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Dec. 22, 2003

On Friday, December 19, the Wisconsin Legislature and the Governor reached agreement on landmark legislation that will significantly change the way Wisconsin’s regulatory process operates and the way Wisconsin’s regulatory climate is perceived. While the timing of the agreement did not allow for formal action prior to the holiday season, the announcements of last Friday ensure that this monumental piece of legislation will  pass the Legislature and be signed by the Governor. Both the Legislature, led by Senate Majority Leader Mary Panzer and Assembly Speaker John Gard, and the Administration, led by Governor Jim Doyle and DOA Secretary Mark Marotta, are to be commended for their persistence in seeking compromise positions without losing sight of the goal of achieving meaningful regulatory reform, which will indeed change the way Wisconsin conducts business with and on behalf of its citizens. 

Last week also included a major decision and order regarding the Arrowhead-Weston Transmission line, an extremely significant event related to Wisconsin’s infrastructure and ability to maintain an adequate, reliable and affordable energy supply. 

These events bode well for a happy and prosperous 2004 and with that —
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ALL OF US AT THE HAMILTON CONSULTING GROUP!

Policy Developments

Compromise Reached on Jobs Bill
Legislative leaders and the Governor announced on December 19 that an agreement had been reached on the Job Creation Act of 2003. (See Legislative leaders’ press release, and also Governor Doyle’s press release.) The revised bill is at the Legislative Reference Bureau for drafting and will be taken up by extraordinary session of the Legislature in early January. We expect committee action the week of January 5, with a floor vote the following week. The initial legislation, AB 655 and SB 313, had hearings earlier this year. 

The Hamilton Consulting Group represented several groups on this legislation, including Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) and Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA). The road to this compromise legislation was a long one, starting in early 2003 with listening sessions across the state to identify the key regulatory hurdles facing Wisconsin businesses. The problems and preliminary recommendations were set forth in WMC’s report The Case for Regulatory Reform in Wisconsin. Other groups such as WEDA and the Wisconsin Paper Council, along with the Legislature and the Doyle Administration, made regulatory reform a top priority this session. This legislation involves changes to Chapter 30 (water), Chapter 285 (air), and Chapter 227 (administrative procedure) of the Wisconsin Statutes. Please see the Hamilton Consulting Group’s Update for details on the compromise.

Governor Doyle Completes Action on Enrolled Bills
On Thursday, December 18, Governor Doyle announced  he had vetoed AB 85, relating to the incorporation of the town of Campbell in LaCrosse County as a village. In addition, the Governor signed the following bills:

• AB 79, authorizing the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority to issue bonds to finance a project undertaken for a facility used for education by a private, tax-exempt institution;

• AB 372, relating to live birth or the circumstance of being born alive; and

• AB 487, relating to the purpose and integrity of the patients compensation fund and changing its name to the injured patients and families compensation fund.

On Wednesday, December 17, Governor Doyle announced his veto of the “small business” regulatory reform bill, AB 267, relating to administrative rule making regarding small businesses, data used by administrative agencies in preparing proposed rules, creating an Internet site for proposed rules, and creating a Small Business Regulatory Review Board. In addition, the Governor vetoed AB 255, relating to liability of cities, villages, towns, and counties for damages caused by an insufficiency or want of repair of a highway.

On Tuesday, December 16, Governor Doyle announced he had signed two bills ratifying state labor contracts for the current biennium:

• AB 656, relating to ratification of the agreement negotiated between the state of Wisconsin and the District 1199W/United Professionals for Quality Health Care, SEIU, AFL-CIO, for the 2003-05 biennium, covering employees in the professional patient care collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds; and

• AB 657, relating to ratification of the agreement negotiated between the state of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Science Professionals, AFT, Local 3732, for the 2003-05 biennium, covering employees in the professional science collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds.

PSC Authorizes Arrowhead-Weston Transmission Line
In a major infrastructure development, the Public Service Commission (PSC), on Monday, December 15, decided to authorize continued construction of the Arrowhead-Weston transmission line. The PSC issued its order, pursuant to the December 15^th decision, on Friday, December 19.

Reaction to Jobs Bill Compromise (PDF Docs)

Jobs Deal Reached: Gard/Panzer Press Release, Dec. 19, 2003. Job Creation Act Compromise to Head to Floor in January.

Governor Doyle Reaches Agreement With Legislative Leaders on Environmental Regulatory Reform: Doyle Press Release, Dec. 19, 2003. A major step forward for his “Grow Wisconsin” initiative.

WMC Backs “Job Creation Act” Compromise: WMC Press Release, Dec. 19, 2003. Bi-partisan Deal Will Help Businesses Create Jobs.

Wisconsin Paper Council Applauds Job Bill Deal: Wis. Paper Council Press Release, Dec. 19, 2003. “Regulatory reform is needed in Wisconsin and this bill is a major step in the right direction.”

Bipartisan Agreement on Regulatory Reform Legislation: Kreuser Press Release, Dec. 19, 2003. This is a positive step forward.

Bipartisan Regulatory Reform Agreement Good for Business and the Environment: Erpenbach Press Release, Dec. 19, 2003. A key component under today’s agreement is an emphasis on application completeness determinations.

Builders Applaud Compromise on Job Creation Act: Wis. Builders Assoc. Press Release, Dec. 19, 2003. "This compromise really takes into account the best interests of all of Wisconsin, and we’re proud to support it.”

Sierra Club Disappointed: Sierra Club Press Release, Dec. 19, 2003. Murky Deal is a Step Backward for Clean Air and Water and Wisconsin’s Open Government Traditions.

Political News

Ah, seasonal bipartisanship (opinion): Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Dec. 20, 2003. Job Creation Act of 2003 could mean business growth, new jobs and a stronger state economy.

State finds regulation reform deal: Appleton Post-Crescent, Dec. 20, 2003. Doyle, lawmakers compromise on new streamlined business process.