Lawmakers in both chambers of the Wisconsin Legislature approved a bill Wednesday that would formally classify gig drivers for transit apps — such as delivery drivers and rideshare operators — as independent contractors, rather than employees.

The bill states that drivers for transit apps, like Lyft and Uber, or for delivery services, like DoorDash or InstaCart, are not direct employees of those companies, exempting them from receiving worker’s compensation, minimum wage requirements or being eligible for unemployment insurance.

The legislation, which is supported by major tech companies like Uber, DoorDash and Instacart, was backed by nearly all Republicans and a handful of Democrats. Those who voted for it argued the independent contractor classification gives workers the freedom to set their own hours and drive for multiple companies without restrictions.

It’s opposed by the labor union AFL-CIO and most Democrats, who argued that gig workers often take those jobs out of necessity, and should be entitled to certain baseline standards, such as a minimum wage.

The bill also establishes “portable benefits” for such workers, which would allow eligible drivers to pay into accounts that would then help cover paid leave, retirement, health care or catastrophic events.

Rep. Alex Dallman, R-Markesan, who said he used to drive for Uber, said the legislation would ensure that gig workers can “choose when and where they want to work, the freedom that they have to be able to earn benefits through the work that they provide for these different companies, and be able to really set themselves up for a future of success by having things such as health insurance,” he said.

Dallman said on Wednesday that, if signed by the governor, the proposal would make Wisconsin the first state in the country to have such a classification.

That’s after years of nationwide debate about how to classify gig workers, including at the federal level under former President Joe Biden’s Department of Labor. The Biden administration had proposed a rule to classify those workers as employees, entitled to the benefits of full-time employees.

During his first administration, President Donald Trump instituted a rule from the previous Trump administration calling those same workers independent contractors.

The bill passed the Assembly on Wednesday with a vote of 56-36, with four Democrats joining Republicans in voting for the plan. It passed the Senate by a vote of 17-15, with one Republican, Sen. Steve Nass of Whitewater, joining all Democrats to vote against it.

A spokesperson for Gov. Tony Evers did not respond to questions about whether he plans to sign the bill into law.

‘Bradyn’s law’ classifies ‘sextortion’ as a felony

Also on Wednesday, the Assembly approved a bipartisan bill that would create a new class of crime known as “sextortion,” and classify it as a felony. That crime involves coercing or threatening someone to provide sexual imagery or favors, or threatening to spread sexual or nude photos of a person in exchange for money or services.

Such acts would be punishable by up to six years in prison. It would also set additional penalties if the victim is younger than 18 and the perpetrator is more than four years older than the victim.

According to the FBI, instances of sextortion are on the rise, with scammers often targeting children and teens. The Wisconsin bill was inspired by the case of Bradyn Bohn, a 15-year-old boy from Marathon County who was driven to suicide after he was threatened by online scammers.

Under the bill, someone could be convicted of murder if a jury determines that sextortion contributed to or caused a person’s death by suicide.

The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at June 17, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 17 drawing

16-23-39-46-55, Mega Ball: 12

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 17 drawing

Midday: 3-0-7

Evening: 9-2-4

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 17 drawing

Midday: 0-0-3-3

Evening: 2-0-9-3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning All or Nothing numbers from June 17 drawing

Midday: 01-04-05-06-08-10-11-13-19-20-22

Evening: 01-03-04-05-06-07-11-13-15-20-22

Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Badger 5 numbers from June 17 drawing

02-04-05-20-28

Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning SuperCash numbers from June 17 drawing

05-06-18-26-28-31, Doubler: Y

Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

• Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
• Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
• Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.

Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?

No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.

When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?

• Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
• Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
• Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
• Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
• Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
• Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
• Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
• All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
• All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
• Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
• Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.

That lucky feeling: Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Feeling lucky? WI man wins $768 million Powerball jackpot **

WI Lottery history: Top 10 Powerball and Mega Million jackpots

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.

A couple of weakening showers passed through overnight, so you might notice some wet pavement here or there. Other than that, we are starting off dry this morning with sunshine and warm temperatures. That sunshine will help quickly push our high temperatures into the upper 80s this afternoon, with high humidity.

We stay dry most of the day, but by late in the afternoon and into the evening, we will watch for scattered storms to move in from the west.

Watch: When storms move in

Southeast Wisconsin weather: Warm, humid & stormy

Wednesday will also be humid but not as warm, with mostly cloudy skies. Look for dry conditions early, then a low pressure system will bring a round of heavy rain and storms across southern Wisconsin from midday into the afternoon. Some storms could be strong to severe, mainly toward the state line. If the low lifts further north, more areas could then see stronger storms.

Still a small chance for a shower or storm Thursday into Friday. Then we warm up quickly for the weekend. Highs will be near the low 90s, with dew points near 70. That combination could push heat index values into the mid to upper 90s.

TUESDAY: Partly Cloudy, Warm, Humid, Evening Storms
High: 87
Wind: SW 10-15 mph

TONIGHT: Sct. Storms Early, Humid
Low: 65
Wind: SW 5 mph

WEDNESDAY: Mostly Cloudy, PM Heavy Rain & Storms
High: 73

THURSDAY: Partly Cloudy, Slight Ch. Storm
High: 80

FRIDAY: Partly Cloudy, Slight Ch. Storm
High: 79 Lake, 83 Inland

SATURDAY: Partly Cloudy, Hot & Humid
High: 89
Heat Index: 95

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