8% increase in personal income over the last 30 years. Money collected above that limit that would go into a "rainy day" fund to protect spending for critical programs in recessions. The constitutional amendment could not become law in 2013, at the earliest, and would not include any limits on Transportation Fund spending. For more information, see Representative Mark Gottlieb’s Press Release, the Wording of the Constitutional Amendment, and the Fiscal Bureau Memo.

Representatives of a coalition of organizations opposed to Senate Bill 434 to allow the sale of unpasteurized 'raw' milk directly to consumers held a press conference to urge Governor Doyle to veto the legislation. Members of the coalition include; Cooperative Network Association, Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, Wisconsin Dairy Products Association, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Medical Society, Wisconsin Public Health Association and Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association.

Governor Jim Doyle and Chiba Governor Kensaku Morita signed a reaffirmation of the Wisconsin-Ciba Sister State agreement on May 6, 2010 at the State Capitol. The agreement was first signed in 1990.

Governor Doyle announced Wisconsin will receive $823 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to build high-speed rail service. He was joined by Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Dane County Executive Kathryn Falk. The funds will be used to build rail service between Madison and Milwaukee, to improve service between Chicago and Milwaukee, and to make final determinations on a route between Wisconsin and the Twin Cities, the next step toward connection Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison with the Twin Cities.

On May 5, 2010 Governor Doyle signed in to law legislation banning texting while driving. Bill sponsors Representative Robert Turner and Senator John Lehman were on hand.

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Forensic Crime Scene House on the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s campus on April 4, 2010 on the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s campus. Van Hollen spoke about how the Forensic Investigation Crime Scene House and the UW-Platteville staff will be able to impact the quality of life for Tri-State area residents, the impact on training and education of public safety personnel and how increase in the quality of evidence collected will have an impact on the ability to successfully litigate crimes.

On April 28, a ceremony held at the State Capitol commemorated Workers Memorial Day in honor of workers who were injured or killed on the job in Wisconsin last year. Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President David Newby and WisCOSH, Inc. Executive Director Jim Schultz led the ceremony in which union members from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) read the names of Wisconsin workers killed on the job.
Katie Crawley, the South Central Regional Coordinator for Sen. Russ Feingold, also delivered a statement on the senator’s behalf.

Governor Doyle held a news conference on April 23, 2010 in the State Capitol to discuss the work and accomplishments of the state legislature during the session that just ended. The governor highlighted top issues, including RTA and educational funding.

Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton and others held a news conference at the State Capitol on April 20, 2010, "Equal Pay Day," calling for equal pay for equal work. Wisconsin Women’s Council and Wisconsin Woman’s Alliance hosted the event which included Rep. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, and legislators who have worked on pay equity, Rep. Christine Sinicki, D-Milwaukee and Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay.

Representative Mike Sheridan and Assembly Democrats held a press conference in the State Capitol on April 15, 2010 to announce the Small Business Jobs Investment Act – AB 853. The bill would offer a job creation incentive for small business of ten employees or less. Businesses would receive an incentive credit that is equal to the increase in the 2010 payroll versus the 2009 payroll.

Senator Scott Fitzgerald and Representative Jeff Fitzgerald held a press conference to discuss the impact of the elections bill, SB 640/AB 895, on Wisconsin elections, fraud, and abuse. First Vice President of the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association, Diane Hermann-Brown, as well as multiple municipal clerks stood in support.

Speaker Mike Sheridan held a press conference Tuesday, April 13th in the Assembly Parlor, alongside State Representatives Phil Garthwaite, Ted Zigmunt, and Amy Sue Vruwink, to highlight the action Assembly Democrats will take to support job growth.
Pending legislation AB 768, authored by Rep. Phil Garthwaite, would expand the Enterprise Zone program to allow more businesses to access tax credits for job creation and operations expansion. Rep. Ted Zigmunt spoke about legislation he wrote to compliment the Enterprise Zone program, called the Wisconsin Business Reinvestment Act. This bill offers tax credits to companies in an Enterprise Zone to create a supply chain within the state by buying the goods and services they need from Wisconsin businesses. Zach Brandon, Executive Assistant at the Department of Commerce, spoke about how these bills could spur economic development and job creation.
Roger Jacob, Operations Manager for Del Monte Foods in Plover spoke about the potential benefits of this bill on the industry, which includes more than 1,000 Wisconsin businesses. Assembly Bill 756 will extend the Dairy Farm Tax. Dairy producers Kim Heiman of Nasonville Dairy and Dave Kyle, who serves on Foremost Farms USA Board of Directors, spoke about the impact of the bill.

The Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands through its Common School Fund presented the Department of Public Instruction with a check at the State Capitol on March 7, 2010. The Common School Fund provides annual library aid support to all Wisconsin public school districts. The Fund was established with proceeds from the sale of the 16th Section of each township—nearly 1 million acres of land granted by the federal government to Wisconsin when it became a state.

A coalition of organizations opposed to SB 469/AB696 held a news conference on April 7, 2010 in the State Capitol. The coalition includes CenturyLink, Communications Workers of America (CWA), Local 4603, CWA Local 4640, CWA Local 4622, CWA Local 4630, Citizens Utility Board, Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Sprint Communications and the Wisconsin Grocers Association.

Representative Brett Davis held a press conference on March 30, 2010 to announce the introduction of a bill, LRB 4550, to block any further spending on the high-speed rail project from Madison to Milwaukee.

Wisconsin First Lady Jessica Doyle, the Department of Health Services and Donate Life Wisconsin held a news conference on March 29, 2010 at the State Capitol to announce the launch of a new, online organ donor registry that will allow citizens to legally become future organ, eye and tissue donors with the click of a button. First Lady Jessica Doyle was joined by Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, WMC Director James Haney, and a mother of a daughter whose life was saved by organ donation.

Senator Julie Lassa and Representative Cory Mason announced legislation originally proposed by Governor Doyle in his 2010 State to the State Address to create the "Green and Gold Fund." Its purpose is to fund initiatives to help manufacturers move into clean energy production or improve their energy efficiency.

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen held a press conference at the State Capitol on March 25, 2010 to request authorization to contest the constitutionality of health care overhaul. The request was made to Governor Doyle and Senate and Assembly leadership. State law requires the Governor or either house of the Legislature authorize the Attorney General to file all such actions. Attorney General Van Hollen contended there is sufficient legal basis to contest the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act based on its threat to the individual interests of Wisconsin citizens and the sovereign interests of the state.

Representatives Jeff Smith, Joe Parisi and Senator Spencer Coggs held a press conference on March 18, 2010 at the State Capitol to announce an election reform package. The legislation targets voter protection rights and elections.

Karen Ordinans, Executive Director, Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin held a news conference to help educate state legislators on the Lead-Safe Renovation Rule and the need to eliminate childhood lead poisoning. She was joined by John Fisher, President Wisconsin Apartment Association, representatives of the Department of Health Services and State Senator Spencer Coggs.

Governor Doyle held a press conference with the GE Foundation on March 15, 2010 at the Sixteenth Street Community Health Center in Milwaukee. They announced expanded access to health care in Milwaukee communities, through a major investment in four Milwaukee health care clinics through GE’s Developing Health Initiative. The Governor was joined by Mike Barber, Vice President of GE Healthymagination, Dr. John Bartkowski, President and CEO of the Sixteenth Street Community Health Center and C.C. Henderson, president and CEO of Milwaukee Health Services, Inc.

Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman kicked off a series of veterans job fairs on March 11, 2010, at the Deming Way Campus of Edgewood College in Madison. Secretary Gassman was joined by Brig. Gen. John McCoy, Assistant Adjutant General of Wisconsin and Commander of the Wisconsin Air National Guard; Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Kenneth Black, and Mike Rohan, AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer at the American Legion Auxiliary. The job fair is the first of 18 that the three state agencies have organized in 14 communities across the state through mid October.

Governor Doyle held a news conference on March 9, 2010 at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa to announce the signing into law Assembly Bill 614, the Health Care Transparency Bill. The Governor was joined by supporters of the bill and the bill’s author Senator Jim Sullivan.

Representative Spenser Black and Senator Mark Miller held a press conference on March 8, 2010 at the Arboretum in Madison. Their proposed legislation would increase protections for Wisconsin's groundwater by providing more review of proposed large wells that could potentially draw down drinking water supplies and threaten connected surface waters. It would build on a landmark groundwater law that was passed in 2003.

Governor Jim Doyle held a press conference on March 4, 2010 to announce that Wisconsin will not receive first-round federal Race to the Top funding. Governor Doyle, State Superintendent Tony Evers and Milwaukee Common Council President Willie Hines made the announcement in Milwaukee, calling for meaningful reform in Milwaukee Public Schools.

Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan, Representatives Peter Barca and Louis Molepske, and Milwaukee small business leader Derrick Martin held a press conference February 25, 2010 regarding Assembly Bill 648, also known as the Roth IRA bill. The legislation adopts federal tax policy to allow people of all income levels to convert a traditional individual retirement account (IRA) to a Roth IRA and to make the maximum federal contribution to retirement accounts, penalty-free. AB 642 was also announced, which expands the New Markets Jobs Credit for businesses in communities all across Wisconsin.

Governor Jim Doyle signed Assembly Bill 458 at the State Capitol on February 24, 2010. The bill, known as the “Healthy Youth Act,” requires schools that teach sex education to do so in a responsible, comprehensive manner that includes information about abstinence and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy prevention strategies, such as birth control and condom use. It was passed in the Senate on January 28, 2010.

The US Dept. of Energy held a press conference to kick off the national Clean Energy Roadshow’s Wisconsin stop at the First Choice Pre-Apprenticeship Training Center to introduce green jobs legislation. National, state and local leaders in both the public and private sectors met to identify ways to spur public-private investment in an American home performance industry create jobs and grow clean energy economy. State Representative Cory Mason, Racine Mayor John Dickert, Graduates of First Choice Pre-Apprenticeship Training Center, and State and local labor, business and environmental leaders attended. The conference was followed by retrofit demonstrations.

Governor Doyle held a news conference to discuss the $810 million in stimulus funds coming from the federal government for high speed rail between Madison-Milwaukee-Chicago. The high speed rail project is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The governor was joined by Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, County Executive Kathleen Falk and Mayor Dave Cieslewicz.

Governor Doyle held a news conference to lay out plans to create clean energy jobs in visits to McFarland, Milwaukee and Appleton. The governor highlighted the work of Energy Performance Specialists in McFarland, Sellars Wipers and Sorbents in Milwaukee and Surface Mount Technology Corporation in Appleton.

An announcement by legislators and interviews with veterans calling for the restructuring of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau), Sen. Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield), Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), Sen. Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac), Sen. Joseph Leibham (R-Sheboygan), Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center ) and Sen. Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn) held a news conference on January 20, 2010 at the Senate Parlor, Wisconsin State Capitol to announce the Senate Republican Wisconsin Jobs Now Agenda.

Governor Jim Doyle announced legislation for a Milwaukee-area Regional Transit Authority on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at Bucyrus International in Milwaukee.
Governor Doyle joined CEOs from several of the state’s largest companies and company presidents to discuss the importance of regional transit that creates jobs and invests in the future of Southeastern Wisconsin.

Governor Jim Doyle held a press conference on January 15, 2010 at the Bruce Guadalupe Community School in Milwaukee to discuss Wisconsin’s Race to the Top Application. State Superintendent Tony Evers, Representative Pedro Colon, and Alderman Willie Hines also spoke on the issue.

Governor Jim Doyle held a press conference on January 6, 2010 at the State Capitol to discuss Race to the Top and Wisconsin's application for Race to the Top funding. The application asks for $254 million in funding to address various goals, including mentoring for teachers and students, smaller class sizes, and remedying the achievement gap in Wisconsin's schools. State Superintendent Tony Evers also spoke on the issue and the work that went in to writing the application.

Representatives Andy Jorgensen and Peter Barca held a press conference January 5, 2010 regarding Assembly Bill 532, also known as the Capital Access Program (CAP). The CAP program provides banks with the incentive to issue commercial loans, which would normally be seen as too risky to otherwise take on. Currently, 26 states and two cities, including Milwaukee, have Capital Access Programs.

On December 22, 2009, Governor Jim Doyle signed drunk driving legislation into law. Senate Bill 66 makes four main changes to current law:

• Fourth offense OWI will be a felony if it occurs within five years of an earlier offense;

• Ignition interlocks will be required for repeat offenders and first-time offenders with at or above a 0.15 blood alcohol level;

• A greater emphasis will be placed on treatment for drunk drivers, helping reduce repeat offenses; and

• Increases first offense OWI to a misdemeanor if a child under 16 is in the vehicle.

The bill signing and news conference took place in the Governor's Conference Room at the State Capitol.

