In this update:

Election Updates
Administration Updates
Legislative Updates
Federal Updates
Committee Schedule
Upcoming Events

Election Updates

Crowley launches bid for Governor

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley announced his candidacy for governor this week. In a two-minute campaign video launching his campaign Crowley vowed “to fight every day to lower costs for families across the state.” In the video, the County Executive shared his journey from childhood homelessness—having been evicted three times—to becoming a proud homeowner, emphasizing that he wasn’t born in the “halls of power”.

Crowley was elected Milwaukee County Executive in April 2020, making history as the youngest and first Black person ever elected Milwaukee County Executive. Prior to his election as County Executive Crowley served in the Wisconsin State Assembly for two terms, where he chaired both the Milwaukee Caucus and the Legislative Black Caucus.

Crowley is the second Democrat to enter the race to succeed Governor Tony Evers, who is not seeking re-election. Other announced candidates include Democratic candidate Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez and Republican candidates Washington County Executive Josh Schoeman and Milwaukee Businessman and former Navy Seal Bill Berrien.

Since his announcement Crowley has received the endorsements of Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, La Crosse Shaundel Washington-Spivey and the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 215 in the Democratic Primary.

Godlewski raises over $100K in first weeks of LG bid

Sara Godlewski’s campaign says she hasn’t contributed personal funds since launching her Lieutenant Governor bid on August 21st, and her early fundraising haul of over $100,000 outpaces the initial efforts of the last two lieutenant governors.

Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez raised $26,787 in the seven weeks following her 2021 campaign launch and later loaned her campaign $125,000. Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes raised $76,672 in the first six months after announcing his candidacy in 2018.

Read the full story.

McNamara launches bid for Secretary of State

Democrat Collin McNamara, who previously sought election to a heavily Republican state Senate district, formally announced his candidacy for Wisconsin Secretary of State.

A 2022 graduate of the University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point, Mr. McNamara stated in a Facebook post, “I am used to defying expectations, and I will never stop fighting for a better future for you.”

Administration Updates

Evers Announces next round of grant funding for the Non-State Grant Program

Governor Tony Evers announced the next round of funding for the Non-State Grant Program. The $50 million earmarked for the grants was allocated through the 2025-2027 Biennial Budget. Due to expected high demand, project awards will be capped at $2 million. Gov. Evers stated: “With investments in health centers, veteran services, museums, libraries, and more, we’ve seen the overwhelmingly positive impact of the Non-State Grant Program across our state, from Hayward to Baraboo to Kenosha and everywhere in between. I am glad our bipartisan, pro-kid budget continued support for the critical program so we can continue to create jobs, improve lives, and support these projects that will continue to make our communities, our economy, and our state stronger.”

Read the full press release here.

Evers rejects federal school choice tax credits

Governor Tony Evers has announced that Wisconsin will not participate in a new federal program offering tax credits for donations to organizations that provide scholarships for students in both public and private schools. The decision drew criticism from members of the Trump administration and Wisconsin Republicans.

In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Governor Evers expressed concern about the program’s impact on public education, calling it “catastrophic” for public schools.

The federal initiative would allow donors to receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit—up to $1,700—for contributions to verified Scholarship Granting Organizations. These organizations retain 10% of each donation and must use the remaining funds to award scholarships for eligible educational expenses, such as tutoring, technology, and tuition.

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated on X: “Democrat Govs like @GovEvers are quick to ask for more funding, yet when a program would provide money directly to students, he’s a no. … All states should embrace this opportunity to improve education & empower parents.”
MMAC President Kooyenga stated on X: "it's unfortunate to see Gov Evers oppose the new Federal Tax Credit for student scholarships before public discussion. There are many questions still outstanding while the federal government is in the process of making rules. There's a strong possibility that all students, including public school students, stand to benefit.”

Read the full article here.

Evers, WEDC mark record investment year

Governor Tony Evers, in collaboration with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), announced record-breaking investments in Wisconsin’s economy. During fiscal year 2025, which ended June 30th, WEDC executed 320 contracts for tax incentives, grants, and loans totaling $92.5 million—the highest level of investments in the past five years. These efforts supported business attraction, community development, and the expansion of existing enterprises statewide.

