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Nov. 11, 2003
This issue of
Tidbits is timed to be as current as possible and to help set
the stage for what is “scheduled to be” the final week of the fall
economic development and job creation floor period. The omnibus
regulatory reform bill was introduced today and referred directly
to Joint Finance which will hold a public hearing tomorrow. Joint
Finance will also vote tomorrow on a major TIF proposal and any
other significant economic development bills that are in the
hopper or that might surface today. There are, for example, a
number of capital investment bills which are likely to be
addressed or perhaps consolidated into a major initiative.
In an effort to assist our
readers as the week’s events unfold, we are including some “speculation” as
to anticipated outcomes of key legislative initiatives. There have been and
will continue to be negotiations among legislators, between the two Houses
and between Legislative leadership and the Administration. The scheduling
committees of the respective houses will probably meet on short notice and
as other activity dictates. It is also quite possible that this will not be
the final week of the fall floor period and that the session could be
extended into next week.
Tidbits will update the
week’s activities on Friday or early next week as events dictate.
Policy Developments
Regulatory Reform
Omnibus Bill Introduced
At 10:00 this morning, the omnibus regulatory reform bill (AB-655
and
SB-313, not yet published), entitled by its authors as the
“Job Creation Act of 2003,” was introduced and immediately
referred to the Joint Committee on Finance. Joint Finance will
hold a public hearing on SB 313 at 10:00 am on Wednesday, November
12 in Room 412 East, State Capitol. (Please see
November 3 issue of Tidbits and the Legislative
leader’s
release for highlights of the proposal.) The actual
draft language has not been published as of this writing.
TIF Bill Advances
On Thursday, November 6, the Senate Economic Development, Job Creation and
Housing Committee voted unanimously (5-0) to recommend passage of
SB 305 (and trailer bill
SB 306), relating to making technical and policy changes in the tax
incremental financing program. These bills will be referred to the Joint
Finance Committee (JFC) today and will be voted on by JFC and should be
scheduled for full Senate floor action on Thursday. For a more detailed
analysis of SB 305 and its companion bill,
AB 654, see
The Hamilton Consulting Group’s Update.
In the meantime, Assembly
bills 654 and 653 were introduced as companions to the Senate TIF bills. The
bills were referred to the Assembly Ways & Means Committee which will hold a
public hearing at 9:30 am on Wednesday, November 19, in Room 415 NW, State
Capitol.
Legislative Action from
Last Week
Assembly:
Full Assembly Action
-
SB 246. On Tuesday, November 4, the Assembly voted 64-35 to pass
SB 246, relating to periods in which state agencies will act on
certain applications, approval of certain applications, refunds of fees,
and granting rule-making authority. This bill has frequently been referred
to as the “presumptive approval” bill.
-
AB 507. On Tuesday, November 4, the Assembly voted 84-15 to pass
AB 507, relating to the income and franchise tax credit for sales tax
and use tax paid on fuel and electricity consumed in manufacturing. NOTE:
AB 507 will have a public hearing at
9:00 am on Wednesday before the Senate Committee on Economic
Development. The committee is expected to recommend concurrence and the
bill is likely to pass the full Senate on Thursday.
-
SB 234. Also, on November 4, the Assembly passed AB 234 relating to
the wholesale motor vehicle dealers law.
Introduced in Assembly
-
AB 636. On Wednesday, November 5,
AB 636, relating to extending the expenditure period and the life of
Tax Incremental District Number Two in the city of Sturgeon Bay, was
introduced in the Assembly and referred to the Assembly Committee on Ways
and Means. NOTE: If either SB 305 or AB 654 is passed and becomes law, the
need for AB 636 would no longer be necessary.
Assembly Committee Activity
-
AB 632. On Thursday, November 6, the Assembly Energy and Utilities
Committee voted unanimously in favor of passage of
AB 632, relating to construction of electric generating facilities and
transmission lines, and granting rule-making authority.
Senate:
Full Senate Action
-
SB 204. On Wednesday, November 5, the Senate unanimously voted to pass
SB 204, relating to authorizing a health benefit purchasing
cooperative pilot project and granting rule-making authority. The bill
passed the Senate as amended by
Senate Substitute Amendment 1, recommended by the Senate Committee on
Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care. On Thursday,
November 6, the Assembly passed the bill on a voice vote; the bill now
awaits action by the Governor.
-
AB 494. Also on November 5, the Senate concurred in on a voice vote
and sent to the Governor, AB 494 relating to enforcement of the tobacco
settlement.
-
AB 548. On November 4, the Senate unanimously concurred in and sent to
the Governor, AB 548 relating to placing a cap on the amount of an appeal
bond in civil cases.
Committees:
Joint Finance Committee
The Joint Committee on
Finance met Monday, Nov. 10, at 12:00 p.m. for its quarterly s. 13.10
meeting and to take executive action on several bills, including:
-
AB 437, which authorizes towns to create tax incremental financing (TIF)
districts relating to agriculture, tourism or forestry. The committee
recommended passage 11-3 after recommending adoption of amendments 1, 2
and 3.