John Scocos, former Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the State of Wisconsin and an Iraq War Veteran, announced his decision to take legal actions against the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs over his termination of employment in November 2009. Scocos, along with his wife Kelly and attorney James R. Troupis of the law firm Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, addressed the media in the State Capitol on December 10, 2009.

Governor Jim Doyle held a news conference on December 7, 2009 at the Executive Residence in Madison, where he signed Senate Bill 288, the Indian Child Welfare (ICWA) Codification bill. The bill will reduce variations and create clarity to direct and guide child welfare professionals as they seek to make the best decisions to protect Indian children while ensuring tribal heritage.

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced the growth of the Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force by welcoming three new affiliates into the ICAC Program. Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, West Allis Police Department Chief Mike Jungbluth and Oak Creek Police Department Captain John Edwards along with State Legislators, local elected officials, current ICAC Affiliate Partners joined the Attorney General in welcoming three Milwaukee County Law Enforcement Agencies as the task force grows to over 100 local law enforcement affiliates.

State Representative Tony Staskunas (D-West Allis) and State Senator Jim Sullivan (D-Wauwatosa) announced major developments in their efforts to reform and strengthen Wisconsin’s drunken driving laws on December 7, 2009 in West Allis City Hall. Last month, the Senate advanced drunken driving reform legislation with its approval of Senate Bill 66. Earlier this session, the Assembly unanimously approved similar legislation to crack down on repeat offenders and address the root cause of the problem.

Governor Jim Doyle held a news conference on December 7, 2009 at the State Capitol to discuss education reform in Wisconsin. The Governor was joined by Charlie Rose, general counsel for the U.S. Department of Education, Tom Payzant, former Superintendent of Boston Public Schools, and Milwaukee Common Council President Willie Hines, Jr.

Governor Jim Doyle announced a State Capitol Solar Project on December 4, 2009 at the State Capitol. Solar panels were lifted to the Capitol roof as part of a public-private partnership to generate solar energy. Gary Wolter of Madison Gas & Electric also addressed attendees and the media.

Governor Doyle signed the Impartial Justice Supreme Court Public Financing Measure into law on December 1, 2009 at the State Capitol. The bill will provide full public financing for qualifying candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court who voluntarily agree to abide by a spending limit of $400,000.

Governor Doyle held a media conference on November 24, 2009 in Milwaukee to discuss Alverno College's innovative teacher certification program and the importance of developing great teachers. Doyle's efforts include creating efficient paths to teacher licensure for mid-career professionals, while ensuring individuals are prepared for the classroom. Other speakers included Adam Gerber, Massmer Prep teacher and Alverno College graduate, and Katie Clements, student teacher at Vincent High School and a student at Alverno College.

Dan Kohler from the Wisconsin Environment Organization, Shahla Werner from the Sierra Club, Charlie Higley from the Citizens Utility Board, and Jennifer Nordstrom from the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research held a news conference on November 20, 2009 at the State Capitol to outline how nuclear power will hurt America's ability to fight global warming.

A news conference was held November 16, 2009 in the library of Hawley Environmental School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in regards to an educational reform plan called "RACE to Success." The plan was unveiled by Milwaukee Public School President Michael Bonds, Rep. Tamara Grigsby, Rep. Annette Williams, and Sen. G. Spencer Coggs.

Rep. Mark Pocan and Sen. Jon Erpenbach announced legislative plans for the new Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act during a news conference on November 16, 2009 in the Senate Parlor of the State Capitol.

On November 9, 2009, Governor Jim Doyle signed into law Senate Bills 370, 371, 372 and 373, which take the first steps toward reforming education in Wisconsin. Governor Doyle signed the laws at Wright Middle School just days after President Obama visited the school.

Senate Democrats outlined their Wisconsin C.O.R.E. Jobs Act November 9, 2009 at Sologear in Middleton. Senators Julie Lassa, Pat Kreitlow, and Jon Erpenback spoke at the news conference. They say the jobs package will build upon current, successful state programs.

Governor Jim Doyle held a press conference in his office at the State Capitol on November 6, 2009 to speak about the actions and legislation discussed on the floor of the Assembly the night before, as well as reacted to the shooting at Fort Hood in Texas that claimed the life of two Wisconsin soldiers and injured four others.

