Political Tidbits issues from 2005

Political Tidbits issues from 2004

Open Meetings/Public Records Apply to Quasi-Governmental Corporations

Rhode Island Supreme Court Overturns Verdict against Lead Paint Companies

Wisconsin Supreme Court Finds Software System
Not Subject to Tax

Global Warming Task Force Finalizes Recommendations

Natural Resources Board Approves Mercury Reduction Rule

Wisconsin Supreme Court Asked to Resolve Lemon Law Issues

Gov. Doyle Issues Major Budget Policies for 2009-11

Wisconsin Election Overview

D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Vacates EPA Interstate Pollution Rule

EPA Outlines Climate Change Strategies

Elections - Wisconsin State Legislature

No Statewide Elections in Wisconsin in 2008

Wisconsin's U.S. House Delegation

Key Dates

Incumbent Members of the Wisconsin Legislature Not Seeking Re-election

Co-chairs of Global Warming Task Force Present Proposals

Legislature Holding Special Sessions - Budget/Compact

Kreitlow and Suder to Lead Study Committee on Renewable Fuels

Organ Donation Campaign Spearheaded by WPS

Lawmakers Announce Decisions not to Run for Reelection

Farm Bill Passes U.S. House/Senate

Deficit & Budget Repair Legislation

Election of Judges/Justices - A Perspective

Rep. Kreuser Announces Candidacy for Kenosha County Executive

Hough Receives WMBA Lifetime Achievement Award

Wisconsin Legislature Passes Bills to Wrap Up Session

Budget Repair Bill/Governor’s Proposal and Assembly Action

Senate Action

Committee Action

Senate Democrats’ “Wisconsin Invests” Includes Combined Reporting

Minimum Markup Law Challenged….Again

Task Force Submits Interim Report on Global Warming

Committee Holds Public Hearing on Great Lakes Compact

Repair Bill to Address Budget Shortfall

Looking Ahead - Elections Overview – Fall 2008

Gov. Jim Doyle Delivers Sixth State of the State Address

Republicans and Economic Development

State Tax Collections Down – Revenue Shortfall Possible

Legislature Nearing End of 2007 Biennial Session

Governor Signs Several Bills into Law

Recent Senate and Committee Action

Assembly Committee Action

State Branding Bill Passes in the Assembly

Assembly Committee Hears Bill to Address Cable Disputes

State Assembly Approves AED Training and Blood Donor Initiatives

Committee Hears Testimony on New Ethanol Mandate

Seventh Circuit Certifies “All Sums” Case to Wisconsin Supreme Court

Rape Victims Bill Passes State Assembly

U.S. Representatives Endorse Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidates

The Federal Nominating Commission Recommends Five for the Pending Vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin

Governor Signs Budget Bill

Senate Democrats Replace Majority Leader

Wisconsin Medical Society Files Lawsuit to Seek Permanent Injunction to Stop Fund Transfer

Legislative Activity

Sen. Hanson and Rep. Rhoades Introduce Fair Access to
Networks (FAN) Act

Committee Recommends Bill Relating to Cable Television & Video Service Providers

Committee Hears Testimony on Price Gouging Rule

Rep. Gundrum Deployed

Legislature Acts on Special Session Budget Bill

Federal Magistrate Rules Minimum Markup Unconstitutional

Commerce Secretary Resigns

Budget Progress? — An Analysis by Hamilton’s Pat Osborne

School Aid Certification

Healthy Wisconsin

Governor Calls for Budget Summit

Not Necessarily a Done Deal

Tax Revenues Increase Allows Transfer to Rainy Day Fund

Attorney General Holding Seminars on Open Meetings Law

Oral Arguments Scheduled on Open Meetings/Records Applicability to Local Economic Development Corporations

Transparency Code for Government Contracts with Private Attorneys

PSC Approves Sale of Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant with Conditions

Former Sen. Majority Leader David Helbach Retiring from Alliant Energy

Elections Board Names New Chair

Budget Work Will Continue in Conference Committee

Recent Wisconsin Supreme Court Cases

Hamiltonians in the News

2007-09 Budget Update

Senate Democrats’ Healthy Wisconsin Plan

Milwaukee Jury Finds for Defendants; Against City
 in Lead Paint Case

U.S. Supreme Court Relaxes Election Ad Limits

Builders Win Case in U.S. Supreme Court

State Budget Update

Comments Filed on DNR Mercury Rule; Study Finds DNR’s Rule Doubles Costs

Legislative Committee Fails to Pass Compromise on DNR Interstate Pollution Rule

Missouri Supreme Court Rules Against City of St. Louis in Lead Paint Nuisance Case

