Wisconsin

Republican-led Legislature files challenge to Evers’ partial veto of literacy bill • Wisconsin Examiner

Published

8 months ago

April 18, 2024

Republican-led Legislature files challenge to Evers’ partial veto of literacy bill • Wisconsin Examiner

Wisconsin’s Republican-led state Legislature filed a lawsuit against Democratic Gov. Tony Evers this week to challenge his partial veto of a bill meant to help fund new literacy programs throughout the state.

The suit centers on $50 million that lawmakers dedicated in the most recent state budget to support the creation of new literacy programs in Wisconsin. Shortly after including the money in the budget, lawmakers passed Act 20, which directed the creation of the programs.

A final bill passed this year — now Wisconsin Act 100 — to create a “mechanism” for the state’s Joint Finance Committee to deploy the $50 million to support the programs is the subject of lawmakers’ suit.

Evers signed the bill, but exercised his partial veto power. He said in his veto message that he objected to overly complicating the allocation of funding, and that the veto would allow DPI the flexibility necessary to use the funding for various literacy needs based on the needs of Wisconsin schools.

“The single appropriation created through my partial veto will allow the department to administer the literacy coaching program, curriculum grants and financial assistance for early literacy professional development effectively and efficiently,” Evers wrote in the message.

Evers also vetoed a part that he said would have provided per-pupil increases to private choice and independent charter schools. He noted that those increases wouldn’t have been provided to public schools.

Republican lawmakers argued that the bill wasn’t eligible for a partial veto because it did not appropriate any money. They said the bill created a “framework” for the budget committee to direct the $50 million to specific DPI programs created after the budget bill passed.

“The unconstitutional partial veto of Act 100 leaves the Legislature in a dilemma: [the Joint Finance Committee] would like to fund the literacy programs created in Act 20, as specified in the bill, but the partially vetoed version of Act 100 does not ensure that the funds would be used on the literacy programs created by Act 20,” the complaint states. “Rather, any money directed under the partially vetoed version of Act 100 might (but should not) be treated by DPI as money that can be used by the Office of Literacy for any nondescript ‘literacy program’ of DPI’s invention.”

The lawmakers said declaratory relief is urgent. They said that the status quo should be preserved until there is a decision and the Court should bar DPI from spending the money and taking any other actions until then.

Evers’ spokesperson Britt Cudaback said in a statement that the governor is capable of exercising line-item veto authority on appropriations bills under the Wisconsin Constitution.

“Republicans didn’t seem to have concerns about this concept until Wisconsinites elected and re-elected a Democratic governor,” Cudaback said.

Cudaback called the lawsuit “yet another Republican effort to prevent Gov. Evers from doing what’s best for our kids and our schools — this time about improving literacy and reading outcomes across our state.”

The lawsuit is the second challenge to Evers’ partial veto powers this week. The first lawsuit — filed by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the state’s largest business lobby group — seeks to have Evers’ partial veto that extended school funding increases for 400 years declared unconstitutional.

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Wisconsin

Former Ohio State Wide Receiver Jayden Ballard Transferring to Wisconsin

Published

2 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Press Room

Former Ohio State Wide Receiver Jayden Ballard Transferring to Wisconsin

Jayden Ballard will remain in the Big Ten for his final season of college football.

The former Ohio State wide receiver announced Wednesday that he has committed to Wisconsin, where he will play for former Ohio State defensive lineman and assistant coach Luke Fickell.

BREAKING: Ohio State transfer WR Jayden Ballard has Committed to Wisconsin, @on3sports has learned
The 63 200 WR will have 1 year of eligibility remaining
Was ranked as a Top 70 Recruit (No. 10 WR) in 21 per On3https://t.co/JLENYWX4gS pic.twitter.com/yAG7fAkcue
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— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 18, 2024

In four seasons with the Buckeyes, Ballard made 35 appearances and collected 11 catches for 177 yards and one touchdown. He also made an impact on special teams, returning 11 punts for 63 yards and three kickoffs for 23 yards.

This season, the Massillon, Ohio, native and No. 55 overall prospect in the 2021 class was buried on the wide receiver depth chart behind Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss.

With five-star freshman Mylan Graham and several talented pass-catchers arriving in the 2025 class, including Quincy Porter, Bodpegn Miller, De’Zie Jones and Phillip Bell, there was no guarantee Ballard would receive playing time in the final year of his collegiate career.

Ballard will look to carve out a role for himself at Wisconsin in 2025. Fickell recently replaced offensive coordinator Phil Longo with former Kansas playcaller Jeff Grimes. He also brought in former Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. to lead the Badgers’ offense.

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Wisconsin winter storm watch Thursday into Friday; what to expect

Published

10 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Press Room

Wisconsin winter storm watch Thursday into Friday; what to expect

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MILWAUKEE – The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for portions of southeast Wisconsin. It takes effect Thursday night and runs through Friday morning.

The watch covers Fond du Lac and Sheboygan counties. Heavy snow will be possible, as much as 6 inches or more in some areas.

