In this update:

Election Updates
Administration Updates
Committee Schedule
Upcoming Events

Election Updates

Barnes focuses on general election, sets $50M fundraising goal

Mandela Barnes, one of the most recent Democrats to enter the Wisconsin’s governor’s race, told WisPolitics’ UpFron t that his focus is on the general election, not the primary. “We’re making sure we have every resource ready to take on Tom Tiffany because he is likely the nominee. I’m going to work harder than anybody. I respect the other candidates, but my focus is on Tom Tiffany,” Barnes said.

Republicans have been critical of Mr. Barnes’ position on law enforcement and immigration. He responded: “I don’t support defunding the police; I want communities and law enforcement to have the resources they need.” On immigration, Mr. Barnes added: “Violent criminals ho are not here legally should be deported. But what we’re seeing is an abuse of power. We need comprehensive immigration reform and a path to citizenship for those contributing to our society.”

Mr. Barnes said his campaign will target billionaires and corporations: “Taxes would go down for working-class households. The wealthiest have gotten away without paying their fair share.” He told reporters he aims to raise closer to $50 million for his gubernatorial bid, up from the $42 million raised in his 2022 Senate campaign, though he did not disclose his current totals. Mr. Barnes called his goal to raise $50 million ”not a good sign“ for Wisconsin and urged campaign finance reform, “the goal is to get big money our of politics. The goal is for campaign and ethics reform.”

In 2022, Mr. Barnes lost to Senator Ron Johnson by one point despite outraising him, although outside groups spent $78 million for Senator Johnson versus $50 million for Mr. Barnes

Brennan launches gubernatorial bid

Joel Brennan, Milwaukee business leader and former Department of Administration secretary, officially entered the Democratic race for governor, pledging to tackle rising costs and push back against what he called President Donald Trump’s “chaos and incompetence.”

Mr. Brennan stated in his campaign launch video, “I’ll be a governor who will stand up to Trump’s dysfunction and be laser focused on improving the lives of people across our state.”

He becomes the 10th Democrat to join the crowded primary field which includes: Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, State Representative Francesca Hong, Former WEDC CEO Missy Hughes, Former State Representative Brett Hulsey, Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez, State Senator Kelda Roys, and Tim Jacobson.

SSDC releases digital ad

Wisconsin Senate Democrats, in partnership with Affordable Wisconsin, have launched a new ad spotlighting the rising costs of living for families across the state. The ad underscores that feeding a family now costs 29% more than in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. In the video Senator Dianne Hesselbein emphasizes that she and her colleagues are “fighting every single day against tariffs” to help ease the burden on Wisconsin households.

Administration Updates

Evers signs 34 bills

Governor Tony Evers signed 34 bills into law that he said will advance efforts to keep kids, families, and communities safe, improve health care access, support local governments, and expand affordable housing statewide. The legislation includes measures to enhance roadway safety, increase penalties for human trafficking, join a multi-state Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, exempt Gold Star families from certain license plate feeds, and modernize local governance and housing processes, among other initiatives.

Senate Bill 11, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 79, authored by Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R)

Allows federally chartered youth organizations to visit schools annually to promote civic engagement and educational opportunities.

Senate Bill 38, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 50, authored by Sen. Rob Hutton (R)

Exempts Gold Star family members from the personalized license plate fee for Gold Star specialty plates.

Senate Bill 158, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 65, authored by Sen. Romaine Quinn (R)

Expands eligibility for county forest administration grants to increase flexibility in hiring qualified administrators.

Senate Bill 162, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 70, authored by Sen. Eric Wimberger (R)

Requires large counties to invite proposals from newspapers for publishing official notices.

Senate Bill 164, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 66, authored by Sen. Pat Testin (R)

Grants additional enforcement authority to DATCP for seed potato certification violations.

Senate Bill 190, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 76, authored by Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R)

Ratifies Wisconsin’s entry into the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact.

Senate Bill 193, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 60, authored by Sen. John Jagler (R)

Modernizes property transfer and estate settlement procedures, reducing disputes and streamlining processes.

Senate Bill 210, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 80, authored by Sen. Cory Tomczyk (R)

Ensures all high schools with 1-499 students can designate one senior for an academic excellence scholarship, repeals the statewide cap for small schools, and clarifies that home-based students are ineligible.

Senate Bill 215, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 71, authored by Sen. Romaine Quinn (R)

Updates town governance procedures, creating consistency and flexibility for clerk and treasurer appointments.

Senate Bill 279, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 58, authored by Sen. Van Wanggaard (R)

Creates a DOJ-administered grant program to help law enforcement agencies acquire secure data-sharing platforms.

Senate Bill 310, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 61, authored by Sen. Cory Tomczyk (R)

Establishes a uniform framework for local emergency declarations and clarifies which officials may exercise emergency authority.

