Morning Headlines - Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023

U.S. and World Headlines

House GOP Prepares Four Spending Bills As Shutdown Uncertainty Grows

House Republicans will try to advance four party-line funding bills this week, though they would not avert a looming government shutdown.

On Tuesday, the House will vote on whether to bring four funding bills — for the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State and Agriculture — up for a debate and eventually a final vote. But even if the House were to advance the four bills, the bills would not be considered in the Senate because they contain dramatic cuts that Democrats will not support.

Congress has until Saturday night to pass a dozen appropriations bills funding the federal government for another year — or a short-term deal to extend funding while negotiations continue.

Biden Sees Warning Signs With Independent Voters In Lackluster Polls

President Biden is seeing warning signs with independent voters nearly a year out from Election Day, with new polls suggesting he’s losing support from a crucial group poised to decide who will next serve in the White House.

Independent voters reported a lackluster 36 percent approval rating of Biden in an NBC News poll taken in mid-September, and 3 in 5 Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents in a Washington Post-ABC News poll said they want a nominee other than Biden.

California To Fine Schools That Ban Textbooks On Race Or LGBTQ+ Topics

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed into law on Monday a bill prohibiting schools from banning books on racial or LGBTQ+ teachings that could result in fines for any authority in the state that defies the legislation.

The move against what Newsom calls "textbook censorship in schools" follows an unprecedented wave of book bans in Florida and across the U.S.

Hollywood Video Game Performers Authorize Strike If Labor Talks Fail

Video game voice actors and motion capture performers have voted to authorize a strike if negotiations on a new labor contract fail, setting the stage for another possible work stoppage in Hollywood.

After voting closed on Monday, the SAG-AFTRA union said 98.32% of those who cast ballots had voted in favor of authorizing a strike.

The union is scheduled to begin contract talks with gaming companies on Tuesday.

Powerball Jackpot Swells To $835 Million Ahead Of Next Drawing

An estimated $835 million jackpot is up for grabs in the next Powerball drawing on Wednesday night.

It's the fourth-largest purse in the American lottery game's history and the second-largest this year, according to a press release from Powerball.

The grand prize, which has an estimated cash value of $390.4 million, ballooned passed the $800 million mark after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn on Monday night.

Wisconsin Headlines

Liberal Group Files Open Meetings Lawsuit Against Secret Panel Studying Wisconsin Justice's Impeachment

A liberal watchdog group on Monday sued a secret panel investigating the criteria for impeaching a liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, asking a judge to order the panel to stop meeting behind closed doors.

The panel is a government body and therefore required by state law to meet in public, attorneys for American Oversight argued in a complaint filed in Dane County Circuit Court.

Pfaff And Billings Introduce Insulin Legislation In Wisconsin

State Senator Brad Pfaff and Representative Jill Billings visited the St. Clare Health Mission Monday morning to discuss legislation regarding insulin.

The visit focused on capping the price of out of pocket costs at $35 for insulin in Wisconsin.

Back in January, President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act began capping the price of insulin at $35 a month for people over the age of 65.

Senator Pfaff said this legislation looks to ensure this is happening in Wisconsin.

U.S. Department Of Labor Awards Wisconsin More Than $11 Million

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development has been awarded more than $11 million in federal funds.

Eighteen states, including Wisconsin received the money to modernize the unemployment insurance system.

The grants will allow states to adopt new strategies to upgrade and redesign unemployment insurance programs, better defend against fraud and make the systems more reliable and accessible to users.

Senate Chief Clerk Resigns Following What Leadership Calls A Credible Abuse Allegation

The chief clerk for the Wisconsin Senate has resigned following a credible allegation of abuse and an ensuing independent investigation, according to Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu.

Michael Queensland, 38, has denied all allegations, according to LeMahieu’s office.

Queensland has been the Senate’s chief clerk and director of operations since January 2021. He oversees the nonpartisan office where he is responsible for record keeping and administration. He officially resigned Sept. 22.

Brooks Says Lawmakers May Reduce Local Contribution In Brewers Stadium Maintenance Bill

Rep. Rob Brooks, co-author of the GOP’s $700 million Brewers ballpark maintenance bill, expects changes will be made to the current plan including a lower contribution from Milwaukee city and county governments.

The Saukville Republican adds there likely isn’t enough support yet to pass the bill in the Assembly.

“It would be very close and very tough if we had to do it,” Brooks said on WISN’s “UpFront,” which is produced in partnership with WisPolitics. “I think we’re going to need some Dem votes, but what I have found in talking to Speaker Vos and my colleagues, every time we explain the details to people one on one, they get it.”