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Sept. 17, 2004
Those of us
engaged in the state government relations business plan our
schedules based on odd vs. even numbered years. The first half of
any odd numbered year is dominated by the crafting and adoption of
the multi-billion dollar two-year state budget.
(See
Pat Osborne's
2005-2007
Budget Overview
for a preview.)
The last half of an even
numbered year is dominated by the process of electing those people who make
the budget and other critical public policy decisions that affect all our
lives. Every four years, of course, we have either a presidential or
gubernatorial election that garners the majority of media attention. While
other elected offices have a lower profile, the men and women who hold these
positions play a major role in shaping the rules and regulations that impact
on business, professional and personal decisions.
Tuesday, September 14, was
Primary Election Day in Wisconsin. Congratulations to the winners and to all who competed. Most of the
focus is on those who were victorious, and deservedly so. We at
Hamilton would also like
to recognize and express our appreciation to three people who competed and
lost but who have served their state and their constituents with distinction
for a combined total of 57 years. Thank you, Mickey Lehman. Thank you, Bob
Welch. Thank you, Mary Panzer. We wish you all well. (Go
to
The Hamilton Consulting Group’s Primary Election Update for more
information.)
Subsequent to her primary
defeat, Senator Panzer announced that she was resigning her position as
Senate Majority Leader. Earlier today, the Senate Republicans elected Scott
Fitzgerald to replace her. (See related story and profile below.) We also
offer our congratulations to Senator Fitzgerald.
We have
updated our 2004 Election
Overview and will continue to follow and cover significant developments
between now and General Election Day on November 2nd.
Policy Developments
Budget Overview
for 2005-07
As referenced in our Intro,
the primary legislative focus in the first six months
of odd numbered years is on the multi-billion dollar two-year
(biennial) state budget. The budget bill is introduced by the
governor; the Joint Finance Committee holds public hearings around
the state and creates its own amended version; and, both houses
finally agree on a final, further amended product, which is then
signed by the governor with various line item vetoes. This is all
the public part. In reality, the development of the budget is an
ongoing process involving all state agencies, the budget shop in
the Department of Administration, the governor's office and
solicited input from others having a stake or interest in the
state budget.
Hamilton's
Pat Osborne has
written a
2005-2007 Budget Overview
that takes
a look back at the 2003-05 Biennial Budget and a look forward at the 2005-07
Biennial Budget. This review helps us all to understand the challenges that
the governor and Legislature face in crafting a balanced budget for the
upcoming biennium.
Regulatory Reform (Jobs
Creation Act) Article
Bob Fassbender
of The Hamilton Consulting Group has teamed up with Attorney Paul
Kent in publishing an excellent article,
“Changing Wisconsin’s Regulatory Climate,”
in the September 2004 issue of Wisconsin Lawyer, the official
publication of the State Bar of Wisconsin. The 2003 Jobs Creation Act
represents monumental change in Wisconsin’s regulatory process. Substantial
change has been made regarding the procedures for developing administrative
rules that apply throughout administrative agencies. Additionally, air and
water permitting are specifically addressed. The new law will have a
significant impact on any business or individual who is subject to
government regulation.
Wisconsin
Politics
Primary Elections
Over, Candidates Look to November
The September primary elections, held on Tuesday, opened the door
for new leadership in the State Senate and guarantees several new
faces to the 2005-06 State Legislature. The most significant event
on Tuesday was the defeat of Senate Majority Leader Mary Panzer,
who was challenged by fellow Republican Rep. Glenn Grothman.
Grothman won with an overwhelming 80 percent of the vote.
Grothman's challenge to Panzer began with strife over the
so-called Taxpayers Bill of Rights or TABOR. Panzer's inability to
produce the votes needed in the Senate to pass TABOR prompted
Grothman to seek election to the Senate seat. This primary
challenge in a heavily Republican district included other
non-policy issues that made Panzer vulnerable to a successful
Republican challenge that probably would not have succeeded for a
Democrat challenger.
Sen. Panzer issued a
statement resigning from her post of Majority Leader effective today. Sen.
Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) was elected the new Majority Leader by his
colleagues.
In another upset, Rep.
Mickey Lehman (R-Hartford) was narrowly defeated in his primary race by Don
Pridemore. Lehman has served the 99th Assembly District since 1988. TABOR
and a local road issue were prominent in the race.
