Previous issues of Political Tidbits can be found at Tidbits Archive.
Click here to begin your free subscription.

April 18, 2005

The Wisconsin Legislature has taken a break from floor action on legislation while the Joint Committee on Finance begins the process of voting on items for inclusion in the State budget. The two Houses will return for floor debate on May 3^rd. In the meantime, standing committees are conducting public hearings and voting on bills and amendments for consideration by the full Legislature later this spring and fall. As previously reported, however, the bulk of the attention between now and July will focus on the budget debate. We will continue to monitor and report on key developments including the budget and free-standing issues.

Policy Developments

Senate Approves Photo ID Legislation with Bipartisan Support
On Wednesday, April 13, the Senate voted 21-12 in favor of a bill that would require Wisconsin’s voters to present a valid photo ID before voting. Amendments proposed by Democrats were rejected on party lines.

Assembly Bill 63 was re-introduced this session after the Governor vetoed a similar measure last session. Supporters believe the bill is necessary to restore integrity of the election system, particularly in light of the voter fraud issues in the November 2004 election. Opponents argue that the bill will suppress the voting rights of minorities, the elderly, and students. The bill now heads to the Governor's desk.

Minimum Wage Bill Approved
Last Wednesday, April 13, the state Senate approved by a 19 to 14 vote, a bill that would pre-empt local municipalities from setting their own minimum wages. Despite this move, the City of La Crosse on Thursday joined Madison and Milwaukee in setting minimum wage higher than the statewide $5.15 per hour. The city council voted for an increase to $5.70 as of Dec. 1, 2005, and to $6.50 per hour as of Dec. 1, 2006.

If passed in the Assembly, this bill (SB 147) faces a likely veto from Governor Doyle unless there is some agreement to increase the current state rate.

Joint Finance Agenda
The Joint Committee on Finance will begin voting on the budget bill this week, with its first executive action scheduled for 1:30 on Tuesday, April 19. The Committee will also meet in executive session beginning at 9:00 on April 20. (Agenda) The Committee will not meet on Thursday of this week as previously expected.

The TABOR Proposed Constitutional Amendment to be Introduced
State Representative Frank Lasee has announced his intention to again introduce a proposal to amend the Wisconsin Constitution which is aimed at controlling the growth of government spending.

Job Creation Act
The State Assembly last week approved two bills targeted at expanding the state’s economic environment.  The Assembly voted 73-25 to approve the regulatory measure (AB 277) relating to pollution control permits and 56-40 to pass the proposal aimed primarily at litigation reform (AB 278). AB 277, a technical trailer bill to Job Creation Act I, clears up some legal ambiguities and directs the Department of Administration to develop a report on regulatory barriers to manufacturing. AB 278, referred to as Job Creation Act II, addresses increased standards for expert witnesses and testimony, shareholder liability and restrictions on “nuisance’ lawsuits.

The bills were sent to the state Senate for action, which is expected in May.

Rural Enterprise Development Zones and R & D Credits
The Assembly also passed two other pieces of economic development legislation, but not without controversy. AB 208, relating to the creation of Rural Enterprise Development Zones, passed with some bi-partisan support, 65-33. AB 206, which would provide income and franchise tax credits for research conducted in Wisconsin by Wisconsin corporations, also passed (59-36) but only after being amended to deny credit for research in creating new stem cell lines or human cloning.

The amendment was far more controversial than the bill, and Governor Doyle has said he will veto the bill if that amendment stays. Both measures have been referred to the Senate for action by that body.

Wisconsin Politics

Walker Campaign Tour
Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker announced several components of his campaign for Governor while visiting the state Capital last week, including:

• Instituting a four year property tax freeze

• Passing the Taxpayers Bill of Rights

• Exempting Social Security Income from state taxation

• Removing pensions and other retirement income from state taxation

• Providing 100 percent deductibility for individual health insurance premiums and providing a state tax deduction for the purchase of high deductible plans purchased along with Health Savings Accounts.

Congressman Green Assembling Support Across the State
Meanwhile, U. S. Representative Mark Green has been assembling a team of supporters throughout Wisconsin for his expected entry into the 2006 gubernatorial race on the Republican side.

Political News

Passport rule overdue border security measure (opinion): Appleton Post-Crescent, Apr. 18, 2005.

Revised tax limit amendment draws legislative leaders' support: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Apr. 17, 2005.

Walker: Cut Taxes And Limit Spending: Wisconsin State Journal, Apr. 16, 2005.

Minimum Wage Boost Approved: Wisconsin State Journal, Apr. 16, 2005.

State Fish Eaters Have Unsafe Mercury Levels: Wisconsin State Journal, Apr. 16, 2005.

State panel OKs plan for funding voter list: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Apr. 15, 2005.

Where's gas tax outrage? (opinion): Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Apr. 15, 2005.

Bills aim to control birth control: Sheboygan Press, Apr. 15, 2005.

Doyle veto awaits bill on Voter ID: Appleton Post-Crescent, Apr. 14, 2005.

GOP legislator reintroduces so-called Taxpayer Bill of Rights: La Crosse Tribune, Apr. 14, 2005.

Senate OKs bill to block cities from raising higher minimum wages: Janesville Gazette, Apr. 14, 2005.

Joining lawsuit makes statement (opinion): Ashland Daily Press, Apr. 14, 2005.

More aggressive plan needed to limit mercury (opinion): Racine Journal Times, Apr. 14, 2005.

Doyle to Veto Gop Tax Credit Plan Proposal: Wisconsin State Journal, Apr. 14, 2005.

Western Wisconsin booming: Beloit Daily News, Apr 14, 2005.

Tourism secretary: Columbia County is Wisconsin: Portage Daily Register, Apr. 14, 2005.

Assembly OKs bill on enhanced tax credits: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Apr. 13, 2005.

Budget committee to strip 21 items from budget, including QEO: Janesville Gazette, Apr. 13, 2005.

Senate bans state, federal money for prisoner sex changes: Janesville Gazette, Apr. 13, 2005.

Assembly passes air regulations overhaul, public nuisance suit reductions: Janesville Gazette, Apr. 13, 2005.

State tax on HMOs another risk for consumers (opinion): Appleton Post-Crescent, Apr. 13, 2005.

Doyle backs stem cell use: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Apr. 13, 2005.

Cloned cattle identical to regular: Fond du Lac Reporter, Apr. 12, 2005.

Mortgage fraud takes heavy toll: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Apr. 11, 2005.

Doyle names new head of regulation, licensing: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Apr. 10, 2005.

High gasoline prices drive demand for smaller cars: Marshfield News Herald, Apr. 10, 2005.

Upcoming Fundraisers

Tuesday, April 19

• Rep. Phil Montgomery (R-Green Bay), De Pere

Monday, April 25

• U. S. Rep. Ron Kind (D), La Crosse

• U.S. Rep. Mark Green (R), Milwaukee

Thursday, April 28

• Sen. Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield), Madison