Former Nuclear Regulatory Commissioner Peter Bradford spoke in the Senate Parlor of the State Capitol on November 6, 2009 on the "true cost" of more nuclear reactors in Wisconsin. Bradford's speech was a part of a three-city tour to discuss the financial risks that will be placed on Wisconsin taxpayers and electric customers in order to build nuclear reactors and to explain how improvements in energy efficiency can decrease the demand for new power plants.

Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson presented the 2009 State of the Judiciary Address November 4, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Milwaukee. The Chief's address, titled "What Opportunity Looks Like," highlighted eight justice-related initiatives undertaken in counties across Wisconsin during the past year. Director of State Courts A. John Voelker gave the annual State of the Director's Office presentation immediately following the Chief Justice's Speech.

Senators Scott Fitzgerald & Mike Ellis and Representatives Jeff Fitzgerald & John Nygren discussed LRB 3758/2, the proposal to repeal auto insurance changes in the budget on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 in the Senate Parlor at the State Capitol.

Governor Jim Doyle celebrated the completion of the Kinnickinnic River dredging project at Paul Davis Restoration in Milwaukee on November 2, 2009. The Kinnickinnic River Sediment Remediation Project, co-sponsored by U.S. EPA, the Great Lakes National Program Office and the Wisconsin DNR, removed contaminated sediment from the river in the critical Milwaukee estuary.

Assembly Republicans announced comprehensive education reform legislation on November 2, 2009 during a press conference held at the State Capitol. The package of legislation focuses on creating a sustainable school finance formula and modernizing Wisconsin's student assessment system.

Governor Jim Doyle announced efforts to make health insurance more available to young adults on October 29, 2009 in the Governor’s Conference Room in the State Capitol.

Governor Doyle signed an agreement on ginseng trade between the Wisconsin Ginseng Board and Tong Ren Tang Health Pharmaceutical Co. on October 28, 2009 in the State Capitol.

Governor Jim Doyle announced major solar energy investments in Madison on October 26, 2009 at the Alicia Ashman Branch Library, along with Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Madison Mayor Cieslewicz, and Tehri Parker, Executive Director of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.

Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan (D-Janesville) announced the creation of a special partnership to develop strategies that will build on legislative efforts for Wisconsin's economic stabilization and growth. The press conference was held October 26, 2009 in the Assembly Parlor of the State Capitol.

Governor Doyle announces expansion of biotech industry in Wisconsin on October 22, 2009 at the University Research Park in Madison, Wisconsin.

As part of the Wisconsin Urban and Rural Transit Association Legislative Day at the Capitol, a press conference held October 21, 2009 at the State Capitol announced support for statuary enabling modifications for the creation of Regional Transit Authorities in Wisconsin's major metropolitan areas.

Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton, former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Janine Geske and long-time Republican campaign operative Bill Kraus speak at a rally to build support for the Impartial Justice Bill. The bill proposes to eliminate special interest money from Wisconsin's judicial system. The rally was held on October 19, 2009 at the Milwaukee County Courthouse.

Governor Doyle signed an agreement with Manitoba Premier Gary Doer that commits to fostering innovation and building shared economic growth between the two regions. The news conference and signing took place on October 15, 2009 in the Governor’s Conference Room in the State Capitol. The Governor and Premier Doer were joined by business leaders for the event.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers held a news conference on October 6, 2009 at the State Capitol to announce the launch of a statewide curriculum to help address bullying in Wisconsin schools. Evers was joined by Fred Evert, Executive Director of the WEA Trust, and Sue Klang, widow of Weston High School Principal John Klang.

State Rep. Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) held a news conference on October 6, 2009 at the State Capitol to discuss his committee's "Clean Elections Tour." Rep. Smith is the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Elections and Campaign Reform. The Committee will be holding a series of informational public hearings around the state to gather input regarding public financing of elections.

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and Secretary Karen Timberlake of the Department of Health Services held a news conference on Monday, October 5, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison. Governor Doyle announced that the state is approaching the maximum number of enrollees for the new BadgerCare Plus Core Plan for adults without dependent children and will suspend enrollment at noon this Friday, October 9th.

State Rep. Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee) and State Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) held a news conference regarding the Healthy Youth Act on September 29, 2009 at the State Capitol.

State Rep. Marlin Schneider (D-Wisconsin Rapids) held a news conference to announce a proposed property tax break for newspapers. The news conference took place on September 29, 2009 at the State Capitol.