Senate Bill 358, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 62, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 61, authored by Sen. Cory Tomczyk (R)

Creates an exception to restrictions on fee increases for certain coroner or medical examiner services.

Senate Bill 374, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 77, authored by Sen. Dan Feyen (R)

Aligns Wisconsin law with the Minor League Baseball collective bargaining agreement, exempting players from certain wage and hour requirements.

Senate Bill 421, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 63, authored by Sen. Cory Tomczyk (R)

Provides $42 million to Domtar Paper Company LLC for dam modernization at its Rothschild mill, with strict conditions on project timelines and ownership changes.

Senate Bill 422, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 49, authored by Sen. John Jagler (R)

Designates the Interstate 39 overpass at State Highway 82 in Marquette County as the “Greg Quinn and Larry Millard Memorial Bridge.”

Senate Bill 423, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 59, authored by Sen. Van Wanggaard (R)

Extends the statute of limitations for prosecuting the crime of hiding or burying a corpse.

Senate Bill 440, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 72, authored by Sen. Romaine Quinn (R)

Allows legal notices in newspapers to use any sans-serif typeface, not just Arial.

Assembly Bill 74, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 57, authored by Rep. Ben Franklin (R)

Requires schools to notify parents if a student is an alleged victim of certain sex offenses and provide annual information on parents’ rights to access employee disciple records.

Assembly Bill 123, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 81, authored by Rep. Joy Goeben (R)

Clarifies that “miles” in family law relocation cases refers to “driving miles,” defined as actual road distance.

Assembly Bill 136, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 55, authored by Rep. Chuck Wichgers (R)

Elevates impersonating a peace officer, firefighter, or EMS personnel from a misdemeanor to a Class I felony.

Assembly Bill 153, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 82, authored by Rep. Ron Tusler (R)

Updates notice requirements for changes in employer, address, and ability to pay in child support and maintenance agreements.

Assembly Bill 221, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 64, authored by Rep. Jeff Mursau (R)

Clarified ATV/UTV definitions for out-of-state vehicles and updates public ATC corridor definitions.

Assembly Bill 265, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 56, authored by Rep. Bob Wittke (R)

Increases penalties and creates mandatory minimum sentence for human trafficking and trafficking of a child, while extending the statute of limitations.

Assembly Bill 271, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 51, authored by Rep. John Spiros (R)

Allows commercial motor vehicles equipped with federally approved camera systems to operate without rearview mirrors.

Assembly Bill 273, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 73, authored by Rep. Barb Dittrich (R)

Adds the chair of the Physician Assistant Affiliated Credentialing Board to the Controlled Substances Board.

Assembly Bill 280, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 78, authored by Rep. David Armstrong (R)

Expands eligibility for the Business Development Tax Credit to include investments in workforce housing and child care programs through third parties.

Assembly Bill 294, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 74, authored by Rep. Shae Sortwell (R)

Revises Board of Nursing membership and updates terminology for advances practice nurses.

Assembly Bill 302, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 52, authored by Rep. Dean Kaufert (R)

Permits funeral procession vehicles to use flashing purple lights as an alternative to amber lights.

Assembly Bill 346, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 53, authored by Rep. Elijah Behnke (R)

Expands fleet registration options for heavy trucks and trailers.

Assembly Bill 388, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 75, authored by Rep. Clint Moses (R)

Provides a $10 million grant to Rogers Behavioral Health to build an integrated mental health facility in the Chippewa Valley.

Assembly Bill 409, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 54, authored by Rep. Jim Piwowarczyk (R)

Requires motorists to slow down or change lanes when approaching disabled vehicles with hazard lights, emergency flares, or visible attendants.

Assembly Bill 424, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 67, authored by Rep. Scott Krug (R)

Updates landlord-tenant statutes for manufactured and mobile home communities.

Assembly Bill 452, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 68, authored by Rep. Rob Kreibich (R)

Improves transparency and predictability in subdivision approvals to address Wisconsin’s housing shortage.

Assembly Bill 456, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 69, authored by Rep. Scott Krug (R)

Increases transparency in real estate marketing, agent compensation, and disclosure of AI use in property listings.

Read the full press release here.

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, December 15

No meetings currently scheduled.

Tuesday, December 16

Assembly Committee on Consumer Protection

Public Hearing at 1:00 PM

Wednesday, December 17

Assembly Committee on Jobs and Economy

Public Hearing at 10:00 AM

Assembly Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform

Public Hearing at 10:00 AM

Thursday, December 18

Assembly Committee on Environment

Public Hearing at 10:00 AM

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Veteran, and Military Affairs

Public Hearing at 10:00 AM

Friday, December 19

No meetings currently scheduled.

Upcoming Events

Stay tuned for upcoming events in the New Year!

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