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May 10,  2004

Since our last edition, Gov. Jim Doyle has completed action on all bills that were before him from the 2003-04 Legislative Session. In all, the governor has signed 317 bills into law, ten with partial vetoes. In addition, the governor has vetoed 52 bills in full. (According to the Wheeler Report, this is the highest number of bills vetoed in full since the 1963 Session of the Wisconsin Legislature.) Below we have highlighted the governor’s action since our last report.

The Legislature has a scheduled Veto Session on May 11 and 12, although no agenda for attempted veto overrides has been released. The Assembly announced late Friday that it will put off any veto override floor action until Wednesday, May 19. The Senate and Assembly leadership also agreed on Friday to schedule an Extraordinary Session for May 19^th on health care issues. The long anticipated Extraordinary Session to address a proposed Constitutional amendment to limit the growth of government spending has not been scheduled, but discussions and negotiations are ongoing. 

Tidbits will report on any additional legislative action as well as the approval and appointment of interim legislative study committees, and will provide a wrap-up of the highlights of the 2003-04 Session. We will also continue to focus on retirements, challengers, and key legislative races in this important election year.

Policy Developments

Final Gubernatorial Action
Governor Doyle has completed action on all bills before him. Following are highlights of the Governor's action since the last edition of Political Tidbits.

Signed into law:

• SB 372 (Act 281) relating to patient health care records.

• AB 254 (Act 283) relating to revisions and additions to condominium law.

• AB 195 (Act 288) relating to tax warrants and liens on property.

• AB 554 (Act 290) relating to declarations to physicians regarding life-sustaining measures and powers of attorney for health care.

• AB 730 (Act 293) relating to the acquisition of in-state banks and in-state holding companies.

• AB 755 (Act 294) relating to electronic transactions and records.

• AB 925 (Act 295) relating to enforcement on the one-family and two-family dwelling code in certain cities.

• SB 3 (Act 297) relating to the specialized transportation assistance program.

• SB 446 (Act 302) relating to vehicle protection product warranties.

• SB 504 (Act 304) relating to life insurance contract exemptions from law suits.

• AB 306 (Act 306 ) relating to writing bad checks.

• AB 728 (Act 307) relating to comprehensive planning to local governmental units.

• AB 732 (Act 308) relating to non-metallic mining reclamation financial assurances.

• AB 926 (Act 310) relating to regulation of high capacity wells.

• SB 87 (Act 317) relating to limiting authority of cities and villages to annex territory.

• SB 155 (Act 311) relating to hybrid vehicles.

• SB 471 (Act 314) relating to the brownfield revolving loan program.

• SB 472 (Act 315) relating to private insurance for environmental cleanups.

Vetoed:

• AB 131 relating to the duration of the effect of emergency rules.

• AB 411 relating to an exemption from requirements for nonmetallic mining reclamation.

• AB 423 relating to changes in liability for damages caused by dogs.

• AB 516 relating to an exemption from the requirement to obtain an air pollution construction permit for certain equipment at a nonmetallic mineral processing facility.

• AB 551 relating to subjecting a county development plan to town board approval.

• AB 735 relating to strategic energy assessments.

• AB 858 relating to municipal and county ability to eliminate certain non-conforming buildings or premises.

• SB 8 relating to withholding certain security information from public inspection.

• SB 218 relating to corporate boards.

• SB 322 relating to the definition of a group health benefit plan.

Veto Session scheduled for May 11, 12 & 19
In addition to addressing full and partial vetoes on which the Legislature has not yet acted (see some highlights below), the Legislature will act on several bills relating to technical changes developed by the Revisor of Statutes, a contract with a state employees’ bargaining unit, and several gubernatorial appointments (Senate only). Should the Assembly vote to override any Assembly bills on the 19^th, the Senate would likely reconvene to have an override vote in its house. (Veto override attempts must begin in the house of origin, i.e., Assembly bills in the Assembly and Senate bills in the Senate, and a successful override requires a 2/3 vote in each house.)

Extraordinary Session on Health Care
The Legislature is also planning to call an Extraordinary Session on health care to consider:

• Adoption of a bill to authorize appropriation changes to respond to federal objections involving the request for additional funds for the Medicaid program, expected to net the state approximately $70 million, including $17 million in community services debt reduction benefit hold harmless provisions.

• Adoption of federal law relating to health savings accounts for state income and franchise tax purposes.