As part of this record year, WEDC awarded 259 grants totaling $41.2 million to businesses and communities—also the highest grant total in five years. Highlights from FY25 include:

Small Business Development Grant (SBDG) Program: Delivered nearly $4.7 million to 29 local partners across 25 counties. Nearly 75% of community recipients were municipalities with fewer than 15,000 residents, advancing rural revitalization and entrepreneurship.
Brownfield and Idle Sites Redevelopment Programs: Reached more communities than any year since 2021, including first-time awards in Juneau, Vilas, Dodge, Langlade, and Taylor counites.
Community Development Investment (CDI) Program: Expanded its reach, with nearly one-third of awards going to communities receiving CDI funding for the first time—demonstrating WEDC’s commitment to equitable, statewide growth.

Read the full press release here.

Evers Announces WEDC Secretary and CEO Hughes departure

Governor Tony Evers announced that Missy Hughes will step down as Secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Appointed in 2019 and twice unanimously confirmed by the State Senate, Ms. Hughes led WEDC through a period of growth, helping secure over $8 billion in planned investments and supporting more than 45,000 jobs. Her leadership helped position Wisconsin as a top destination for business, driven by the state’s focus on education, childcare, and housing.

Gov. Evers stated, “My administration’s focus from the get-go has been building an economy that works for everyone, investing in Wisconsin’s homegrown talent and Main Streets, and supporting and expanding some of our state’s most iconic brands and companies while attracting new industries and opportunities here to Wisconsin. That’s exactly what we’ve done, and Missy’s played an important role in this work. Over the past six years, we’ve harnessed the ingenuity and innovation of entrepreneurs, small businesses, and local economies, created good-paying, family supporting jobs in critically important sectors, and we’ve worked to put Wisconsin on the map as a tough competitor for workers, new ideas, and emerging industries and markets. I’ve so appreciated Missy’s leadership at WEDC and am thankful for her years of dedicated service, and Kathy and I wish her and her family well.”

Read the full press release here.

Legislative Updates

Assembly GOP pitch new education standards and Speakers’ task forces

Assembly Republicans today introduced a legislative package focused on education reform, including proposals to establish statewide standards for student discipline, improve math proficiency, and encourage school district consolidation in response to declining enrollment.

Although details of the proposed education legislation are still being finalized, one measure would direct Governor Tony Evers to opt Wisconsin into a new federal tax credit program established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Beginning in tax year 2027, the program would offer a dollar-for-dollar federal income tax credit—up to $1,700 annually—for individuals who donate to certified Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). These nonprofits provide scholarships for a wide range of educational expenses, including tutoring, transportation, and private school tuition. States must actively opt in for residents to access the credit and for SGOs to operate within their borders.

Governor Tony Evers officially stated that he will not opt Wisconsin into the new federal school choice tax credit program.

Meanwhile, Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) also announced the formation of four task forces that will begin work this fall: addressing government efficiency, child welfare, elder services, and the administrative rules process. The task force on administrative rules will explore a constitutional amendment in response to a recent Wisconsin Supreme Court decision that limited the Legislature’s authority to indefinitely suspend proposed agency rules. Rep. Brent Jacobson (R—Mosinee), who will lead the administrative rules task force, emphasized the importance of legislative oversight, stating, “the laws we follow should be made by the body closest to the people, and that’s the Legislature.”

