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Jan. 12, 2006

The previously announced bipartisan agreement to move forward on ethics reform was realized this week by introduction of a legislative proposal by leaders of both Houses and both parties and by the call of a Special Session to address the issue by Governor Jim Doyle. The questions that have been raised regarding potential constitutional issues are legitimate legal “issues” and not partisan bickering and are expected to be dealt with in the same manner that the bipartisan proposal was initially developed.

We acknowledge and congratulate the contributions of two public servants who will be leaving their posts later this year - Bert Garvin, Public Service Commissioner, and David Mills, Executive Director of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board. A special thanks to Bert for his recent one-year service on behalf of his state and country in Iraq.

Policy Developments

Special Session Set on Ethics Reform/Bill Introduced/Hearing Scheduled
The Assembly and Senate convened on Thursday in accordance with Gov. Jim Doyle's call for a special session on ethics reform.

Also on Thursday, the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Legislative Organization introduced SB-2, which would create a Government Accountability Board made up of the Governor’s appointees (all retired judges) who would be confirmed by the Legislature. The Board would have independent authority to proceed with investigations and seek prosecution and would assume all of the responsibilities of the current Ethics and Elections Boards.

Rep. Mark Gundrum, Assistant Majority Leader and Chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, has scheduled a public hearing for next Tuesday, January 16, in Room 328 NW, Capitol. In addition to receiving testimony on the merits/demerits of the proposal, the Committee will address questions that have been raised as to possible constitutional issues of some provisions and the impact on the whole proposal if one or a few of the provisions would be determined to violate the Constitution. The Committee is scheduled to vote on the proposal, with amendments, next Thursday.

The Senate has not as yet announced its schedule for public hearings but will likely wait until after Assembly Committee action.

Leaders of both Houses and the Governor have pledged to continue the bipartisan cooperation on the proposal in addressing changes, technical and substantive, to the bill.

The bill is not expected to receive floor action by both houses of the Legislature until Jan. 30, the day Doyle will now deliver his State of the State address.

Garvin to Leave Public Service Commission
Commissioner Bert Garvin has announced his resignation from the Public

Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) only a few days (February 23) before his term would have expired on March 1. Gavin will have served nearly 6 years on the three-member utility oversight body. Garvin is the last remaining appointee of a Republican Governor.

Commissioner Garvin received accolades from Governor Doyle and Commission Chair Dan Ebert for his service on the Commission and for his service to his country. (Bert recently returned to Wisconsin and the Commission after a one-year deployment in Iraq for the Wisconsin Army National Guard.)

Doyle will name Garvin’s successor, who must be confirmed by the Senate. Doyle has appointed both of the remaining commissioners: Chair Dan Ebert, whose term expires March 1, 2009, and Mark Meyer, whose term ends March 1, 2011.

Investment Board Executive Director to Retire
David C. Mills, Executive Director of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB) has announced his intention to retire from the position by the end of 2007. Mills has held the top SWIB position for the past three years.

Prior to joining SWIB, Mills served over 17 years in executive level positions at the Department of Employee Trust Funds and has more than 28 years experience in the management of retirement and insurance benefits. The Wisconsin Retirement System is the 9^th largest pension fund in the United States and 25^th largest in the world.

Wisconsin Politics

Senate Approval of Appointments

• Dentistry Examining Board: Lori Barbeau, Blane Christman, Carol Howard, Adriana Jaramillo, Kirk Ritchie, Anne Taylor.

• Board of Veterans Affairs: Marvin Freedman, Rodney Moen

• Public Defender Board: Joe Morales

• Wisconsin Technical College System Board: Hunter Oemig

• Pharmacy Examining Board: Pamela Phillips

• Fox River Navigational System Authority: William Raaths, Robert Stark

• Auctioneer Board: Alan Hager, Byron Krueger

• UW Board of Regents: Jeffrey Bartell, Thomas Loftus, Milton McPike, Christopher Semenas, Thomas Shields, Brent Smith, Michael Spector, Judith VanderMeulen Crain

• Judicial Commission: Michael Miller

• Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission: Susan Bauman

• Medical Examining Board: Carolyn Bronston

• Wisconsin Waterways Commission: Maureen Kinney, James F. Rooney

• Board of Nursing: Gretchen Lowe

• Occupational Therapists Credentialing Board: Deborah McKernan-Ace

• Funeral Directors Examining Board: Brian Smith

Rule Changes Passed by State Senate
Action by the State Senate on Tuesday eliminates the use of paper ballots on bills by Standing Committees “unless necessary in an emergency for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare.” The ability of Senate committee members to vote by paper ballot at the discretion of committee chairs has long been part of the Senate rules but has not been permitted under rules of the Assembly.

