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Jan. 5, 2004
After the holiday
respite, the
Wisconsin
Legislature returns to a very busy schedule over the next few
months. This week will be devoted to committee activity and final
work on the regulatory reforms that were negotiated between the
Administration and Legislative leaders. We continue to expect the
Legislature to reconvene its Extraordinary Session on the Jobs
Creation Act next week.
In anticipation of likely
legislative activity in the very near future, please see The Hamilton
Consulting Group’s Updates detailing the following legislative
proposals:
Policy Developments
Amendments to
Jobs Bills Being Drafted
Following last week’s report of a compromise between Legislative
leaders and the Administration on the Jobs Creation Act of 2003
(otherwise known as companion bills
SB 313 and
AB 655), the bills are now at the Legislative Fiscal Bureau
awaiting completion of drafting of amendments containing
provisions from the compromise. (Please see the Hamilton
Consulting Group’s
Update for details of the legislation and compromise points.)
It is expected that the
amendments will receive Committee action later this week, and that the
Senate and Assembly will reconvene their Extraordinary Session on this
legislation the week of Jan. 12, 2004.
Stray Voltage Bill to
Receive Hearing
On Tuesday, January 6, the Assembly Committee on Energy and Utilities will
hold a public hearing on
AB 529, which relates to remediation of objectionable flows of electric
current, and the burden of proof and damages in certain actions against
public utilities, and various exceptions to the civil justice system. The
hearing is scheduled for
10 a.m. in room 412 E.
(See the Wisconsin
Coalition for Civil Justice’s
memo opposing this legislation.)
Hearing on
Unemployment/Worker’s Compensation Bills
On Wednesday, January 7, the Assembly Committee on Labor will hold a public
hearing on the following bills:
-
AB 625, relating to employment rights of certain employees in the
state civil service (suggested as remedial legislation by the Office of
Employment Relations);
-
AB 668, relating to various changes in unemployment insurance law; and
-
AB 669, relating to various changes in worker’s compensation law.
The hearing is scheduled
for 9:30 a.m. in room 225 NW.
Product Liability Bill to Receive Hearing
On Thursday, January 8, the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Corrections and
Privacy will hold a public hearing on several bills, including
SB 126, relating to product liability of manufacturers, distributors and
sellers. The Assembly companion bill,
AB 317, has had an Assembly public hearing and was recommended
for passage by the Assembly Committee on Judiciary. The hearing is scheduled
for 1 p.m., in room 201 SE.
Possible Executive Action
on Education Tax Credit Bill
On Wednesday, January 14, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security,
Veterans and Military Affairs and Government Reform will hold a public
hearing on several bills. Additionally, the Committee will address certain
appointments and may take executive action on
SB 268, relating to education tax credits for businesses. The hearing
and possible executive session is scheduled for 10 a.m. in room 330 SW.
Wisconsin
Politics
Capitol Police
Chief Retires
On Dec. 28, 2003, the Chief of the Capitol Police Department, Mike
Metcalf, retired. Metcalf served on the force for more than 30
years and has been Chief since 1987. A successor is expected to be
named soon.
Milwaukee Receives New Mayor
On Friday, January 2, former Common Council Leader for Milwaukee, Marvin
Pratt, was sworn in as acting mayor of
Milwaukee.
Pratt is filling the position formerly held, and vacated early, by Mayor
John O. Norquist, who has moved to Chicago to run the Congress for the New
Urbanism. Pratt is the first African-American mayor to serve the City of
Milwaukee.
Political News
Money, politics and reform (opinion): Wisconsin State Journal, Jan.
4, 2004.
Governor's job cuts under way: Wisconsin State Journal, Jan. 4,
2004.
Doyle has big ideas for ’04: Appleton Post-Crescent, Jan. 4, 2004.
Politics will be big news in 2004: La Crosse Tribune, Jan. 4, 2004.
Doyle,
Republicans follow through on regulatory change: Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel, Jan. 4, 2004.
Business
competitions give fuel to start-ups: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
Jan. 4, 2004.
Push on to boost minimum wage: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Jan. 4, 2004.
Video
court visits could save millions: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan.
4, 2004.
State
takes lead in livestock tracking: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan.
4, 2004.
Leibham praises ‘new spirit’ in Madison: Manitowoc Herald Times, Jan. 3,
2004.
Primaries
beckon, and the U.S. is ready to go off to the races: Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel, Jan. 3, 2004.
Property tax freeze should be rejected (opinion): La Crosse Tribune,
Jan. 3, 2004.
Cancer
changes lawmaker's mind on drug: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan. 3,
2004.
Hospital gears up for obese: Wausau Daily Herald, Jan. 3, 2004.
Traffic deaths on a grim pace: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Jan. 3,
2004.
Teenage driver law saves lives (opinion): Wisconsin State Journal,
Jan. 3, 2004.
Several bills would affect UW System: Wisconsin State Journal, Jan.
2, 2004.
State anti-smoking programs are working; now isn't the time to cut their
funding: Ashland Daily Telegram, Dec. 29, 2003.
Upcoming Fundraisers
Wednesday, January 14, 2004:
Tuesday, January 27, 2004:
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