Task Force Reviewing State IT Projects

Governor Doyle Announces Government Accountability Board Nominations

Wisconsin First in Overall Healthcare Quality

Mark Green Nominated for Ambassador Post

Wisconsin State Budget - Proposed “New” Revenue Sources

Joint Finance Action on Transportation Finance

Ballast Water Debate Heats Up

Rental Car Fee Increase Deadlocks in Committee

Doyle Signs Bills into Law

Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules on Worker’s Compensation Exception

Wisconsin Women in Government Host Annual Banquet

Pat Osborne on River Alliance Board

State Budget; Process Preview

The State’s Real Estate Broker Charged in Kickback Scheme

Speaker Names IT Task Force

Energy Bill Proposed

Economic Development Conference Offered New Perspectives

Straw Poll Favors Fred Thompson for President

Doyle Testifies in D.C. on Farm Bill

State Budget Hearings Have Concluded; Committee to Begin Voting Soon

The Legislature Has Returned for Floor Periods
 on April 17 and April 24

Legislative Audit Bureau Recommends Oversight for
 State IT Projects

State-Local Tax Burden at a Record High

Extension Requested for SeniorCare

Senate Committee to Hear Testimony

Gov. Doyle Announces Energy Policy

Jan Alf Appointed Interim Director of Forward Wisconsin

Craig Thompson to Head Transportation Development Association

Commerce Appointments

Former Chief Justice Nathan Heffernan Passed Away
 on Friday, April 13

Criminal Defense Lawyers Support Jensen’s Request
 for a New Trial

Bill Would Repeal Tax Loophole

Fund Transfer Not Advised

Property Tax Effects Summarized by LFB

DOT Requests Federal Appropriations

Committee Hearings

Donnelly Named Employment Relations Director

Wisconsin SeniorCare Subject of Hearing

Doyle Signs Budget Repair Bill

Budget Briefings Wrapping Up

DOT Chief Re-confirmed

DNR Staff Proposes Increased Mercury Regulations

State to Continue Nuisance Suit Versus Cranberry Industry

Study Highlights Legal Needs of Poor

Hearing Set on Video Franchising Bill

Red Cross Legislative Day

Likely Voters Demonstrate “Lack of Connection” to Wisconsin Supreme Court

Green Campaign, Elections Board Reach Settlement

Joint Finance Modifies Budget Repair Bill

Senate Health Committee to Hold Hearings on Universal Health Insurance Coverage

Assembly Vote Would Curb Accumulated Sick Leave for Elected State Officials

Photo ID Bill Advances

Lawmakers Introduce Fuel Tax Incentives

Bar Hours Extended for Daylight Savings

Homeland Security Conference Upcoming

Governor Doyle to Lead Trade Mission to China, Japan

Court of Appeals Judges Selected for Committee

Azar Named to PSC

Jason Helgerson Appointed Medicaid Director

Other Appointments

Senate Democrats Prevent Vote on “Frankenstein Veto” Bill

Joint Finance to Hold Budget Hearings Around the State

Clifford/Ziegler Advance in Supreme Court Race

Doyle Hip Surgery Successful

Legislative Activity

Senate Democrats Announce Legislative Session Agenda

Senate Republicans Unveil 2007-2008 Agenda

Governor Advances Biennial Budget Bill

Committee Activity

Supreme Court Primary

Doyle Names Kelli Trumble as Secretary of Tourism

Hamiltonians in the News

Health Care and Education Focus of Doyle’s State of the State Address

Government Accountability Board Bill Passes

Governor Doyle Announces Clean Air Status for Eastern Wisconsin

DNR Air Rules Dominate Natural Resources Board’s Agenda

Legislative Fiscal Bureau Releases New Revenue Estimates

Rental Car Tax Proposed to Finance Commuter Rail

Special Committee on Nuclear Power Recommends Ending Moratorium

Upcoming Committee Hearings

Wisconsin Makes Economic Honor Roll

Hayden, Dilweg and Ebert Confirmed

Doyle Appoints Burnie Bridge as Dist. IV Court of Appeals Judge

Federal Bill Proposes More Ethanol Mandates

Committee Assignments for the 110th Congress – Wisconsin Delegation

Special Session Set on Ethics Reform/Bill Introduced/Hearing Scheduled

Garvin to Leave Public Service Commission

Investment Board Executive Director to Retire

Senate Approval of Appointments

Rule Changes Passed by State Senate

Kagen Adds Seat on Ag Committee/Members Discuss Effects of Energy Mandates

Inaugurations

Supreme Court has Three Candidates

Governor Doyle Makes Key Appointments Including New and Continuing Cabinet Secretaries