This initiative was part of a series of rule changes passed by the State Senate Tuesday which also included the following rule changes:

• Bills will be required to have a public hearing before they can be voted on by the Senate. The rule change was unanimously approved.

• There will be a waiting period between the time when legislation is introduced and when it's eligible for a public hearing

Federal Developments

Kagen Adds Seat on Ag Committee/Members Discuss Effects of Energy Mandates
Wisconsin’s newly elected Rep. Steve Kagen has won a seat on the House Agriculture Committee. Earlier he was appointed to the Transportation Committee.

The Agriculture Committee will be the center of considerable attention throughout 2007 as it updates multi-year legislation generally known as the “Farm Bill.” At the committee’s first hearing this session, members noted the potential role of farmers in reducing dependence on foreign oil, but also expressed the concern of pork and poultry producers over the rising cost of corn-based feed, owing largely to the increasing diversion of corn to ethanol production.

Officials at the Renewable Fuels Association as well as the oil industry are urging lawmakers to wait and see how a production mandate in the 2005 energy bill--requiring the use of 7.5 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2012--is implemented before imposing additional mandates in the Farm Bill. (CongressDaily, Jan. 9, 2007)

Political News

Officials will tweak ethics bill: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan. 11, 2007.

No backup if proposed ethics board were to fail: Wisconsin State Journal, Jan. 11, 2007.

State won't back rate relief in return for mercury pollution cut: Fond du Lac Reporter, Jan. 11, 2007.

Biodiesel plants are set to take off: Wisconsin State Journal, Jan. 10, 2007.

State ethics panel would use ex-judges: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan. 10, 2007.

No road blocks seen for casino: Beloit Daily News, Jan. 10, 2007.

Audit backlog of DNA evidence (opinion): Wisconsin State Journal, Jan. 9, 2007.

Reach a compromise about industrial property tax break (opinion): La Crosse Tribune, Jan. 9, 2007.

31 Doyle appointments confirmed: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan. 9, 2007.

Kagen gets 2nd assignment: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan. 9, 2007.

Area’s lawmakers get committee assignments: La Crosse Tribune, Jan. 8, 2007.

Economic development, taxes top list of legislators' goals: Marshfield News-Herald, Jan. 8, 2007.

Doyle's task: Paying for his programs (opinion): Wausau Daily Herald, Jan. 8, 2007.

Toyota plans to stop drunk drivers: Wisconsin State Journal, Jan. 8, 2007.

Transit backers try a new tack: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan. 7, 2007.

Rail link could reinforce cities' ties: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan. 6, 2007.

New Congress settles in for business: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan. 6, 2007.

State senators: New law needed to protect sensitive information: Janesville Gazette, Jan. 5, 2007.

Rep. Kagen vows to be an independent voice: Appleton Post-Crescent, Jan. 5, 2007.

Obey now in control of House Appropriations: Appleton Post-Crescent, Jan. 5, 2007.

Doyle's lofty ambitions (opinion): Madison Capital Times, Jan. 5, 2007.

Ethanol plants eating too much says study: Janesville Gazette, Jan. 5, 2007.

Bankers optimistic on 2007 economy: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan. 5, 2007.

Road deaths down, but progress still can be made (opinion): Wausau Daily Herald, Jan. 5, 2007.

Robson says Dems working on universal health care plans: Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, Jan. 4, 2007.

Cigarette tax idea is trading one vice for another (opinion): Appleton Post-Crescent, Jan. 4, 2007.

Manure-to-energy plant drawing interest: Manitowoc Herald Times, Jan. 4, 2007.

County considers uses for power line money: Superior Daily Telegram, Jan. 4, 2007.

Fuel for car may be food for trouble: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan. 4, 2007.

Upcoming Fundraisers

Jan. 15

• Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay), Green Bay

Jan. 16

• Sen. Dave Hansen/SSDC, Madison

Jan. 22

• Annette Ziegler - Supreme Court Candidate, Milwaukee

Jan. 24

• Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee), Milwaukee

For details, go to Hamilton Consulting Fundraiser Calendar.