Press Releases

Today, Assembly Bill 108, which would prohibit strip searches of students conducted by school personnel, received a public hearing in the Assembly Education Committee. State Representative David Steffen (R-Howard) and State Senator Eric Wimberger (R-Green Bay) introduced the legislation in response to an incident at the Suring School District involving six teenage girls being ordered to strip down to their underwear by a school official. The search was allegedly conducted in search of a nicotine vape pen.

The bill would exempt the first $100,000 of retirement income for individuals age 67 or older and the first $150,000 for married-joint filers. Currently, nine other states do not tax income earnings at all, and a handful of states including Illinois, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and Iowa explicitly do not tax retirement income such as IRAs, 401(k) plans and pensions. By joining with these states, Wisconsin will be better poised to attract new employees and retain retirees.

In a recent appearance on “Meet the Press,” head of the US Drug Enforcement Administration, Anne Milgram, declared social media as “the place to start” when it comes to combatting America’s fentanyl crisis. Milgram cited the alarming rate at which Americans are dying from fentanyl poisoning—noting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that last year over 110,000 Americans died from fentanyl and methamphetamine poisoning and that fentanyl alone claims the lives of roughly 200 Americans every day.

Today, State Representative David Steffen (R-Howard), voted in favor of the Legislature’s 2023-2025 biennial budget proposal. The proposal was crafted over the past several months by the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee and is the product of extensive input from residents across the state.

Today, State Representative David Steffen (R-Howard), voted in favor of legislation that prohibits restrictions on homeowners that would prevent them from using the fuel source of their choice. This bill comes in response to bans on natural gas use in a number of communities across the country over the past few years.

State Representative David Steffen (R-Howard) authored a state budget motion that would create a permanent sales tax exemption for baby-related products. The exemption would cover a variety of baby necessities including everything from diapers and wipes to car seats and strollers.

Today, State Representative David Steffen (R-Howard) voted in favor of a package of bills aimed at addressing Wisconsin’s workforce housing crisis. The state’s historically low housing inventory coupled with rising housing costs has created a widening gap between the supply and demand within the housing industry.

Today, State Representative David Steffen (R-Howard) voted in favor of a bipartisan bill that will require Wisconsin high school students to complete a one-half credit course in personal financial literacy prior to graduation. Although some schools already offer an optional finance course, only about 34% of Wisconsin schools currently require such a course.

“I’m elated that JFC supported my modest investment request to help offset costs associated with hosting the 2025 draft. Today, members of the finance committee recognized that hosting the draft is an enormous win for the state of Wisconsin. The immediate and long term financial benefits to Green Bay and the entire state, truly make this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Rep. Steffen.

State Representative David Steffen (R-Green Bay) and State Senator Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay) submitted a formal motion requesting that the state allocate $2 million in the biennial budget to offset costs associated with the Green Bay Packers hosting the 2025 NFL Draft.