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May 26, 2006
On the advent of
Memorial Day weekend, we are presenting an abbreviated version of
Tidbits that highlights bills of interest signed by the
Governor over the past couple of weeks.
There are still of number of bills pending that have yet to be
acted on by the Governor. Those not acted on by May 31
automatically become law. Bills that had not passed both houses by
the end of the legislative session are now considered “dead.”
We
will report on the remainder of bills next week and thereafter will
concentrate on news related to the fall elections.
Have a great holiday weekend!
Policy Developments
Gov. Doyle Signs Bills/Expected to
Veto Gaming Oversight
Gov. Doyle is expected to veto legislation that would give
lawmakers authority over new off-reservation casinos and would
establish new rules for piers on Wisconsin waterways.
Sources close to the Capitol report that the Legislature will be in session
next week to address the expected vetoes.
Following are bills of interest recently signed into law.
SB-99 (Act
442): Promotes timely resolutions to court proceedings by decreasing
the response time for pleadings, such as a complaint in a civil action, to
twenty days.
SB-103 (Act
452): Income/franchise tax credit for research and research
facilities.
SB-358 (Act
450): Establishes a prohibition on charging excessive prices during a
period of declared emergency.
SB-524 (Act
457): Creates a building inspector review board.
SB-546 (Act
418): Changes current brownfields laws to provide the state with
ability to better monitor the site’s contamination, minimize risk, take
advantage of tax incentives for redevelopment, and better coordinate with
local governments.
SB-616 (Act
421): The Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act, creating an
electronic recording council.
AB-856 (Act
440): Authorizes the villages of Sister Bay and Ephraim to become
premier resort areas, increasing revenues for the villages and promoting
development of the tourism industry.
AB-958 (Act
459): Provides civil liability exemptions for assistance as the result
of an emergency.
AB-967 (Act
465): Maintenance and removal of vegetation obstructing the view of
certain outdoor advertising signs.
AB-1186 (Act
441): Authorizes the creation of a new type of business organization,
called an unincorporated cooperative association (UCA).
Wisconsin
Politics
Endorsement of Mark Green for
Governor Energizes GOP at Convention
Republicans from across the state gathered in Appleton May
19-21 for the party's state convention. Following an enthusiastic
endorsement by former Gov. Tommy Thompson, U.S. Rep. Mark Green,
R-Green Bay, accepted the party’s “nomination” for Governor.
Green, who was elected to U.S. Congress in 1998 after serving as a state
representative and chair of the Judiciary Committee, emerged as the party's
sole candidate for governor earlier this year after Milwaukee County
Executive Scott Walker dropped out of the race and endorsed Green.
Green
will face Gov. Jim Doyle, who was elected to a four-year term in 2002, in
the general election Nov. 7. Recent state and national polls indicate that
this will be a very close, competitive race and will be one of the most
closely watched races for governor in the country. Throughout the summer and
early fall, Tidbits will provide background information on the
candidates and highlight major issues and their respective positions on
those issues and their approaches to governing.
At a
straw poll held by WisPolitics.com at the convention, J.B. Van Hollen was
favored for attorney general over primary opponent Paul Bucher, Tommy
Thompson for U.S. Senate and George Allen (over close rivals Rudy Giuliani
and Condi Rice) for President. Neither Thompson nor Allen is an announced
candidate.
The
winner of the VanHollen/Bucher primary in September will face either
incumbent Peg Luatenschlager or Kathleen Falk, who will be squaring off in
the Democratic primary for attorney general. Tidbits will begin its
election year coverage with biographies and background information on the
four candidates for attorney general in early June. Both AG primaries are
being hotly contested and will be the most prominent races for their
respective party nominations in September.
Wisconsin Women in Government Host Annual Banquet
Christine Todd Whitman spoke at
Wisconsin Women in Government's annual fund-raising dinner this week,
saying politics on both sides is too extreme. Whitman is New Jersey’s first
woman governor and former Bush Administration Environmental Protection
Agency Administrator.
WWIG
holds the annual dinner each year to fund a scholarship program for women
interested in pursuing careers in government.
Political News
Casino bill is veto-bound: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 26,
2006.
Bishops ask Doyle to reverse stand on stem cells: Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel, May 25, 2006.
Survey predicts strong local economy in 2006: Manitowoc Herald Times,
May 25, 2006.
Local tourism hits home run with NCAA tourney: Wisconsin Rapids Daily
Tribune, May 25, 2006.
Industry group: State top paper producer: Appleton Post-Crescent, May
24, 2006.
Stay focused on the needs of industries (opinion): Janesville Gazette,
May 23, 2006.
Lawmakers from state vary in wealth: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 22,
2006.
Tourists spend more in central Wisconsin: Wausau Daily Herald, May 22,
2006.
Report digs into gas price variables: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May
22, 2006.
Party rallies behind Green: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 21, 2006.
Green solidifies his GOP support: Appleton Post-Crescent, May 21, 2006.
Republican candidates eye race for 8th district: Appleton Post-Crescent,
May 21, 2006.
State Republicans ramp up political push: Appleton Post-Crescent, May
20, 2006.
GOP chair: '06 vote is key ': Madison Capital Times, May 20, 2006.
'Dump Doyle' resounding cry as convention opens: Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel, May 20, 2006.
Supreme Court: Basler didn't violate markup law: Oshkosh Northwestern,
May 20, 2006.
Dane County power plan draws resistance: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May
20, 2006.
Run, Tommy, run ... for U.S. Senate (opinion): Tomah Journal, May 19,
2006.
Upcoming Fundraisers
May 31
-
U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (R), Sheboygan
-
U.S. Rep. Mark Green (R), Green Bay
June 1
June 6
-
Sen. Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield),
Madison
-
JB Van Hollen (R) AG candidate,
Madison
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