Governor Jim Doyle held a news conference on September 25, 2009 at the State Capitol. Doyle made statements regarding his recent trip China and Japan, drunk driving legislation, uncollected DNA samples, and the Wisconsin Shares audit report findings.

Rick Raemisch, Secretary of Wisconsin Department of Corrections, and J.B. Van Hollen, Wisconsin Attorney General, each made statements to the press regarding the uncollected DNA samples on September 25, 2009 at the State Capitol.

In response to the release of the interim report by the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau on the Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program, Rep. Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) and Sen. Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma), co-chairs of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, along with Sen. Robert Jauch (D-Poplar), Chair of the Senate Committee on Children and Families and Workforce Development, and Rep. Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Children and Families, held a news conference on September 23, 2009 at the State Capitol.

State Representative Jeff Fitzgerald (R) hosted a news conference relating to the Wisconsin Jobs Now Task Force Legislation. The news conference took place on September 16, 2009 at the State Capitol.

State Speaker Mike Sheridan (D-Janesville), Majority Leader Thomas Nelson (D-Kaukauna) and other Assembly Democrats discussed their fall legislative agenda in a news conference held on September 15, 2009 at the State Capitol.

Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan (D-Janesville), alongside Majority Leader Thomas Nelson (D-Kaukauna), shared the findings of the Speaker’s Taskforce On Preventing (S.T.O.P.) Home Foreclosures. The bipartisan group of lawmakers, lenders, and consumer advocates led by Representative Leon Young (D-Milwaukee) spent the past five months holding statewide hearings and developing a report detailing legislative recommendations and industry "best practices" to address the problem of foreclosure in Wisconsin. The news conference took place on September 9, 2009 at the State Capitol.

State Representative Cory Mason (D-Racine), along with other legislators and representatives from supportive organizations, announced the details of a legislative proposal entitled "The Wisconsin Jobs Initiative." The news conference took place on September 8, 2009 in the Assembly Parlor of the State Capitol in Madison.

Governor Jim Doyle and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett discussed efforts to reform Milwaukee Public Schools to ensure that each child in Milwaukee reaches his or her full potential. The news conference took place on Monday, August 31, 2009 at UW-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education.

A coalition of Milwaukee County Supervisors and elected officials addressed the media regarding a series of Milwaukee County programs that have been taken over by the State of Wisconsin. The news conference took place on August 28, 2009 at the Marcia P. Coggs Human Services Center in Milwaukee.  

Governor Jim Doyle held a news conference at Randall Elementary School in Madison on Monday, August 17, 2009. Doyle announced that he will not seek a third term as governor.

U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Brookings Institution economist John Austin joined Wisconsin governmental, science, labor, and environmental leaders to call on the U.S. Congress to fund Great Lakes restoration and economic recovery. The news conference, sponsored by Healing Our Waters – Great Lakes Coalition, the Wisconsin Blue Green Alliance and the Sierra Club, took place on August 10, 2009 in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and U.S. Congresswoman Gwendolyn Moore held a news conference to notify the media and the public about an event designed to help those who are at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure. People who are in danger of losing their home will be able to meet confidentially with mortgage lenders and housing counselors to get important information on how to avoid foreclosure. The news conference took place at Walker Square in Milwaukee on August 5, 2009.

Rep. Andy Jorgensen held a news conference at the State Capitol on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 to introduce legislation to punish
individuals who recklessly harm and endanger wildlife with off-road vehicles.

Rep. Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) and Sen. Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma), Co-Chairs of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, were joined by Sen. John Lehman (D-Racine) at a press conference in the Assembly Parlor of the State Capitol on July 8, 2009 to announce legislation that would call for a one-year premium holiday for municipalities, school districts, counties, and other public entities insured by the Local Government Property Insurance Fund.

U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank, Ice Age Trail Superintendent Tom Gilbert held a news conference on a Farmstead in Cross Plains on July 6, 2009 to announce an expansion to the Ice Age Trail along the property.

Sen. Glenn Grothman, R-West Bend, and a conservative UW-Madison group held a news conference on June 29, 2009 at the State Capitol. Grothman and the group say the university cut its funding because it disagrees with the group's conservative stance on global warming and other issues. They called on UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin to reinstate funding for the group.

The advocacy group, WISPIRG, and several Wisconsin Mayors held a news conference in the Governor's Conference Room at the State Capitol on June 16, 2009 to discuss regional transit authority (RTA) plans in the state budget.

