Mary Spicuzza

Budget committee strikes rent-to-own provision

host.madison.com — Bowing to opposition from the public and its own members, the Legislature's budget committee voted Thursday to remove a provision proposed by Gov. Scott Walker that would exempt rent-to-own businesses from the state's consumer laws. "This is an industry that preys on people who are having a hard time making ends meet ...

Budget committee adopts UW tuition freeze, spending cut

host.madison.com — The Legislature's budget committee approved a two-year tuition freeze for the University of Wisconsin System and cut state funding by $2.5 million, rather than increase it by $181 million as Gov. Scott Walker proposed. The 14-2 vote came in response to the revelation last month that the system kept hundreds of millions of dollars in reserves.

madnewsboy: Breaking: After 34 years @rseely ...

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Ex-Scott Walker aide begins 20-day jail stay for 2nd OWI offense

jsonline.com — Nicole Tieman -- who resigned without explanation Friday as Gov. Scott Walker's campaign spokeswoman -- has begun serving a 20-day sentence behind bars in Milwaukee County on a drunken-driving conviction. Tieman, 25, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Milwaukee County Circuit Court to her second OWI offense, reversing her plea from a week earlier.

GOP lawmaker working on revamp of tax code

host.madison.com — A Republican member of the Legislature's powerful budget committee wants to overhaul the state's income tax system, including eliminating little-used tax credits, reducing tax brackets and lowering overall rates. Rep. Dale Kooyenga, R-Brookfield, said he plans to announce a detailed proposal Tuesday that would increase the amount of the income tax cut in Gov.