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July 22, 2005
The Governor has announced he will
sign the budget bill on Monday, July 25, laying to rest any
speculation of a complete veto. The Governor is expected, however,
to make liberal use of his line-item veto power, probably the most
comprehensive and powerful in the country. We will report on the
Governor’s veto actions early next week.
Recent decisions by the Wisconsin Supreme Court and legislative responses
thereto are likely to move to the top of the agenda when the Legislature
reconvenes in the third week of September. As covered in last week’s
Tidbits, the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned the caps on noneconomic
damages in medical malpractice cases and expanded the “risk-contribution,”
Court- adopted theory regarding recovery of damages without direct proof of
liability in a lead paint case. Earlier this year, the Court also
re-interpreted the standards for punitive damages that had been adopted by
the Legislature in the 1995 legislative session, the same session in which
the Legislature adopted the caps in medical malpractice cases. Expect these
to be very high-profile issues in the months ahead.
The U.S. Supreme Court has not gone unnoticed and its eminent domain
decision has drawn much attention throughout the land. The decision and
current law and practices in Wisconsin are being examined, and public policy
debate on property rights issues and economic development is expected to be
part of the Legislature’s upcoming agenda.
Policy Developments
Governor Doyle Signs Bill Re Conveyance for
Transmission Lines
AB-437, which requires
the conveyance of publicly-owned property to a public utility for
construction of transmission lines, was signed by Governor Doyle
this week as
2005 Wisconsin Act 24. The bill introduced, at least in part,
because of the Douglas County Board’s refusal to negotiate on the
proposed power line route. The Board has recently indicated its
willingness to negotiate but the legislation was deemed necessary
to avoid potential future delays and added costs in this and other
projects where action may be warranted following a Certificate of
Public Convenience and Necessity by the Public service Commission.
Doyle to Sign Budget on Monday
The Governor will sign the budget bill (AB-100) at 11 a.m. on Monday, July
25, at the Executive Residence.
The
Governor
has announced that when he signs the budget, he will veto: provisions
that would require the Stewardship fund to expend an estimated nearly $80
million to purchase land that the state already owns and protects; that
would repeal the Smart Growth program; and, that would cut the tipping fee
on out-of-state garbage by 25 percent, keeping the fee at its current level.
Further, Doyle
has announced that he will use his veto pen to restore $8 million of the
$11 million increase he proposed in his budget for University of Wisconsin
System financial aid.
"I
have come to the conclusion that with my partial veto power, I can make
significant improvements to that budget... certainly more than could be made
by prolonging the process," Doyle said. He said the bill he signs into law
"will be a very different budget from the one I received from the
Legislature."
Gov.
Doyle also announced that he was able to use his veto pen to expand the
Enterprise Development Zone Tax Credits program and make available $120
million in existing tax credits. He further stated that the budget will
include a $400,000 investment in a new dental clinic at the Marshfield
Clinic in Chippewa Falls; and that he will veto a budget provision directing
the sale of state-owned power plants and wastewater treatment facilities by
April 1, 2007.
Legislative Hearings
Assembly Colleges and Universities, 10 am, Tue, July 26, 225-NW
AB-387. Eligibility of a person
enrolled in a program that confers a master's degree in nursing for a loan
under the Nursing Student Loan Program. (Hearing and possible Executive
Session.)
Cord Blood Bill Recommended by Senate Committee
On Thursday, July 21,
Assembly Bill 270, was unanimously
recommended for passage by the Senate Health, Children, Families, Aging and
Long Term Care Committee. Quarterback Jim Kelly of the NFL Buffalo Bills has
formed a foundation called Hunter’s Hope, a national organization that
supports cord blood treatment. At the public hearing Jim Kelly provided a
video tape message supporting the bill.
Under
this legislation pre-natal health-care providers will inform pregnant women
of the option to donate their cord blood for free. The bill, as amended in
the Assembly Health Committee, provides that no person may be held civilly
liable for failure to comply, or for complying, with the requirement to
provide the information.
Wisconsin
Politics
Justice Crooks to Seek Re-election
Wisconsin
Supreme Court Justice Pat Crooks ended speculation about his
future plans today when he announced that he will seek another
10-year term on the State’s highest Court. Crooks’ current term
expires on Aug. 1, 2006. Supreme Court elections in Wisconsin are
non-partisan and are held in the Spring (2006), with a primary to
be held in February.
Nusbaum Announces for Congress in 8th District
Nancy Nusbaum, former Mayor of De Pere (1988-1995), and former Brown County
Executive (1995-2003) announced her decision to seek the Democratic
nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 8th Congressional
District. Nusbaum has spent the last two years leading the Office of Crime
Victim Services in the Department of Justice. (See
Nusbaum’s web site for more information.)
The
only other announced Democrat candidate is Jamie Wall, former employee of
the Wisconsin Department of Commerce. Republican Mark Green, who is not
seeking re-election, has announced his candidacy for Governor.
Political News
Medicaid
funds to go to schools: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 22, 2005.
Congress
gives boost to Patriot Act: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 22,
2005.
La Crosse County wants wind energy: La Crosse Tribune, July 21,
2005.
Nusbaum makes bid for Congress: Appleton Post-Crescent, July 20,
2005.
Doyle vows to protect nature: Green Bay Press-Gazette, July 19, 2005.
Governor to restore land plan: Oshkosh Northwestern, July 19, 2005.
Property Ruling Under Fire: Madison Capital Times, July 20, 2005.
Bush picks
D.C. judge for Supreme Court: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 20,
2005.
County borrows for building to promote economic growth: Rhinelander
Daily News, July 20, 2005.
State said to be in prime position for wind energy: Fond du Lac
Reporter, July 19, 2005.
Study disputes ethanol: Oshkosh Northwestern, July 18, 2005.
Doyle unveils first vetoes: Appleton Post-Crescent, July 18, 2005.
Doyle to use partial veto: Madison Capital Times, July 18, 2005.
Doyle has devil of decision on vetoing state budget (opinion): Appleton
Post-Crescent, July 17, 2005.
Doyle weighs options on state budget: Fond du Lac Reporter, July 17, 2005.
GOP Promises To Reverse Court's Malpractice Ruling: Madison Capital
Times, July 15, 2005.
State's
high court lifts caps on pain, suffering awards: Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel, July 15, 2005.
Eminent
domain ruling fuels imminent concern: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
July 15, 2005.
Wisconsin Supreme
Court rules against Microsoft: Wisconsin Technology Network, July
15, 2005.
Upcoming Fundraisers
July 23
July 25
July 26
July 30
July 31
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Rep. Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls),
-
Rep. Mary Williams (R-Medford),
Medford
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