In the Republican primary
for U.S. Senate, businessman Tim Michels defeated mega-car dealer Russ
Darrow, State Sen. Bob Welch and Attorney Robert Lorge. Michels received
42.5 percent of the vote and will face incumbent Democrat Russ Feingold in
November.
Several candidates faced
primary challenges where there is no general election opponent insuring
several new faces for both houses. On the Senate side, Rep. Luther Olsen (R)
won the 14th Senate district and Rep. Lena Taylor (D) won in the 4th Senate
district. On the Assembly side, former legislator (Assembly 1961-1972) Fred
Kessler (D) won the 12th Assembly district, Tamara Grigsby (D) won the 18th
Assembly district, and Joan Ballweg (R) won the 41st Assembly district.
Go to
The Hamilton Consulting Group’s Primary Election Update for more
information.
Scott Fitzgerald, Senate
Majority Leader
Sen Scott L. Fitzgerald is a graduate of
Hustisford High School. He
received a B.S. in journalism at UW-Oshkosh in1985. Other education included
the U.S. Army Armor Officer Basic Course (1985) and the U.S. Army Command
and General Staff College. He is an associate newspaper publisher, and a
member of the US Army Reserve (rank of Lt. Colonel). He holds memberships in
the Reserve Officers Assn., the Wisconsin Newspaper Association, the 6th
Congressional District Executive Committee, and is on the board of directors
for Forward Wisconsin, Inc.
Sen. Fitzgerald has served in the Senate since 1995.
Committee assignments include: Joint committee for
review of Criminal Penalties (Co-Chair); Committee on Education, Ethics and
Elections; Committee on Finance; Joint Committee on Finance; Committee on
Homeland Security, Veterans and Military Affairs and Government Reform;
Committee on Judiciary, Corrections and Privacy.
Political News
Feingold
asks Michels for six debates: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sept. 17,
2004.
Midwest challenges outlined: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Sept. 17,
2004.
Employment in
state continues to rise: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sept. 17, 2004.
Union
starts Web site to identify firms it says is sending jobs overseas:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sept. 17, 2004.
Better mercury standards (opinion): Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
Sept. 17, 2004.
Hospitals
join forces to improve drug safety: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
Sept. 17, 2004.
Solve health care crisis: Go play! (opinion): Wisconsin Rapids Daily
Tribune, Sept. 17, 2004.
Michels' margin of victory brings national GOP backing: Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel, Sept. 16, 2004.
Fitzgerald
taking over Senate reins: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sept. 16, 2004.
Some primary
leaders face no further challenge: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sept. 16,
2004.
Olsen
replaces Welch in Senate: Baraboo News Republic, Sept. 16, 2004.
New drugs
work miracles, but prices out of this world - and climbing:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sept. 16, 2004.
State banks can keep subsidiaries: Madison Capital Times, Sept. 16,
2004.
Associated Bank to cut 225 local jobs: La Crosse Tribune, Sept. 15,
2004.
Moore
poised to be state's first black representative: Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel, Sept. 15, 2004.
Senate race props up lackluster turnout at polls: Appleton
Post-Crescent, Sept. 15, 2004.
Drzewiecki wins in GOP Senate race to face Hansen: Green Bay
Press-Gazette, Sept. 15, 2004.
Ziegelbauer wins new term: Manitowoc Herald Times, Sept. 15, 2004.
Kamke wins GOP spot in 85th: Wausau Daily Herald, Sept. 15, 2004.
State to
tighten driving restrictions in '05: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
Sept. 15, 2004.
Laura Bush sings praises of president: Wisconsin State Journal,
Sept. 14, 2004.
Elizabeth Edwards on stem-cell tour talks of 'right thing to do':
Wisconsin State Journal, Sept. 14, 2004.
Bush popularity surges in state: Appleton Post-Crescent, Sept. 14,
2004.
Toxins
down, but Great Lakes face other threats: Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel, Sept. 14, 2004.
Coal plant
could start going up soon: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sept. 13,
2004.
Economists: Gas markup law outdated, inefficient and costly:
Appleton Post-Crescent, Sept. 12, 2004.
Alliance
explores savings on health care premiums: Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel, Sept. 13, 2004.
26
banks settle over back taxes: Madison Capital Times, Sept. 12, 2004.
Upcoming Fundraisers
Saturday, Sept. 18, 2004
-
Sen. Ted Kanavas
(R-Brookfield),
Brookfield
-
US Sen. Russ Feingold
(D), Milwaukee
Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004
Monday, Sept. 20
Tuesday, Sept. 21
Monday, Sept. 27
Wednesday, Sept. 29
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