View this email in your browser.

Twitter  Linkedin  Youtube  

In this update:


  • Election Updates
  • Administration Updates
  • Legislative Updates
  • Court Updates
  • Committee Schedule
  • Upcoming Events

Election Updates

Schoemann proposes state election changes

Republican gubernatorial candidate Josh Schoemann is calling for a sweeping overhaul of Wisconsin’s electoral system. His plan would:


  • Eliminate the Wisconsin Elections Commission and replace it with an elected official.
  • Move statewide spring elections to the fall, including races for state Supreme Court and the Department of Public instruction.
  • Ban ballot drop boxes and end central count for absentee ballots
  • Allow clerks to process ballots the day before Election Day and expand early voting hours statewide, with funding for smaller municipalities.


Mr. Schoemann says these changes would make elections more transparent and accountable. "I just feel strongly about fair and transparent elections," he cited his experience as a municipal clerk and county executive. "I really think making sure everybody has a high degree of confidence in those things is critically important."


Mr. Schoemann’s primary opponent, Congressman Tom Tiffany supports exploring a move to fall elections but defended his past vote creating the elections commission.


Moving all statewide spring races to November would require a constitutional amendment. 

Brennan Considering Run for Governor

Greater Milwaukee Committee President Joel Brennan is weighing a potential run for Wisconsin governor, sharing his toughs in a recent interview with Wisconsin’s Midday News, his first public remarks since speculation about his candidacy began.


Mr. Brennan revealed he’s giving the idea a “very serious” consideration, pointing to his 35-year career in public service, including three-year tenure as Secretary of the Department of Administration under Governor Tony Evers. He suggested that his experience could bring a unique perspective to what he described as an already crowded Democratic field. Mr. Brennan framed the decision as a choice between staying in his comfort zoner or “stepping up and getting in the game”. Over the coming weeks Mr. Brennan said he’ll be evaluating whether a viable path to victory exists, whether he can secure the financial backing needed to compete. 

Tiffany and Toney receive MPA endorsement 

The Milwaukee Police Association (MPA), representing over 1,200 law enforcement professionals, has announced its endorsement of Congressman Tom Tiffany for Governor and Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney for Attorney General.


At the MPA Headquarters, President Alexander Ayala praised Tiffany’s commitment to law enforcement, stating that the Association values leaders who advocate for officers during challenging times Tiffany expressed gratitude for the endorsement, pledging to support law enforcement with the resources they need and to restore safety and accountability across Wisconsin.


Separately, the MPA also endorsed Eric Toney for Attorney General, citing his strong support for public safety and law enforcement. In their endorsement letter, the Association highlighted Toney’s dedication to addressing the complex challenges facing officers and communities. Mr. Toney, a veteran prosecutor form a law enforcement family, thanked the MPA and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting Wisconsin families and standing with those who serve.

Rave launches bid for WI-03 CD

Rodney Rave, a Democrat has announced his candidacy for Wisconsin’s third Congressional District. Mr. Rave is a former Ho-Chunk legislator, lifelong western Wisconsin resident and union operating engineer. His campaign focuses on lowering costs for working families, expanding healthcare access, and bringing practical, results-driven leadership back to Washington.


Rodney stated, “I’m not a career politician, I’m a builder, I grew up in an old shack with a dirt floor and spent 31 years in highway construction. I’ve seen what families, veterans, and farmers are up against. The rules feel rigged and the costs keep climbing. I’m running to fix what’s broken so government finally works for the people again.”


Key Priorities —

  • Lower everyday costs
  • Create good union jobs through housing, roads, and broadband projects
  • Protect Medicare and Social Security; expand mental health and addiction recovery
  • Support family farms and ensure veterans receive earned benefits
  • End gridlock and ban congressional stock trading


Incumbent Congressman Derrick Van Orden (R) is seeking re-election in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, while Democrat Rebecca Cooke has officially launched her campaign for the seat. 


Read the full press release here.

