In early-April, DOT Secretary Mark Gottlieb publicly announced that the state is facing a $600 – $700 million shortfall in the next state budget to maintain the current transportation program and services. He warned that, absent new revenues, current major projects like the Zoo Interchange and I-39/90 from Madison to the Illinois state line could […]
DWD Awards More Than $1.5 Million in Grants
Date Wed, May. 21, 2014 - 4:28pm By Hamilton
The next round of Wisconsin Fast Forward grants were announced earlier this month, and 17 applicants will be given more than $1.5 million in worker training grants. 37 different employers from 15 counties will train nearly 2,200 manufacturing workers. Secretary Reggie Newson of the Department of Workforce Development, who awarded the grants said, “As our […]
EPA Proposes Rule to Assess SO2 Air Quality
Date Wed, May. 21, 2014 - 4:26pm By Hamilton
On May 13, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued proposed options for states and local air agencies to use air quality monitoring or modeling to determine whether areas meet the 2010 air quality standards for sulfur dioxide (SO2). Below is a discussion of the proposed rule. Background of 2010 Revised SO2 NAAQS In June 2010, […]
EPA Poised to Set Carbon-Emissions Rules for Existing Power Plants
Date Wed, May. 21, 2014 - 4:23pm By Hamilton
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, Gina McCarthy, announced that the EPA is set to issue the much anticipated rules on June 2nd for existing power plants under § 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. The regulations could significantly limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and potentially force many existing coal-fired plants to cease burning the […]
WEDA Employee & WEDC Board Member Promoted to VP
Date Wed, May. 21, 2014 - 4:20pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has named Tricia Braun as vice president of Economic and Community Development. Braun, a board member on the Wisconsin Economic Development Association and previously WEDC’s regional development director, was chosen for her connection Wisconsin and understanding the challenges facing businesses today. “We conducted a nationwide search to find the […]
LRB Releases Data on Tenure and Turnover in Legislature
Date Wed, May. 21, 2014 - 4:18pm By Hamilton
This election season marks a major shift in the Wisconsin State Legislature as 22 representatives and 7 senators announced they will not be seeking reelection in their previously held seats. What is difficult to say, is whether this is a new trend, a rarity, or common. The Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau released a report covering […]
Wisconsin Tourism Enters Busy Season
Date Wed, May. 21, 2014 - 4:10pm By Hamilton
With Memorial Day just days away, the Wisconsin tourism industry prepares its facilities as families plan their get-away. While the Wisconsin Department of Tourism launched its advertisements earlier this spring with celebrities Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the cast of Airplane!, the Wisconsin Association of Convention & Visitors Bureau website features different Wisconsin cities to help visitors […]
New Poll: Governor’s Race Tied
Date Wed, May. 21, 2014 - 4:04pm By Hamilton
A new poll, conducted by the Marquette Law School May 15-18, finds the governor’s race a virtual dead heat with incumbent Governor Scott Walker (R) and Democratic challenger Mary Burke both polling at 46% support. The response represents a significant tightening of the race compared to the last Marquette poll in March, which had Walker […]
Election News – May 23rd, 2014
Date Wed, May. 21, 2014 - 3:59pm By Hamilton
Transportation Referendum on November Ballot The Legislature has successfully adopted the same proposed constitutional amendment in each of the last two sessions, to make it illegal for the government to raid segregated funds for transportation to fill holes in the state budget. This qualifies the question for a deciding vote by electors in the upcoming […]
Wisconsin Legislative Session Comes to A Close – Summary of Newly Enacted Civil Liability Laws
Date Mon, Apr. 28, 2014 - 2:35pm By Hamilton
On April 1, the Wisconsin Legislature ended the 2013-14 legislative session. Once again, in the area of civil liability, it was another active legislative session. I. Newly Enacted Civil Liability Reforms Physician’s Duty of Informed Consent (SB 137/AB 139): This legislation clarifies a Wisconsin Supreme Court decision, Jandre v. Wisconsin Injured Patients and Families Compensation […]