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker held a news conference on June 15 to accept the Blue Wave Certification for Bradford Beach from Walter McLeod, executive director of the National Clean Beaches Council. The Blue Wave certification process was designed to help maintain robust, healthy, and vibrant beaches.

A coalition of Milwaukee-area groups held a rally at Milwaukee’s City Hall on June 15, 2009 to promote public water rights.

Members of the republican-led Wisconsin Jobs Now Task Force held a news conference at the State Capitol on June 2, 2009 to present the group's final report. They discussed the state budget bill's impact on families and job creation.

U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, held a news conference at the State Capitol on May 28, 2009 to discuss the prospects of transforming the health care system.

Organizations and businesses from agriculture, healthcare, transportation, construction, utilities, tourism and manufacturing sectors came together on May 21, 2009 to hold a news conference to voice their opposition to the contributory negligence provisions in the state budget that they said will increase risk and cost in every aspect of Wisconsin’s economy. The news conference was held in the Assembly Parlor at the State Capitol.

WISPIRG, an advocacy organization, held a news conference on May 19, 2009 at the State Capitol to question the cost effectiveness of Nuclear Power as a energy source.

The unemployed, people with disabilities, children and seniors would be the hardest hit by state budget cuts to human service programs according to the speakers at a news conference at the State Capitol on May 19, 2009.

Interest groups and business owners held a press conference to voice their opposition to efforts to raise the beer tax in Wisconsin. The news conference was held in the Assembly Parlor in the State Capitol on May 18, 2008.

State legislators and child safety advocates held a news conference on May 7, 2009, from the State Capitol in Madison regarading GPS tracking of sex offenders.

State legislators held a news conference from the State Capitol on May 6, 2009, on the smoking ban.

Secretary of the Department of Health Services Karen Timberlake held a news conference on April 27, 2009, on the swine flu outbreak. The news conference was held at the Wisconsin Emergency Management Dept. of Military Affairs in Madison.

Rep. Zipperer and Sen. Carpenter held a press conference on Wednesday, April 22, 2009, from the Assembly Parlor. At the news conference, they unveiled the repeat domestic violence prevention act. Also attending the conference was Michael Bischof, of the Cynthia L. Bischof Memorial Foundation.

State Rep. Joe Parisi and Sen. Spencer Coggs held a press conference from the Assembly Parlor on April 22, 2009, to announce the introduction of the Victim Fair Housing Act. The proposal would prohibit housing discrimination against anyone based on her or his status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. Rep. Parisi, and Sen. Coggs spoke at the press conference. In addition, Shannon Barry, Executive Director of Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (Madison), will describe victims' experiences of housing discrimination and explain how discrimination makes it more difficult for victims to live free of violence. This legislation is supported by the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Legal Action Wisconsin, UNIDOS Against Domestic Violence, and the Deaf Unity Project.

Sen. Lena Taylor and Rep. Leon Young held a news conference in the Senate Parlor on April 14, 2009. At the news conference, they unveiled a mortgage mediation plan. The Mortgage Mediation Act would ensure that even if a settlement cannot be reached, mediation efforts would assist both borrower and lender in creating a plan to streamline proceedings, avoid unnecessary delays, and potentially shorten the foreclosure process by up to 15 months.

Rep. Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire), Rep. Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee) and Sen. Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa Falls) held a news conference about legislation providing for the licensure of commercial dog breeders. Also attending the news conference was Dr. Yvonne Bellay of the Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection. The event took place on April 8, 2009, at the State Capitol in Madison.

On April 2, 2009 leading labor, consumer, environmental and progressive advocates released state-specific details about how President Obama's proposed budget plan will affect working people at an event held in the Assembly Parlor of the Wisconsin State Capitol. Impacts from the President's proposal on health care, education and clean energy were highlighted by presenters: Sen. Erpenbach; Robert Kraig, Citizen Action of Wisconsin; Bruce Speight, WISPIRG; Dan Kohler, Wisconsin Environment; Michael Murphy, AFSCME.

At a news conference from the Capitol on March 27, 2009, the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands presented a check of records earnings from the common school fund to the Department of Public Instruction. Speaking at the news conference were Tia Nelson, Executive Secretary; Doug La Follette, Board Chair and Secretary of State; J.B. Van Hollen, Commissioner and Attorney General; Dawn Marie Sass, Commissioner and State Treasurer; and Rick Grobschmidt, Assistant Sate Superintendent for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning.