Administration Updates

Evers Vetoes

Governor Tony Evers has vetoed legislation aimed at reforming Wisconsin’s unemployment insurance program and protecting consumer access to gas-powered vehicles and equipment.


Governor Evers rejected SB 184, which would have barred state and local governments from restricting the sale or use of gas-powered cars and devices. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) State Director, Luke Bacher stated, “NFIB believes that consumers should not be forced to buy electric cars and snowblowers.”


The governor also vetoed three unemployment reform bills:

  • AB 168 — Added identity verification and extended fraud prosecution timelines.
  • AB 169 — Targeted “ghosting” by job applicants.
  • AB 146 — Gave employers more time to respond to benefit claim inquiries.

Governor Ever argued the measures would burden unemployed workers and delay benefit processing. 

Legislative Updates

Assembly floor calendar

On November 19th, the legislature is scheduled to take up the following bills:


AJR-109 Honors Wisconsin’s Hispanic and Latino veterans for their service. (Rep. Kurtz)


AB-009 Allows representatives from federally charted youth organizations to share information with students on public school grounds. (Rep. Dittrich)


AB-032 Guarantees military recruiters access to public high schools. (Rep. Penterman)


AB-152 Sets bid requirements for publishing county board notices in large counties. (Rep. Goeben)


AB-156 Mandates child sexual abuse prevention education in schools. (Rep. Gundrum)


AB-180 Directs DHS to seek a waiver prohibiting the use of Foodshare benefits for candy and soft drinks. (Rep. Moses)


AB-185 Provides a property tax exemption for nonprofit theaters. (Rep. Kitchens)


AB-195 Revises procedures for revoking property transfers upon death and related real estate transactions. (Rep. Krug)


AB-207 Improves voter information on proposed constitutional amendments and statewide referenda. (Rep. O'Connor)


AB-223 Sets residency requirements for individuals circulating nomination papers or recall petitions. (Rep. Piwowarczyk)


AB-225 Clarifies venue determination based on a defendants residence or business activity. (Rep. Duchow)


AB-238 Prohibits lodging establishments from discriminating against handlers of search and resuce dogs. (Rep. Green)


AB-240 Creates a sales and use tax exemption for search and rescue dog equipment. (Rep. Green)


AB-268 Grants appeal rights to complainant dissatisfied with Elections commission decisions. (Rep. Wittke)


AB-306 Limits how long local government leaders can issue emergency declarations without approval from their governing body. (Rep. Jacobson)


AB-312 Sets minimum hours for in-person absentee voting at clerk offices or designated sites to ensure consistent access. (Rep. Krug)


AB-326 Supports local government with grant writing and compliance assistance. (Rep. Kurtz)


AB-347 Establishes feed for specific coroner and medical examiner services. (Rep. Snyder)


AB-367 Exempts minor league baseball players from certain wage and labor requirements. (Rep. Dallman)


AB-374 Aligns state election law with the federal Electoral Count Reform Act (Rep. Krug).


AB-385 Regulates online campaign contributions and establishes penalties. (Rep. Murphy)


AB-420 Updates requirements for teacher preparatory programs. (Rep. Goeben)


AB-422 Extends the statute of limitations for prosecuting the concealment of a corpse. (Rep. Tusler)


AB-426 Defines rules for election observers and imposes penalties for violations. (Rep. Tittl)


AB-433 Specifies newspaper publication standards and typeface for legal notice. (Rep. Novak)


AB-518 Permits substitute teachers with valid permits to teach in private schools participating in school choice programs. (Rep. Penterman)


AB-530 Regulates drone use over school property and establishes penalties. (Rep. Kitchens)


AB-582 Expands dual enrollment programs and creates a Council on Dual Enrollment to improve credit transfers. (Rep. Murphy)


AB-592 Supports professional development for science teachers (Rep. Franklin)


AB-595 Enhances compliance with the Help America Vote Act, including voter registration data sharing and list maintenance. (Rep. Krug)


AB-596 / AB-597 Establishes a state matching grant program for recipients of federal per diem payments. (Rep. Franklin)