• Creation of an individual income tax subtract modification for amounts spent on medical insurance premiums by certain individuals.

It is not clear whether or not other health care related issues will be included in the Extraordinary Session.

Selected full vetoes not yet addressed by the Legislature

• SB 49 relating to expert opinion evidence in civil cases.

• SB 218 relating to various changes to business corporation governance laws.

• SB 322 relating to the definition of a group health benefit plan.

• SB 384 & SB 451 relating to the establishment and funding of the technical college Wisconsin Advantage Jobs Training Program.

• AB 411 relating to an exemption from requirements for nonmetallic mining reclamation.

• AB 423 relating to liability for damages caused by dogs.

• AB 516 relating to an exemption from the requirement to obtain an air pollution construction permit for certain equipment at a nonmetallic mineral processing facility.

• AB 595 relating to civil liability exemptions for claims resulting from weight gain and obesity.

• AB 633 relating to state preemption of local living wage ordinances.

• AB 735 relating to strategic energy assessments.

Partial veto

• AB 508 relating to refundable tax credits for the various zone programs.

TABOR - “The Wisconsin Plan”
Assembly and Senate Republicans have continued to debate (in closed caucuses and some public statements) issues surrounding a possible constitutional amendment to impose limits on the growth of government spending. Legislative leaders hope to achieve a consensus in order to have “first consideration” approved in an Extraordinary Session prior to June 1. That target date appears to be optimistic at this writing. By law, the Legislature has until August 1 to approve a proposed constitutional amendment to qualify as the first of two required legislative approvals. To amend the Constitution, the proposed amendment must be approved in identical form by two consecutive sessions of the Legislature prior to submission to the public for final approval or rejection.

WisconsinEye
Two legislative standing committees met recently to address issues relating to WisconsinEye, a privately funded project that would place cameras in the Capitol to broadcast legislative hearings, floor debate and possibly, Court proceedings. The Assembly Committee on Electronic Democracy and Government Reform and the Senate Committee on Transportation and Information Infrastructure are charged with negotiating a contract with the WisconsinEye group. That was not accomplished at the meeting, and the issues of who controls the camera and who controls the content of the broadcast remain unresolved. The parties involved are hoping that all issues can be resolved in time for this C-SPAN style project to be ready by January 2005, the start of the next legislative session.

Red Cross & the PGA Championship
The American Red Cross is staffing all concession stands during the 2004 PGA Golf Championship to be held at Whistling Straits, just north of Sheboygan. Hundreds of volunteers are still needed. Those interested in volunteering should contact the Sheboygan County Chapter, American Red Cross at (920) 457-7793 or chapter@redcrossssheboygan.org.

Wisconsin Politics

Elections / Assembly
All 99 seats in the Wisconsin State Assembly are up for re-election this year. As with any re-election cycle, there are retirements from the Legislature, creating open seats, as well as opposite party challengers, especially those districts deemed to be “swing” or competitive seats.

This week we are listing the seats that will be vacant due to retirements from the Legislature. In the next issue, we will begin to identify contestants in open seats and challengers to incumbents. Candidates have until June 1 to file their candidacy with the State Elections Board.

• Rep. Larry Balow (D-Eau Claire) will not seek re-election to the 68^th Assembly District. Rep. Balow has been a member of the State Assembly since 1998.

• Rep. Mickey Foti (R-Oconomowoc), currently Assembly Majority Leader, announced earlier this year that he will not seek re-election to the 38^th Assembly District. He was first elected to the State Assembly in 1982.

• Rep. Tom Hebl (D-Sun Prairie) announced he is vacating his seat to run for the 16^th Senate District, currently held by Sen. Chuck Chvala. Rep. Hebl has served the 46^th Assembly District since 1996.

• Rep. Greg Huber (D-Wausau) will resign from the 85^th Assembly District effective May 31. Rep. Huber, who has served in the State Assembly since 1988, was elected Marathon County Circuit Court judge in the spring election.

• Rep. DuWayne Johnsrud (R-Eastman) announced that he will not seek re-election. Rep. Johnsrud has served the 96^th Assembly District since 1984.

• Rep. Shirley Krug (D-Milwaukee) announced a run for the 4^th Congressional Seat, which forces her to vacate her Assembly seat. Rep. Krug has served the 12^th Assembly District since 1984.

