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Wednesday, May 1, 2024

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The Cost of Outlawing Fossil Fuel Heat in Wisconsin

In a recent analysis conducted by economists Hanson and Hawley, the potential cost of outlawing fossil fuel heat in Wisconsin has been brought to light. The study compares the operating costs of a conventional gas furnace to a heat pump over a 15-year period, revealing significant differences. According to Patrick McIlheran, the cost implications of such a transition are a crucial consideration for Wisconsinites.The researchers found that operating a conventional gas furnace for 15 years would cost just over $20,000 in today’s terms, while using a heat pump for the same...

By The Sconi | Apr 30, 2024

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Biden Administration Ordered to Pay WILL’s Attorney Fees Following MBDA Win

The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) has been awarded over $350,000 by a federal court after successfully suing the Biden Administration for race discrimination. The court's decision last month found that the federally run Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) unconstitutionally discriminated against small business owners based on race.In response to the award, WILL President and General Counsel Rick Esenberg emphasized the importance of the legal work performed by the organization, stating, “WILL’s legal work doesn’t come free, and our dedicated lawyers...

By The Sconi | Apr 29, 2024

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Race Discrimination Discovered at American Bar Association

By The Sconi | Apr 25, 2024

Apr 25 2024The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) has raised concerns about the American Bar Association's (ABA) race-based Judicial Clerkship Program and Internship Opportunity Program. WILL has warned the ABA that these programs may be in violation of various civil rights laws and could be detrimental to students across the country. WILL has indicated that legal action may be pursued if the ABA does not address these issues promptly.In a letter to the ABA, WILL Associate Counsel, Skylar Croy, emphasized the importance of ending discriminatory practices,...

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Wisconsin Scouts Facing Challenges as Schools Close Doors

By The Sconi | Apr 25, 2024

Wisconsin Scouts are encountering increasing difficulties as school doors are shutting on their traditional outreach efforts. Lucia Cronin, who has been involved with Scouting for 29 years, reminisced about a time when a simple call to the school principal would secure a few minutes to speak to students. She recalled, "The principal would welcome us with open arms." However, Scout leaders now lament a shift in attitude from schools, with hundreds of them refusing even brief presentations.Joe Carlson, leading the Boy Scouts council in La Crosse, highlighted the issue,...

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WILL Opposes New Effort from Planned Parenthood to Make Abortion a “Constitutional Right” in Wisconsin

By The Sconi | Apr 25, 2024

The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) has responded to Planned Parenthood's case seeking to establish a constitutional right to abortion in Wisconsin. WILL believes that such a ruling would lead the Wisconsin Supreme Court into a situation similar to the one created by Roe v. Wade, urging that the matter should be addressed through the state's legislative process.WILL Deputy Counsel, Luke Berg, emphasized, “There is no right to an abortion in Wisconsin’s Constitution. No judge, justice, or lawyer should be creating policy for Wisconsinites out of thin air....

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Wisconsin's Constitutional Amendment Aims to Increase Oversight on Federal Funding

By The Sconi | Apr 25, 2024

Wisconsin is gearing up for a significant decision come August 9 as voters will have the opportunity to approve two constitutional amendment questions that could reshape the state's approach to federal funding. If passed, Wisconsin would join 34 other states in granting governors and legislators authority over major federal funding allocations.The push for these amendments stems from concerns about the lack of legislative oversight over billions in federal funding, as highlighted during the pandemic. The State Legislative Audit Bureau has criticized Gov. Tony Evers and...

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WILL Releases Statement on New Title IX Changes from Biden Administration

By The Sconi | Apr 19, 2024

The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) has voiced strong criticism against the new Title IX rules introduced by the Biden Administration, labeling them as detrimental to the rights and safety of women and girls across the nation. Cory Brewer, Education Counsel at WILL, expressed his concerns, stating, “Title IX was meant to protect the rights, safety, and well-being of women and girls in educational activities. But these new regulations turn the intent of the law on its head...Women and girls across our country are being blatantly disrespected."The...

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Five Surprising Facts About the Wisconsin Economy: Experiencing the Benefits of Free Market Reforms

By The Sconi | Apr 18, 2024

In a recent analysis of Wisconsin's economic landscape, Scott Niederjohn, a Badger Institute Visiting Fellow, highlighted the state's remarkable progress in various key areas. Niederjohn, who directs the Free Enterprise Center at Concordia University Wisconsin, emphasized the positive impact of free-market reforms on the state's prosperity and overall well-being.One of the significant aspects Niederjohn touched upon is the transformation of Wisconsin's tax environment. He noted, "The days of Wisconsin being considered a 'tax hell' are long gone." Over the past decade, the...

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Minnesotans Flocking to Western Wisconsin for a Quieter Lifestyle

By The Sconi | Apr 18, 2024

Eau Claire — The population of Eau Claire County, now approximately 108,000, has experienced significant growth in recent years, with Jon Hanson, field operations manager for Hoeft Builders, describing the past decade as "wild." Hanson also mentioned the construction of another apartment building, highlighting the influx of newcomers in their late 20s and early 30s.According to economist Scott Niederjohn, Eau Claire County gained around 885 people between 2022 and 2023, with much of the growth attributed to individuals migrating from Minnesota. Niederjohn notes that...

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Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty Report Reveals Fiscal Threat of Reversing Act 10

By The Sconi | Apr 17, 2024

The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) recently published a report titled Back to the Past: The Fiscal Threat of Reversing Act 10 in Public Education, shedding light on the potential consequences of undoing former Governor Scott Walker's landmark collective bargaining reforms. In the report, WILL Research Director, Will Flanders, emphasized the significance of Act 10 by stating, "When Act 10 was passed it took Wisconsin off the path of fiscal destruction toward long-term solvency." Flanders warned that a successful repeal of Act 10 could result in a substantial...