AB-601 Clarifies that certain types of event of sports wagers are excluded from the legal definition of a “bet”. (Rep. August)


AB-602 Authorizes participation in the federal tax credit program for donations to scholarship organizations. (Rep. Rodriguez)


AB-613 Requires Schools to notify parents when a student is removed from the classroom. (Rep. Goeben)


AB-614 Strengthens teacher authority in classroom management and mandates parental notification of disruptive behavior. (Rep. Goeben)


AB-616 Provides funding to municipalities for extended office hours during in-person absentee voting. (Rep. Krug)


AB-617 Comprehensive updates to absentee allot procedures, election reporting, and voting equipment testing. (Rep. Krug)


AB-644 Provides state aid to school districts that have undergone consolidation. (Rep. Kitchens).


AB-645 Establishes grants to support feasibility studies for school district consolidation or whole grade sharing. (Rep. Kitchens)


AB-646 Mandates a statewide study on school district consolidation. (Rep. Duchow)


AB-647 Creates grant opportunities for school boards implementing whole grade sharing arrangements. (Rep. Nedweski)


AB-648 Offers additional state aid to school districts that have consolidated. (Rep. Nedweski)


AB-649 Provides supplemental funding for whole grade sharing and consolidated districts, supports feasibility studies, and includes a related appropriation. (Rep. Duchow)


SB-010 Ensures military recruiters have access to public high schools (Sen. Cabral-Guevara)


SB-162 Sets bid requirements for publishing county board proceedings and notices in counties with populations over 250,000 and at least two daily English-language newspapers. (Sen. Wimberger)


SB-193 Addresses revocation of property transfers upon death, verification of decedent property interests, recission of wholesaler contracts, and satisfaction. (Sen. Jagler)


SB-270 Grants complainants the right to appeal decisions made by the Elections Commission regarding election official conduct. (Sen. Wanggaard)


SB-337 Provides assistance to local governments for grant writing and compliance. (Sen. Marklein)


SB-374 Exempts minor league baseball players form minimum wage and overtime pay requirements. Sen. Feyen)

Court Updates

Karofsky delivers State of the Judiciary address

In her first State of the Judiciary address, Justice Karofsky told the Wisconsin Judicial Conference that attacks on the rule of law are increasing and often come from political leaders who criticize judges or ignore rulings they dislike. She stated, “we must speak up in defense of the rule of law. It doesn’t matter which party’s governor appointed us, or which party’s adherents supported us in our campaigns. This goes well beyond party. Ensuring the rule of law and respect for the judicial system go to the very heart of our democracy.”


She urged continued funding for Capitol Police positions that currently provide security for justices, noting the funding expires in August 2026 stating, “every single person who walks into a courthouse deserves to be safe, and you deserve to be safe in your houses and in public places as well.”


Justice Karofsky also acknowledged the impact of high-cost, high-stakes judicial elections — over $115 million was spent on this spring’s race alone. Despite ideological differences, she emphasized the importance of respect and cooperation among justices. “At a time when so much of public life is defined by division, our shared commitment to each other is something we can be proud of, something we can strengthen, and something that will carry us forward,” Justice Karofsky said.

Committee Schedule

The following meetings have been noticed as of 12:00 pm Friday. Committee and Agency meeting notices are frequently updated and can be found here (for the Legislature) and here (for the Administration).


Monday, November 17

Assembly Committee on Elder Services

Informational Hearing at 12:00 PM


Tuesday, November 18

Assembly Committee on Corrections

Public Hearing at 12:00 PM


Wednesday, November 19

Senate Committee on Transportation and Local Government

Public Hearing at 10:30 AM


Thursday, November 20

No meetings currently scheduled.


Friday, November 21

No meetings currently scheduled.

Upcoming Events

Friday, November 21st at 8:30am - Capitol Chats with Rep. Jodi Habush Sinykin (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

Government Relations Team

Our Team |  michaelbeststrategies.com

Twitter  Linkedin  Youtube  

One South Pickney Street, Suite 700

Madison, WI 53703

Phone: 608-257-3501

Fax: 608-283-2275