-
AB 516, which provides an exemption from the requirement to obtain air
pollution construction permits for certain equipment at a nonmetallic
mineral processing facility. The committee recommended passage on a vote
of 12-2.
The Joint Committee on
Finance is also expected to meet on Wednesday, Nov. 12 to act on additional
bills relating to the Legislature's economic development agenda. Items that
may be included are TIF and capital investment bills (see above Tidbits
articles as well as The Hamilton Consulting Group’s
Update on the TIF proposal, as well as our
Update on the capital investment initiative.) The Committee will also
hold a public hearing on the regulatory reform package, as noted above.
Assembly Economic
Development Committee
On Tuesday, Nov. 11, the
Assembly Economic Development Committee has scheduled a public hearing on
AB 538, (a companion bill to SB 261) relating to creating a
qualified new business venture tax credit and a capital gains tax exemption
regarding investments in certified venture capital funds and qualified new
business ventures. The bill requires a study of new Wisconsin businesses,
facilitates the development of certain investor networks, and excludes from
taxable income gains from a start-up technology business. The hearing will
take place at 2 p.m., in room 400-NE; an executive session on this bill may
follow the hearing. (See
Sept. 26 Update.)
Governor Doyle to Sign AB
520 - Technology Zone Tax Credits
At 2:30 on Wednesday, November 12, Governor Jim Doyle will sign
AB 520 which makes significant changes in the technology zone tax credit
provisions and expands those eligible to benefit from this important
economic development program.
Wisconsin
Politics
Citizens Group
Files Suit Opposing Power Plant
On Thursday, November 6, a citizens group known as Friends of
Responsible Energy (FORE)
announced they had filed a lawsuit against the Department of
Administration (DOA), the UW Board of Regents (UW), the Public
Service Commission (PSC) and the Department of Natural Resources
(DNR), alleging the state Departments violated Wisconsin’s
Environmental Policy Act (WEPA) by approving construction of a
new, 150-megawatt power plant to be built on the UW Madison
campus.
Wisconsin Red Cross Receives Substantial Grant
On Thursday, November 6, the Wisconsin Red Cross
announced that Wisconsin chapters of the American Red Cross would
receive a one-year AmeriCorps grant award totaling approximately $370,000 to
be used for enhancing the state’s Red Cross infrastructure, including
emergency preparedness and response capacity. The initiative, called
‘Prepare Wisconsin,’ aims to use the money to help better prepare
Wisconsin citizens for emergencies.
Federal Developments
EPA May Drop CAA
Suits
It was reported November 6, in a
New York Times article, that lawyers for the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) were considering dropping current
investigations into nearly 50 alleged power plant violations of
the Clean Air Act, due to recently adopted Clean Air Act rules to
take effect next month, that could exempt the power plants’
allegedly violative activity from enforcement under the current
lawsuits. Thus far, the EPA has not announced a formal position on
the status of the lawsuits.
Political News
Vetoes
could define Doyle's first year: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 9,
2003.
Planning for
Wisconsin's economic success: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 9
2003.
State factories struggle: Wisconsin State Journal, Nov. 9, 2003.
DNR chief
calls for new paradigms where business, environment meet: Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel, Nov. 9 2003.
Don't blame China for job losses (opinion): Wisconsin State Journal,
Nov. 9, 2003.
Long-term joblessness persists: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Nov. 9,
2003.
Fears over
privacy law compromising care: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 9,
2003.
County may weigh in on drug debate: Racine Journal Times, Nov. 9,
2003.
October saw
best job gains in months: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 8, 2003.
Lawmakers take heat on gun vote: Appleton Post-Crescent, Nov. 8,
2003.
Governor vetoes marriage bill: Appleton Post-Crescent, Nov. 8, 2003.
Speaker: Smart Growth a 'threat': Ashland Daily Press, Nov. 8, 2003.
Lemon Law in 20th year: The Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter, Nov. 7,
2003.
Job outlook improving, Greenspan says: The Marshfield News-Herald, Nov. 7,
2003.
Weapons bill raises veto questions:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 7, 2003.
Showdown is looming as Assembly OKs gun bill:
The Capital Times, Nov. 7, 2003.
Details of the concealed carry bill:
The Janesville Gazette, Nov. 7, 2003.
Gard claims Doyle violating law with W-2 changes:
The Janesville Gazette, Nov. 7, 2003.
State studies drug imports: Appleton Post-Crescent, Nov. 5, 2003.
Groundbreaking IBM Cancer Trial Begins: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
Nov. 5, 2003.
Mass. Squares Off Against Tobacco Lawyers: Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel, Nov. 5, 2003.
Legislators worry tribes will expand mini-mart casinos: St. Paul
Pioneer Press, Nov. 4, 2003.
Upcoming Fundraisers
Thursday, November 13, 2003:
Monday, November 17, 2003:
-
St.
Rep. Mary Williams (R-Medford), 5:00 p.m., Phillips, Wis.
-
St.
Reps. Judy Krawczyk, Karl Van Roy and Becky Weber (Republicans-Green Bay),
5:30 p.m., Green Bay, Wis.
Tuesday, November 18, 2003:
Thursday, November 20, 2003:
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