The approval process for Wisconsin Energy Corporation’s acquisition of Integrys Energy Group Inc. officially started August 6 with filings to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW). The acquisition will bring together the two holding companies forming the WEC Energy Group. The single holding company will continue to separately operate several electric and gas utilities, including Wisconsin Electric Power Company (WEPCO), […]
UPDATE: Carbon Regulation for Power Plants
Date Thu, Oct. 2, 2014 - 1:49pm By Hamilton
The Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO) released initial study results from a regulatory impact analysis on the proposed EPA carbon rules for power plants. The study consists of two phases that calculate compliance costs within MISO’s footprint by applying the assumptions in EPA’s draft rule and examine the range of emission reductions and their costs […]
Republican Leaders Dispute GAB Ballots
Date Thu, Oct. 2, 2014 - 1:48pm By Hamilton
A lawsuit filed by Republican officials regarding the design of the state’s standard ballot was dismissed by a Waukesha County judge in late September. The lawsuit stated that the new model ballot issued by the Government Accountability Board (GAB) would confuse voters because of the way the first candidate’s name would be listed in the […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Hears Oral Argument in Case Dealing with Non-Compete Agreements
Date Thu, Oct. 2, 2014 - 1:46pm By Hamilton
On Wednesday, October 1, the Wisconsin Supreme Court heard oral argument in a case that involves an important issue to Wisconsin employers who hire employees on an at-will basis and seek to protect themselves with non-competition, confidentiality, and non-solicitation agreements (hereinafter, “Non-Competes” or “Agreements”). The opinion of a Milwaukee County Circuit Court that is under […]
New MU Poll has Walker Leading for First Time Since March
Date Thu, Oct. 2, 2014 - 1:43pm By Hamilton
A new Marquette Law School Poll was released this week, putting Gov. Scott Walker at 50 percent, and Mary Burke at 45 percent among likely voters. This is the first time either candidate has had a lead greater than the margin of error. Those in Wisconsin politics were paying close attention to the poll, as […]
Recent Polls Have Positive News for Gov. Walker
Date Thu, Sep. 18, 2014 - 2:55pm By Hamilton
Directly following a good run of polling for Democratic challenger Mary Burke, Governor Walker has had some consistently positive poll numbers emerge in the latest round. About a week ago, Mary Burke had taken the lead in Real Clear Politics aggregate, but after the latest Marquette Poll, Governor Walker has retaken a slight lead. While […]
Wisconsin State Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Civil Liability Cases
Date Thu, Sep. 18, 2014 - 2:34pm By Hamilton
The Supreme Court of Wisconsin has begun to hear oral arguments for the 2014-15 term, including cases involving civil liability issues. Below is a summary of three cases of interest to Wisconsin businesses. Court to Decide Meaning of “Owner in Dog Bite Case Court to Determine Whether Manure is a Pollutant for Insurance Policies Court […]
Court to Decide Meaning of “Owner” in Dog Bite Case
Date Thu, Sep. 18, 2014 - 2:22pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme Court earlier this month heard oral arguments in a case deciding whether the defendant is an “owner” and thus liable for damages caused by a dog at the home he owned, but in which he did not live. The case is Augsburger v. Homestead Mut. Ins., 2012AP641. Background The defendant owned […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court to Determine Manure as a Pollutant for Insurance Policies
Date Thu, Sep. 18, 2014 - 2:08pm By Hamilton
On Friday, September 12, the Wisconsin Supreme Court heard a number of cases dealing with the issue of whether septage is a “pollutant” that triggers the pollution exclusions in the insurers’ policies. Below is a discussion of the cases heard by the Supreme Court. Background In the first case (Preisler v. Kuettel’s Septic Service, […]
Wis. Supreme Court to Determine Worker’s Compensation Case
Date Thu, Sep. 18, 2014 - 2:01pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Tuesday, September 23 in a case that will decide whether the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) preempts the State of Wisconsin from imposing penalties for safety violations under Wisconsin laws. Background An employee (Tonya Wetor) was injured on the job while working at […]