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Dec. 29, 2003
As the end of
2003 approaches, our policy-makers in the Legislature and
Administration are taking a little breather to reflect on past
accomplishments and anticipate continuing challenges and
opportunities. While this is a quiet week in
Madison,
Legislative committees will return next week to put their stamp of
approval on the landmark regulatory reform package that was
negotiated between the Administration and Legislative leadership.
On the week of January 12, the full Legislature will reconvene the
Extraordinary Session to vote on the compromise proposal and move
the document on to the Governor for final approval. The
Legislature may take up other economic development bills during
the Extraordinary Session and then will be back in Regular Session
on January 20. The final Regular Session activity of the 2003-04
Legislature is scheduled to conclude on March 11, 2004.
From all of us at The
Hamilton Consulting Group – HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Policy Developments
Tax Collections
Exceed Expectations
With its December 11th
report, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue
announced positive growth signs for the state economy.
According to the report, individual and corporate income tax and
sales tax collections for the first five months of the fiscal year
were up 7.4 percent (approximately $233.6 million) from the same
collection amount last year. This increase reflects an amount
which greatly exceeds the estimated revenue increase of 5.3
percent, anticipated by budget writers earlier this year.
Following these results,
the Legislative Fiscal Bureau announced its plans to analyze the results
further, and adjust expectations for the remainder of the year, accordingly.
Small Business Regulatory
Reform Advances
Despite last week’s highly publicized
veto of
AB 267 relating to small business regulatory reform, the Wisconsin
Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)
announced that Governor Doyle will support
SB 100, the Senate version of the regulatory reform bill, which will be
amended to contain compromises reached last week. SB 100, as previously
amended, has passed the Senate by a vote of 22-11. The bill will be further
amended in the Assembly and returned to the Senate for further action.
The NFIB outlined major
elements of the compromise version of SB 100, including:
-
Requirement that agency
rules be written in easy to understand language in order to reduce the
amount of cross-referencing;
-
Establishment of a small
business regulatory coordinator position within each agency involved in
regulating small businesses;
-
Creation of a Regulatory
Review Board to assist agency compliance enforcement;
-
Allowance of additional
time for small business compliance with new rules;
-
Agency discretion to
waive or reduce penalties for small businesses who voluntarily disclose
violations; and
-
Judicial review of
penalties, in certain cases.
Governor Announces 2004
Transportation Aids
On Friday, December 26, Governor Doyle
announced the final figures of General Transportation Aids and
Connecting Highway Aids to local governments. The Governor’s 2004 figures
include $373.3 million in General Transportation Aids and $12.9 million in
Connecting Highway Aids. (See the
breakdown of this funding, by locality.)
Legislation Would Eliminate
State Estate Tax
A bill that would eliminate the state estate tax was introduced December 23
in the State Senate.
SB 355 would eliminate the estate tax beginning with deaths occurring on
Jan. 1, 2006. The bill has been referred to the Joint Survey Committee on
Tax Exemptions for a detailed analysis.
Bill Creates Technology
Grant
On Friday, December 19, a bill that would create a technology
commercialization grant and loan program (AB
705) was introduced in the Assembly. The bill was sent to the Assembly
Committee on Economic Development.
Bill Provides Liability
Immunity
On Friday, December 19,
AB 707 was introduced in the Assembly. The bill provides for immunity
from civil liability for those who provide, or administer the provision of,
transportation to an individual who is utilizing the service to avoid
operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant. AB 707
has been referred to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
Wisconsin
Politics
New Senate
Chief Clerk Named
On Tuesday, December 23, Senate leaders
announced their selection of Legislative Reference
Bureau attorney Robert Marchant to be the new Senate Chief Clerk.
The full Senate is expected to approve the appointment of Marchant
when it reconvenes in January.
Political News
Study finds county taxes up 3.6 percent statewide: Janesville
Gazette, Dec. 29, 2003.
‘Electrical bill of rights' to be debated in Legislature: La Crosse
Tribune, Dec. 29, 2003.
2004 will bring more red tape for some companies: Green Bay
Press-Gazette, Dec. 29, 2003.
Wisconsin's challenges for the year ahead (opinion): Wisconsin State
Journal, Dec. 28, 2003.
State's drinking warning has a bite: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Dec.
25, 2003.
Gloominess splits along party lines in survey: Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel, Dec. 24, 2003.
Upcoming Fundraisers
Wednesday, January 14, 2003
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