Political Tidbits

Wisconsin political news for clients and colleagues.

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July 8, 2005

On the day following the 4^th of July, a somewhat frustrated Assembly Republican majority agreed to concur in amendments adopted the previous week by the State Senate. The Assembly earlier in the month had passed its version of the state budget without any substantive amendments being tacked on to the proposal crafted by the Joint Committee on Finance.

After more than four months of deliberation, Joint Finance had forwarded a document that Republican leadership in both houses felt came as close as possible to representing a consensus among its members. The Senate could not, however, achieve the necessary 17 votes without allowing some amendments to be adopted. This upset most of the Assembly Republican caucus, many of whom had additional amendments that they would have liked considered. The Assembly was able, however, to avoid further opening the floodgates and reluctantly accepted the Senate’s action, in large measure due to the uncertainty of what would happen if the bill were required to be returned to the Senate. Next stop—Governor Doyle.

The recent passing of former Governor and U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson has left a void among the men and women who have left indelible marks on their states and country. While a partisan and strong advocate for the causes which he espoused, Gaylord Nelson placed friendships and camaraderie with his colleagues (Democrat and Republican), along with devotion to his family, as the highest of his priorities. He will truly be missed. Governor Jim Doyle has announced a memorial service to be held in the State Capitol at 12:15 on Wednesday, July 13. Numerous dignitaries have been invited to attend and participate.

We are expecting several Wisconsin Supreme Court cases to be unveiled over the next week and will devote appropriate space to those decisions in next week’s Tidbits.

Policy Developments

Budget Bill Has Passed the Legislature; Awaits Doyle’s Action
On Tuesday, July 5, the State Assembly voted to concur in amendments adopted last week by the Senate, thus completing the Legislature’s action (except for potential veto override attempts) on the 2005-07 state budget.

While the fiscal year ended on June 30, Wisconsin does have a statutory provision that allows the state to continue operating under the previous budget until the new budget is signed into law. (Minnesota recently failed to enact a “continuing resolution” and state government virtually shut down.) Governor Doyle has the next move as he continues to contemplate his options, including full versus partial vetoes.

For complete texts of the Legislature’s action, please see: Assembly Amendments 32 and 40 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 1, Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 to Assembly Bill 100 [please note that this is an extremely large pdf document- over 1,000 pages] and Senate Amendments 19, 29 and 50 to engrossed AB 100.

Also, please see June 10, June 24 and July 1 Tidbits for additional budget discussions.

All Bills Adopted By Both Houses Go To Governor on August 11
On August 11, 2005, all bills passed to date by both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature, including the state budget bill, are required to be delivered to the Governor for his action, unless the Governor calls for specific bills prior to that date. Once bills are “on the Governor’s desk,” he has six business days (including Saturdays) to act, or the legislation goes into effect without the Governor’s signature. (This contrasts to the President’s pocket veto under the U.S. Constitution.)

While the Governor is certain to take action on all bills before him, especially the budget bill, this process does provide a timeframe in which action is likely to occur.

Eminent Domain Issue to Be Focus of Legislative Attention
In the June 24 Tidbits, we reported on the U.S. Supreme Court Kelo v. City of New London (Connecticut) decision regarding the use of eminent domain by local governments to condemn property for private/economic growth purposes. Not surprisingly, the case has created substantial analysis, debate and discussion.

The Court did state in its discussion that states could enact laws placing restrictions on the powers that the Court held were not restricted by the U.S. Constitution. Members of both Houses of the Wisconsin Legislature, as well as members of Congress, are circulating proposed bill drafts, and we can anticipate that this will be a major focus in the months ahead.

Governor Doyle Signs Drug Repository Expansion
On Tuesday, July 5, Governor Doyle signed AB 197 as 2005 Wisconsin Act 16, which expands Wisconsin’s cancer drug repository to include prescription drugs and supplies for other chronic diseases. In April 2004, Governor Doyle signed legislation that created a cancer drug repository for unused cancer drugs and supplies. On Friday, July 1, 2005 that program went into effect.

UW System Board of Regents Increases In-state Tuition
By a vote of 10-6, the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents has approved an operating budget that calls for a tuition increase of 6.9 percent for resident undergraduate students.

The hike will amount to increases of $364 at UW-Madison and $356 at UW-Milwaukee for the 2005-06 academic year. UW officials said the increase, which totals more than $36 million in 2005-'06, was required to pay for utilities and for salaries and fringe benefits for university faculty and staff. Several regents said that the increases were required due to cuts in state funding for the UW System.

Wisconsin Politics

Sheila Harsdorf Not Running for Lieutenant Governor
State Senator Sheila Harsdorf announced yesterday that she will not be seeking the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor in 2006. Senator Harsdorf had given serious consideration to seeking the post, but determined that the timing was not right for her to pursue the nomination.

Political News

UW regents raise in-state tuition: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 8, 2005.

Doyle vows to find money for schools: Appleton Post-Crescent, July 7, 2005.

Doyle Won't Be Shy About Budget Veto: Wisconsin State Journal, July 7, 2005.

Veto of entire budget seen as unlikely: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 7, 2005.

Governor should veto precisely rather than broadly (opinion): Sheboygan Press, July 7, 2005.

Detroit's Big Three accelerate summer selling spree: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 7, 2005.

Job cuts on the rise, reports say: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 7, 2005.

Northern Wisconsin business owners win fight over sign law: Janesville Gazette, July 7, 2005.

Drug program to help uninsured: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 7, 2005.

American Red Cross foresees blood shortage: Marshfield News Herald, July 7, 2005.

Budget moves to Doyle’s desk: Green Bay Press-Gazette, July 6, 2005.