Mark Green Rejoins Godfrey & Kahn Law Firm

2007-08 Session Schedule Set

Former President Ford Mourned

DATCP Board sends Price Control Rule to Hearings

Bipartisan Ethics Reform Agreement

Committee Hearings

U.S. Supreme Court Hears Climate Change Arguments

DNR Board Approves Staff Budget and Policy Recommendations

WISTAX Compares Wisconsin's Two Largest Cities

Program Highlights Funding Strategies

Committee Chairs Named

Sen. Alan Lasee Joins Race for Brown County Executive

JFC Provides Funds for Milwaukee Women’s Shelter

Doyle: Goodwin to Remain Chief of Staff; Boyce to Become Deputy
Chief of Staff

Morgan to be Secretary of Administration

Federal Developments

Budget Challenge Faces the Governor and the New Joint Finance Committee

DOT Budget Deficit to Result in Project Delays

Report: Wisconsin Expected to Show Moderate Growth in Next Biennium

Insurance Commissioner Resigns

Erpenbach Proposes Elimination of Sales Tax Exemptions

Joint Finance Members Appointed

Representative Rhoades Profile

Ray Taffora Named Deputy Attorney General

Doyle Names Transition Team

Van Hollen Names Transition Team

Lawmakers to Re-introduce Campaign Finance Reform Legislation

Doyle Announces Inauguration Team

Falk/Voight Formally Concede – Recounts Confirm Seats in Assembly Races

Report: Milwaukee Economic Development Plans Lack Strategy

Committee Hears Testimony of Disaster Preparedness

DOT Requests Increases in Registration Fees/Driver’s Licenses: Two New Plates

Leadership Changes in Legislature/Leadership Profiles

Hoyer Floor Leader/Kagen Seeking Committee Assignments

Wisconsin & the U.S. Presidency - Russ is Out; Is Tommy In?

Nov. 7 General Election Results/Leadership Positions Named

Federal Developments: Allen Conceds/Pelosi is New Speaker

Dramatic Improvements in Ozone Levels Should Lead
to Regulatory Relief

Industry Pans DNR’s Efforts to Set Energy Policy

Rental Car Taxes Drive up Costs

Study Committee to Tour Yucca Mountain Nuclear Repository

Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium Helps Emerging Companies
Become ‘Venture Ready’

Transportation Funding Stressed

Industry Claims DNR Regulatory Reform Off-Track

Milwaukee Receives “D” in Disaster Evacuation Study

Wisconsin Ranks 38^th in the 2007 State Business Tax Climate Index

Committee Has Begun Discussion of Applicability of Open Meetings Laws to Quasi-Governmental Bodies

Appeals Court Upholds DNR Pier Authority

Hospitals Serve Community Health Needs

Upcoming Hearings

Briefs Filed on Green Elections Board Case; Supreme Court Requests Additional Information

Committees Grant Approval for WisconsinEye Project

Renewal of Terrorism Insurance a Possibility

Study Confirms Falling Economic Development Climate Based on
 “Litigation Atmosphere”

Governor Proposes $450 Million Public, Private Investment Strategy to Develop Renewable Energy

Requested Increases in Major GPR Programs Highlight
 Budget Demands

Green to Seek Supreme Court Review

Former State Representative Brandemuehl Has Died

Legislative Committees Have Scheduled Hearings
for the Upcoming Weeks

Wisconsin Elections

Two Legislative Candidates Seek Recount; Two Others Concede

Elections Board Action Remains in the Headlines

Doyle Directs 90 Percent Mercury Reductions

State Audit Committee Holds Hearing

Road to the Future Committee Hears Transportation Needs

Midwest U.S. – Japan Conference in Indianapolis
September 10 – 12

New Report Shows Impact of Single Sales Factor Tax Reform

We the People to Host Gubernatorial Debates

Clinton to Support Doyle at Fundraiser

Bush Signs Health Care Measure

State Audit Finds Need for Changes

Study Finds HIRSP in Sound Financial Position

WISTAX: State-Local Governments Spend 21.9 Percent of Income

Governor Pushes Plan to Double Number of E-85 Pumps

Cities Receive Grants to Improve Access to Crime-Fighting and Homeland Security Information

Wisconsin Joins Petition Requiring Disclosure of Pesticide Ingredients

Weeklong Mercury Conference Hosted in Madison

Weeklong Mercury Conference Held in Madison

President Bush in Green Bay for Gard Fundraiser

Wisconsin Supreme Court Upholds Hub Airline Tax Exemption

Supreme Court Overturns Two Year Old Decision on Med Mal/Wrongful Death Caps

Supreme Court’s First Amendment Protection is Prospective Only in High Profile Defamation Case