Chairs for the other three task forces include:

Protecting Children – Rep. Lindee Brill, named chair of the Protecting Kids Task Force, plans to address the impact of social media and unrestricted internet access on children and families. Beginning in late September, the task force will hold public hearings and gather input from parents, educators, doctors and mental health professionals.
Government Efficiency – Rep. Jim Piwowarczyk named chair of the Government Efficiency Task Force, plans to address modernizing outdated and redundant processes by implementing advanced tools, streamlining operations through automation, integrating systems across agencies to eliminate duplication, and leveraging data to anticipate demand and allocate resources more strategically.
Elder Services – Rep. Pat Snyder, named chair of the Elder Service Task Force, plans to focus on enhancing the quality of life for Wisconsin’s seniors by promoting independence, strengthening social connections, and safeguarding both physical and financial wellbeing. The priorities include expanding access to community-based services, improving care coordination, and addressing isolation and elder abuse.
Rulemaking – Rep. Brent Jacobson, name chair of the Rulemaking Task Force, in response to the Evers v. Marlein II decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, plans to focus on restoring legislative oversight, increasing transparency, ensuring public input, and rebalancing authority between elected officials and state agencies. Rep. Jacobson emphasized the importance of bipartisan cooperation to protect the voices of Wisconsin residents and reaffirm the principles of accountability and checks and balances in state government.

Watch the press conference here.

Democrats announce “Kids First” package

At a Thursday press conference, Legislative Democrats announced a package of education bills to increase state funding for Wisconsin schools, require property tax bills to list the cost of voucher schools, and provide students with free school meals. “Alongside my Legislative Democratic colleagues, I’m proud to introduce legislation that will support our schools, reduce working families’ property tax burden, ensure healthy school meals for our students, and more,” said Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer (D-Racine). “Families across our state have made it clear that they want action to help our schools and address rising costs. Our bills will do just that.”

The list of bills include:

LRB-4665 relating to general equalization aids, supplemental hold harmless aid, the per pupil adjustment for school district revenue limits, and making an appropriation.
LRB-2213 relating to providing state aid to reimburse public and private schools that provide free meals to all pupils for the costs of those meals and making an appropriation.
LRB-4318 relating to including with the property tax bill information about state aid reduction to school districts.

Federal Updates

Trump Trade 2.0: Additional Actions on Reciprocal Tariffs and Trade Deals

Executive Order Updating Certain Reciprocal Tariffs

On September 5, President Trump issued a new Executive Order modifying the scope of existing “reciprocal” tariffs imposed by previous executive orders. This latest executive order goes into effect on September 8 and makes several key changes to the existing tariff regime.

Read the complete update from the Michael Best Strategies Federal Team.

Are you concerned about the impacts of the outlined trade issues? Please contact Sarah Helton, Michael Best Strategies’ Trade Practice Lead at sarah.helton@michaelbest.com for assistance.

Trump Trade 2.0: Supreme Court Agrees to Review Challenges to the IEEPA Tariffs

Supreme Court Agrees to Review Challenges to the IEEPA Tariffs

On September 9, the Supreme Court announced that it will hear the Trump Administration’s challenge to lower court rulings that the President exceeded his authority in issuing Reciprocal and Trafficking Tariffs under his International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEPPA) authority.

Read the complete update from the Michael Best Strategies Federal Team.

Are you concerned about the impacts of the outlined trade issues? Please contact Sarah Helton, Michael Best Strategies’ Trade Practice Lead at sarah.helton@michaelbest.com for assistance.

Committee Schedule

The following meetings have been noticed as of 1:00 pm Friday. Committee and Agency meeting notices are frequently updated and can be found here (for the Legislature) and here (for the Administration).

Monday, September 15

No meetings currently scheduled.

Tuesday, September 16

Senate Committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development

Public Hearing at 10:30 AM

Assembly Committee on Transportation

Executive Session at 10:30 AM

Assembly Committee on Transportation

Public Hearing at 10:31 AM

Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage

Public Hearing at 11:00 AM

Wednesday, September 17

Assembly Committee on Ways and Means

Public Hearing at 11:00 AM

Thursday, September 18

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Veteran and Military Affairs

Public Hearing at 11:00 AM

Friday, September 19

No meetings currently scheduled.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, September 16th at 11:30am - Meet the Cabinet with Department of Natural Resources Secretary-Designee Karen Hyun

Friday, September 19th at 8:30am - Capitol Chats with Sen. Brad Pfaff (virtual)

ABOUT US

If you would like any additional information about the above topic, or if you would like to find time to discuss the above matter in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact your Michael Best Strategies contact.

Have a great day,

Wisconsin GR Team