• Rep. Bonnie Ladwig (R-Racine) will not seek re-election to the 63^rd Assembly District. Rep. Ladwig has served that district since 1992.

• Rep. Mark Miller (D-Monona) will seek the 16^th Senate District seat, giving up the 48^th Assembly District. He has served that district since 1998.

• Rep. Luther Olsen (R-Berlin) will seek election to the 14^th Senate District. Rep. Olsen has served the 41^st Assembly District since 1994.

• Rep. Mike Powers (R-Albany) announced on April 9 that he will not seek re-election to the 80^th Assembly seat. Rep. Powers has been elected since 1994.

• Rep. Wayne Wood (D-Janesville) announced he will not run for another term for the 44^th Assembly district. Rep. Wood has served that district since 1976.

Political News

Legislator renews push for property tax freeze: May 10, 2004.

Safety advocates say roads still too deadly: Wausau Daily Herald, May 10, 2004.

Genisio leaves Assembly race: Appleton Post-Crescent, May 9, 2004.

GOP tries new tack on property tax 'freeze': Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 9, 2004.

Republican Senate hopefuls fine-tune election rhetoric: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 9, 2004.

Stay focused on economic growth (opinion): Wisconsin State Journal, May 8, 2004.

Perception meets reality in job gains: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 8, 2004.

U.S. cracks down on some state wells as DNR lags: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 8, 2004.

Contractor regrets asbestos mess: Janesville Gazette, May 8, 2004.

Lazich bucks Republicans, opposes taxpayer bill of rights: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 7, 2004.

Budget to focus on health, Doyle vows: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 7, 2004.

54th Assembly race down to Dem, Green: Oshkosh Northwestern, May 7, 2004.

Health groups join tax limit foes: Madison Capital Times, May 7, 2004.

Doyle pitches better health care for kids: Appleton Post-Crescent, May 7, 2004.

Region requires plan to combat ozone pollution (opinion): Manitowoc Herald Times, May 7, 2004.

2 power plants' emissions in top 50: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 6, 2004.

Doyle calls for in-home visits for new parents: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 6, 2004. 

State tops Midwest in job growth: Madison Capital Times, May 5, 2004.

Interest grows in midwives: Oshkosh Northwestern, May 4, 2004.

Business group, employee unions differ on Taxpayer Bill of Rights: Oshkosh Northwestern, May 3, 2004.

Dueling radio ads set on plan to limit spending: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 3, 2004.

Local government revenue from user fees up in Wisconsin: Oshkosh Northwestern, May 3, 2004.

The EPA should stand fast (opinion): Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 3, 2004.

8 counties fail air pollution test: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 3, 2004.

Bankruptcy ruling affects taxpayers: Appleton Post-Crescent, May 1, 2004.

Papermakers confront global competitors: Appleton Post-Crescent, May 1, 2004.

Upcoming Fundraisers

Monday, May 10

• U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D), Madison, 5:00 p.m.

• Rep. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa), Wauwatosa, 5:30

• David Steffan (R) 30th Senate Dist. Candidate, Green Bay, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 11

• Russ Darrow (R) U.S. Senate Candidate, West Bend, 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, May 13

• Sen. Bob Welch (R) U.S. Senate Candidate, Washington, D.C., 12:00 p.m.

• Sen. Mary Panzer (R-West Bend) and Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), Milwaukee, 5:00 p.m.

Friday, May 14

• Senate Democratic Campaign Committee, Waunakee, 11:00 a.m.

Sunday, May 16

• Rep. Mark Honadel (R-South Milwaukee) South Milwaukee, 3:00 p.m.

Monday, May 17

• Rep. Sue Jeskewitz (R-Menomonee Falls), Hubertus, 5:00 p.m.

• Tom Tiffany (R) 12th Senate Dist. Candidate, Madison, 5:00 p.m.

• Rep. Frank Lasee (R-Green Bay), Green Bay, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 18

• Rep. Frank Lasee (R-Green Bay), Two Rivers, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 19

• Rep. Phil Montgomery (R-Green Bay), Madison, 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 20

• Sen. Bob Wirch (D-Kenosha), Racine, 4:00 p.m.

• Committee to Elect a Republican Senate, Madison, 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 22

• Sen. Bob Wirch (D-Kenosha), Kenosha, 4:00 p.m.

Click here for more information and additional fundraisers.