State and federal officials held a news conference form the State Capitol on Tuesday, March 17, 2009, to discuss the spring flood outlook for southern Wisconsin. Speakers at the news conference included: Sean Dilweg, Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner; Mary Ellen Vollbrecht, DNR Executive Assistant; Johnnie Smith, Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator; and Norbert Schwartz, Director, Mitigation Division, FEMA Region V.

The United Council of UW Students held a press conference from the State Capitol on Monday, March 16, 2009, to reveal the impact of the budget proposed by Gov. Doyle with the release of "Dollars and Sense: Student Priorities in the State Biennial Budget." Speaking at the conference were Nicole Juan, Executive Director, United Council of UW Students; Michael Moscicke, University Affairs Director; Omar Farooque, Student President, UW-Milwaukee; and Benjamin Klingenberg, Student, UW-Eau Claire.

State legislators and leaders gathered at the State Capitol for a news conference announcing the Wisconsin Jobs NOW task force on March 3, 2009. Speaking at the news conference were Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald, Rep. Rich Zipperer, Sen. Randy Hopper, and John Radke, CEO, Bio Research Inc. For more information about the task force visit their website at www.wisconsinjobsnow.info.

At a news conference from the State Capitol in Madison on February 24, 2009, several legislators and state leaders met to announce legislation on race-based logos, names, and mascots. Speaking at the news conference were Rep. Sandy Pope-Roberts, Sen. Spencer Coggs, Rep. James Soletski, Barbara Munson, spokesperson for Wisconsin Indian Education Association, and Raeanne and Luanne Funmaker, members of the Oneida and Ho-Chunk tribes. The bill would require the state Superintendent of Public Instruction to investigate claims of racial discrimination related to the use of race-based names, logos or mascots by Wisconsin school districts.

Several legislators and state leaders came together at Badger Meter in Milwaukee on February 13, 2009, to introduce a Regional Economic Vision (REV), a shared vision to improve the economic and employment conditions in the region.

Sen. Scott Fitzgerald and Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald held a news conference on February 11, 2009, in response to Gov. Doyle's budget announcement earlier in the day.

Rep. Bill Kramer, R-Waukesha, Rep. Leah Vukmir, R-Wauwatosa, Rep. Rich Zipperer, R-Pewaukee, and Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon held a press conference on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 in the Assembly Parlor of the State Capitol to unveil a new legislative agenda to create more government spending transparency, transparency in state budget creation, and responsible and sound budget accounting practices.

At a news conference, state leaders gathered at the State Capitol to introduce Assembly Bill 17, relating to requiring ignition interlock devices for certain motor vehicle violations, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. Attending the news conference were Rep. Tony Staskunas, D- West Allis, MADD President Laura Dean-Mooney, Rep. Dean Kaufert, R-Neenah, Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney and Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard.

At a news conference today, several state leaders gathered at the State Capitol to highlight objections to a proposed plan to perform late-term abortions at the Madison Surgery Center. The news conference took place on January 27, 2009.

At a press conference from the Assembly Parlor in the State Capitol, Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, was joined by a broad coalition of organizations as he introduced the Civil Rights Restoration Act. The news conference took place on January 19, 2009.

At a news conference on January 16, 2009, Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser, in cooperation with other area and state elected officials, voiced their support for Carl Edenhofer's proposed federal stimulus package, "A Plan." The news conference took place at the Brass Ball Mobil in Paddock Lake.

A "Blueprint for Wisconsin's Green Economy" was unveiled at a press conference at the State Capitol on January 13, 2009. The new Wisconsin coalition of advocacy groups and elected officials intend to create 30,000 green jobs through the federal economic recovery package. Speaking at the news conference were Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, Rep. Jon Richards, Melissa Scranlan of Midwest Environmental Advocates, Robert Kraig of Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Jerome Knapp of Good Jobs & Livable Neighborhoods, and Steve Hiniker of 1000 Friends of Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation held a news conference in Madison on Monday, January 5, 2009, to announce the number of Wisconsin traffic fatalities in 2008. Speaking at the news conference were Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent David Collins; Larry Kamholz of AAA Wisconsin; Dr. Thomas Brazelton of American Family Children's Hospital; and Mary Reinhart and Bonnie Stamm, who are featured in the "Zero in Wisconsin" video.