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Feb. 3, 2006
The Legislature
completed the first leg of its abbreviated 2006 scheduled floor
activity. The Legislature will return on February 21st
for three very intense weeks of what is expected to be the
conclusion of the “regular” activity for the 2005-06 Legislative
Session. Both Houses are scheduled to return the last week of
April and the first week in May to address potential veto
overrides. The rest of the year will be devoted to re-election
campaigns, interim study committees aimed at developing high
profile legislation for next session, and review of the state’s
economy in preparation for the 2007 budget session.
Circumstances can of course
dictate a change in the schedule and the Governor has the power to call
legislators into a “special Session,” or legislators can call themselves
back into “Extraordinary Session.”
As we prepare for the end
of the regular session, we commend two upcoming events for your
consideration:
The Governor’s Conference
on Economic Development, produced by the
Wisconsin
Economic Development Association (WEDA) and sponsored by numerous
Wisconsin businesses and statewide associations. The Conference will take place
February 8 to 10 at the Monona Terrace in
Madison. For
more information please go to the WEDA website at
www.weda.org or call the WEDA office at 608-255-5666.
Business Day in
Madison,
produced by Wisconsin
Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) and co-sponsored by many statewide
associations, businesses and chambers of commerce. Business will be held
at the Monona Terrace in Madison on February 22. For more information:
www.wmc.org or 608-254-3400.
Policy Developments
Republicans Outline Spring Agenda
On Monday, January 30, Assembly Republicans
outlined their 2006 Agenda, as “tax
relief, improving access to affordable health care, and initiatives to
create jobs and grow the state’s economy.” The Agenda includes bills to
eliminate the state’s death and capital gains taxes. Other proposals
included in the Agenda:
-
The
Taxpayer Protection Amendment, limiting taxing and spending at all levels
of government; allowing the state to prioritize spending on education,
health care and improving the economy.
-
A
sales tax exemption for equipment used to expand broadband Internet access
in the state.
-
A
series of proposals to “address rising medical costs.”
-
A
proposal to provide incentives to “attract new physicians to underserved
rural areas of Wisconsin.”
Later in the week, Assembly Republicans gave
specifics during a news conference on their agenda items for the Spring
2006 session.
Senate Republicans
unveiled their legislative spring agenda
on Wednesday, February 1, saying that they will “reflect what folks are
talking about around their kitchen tables, including taxes and spending,
health care, energy and jobs.” In addition to agreeing to fully consider a
Constitutional amendment to limit spending (The Taxpayer Protection
Amendment), the Senate Republican agenda includes:
-
Price and quality transparency in health care as well as Health savings
Accounts.
-
Energy initiatives including renewables and an overhaul of the public
benefits program
-
A
pension income tax exemption.
-
Various jobs and economic development incentive proposals..
Update on Civil Justice Proposals
The Senate had scheduled veto override votes on two high-profile civil
justice bills –
SB-58, relating to changes in product
liability law in Wisconsin, and
SB-402 (the Jobs Preservation Act), which
relates to manufacturer and seller liability, in response to last year’s
Thomas decision.
Both
bills were referred to the Senate Committee on Organization for scheduling
at a later date unless some meaningful compromise position can be worked out
with the Administration. Both bills had been passed by the Legislature as
part of a high priority effort to respond to the liability crisis, created,
in part, by several Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions last year. The
Governor has vetoed all “civil justice reform” bills that have reached his
office to date.
The
Senate on Tuesday amended and passed
SB-447, relating to changing the standard
for the award of punitive damages, in response to one of the above
referenced cases. The amendment provides that one-half of all punitive
damage awards be paid into the Wisconsin school fund.
AB-843, a companion bill to SB-447 passed
the Senate last week, but without the school fund amendment.
The
Senate advanced
SB-425, which would place limits on the
Attorney General’s power to use “nuisance theory” to sue Wisconsin
businesses who are otherwise fully in compliance with laws and regulations.
On a procedural move, Democrats prevented a final vote this week, and the
matter will be in the Senate on February 21.
Midwife
Licensure Bill Passes Legislature
On Tuesday, Jan.
31, the Legislature passed
SB-477, adopting Senate amendments
1,
2, and
3. A requirement to carry medical malpractice insurance was not included
in the bill. Gov. Jim Doyle is expected to sign the legislation.
Other Legislative Action this Week
SB-501. Damages for frivolous claims. Am. 1 adopted, voice vote.
Passed the Senate,19-13.(The companion bill,
AB-855, passed the Assembly last week.)
The
following executive action was taken by the Senate Agriculture and Insurance
Committee:
AB-15. Ethanol requirements for auto gas. Sub. 1 (LRBs0449) not
recommended, 2-4. Sen. Am. (LRBa2199) recommended 5-1. Passage as amended
recommended, 4-2.
Wisconsin
Politics
Doyle’s Press Secretary Joins
Campaign
Melanie Fonder, press secretary in Gov. Doyle’s office, has
joined the Doyle re-election campaign as press secretary. She
began her new duties on Jan. 30.
Federal Developments
New House Majority Leader Wins in
Upset
In an upset on Thursday, Rep. John A. Boehner of Ohio has
become the new House Majority leader after defeating Rep. Roy
Blunt of Missouri. Blunt, the interim majority leader, lost on a
second ballot, 122 to 109.
Political News
Huebsch seeks to lift state ban on nuclear power: La Crosse Tribune,
Feb. 3, 2006.
Growth, pollution threaten nation's coastlines: Manitowoc Herald
Times, Feb. 3, 2006.
Booster
seat law expanded: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 3, 2006.
Make kids safer while riding in car (opinion): Sheboygan Press, Feb.
3, 2006.
Doyle
returns $10,000 tied to company seeking state aid: Janesville
Gazette, Feb. 2, 2006.
GOP lawmakers to release retooled, renamed 'TABOR': Racine Journal
Times, Feb. 2, 2006.
Wisconsin makes economic honor roll: Wisconsin State Journal, Feb.
2, 2006.
Dems delay 'unfair' lawsuit bill opposed by AG: Madison Capital
Times, Feb.2, 2006.
Bill could stir fiscal windfall: Wisconsin State Journal, Feb. 1,
2006.
Assembly
Democrats drawn into caucus scandal: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
Feb. 1, 2006.
Override
fails on weapons veto: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 1, 2006.
Doyle
leads pack in funds: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 1, 2006.
Report card
praises Wisconsin economy, but comes with warning: Wisconsin
Technology Network, Jan. 31, 2006.
Legislature OKs bill creating certification for midwives but not
malpractice insurance: La Crosse Tribune, Feb. 1, 2006.
Doyle
kills travel contract: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan. 31, 2006.
GOP unveils 2006 agenda: La Crosse Tribune, Jan. 31, 2006.
Goodwill continues to flow at Red Cross blood drives: Baraboo News
Herald, Jan. 31, 2006.
Poultry markets may pose bird flu threat: Marshfield News Herald, Jan. 31,
2006.
Gas cost
jumps as much as 25 cents: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan. 30,
2006.
Bill
calls for more renewables: Janesville Gazette, Jan. 30, 2006.
Achievement gap growing, study says: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
Jan. 30, 2006.
School
shortfall shows state cap on revenue works (opinion): Janesville
Gazette, Jan. 29, 2006.
Upcoming Fundraisers
Feb. 7
-
Rep. Sheldon Wasserman (D-Milwaukee),
Milwaukee
-
Scott Walker (R) gubernatorial
candidate, Milwaukee
Feb. 8
Feb. 9
Feb. 11
Feb. 18
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