The Gubernatorial Candidates: A Comparison

Candidates Set for Fall Election

Legislative Council Names Committees/Chairs

Republicans Ring Budget Warning Bells

Overview of Attorney General Candidates

Legislators Not Seeking Re-election/Seeking New Offices

Straw Poll Voters Favor Lautenschlager/Feingold

New U.S. Attorney in Western District 

Bills Signed into Law

Vetoes

Bills Scheduled for Override Vote

Agencies Get 2007-09 Budget Instructions

Gov. Doyle Signs Bills/Expected to Veto Gaming Oversight

Endorsement of Mark Green for Governor Energizes GOP at Convention

Wisconsin Women in Government Host Annual Banquet

Bills Awaiting Action by the Governor

Ruth Doyle Remembered

Recent Legislative Activity

Line Item Veto Amendment

May Declared Manufacturing Month in Wisconsin

Assembly Adopts Proposed Amendment to Limit State Revenues (TPA)

Price Gouging Measure Passes the Assembly

Governor Doyle Announces $3.8 Million in Sign/road Marking Awards

Assembly Calendar Highlights for Tuesday, April 25

Senate Regular Session Calendar Highlights for Tuesday, April 25

Senate Extraordinary Calendar Highlights for Tuesday, April 25

Governor Bill Signings and Vetoes Over the Past Three Weeks

JOBZ Act Signed into Law with Partial Veto

Governor Signs Bill Limiting Obesity Lawsuits/Vetoes Punitive Damages Reform

Road to the Future Committee Conducts Hearings

Midwife Licensing Bill Signed into Law

Bills Signed into Law/Vetoes

Wisconsin Ranking for “Litigation Atmosphere” Falls Again

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Wilcox to Retire

Gottleib to Finance; Jensen’s Assembly Seat to be Filled at General Election

Legislative Activity - Bill to Be Acted on by Governor

Ethanol Bill Dies in Senate

Punitive Damages and Medical Malpractice Caps Pass Legislature

School Choice Gains Legislative Approval

Energy Bill Heads to Governor

Honorable Diane Sykes Delivers Hallows Lecture

Boyer to Serve on AWL Board

Medical Malpractice Cap Revisited

More Litigation Reform - Obesity

And More - Punitive Damages

Taxpayer Protection Act

Recent Legislative Activity

Assembly Sets Calendar for Tuesday, March 7

Ethanol Prices Heading Through the Roof

JCRAR Acts to Suspend Portions of New Ins 9 Administrative Rules

Legislators Create Healthcare Committee

Nuclear Bill Introduced - Committee Hearing

Immigrant ID Legislation Advances

Study: Wisconsin Economy will Neither Boom nor Bust

DNR Provides Brownfield Grants

Highlights of Senate Calendar for Tuesday, February 21

Selected Bills Recommended for Passage by Legislative Committees

Hearing Held on Proposed Constitutional Amendment to Impose Revenue Limits

Legislators Create Transportation Study Committee

School Choice Agreement Reached

Booster Seat Bill Becomes Law

2006 Business Day in Madison Feb. 22

Contraception Bill Would Limit Access for Teens

Good Samaritan Bill Would Protect Builders

Lamb Will Not Seek Re-Election

Bush and Cheney Schedule Separate Visits to Wisconsin

Republicans Outline Spring Agenda

Update on Civil Justice Proposals

Midwife Licensure Bill Passes Legislature

Other Legislative Action this Week

Doyle’s Press Secretary Joins Campaign

New House Majority Leader Wins in Upset

Civil Justice Bills Advance/Veto Override Votes Scheduled

Senate Passes Economic Development Legislation

Assembly Eminent Domain Bill Approved by Senate with Amendments

Governor Vetoes Concealed Carry Bill/Senate Overrides Veto

Partial Veto Resolution Passes in Assembly 74-25

Other Legislative Action this Week

Senate Committee to Vote on Ethanol Bill

State Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Create State Disaster Relief Fund

Parental Choice Legislation Introduced

Midwife Licensure Bill Passes Joint Finance

State Senate Democratic Committee Names New Chair

Committee Approves Alito Nomination

State of the State Address

Revenue Estimate Increase

Punitive Damage Legislation Advances/Other Judiciary Committee Action

Malpractice Override Falls Short

Full Senate action on Thursday

Calendars for Tuesday, January 24.

Study: Ethanol Mandate to Increase Utility Costs

State Agencies Draft EIS for Transmission Project

Midwife Licensure Bill (SB 477) Passes Senate Health Committee

Green and Walker React to State of the State

Newcomer Sworn In

Governor Doyle Vetoes Three More Civil Justice Reform Bills

Governor Doyle’s State of the State Scheduled

Governor Doyle Signs Economic Development Legislation

Other Bills Signed into Law

Upcoming Committee Activity

Governor Doyle Unveils Ethics Reform Package

Governor Announces Transportation Funding for Local Counties

WISTAX Examines Migration Patterns Using 2000 Census

Green Attacks Governor’s Veto of SB 402 as Favoring Plaintiff Lawyers Over Jobs

Bablitch Confirmation Supported

Republican to Challenge Kohl