By Jordan Lamb, The Welch Group

ELECTIONS

Gov Evers Won’t Seek Third Term. On July 24, 2025, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) announced that he would not seek reelection to a third term in 2026. In a video announcing his decision, Evers said he was “damn proud” of working for 50 years in public service, but that he was not seeking reelection to spend more time with his family. Since his announcement, Lt Governor, Sara Rodriguez has been the first to announce her candidacy. Other possible Democrats who may enter the primary race include Atty General Josh Kaul, ex-state legislators Mandela Barnes, State Senator Kelda Roys, Milwaukee Mayor Cavelier Johnson and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. So far on the Republican side, business owner Bill Berrien and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann have announced. It is rumored that they could be joined by State Senator Mary Felzkowski and Congressman Tom Tiffany. (The Associated Press)

Lt Gov Rodriguez Announces Campaign for Governor 2026. Rodriguez’s announcement kicks off what is expected to be a fierce Democratic primary for governor. In an online video, she pledged to back abortion rights and took aim at President Donald Trump. (Wisconsin Public Radio)

Democratic State Rep. Jenna Jacobson Announces Challenge to Republican State Sen. Howard Marklein’s Seat in 2026. State Rep. Jenna Jacobson, D-Oregon, made her announcement in front of a closed elementary school in Ridgeway on July 7 as she vowed to fight for more public funding for education. She also called Marklein, R-Spring Green, a “classic politician” who became “addicted to the power and the money of politics.” The race for this state senate seat is poised to be one of the most hotly contested races of 2026.

LEGISLATURE

BUDGET – $111 Billion State Biennial Budget Enacted. Very early on the morning of July 3, the legislature passed and Governor Evers signed the $111.1 billion 2025-27 state biennial budget bill, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 15. The bill was passed in both houses with bipartisan votes. Included in the bill were the following provisions to support Wisconsin farmers and agribusinesses:

• ARIP:The Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP) was funded with an additional $150 million investment to continue repairing and improving Wisconsin’s rural roads to help farmers and producers and the state’s agricultural and forestry industries move products to market safely and efficiently. (NOTE: $30 million of the $150 million secured for ARIP will be specifically targeted to bridge and culvert repair to help improve and repair deteriorating bridges across the state.)
• Wisconsin Food Insecurity Grants:$10 million ($5 million annually) were provided for DATCP’s Food Security Initiative grant program. This grant program connects local nonprofit food assistance programs with local Wisconsin farmers and food producers and funds the purchases of Wisconsin products that will be distributed to food banks and pantries across the state.
• Farmer Mental Health:The budget provides $200,000 to support farmers and their families’ mental health through access to services at DATCP.
• Dairy Processor Grants:$800,000 to increase ($1.2 million over the biennium) in the available funding for the successful Dairy Processor Grant Program
• Meat Processor Grants:$1 million in additional funding ($1.6 million over the biennium) to bolster and support the Meat Processor Grant Program
• Meat Inspection Program:Over $2.4 million over the biennium for the Meat Inspection Program to ensure meat products are produced safely and match nutrition labels
• Producer-led Watershed Grants:The budget provides a $500,000 increase in funding for the Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant Program, making the program $1,000,000 annually. These grants enable producers and producer-led groups to implement nonpoint source pollution abatement strategies to improve Wisconsin’s soil and water quality.
• Nitrogen Optimization Grants:The budget provides $2 million ($1 million annually) through DATCP to continue the commercial Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program. This program aims to protect vital soil and water resources by providing farmers with grants for projects intended to optimize nitrogen applications on farms across the State.
• Cover Crop Insurance Premium Rebate Program:The budget allocated an additional $1.6 million ($800,000 annually) to support the cover crop insurance program, which assists farmers with rebates of $5 per acre of a cover crop planted for crop insurance premiums paid on those acres.
• CDL Driver Training Grant Program:As Wisconsin continues to struggle with workforce shortages, the state approved another $500,000 to cover a portion of tuition costs to train new commercial drivers in Wisconsin.
• Division of Animal Health Staff:Provides three staff positions to DATCP’s Division of Animal Health to support potential animal disease outbreak coordination and response.

Link to full budget press release from Gov Evers: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIGOV/bulletins/3e7d45c

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES

DATCP is Accepting Applications for Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants Through September 12. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting applications for 2026 Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants through September 12, 2025. These grants are awarded to producer-led groups to help support and advance producer-led conservation solutions and farmer participation in local watershed conservation efforts. The total program budget for 2026 is $1 million. Eligible groups that apply can receive up to $40,000. https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/ProducerLedProjects.aspx

Wisconsin Agriculture Statistics Now Online. DATCP has begun publishing a monthly Wisconsin Farm Reporter on its website. This publication will summarize recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) data related to Wisconsin agriculture. Link: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/AgDevelopment/WisconsinFarmReporter.aspx

USDA Provides Free RFID Official Identification Tags for Wisconsin Cattle and Bison. Wisconsin is again accepting orders for no cost 840 radio frequency identification (RFID) official identification tags provided by USDA. Currently, there is a limited supply of these tags, and they are anticipated to be available until September 30, 2025, or while supplies last. Link to DATCP Press Release: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/USDA-Provides-Free-RFID-Official-Identification-Tags-for-Wisconsin-Cattle-and-Bison.aspx

WI LITIGATION UPDATE

WI Supreme Court Limits Legislative Authority to Suspend Administrative Rules. On July 8, 2024, a split Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned the Legislature’s power to suspend administrative rules, ending decades of lawmakers having the power to at least temporarily block agency regulations. In a 4-3 decision, the court found statutes giving those powers to the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) violate the Wisconsin Constitution’s requirement of bicameralism and presentment, which mandates that for any law to pass, it must be approved in both houses of the Legislature and be presented to the governor. The Legislature created JCRAR in 1966 and gradually increased its powers until passing legislation in 2017 that allowed the committee to suspend indefinitely a rule that was already in place and to lodge an indefinite objection before it was promulgated.” This ruling stems from filing made by Democratic Governor Tony Evers challenging the JCRAR’s suspension of an administrative rule that sought to ban the practice of conversion therapy and another creating commercial building standards administered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services.

NEWS CLIPS

SNAP will soon cost states millions more. What does that mean for food access? New federal law shifts food aid costs to states. Supporters say it will cut down on waste and fraud, but food advocates warn it could mean fewer people receive the benefit. Almost 700,000 people in WI receive food and nutrition assistance through FoodShare. DHS estimates every dollar in SNAP benefits that comes into Wisconsin generates $1.50 in the state’s economy through purchases at grocery stores and farmers markets. (Wisconsin Public Radio)