Caty McDermott has been working in governmental affairs and policy development for more than nine years, across two different states, and in a variety of roles. Prior to joining Hamilton Consulting in 2014, Caty was a grants analyst in the Executive Office at the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. Before joining WHEDA, Caty worked at […]
WEDC Launches $1.6 Million Ad Campaign
Date Wed, Nov. 19, 2014 - 12:21pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has launched a marketing campaign that will air in the Chicago and Minneapolis area to advertise Wisconsin as a great place for business. The campaign will feature radio, print, and online advertisements in the Chicago and Minneapolis markets. Many of these ads will run from now until the spring […]
The Future Wisconsin Economic Summit
Date Wed, Nov. 19, 2014 - 10:46am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) will be holding their first ever Future Wisconsin Economic Summit. The summit will focus on Wisconsin in the future, businesses that will survive during that time, and what partnerships can be made now to help the future economy. WMC’s Future Wisconsin Project is in partnership with the University of […]
Caucus Leadership Announced
Date Tue, Nov. 18, 2014 - 4:46pm By Hamilton
With the election now behind us, the legislature has selected their leadership for the upcoming session. With a 19-14 majority in the Senate, Republicans selected: Majority Leader: Scott Fitzgerald Assistant Majority Leader: Paul Farrow Senate President: Mary Lazich Pres. Pro Temp: Richard Gudex Caucus Chair: Sheila Harsdorf Assistant Caucus Chair: Van Wanggaard Senate Democrats selected: […]
Study Committee on the Review of TIF Ends Ahead of Schedule
Date Tue, Nov. 18, 2014 - 4:41pm By Hamilton
The final meeting of the Study Committee on the Review of TIF, held on November 13, focused on final edits to drafted bill proposals, and how to package the bills when they are introduced in the legislature this upcoming session. The committee voted on bill drafts related to technical law changes, JRB review and annual […]
UI Trust Fund Has Positive Balance
Date Tue, Nov. 18, 2014 - 3:49pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund will start 2015 with a positive balance, which means there will be a reduction in federal unemployment taxes (FUTA) for employers. FUTA taxes are designed to discourage a negative UI fund balance. Because unemployment benefits are an entitlement program and must be paid even if the state trust fund is […]
Our Take: Elections 2014
Date Fri, Nov. 7, 2014 - 9:43am By Hamilton
Celebrating and finger pointing are often the two activities that occur immediately after an election, and in the past few days, we’ve seen plenty of both. As the dust settles in post-election Wisconsin, it looks as if not much has changed, but the reality might prove differently. Governor Walker comfortably won his 3rd election in […]
Caucus Update
Date Thu, Nov. 6, 2014 - 6:16pm By Hamilton
This week, Senate Republicans elected their leadership for the 2015-2017 legislative session: Senate President: Sen. Mary Lazich Senator President Pro Tempore: Sen. Rick Gudex Majority Leader: Sen. Scott Fitzgerald Assistant Majority Leader: Sen. Paul Farrow Caucus Chair: Sen. Sheila Harsdorf Caucus Vice-Chair: Sen. Van Wanggaard Other caucuses will be meeting next week to […]
Preview: 2015 – 2016 State Legislature
Date Thu, Nov. 6, 2014 - 3:09pm By Hamilton
2013 – 2014 State Legislature 2015 – 2016 State Legislature Senate: 17 Republicans, 15 Democrats, 1 Vacant Senate: 19 Republicans, 14 Democrats Assembly: 60 Republicans, 39 Democrats Assembly: 63 Republicans, 36 Democrats Newly Elected Legislators Tuesday’s election brings an unprecedented number of new senators and representatives to the State Capitol this January. With so many […]
State Senate and Assembly: Our Predictions
Date Fri, Oct. 31, 2014 - 12:00pm By Hamilton
There are just a handful of days until Election Day, and state Senate and Assembly campaigns have hit warp speed. Television and radio stations can’t pump out political ads fast enough, and mailboxes and social media accounts are filling with campaign narratives. With half the senators and all the assembly representatives up for re-election there […]