FOX6 Weather Extras

Meanwhile, FOX6Now.com offers a variety of extremely useful weather tools to help you navigate the stormy season. They include the following:

FOX6 Storm Center app

FOX6 News app

FOX Weather app

What is the FOX Model?

FOX Weather Expert Tom Wachs explains the value of the FOX Model for our team — and our viewers.

FOX Weather

Maps and radar

We have a host of maps and radars on the FOX6 Weather page that are updating regularly — to provide you the most accurate assessment of the weather. From a county-by-county view to the Midwest regional radar and a national view — it’s all there.

School and business closings

When the weather gets a little dicey, schools and businesses may shut down. Monitor the latest list of closings, cancellations, and delays reported in southeast Wisconsin.

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Wisconsin

Community members wrestle with grief in aftermath of Wisconsin school shooting

Published

17 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Press Room

Community members wrestle with grief in aftermath of Wisconsin school shooting

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Community members in Wisconsin continued to wrestle with grief and called for change in the aftermath of a school shooting that killed a teacher and a student and wounded six others.

Several hundred people gathered outside the Wisconsin State Capitol for a vigil Tuesday night to honor those slain at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison the day before, with some passing candles to each other and standing close against the winter chill.

Flowers and candles are placed outside the Abundant Life Christian School Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Madison, Wis., following a shooting on Monday. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

A supporter signs a cross during a candlelight vigil Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, outside the Wisconsin Capitol in Madison, Wis., following a shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School on Monday, Dec. 16. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Among those in attendance was Naomi Allen, 16, who was in a nearby classroom Monday when a 15-year-old girl attacked people in a study hall before fatally shooting herself.

“It’s doesn’t matter who you are or where you are, something like this could happen. There’s nothing that is going to exempt someone,” Allen said at the vigil.

Allen’s father, Jay Allen, reflected on the dangers students face these days.

“When I was in school these things never happened,” he said. “This country at some point needs to take mental health seriously and we need to pour resources into it. We really need some changes in the way we handle that issue.”

Supporters hold candles during a candlelight vigil Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, outside the Wisconsin Capitol in Madison, Wis., following a shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School on Monday, Dec. 16. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

The motive for the shooting appears to be a “combination of factors,” Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said Tuesday as he appealed to the public to call in to a tip line and share what they might know about the shooter.

He offered no details about what that motive might be, though he said bullying at Abundant Life Christian School would be investigated. He also said police are investigating writings that may have been penned by the shooter, Natalie Rupnow, and could shed light on her actions.

“Identifying a motive is our top priority, but at this time it appears that the motive is a combination of factors,” Barnes told reporters.

Two students among the six people wounded Monday remain in critical condition. Officials have declined to disclose the names of the victims.

“Leave them alone,” Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said.

The school shooting was the latest among dozens across the U.S. in recent years, including especially deadly ones in Newtown, Connecticut; Parkland, Florida; and Uvalde, Texas.

The shootings have set off fervent debates about gun control and frayed the nerves of parents whose children are growing up accustomed to doing active shooter drills in their classrooms. But school shootings have done little to move the needle on national gun laws.

Supporters sign crosses during a candlelight vigil Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, outside the Wisconsin Capitol in Madison, Wis., following a shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School on Monday, Dec. 16. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Madison Police chief Shon F. Barnes speaks at a news conference Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Madison, Wis., following a shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School on Monday. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway speaks at a news conference Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Madison, Wis., following a shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School on Monday. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

School shootings by teenage females have been extremely rare in U.S. history, with males in their teens and 20s carrying out the majority of them, said David Riedman, founder of the K-12 School Shooting Database.

Abundant Life is a nondenominational Christian school — prekindergarten through high school — with approximately 420 students. Barbara Wiers, the school’s director of elementary and school relations, said the school does not have metal detectors but uses cameras and other security measures.

Barnes said police were talking with the shooter’s father and other family members, who were cooperating, and searching the shooter’s home.

The shooter’s parents, who are divorced, jointly shared custody of their child, but the shooter primarily lived with her 42-year-old father, according to court documents.

Investigators believe the shooter used a 9mm pistol, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.

Madison resident Cristian Cuahutepitzi said he attended Tuesday’s vigil to let the families of the victims know “we’re thinking of them.” He said his uncle’s two daughters go to the school.

“They’re still a little bit shook,” he said.

Joe Gothard, the superintendent of the Madison Metropolitan School District, said at the vigil that the tragedy happened less than two blocks away from his childhood home. He said it wasn’t enough to say the district would work on safety.

“We need to connect like we are tonight, each and every day and make a commitment that we know we’re there for one another, hopefully to avoid preventable tragedies like yesterday,” he said.

A prayer service was also held Tuesday night at City Church Madison, which is affiliated with the school

Several teachers from the school prayed aloud one by one during the service, speaking into a microphone and standing in a line. One middle school teacher asked for courage, while another sought help quieting her own soul.

“God, this isn’t a Abundant Life Christian School tragedy,” said Derrick Wright, the youth pastor at the church. “This is a community tragedy. This is a nation tragedy.”

___

Associated Press writers Alanna Durkin Richer, Ed White, Josh Funk, Hallie Golden and Ryan Foley and photographer Morry Gash contributed to this report.

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