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WILL Holds First Annual School Board Summit to Help Restore American Education in Wisconsin

By The Sconi | Apr 15, 2024

The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) recently hosted its inaugural school board summit, attracting over one hundred attendees, including school board members and administrators from districts across Wisconsin. The event, co-hosted by the Noah Webster Educational Foundation, focused on various topics such as government transparency, school board policies, parental rights, school finance, and curriculum reform.During the summit, Cory Brewer, WILL Education Counsel, emphasized the importance of addressing relevant issues facing school boards to enhance student...

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The Impact of Proposed Student Debt Relief Plans on Wisconsinites

By The Sconi | Apr 11, 2024

Amid President Biden's proposed student debt relief plans, concerns are rising about the implications for Wisconsinites as they face the potential consequences of shouldering the burden of others' debts.The scheme outlined by President Biden, described as "debt relief" or "debt forgiveness," has sparked discussions about the true cost and who will ultimately bear the financial responsibility. Estimates suggest that the price tag for this relief could reach $85 billion for new parts of the scheme and up to $560 billion when considering previously announced plans.As...

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Barely one bill in 10 becomes law in Madison

By The Sconi | Apr 11, 2024

Wisconsin lawmakers in both the Senate and Assembly have been introducing a significantly higher number of bills than in previous years, with less chance of seeing them enacted into law. In the last two legislative sessions, over 2,300 bills were introduced, but less than 12% were enacted, leading to concerns about legislative gridlock and political motivations.Bob Karius, a former rules committee clerk in the Assembly, expressed his views on the current political landscape, stating, “The media and Governor Evers love gridlock. He has the most anti-bipartisan staff and...

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WILL Files Appeal to Help Part-time Law Enforcement Officer Keep His Job

By The Sconi | Apr 10, 2024

The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty has taken action to appeal a decision that could potentially impact not only their client, Noah Gausman, but also numerous other law enforcement officers in Wisconsin. Gausman, a dedicated part-time law enforcement officer and single father, has been fighting to keep his job after being informed that he would no longer be able to serve due to a new policy adopted by a state agency.In response to the situation, WILL Deputy Counsel, Lucas Vebber, expressed, “Noah is a dedicated public servant and a hard-working father who is just...

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WILL Responds to Wisconsin State Bar’s New Calls for Racial Discrimination, Media Intimidation

By The Sconi | Apr 9, 2024

Apr 9, 2024The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) has issued a response to the recent actions of the Wisconsin State Bar regarding a settlement reached between the two parties. WILL President and General Counsel, Rick Esenberg, expressed strong concerns about the State Bar's stance on race and media intimidation.Esenberg criticized the State Bar's announcement that race will continue to be a factor in their program despite the settlement agreement, calling it illegal and a breach of the agreement. He asserted, "It is impermissible and, frankly, offensive to...

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Wisconsin’s Referendum Process Results in Misleading Tax Increases, Leaves Voters in the Dark

By The Sconi | Apr 9, 2024

The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) has revealed concerning transparency issues within Wisconsin’s referendum process through its latest report, "Piercing the Fog: Shedding Light on School District Referenda in Wisconsin." The report sheds light on how these problems lead to misleading tax increases and ultimately leave voters uninformed about critical financial implications.Will Flanders, the Research Director at WILL, emphasized the importance of providing voters with comprehensive information, stating, “Using referendums to fund school districts is not...

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Wisconsin Voters Approve Majority of School Tax-Hike Requests

By The Sconi | Apr 4, 2024

Wisconsin voters have given their approval to the majority of school district requests to levy higher property taxes on the ballots last Tuesday. According to a report by the Badger Institute, slightly more than 60% of the 92 referenda placed before voters on April 2 were approved, whether for funding operations or building projects. This approval rate is lower than in recent years but remains consistent with historical norms.Dale Knapp, the director of Forward Analytics, highlighted the localized nature of these decisions, stating, "Everything is so local." He emphasized...

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VICTORY: State Bar Abandons DEI Program After WILL Lawsuit

By The Sconi | Apr 4, 2024

The Wisconsin State Bar has agreed to abandon its discriminatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program following a lawsuit brought by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL). The settlement reached between the State Bar and WILL has resulted in significant changes to the DEI program, ensuring that all law students have equal opportunities to participate based on merit rather than race.WILL Associate Counsel, Skylar Croy, expressed, “Defeating unconstitutional DEI programs has become WILL’s area of expertise, and we are not stopping here. While we are...

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UW Tenure Hysteria Deemed Unwarranted by Recent Analysis

By The Sconi | Apr 4, 2024

The number of tenured faculty in the University of Wisconsin System has fallen roughly in line with the decrease in student enrollment since 2015. This decline was sparked by a legislative decision to remove tenure guarantees from state statute, leading to backlash from professors who described the move as "destructive" and "remarkably chilling," akin to "a death in the family."According to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the number of tenured professors in the UW System decreased by approximately 8% between the 2016-17 and 2021-22 school years, correlating with a 9% drop...

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Will government’s heavy hand make business “Go Galt”?

By The Sconi | Apr 4, 2024

In a world where government intervention in business operations is becoming more prominent, concerns are growing about the impact of these policies on entrepreneurship and innovation. The resurgence of industrial policy, championed as part of Bidenomics, has sparked debates about the role of government in shaping economic activities.The sentiment that government involvement is pervasive in development projects is echoed by critics. As one observation points out, "Sometimes it seems that no major development project occurs in Wisconsin without the visible hand of...