In mid-September, Rep. Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield) and Sen. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) introduced a bill (AB 508/SB 411) that would prohibit the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) from requiring apprenticeship programs to have more than one journeyworker per apprentice. The bill also provides a clarification that eliminates minimum apprenticeship length requirements for carpentry and plumbing. Instead, […]
State Rep. Bob Gannon Passes Away at 58
Date Thu, Oct. 12, 2017 - 12:04pm By Hamilton
Rep. Bob Gannon (R-West Bend), the representative of the 58th Assembly district, passed away on Oct. 3 of natural causes. Elected officials expressed sorrow at the news, and Gov. Scott Walker released a statement writing, “Bob’s energy and passion will be deeply missed.” A memorial service for the representative will be held on Sunday, Oct. […]
Medicaid Deficit Projected for End of the Biennium
Date Thu, Oct. 12, 2017 - 12:03pm By Hamilton
On Oct. 2, the Department of Health Services (DHS) submitted a report on the Medicaid benefit budget to the Joint Committee on Finance. DHS projects that costs will exceed the budget by $7.9 million GPR by the end of the 2017-19 biennium, which began on July 1, 2017. The $7.9 million shortfall is due to […]
Supreme Court and Governor Eliminate Funding for Judicial Council
Date Fri, Sep. 29, 2017 - 12:00pm By Hamilton
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court sent an order to the Department of Administration (DOA) that it will no longer transfer funds to DOA in support of the Judicial Council. Separately, Gov. Scott Walker defunded the Council through a veto in the state budget. The Supreme Court cited concerns about an “extraordinary” 38 percent salary […]
Assembly Holds Hearing on Bill Putting Expiration Dates on Rules
Date Fri, Sep. 29, 2017 - 11:55am By Hamilton
With respect to regulatory reform, the governor’s small business agenda includes legislation that would sunset all regulations every seven years. He was referencing AB 384/SB 295, authored by Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and Rep. Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna). On Sept. 19, the Assembly Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform held a hearing on AB 384. Among other […]
Lawsuit and Regulatory Reform on Gov. Walker’s Small Business Agenda
Date Fri, Sep. 29, 2017 - 11:53am By Hamilton
On Sept. 26, Gov. Walker set forth his small business agenda while hosting the seventh annual Small Business Summit. His plan to improve Wisconsin’s business climate includes lawsuit and regulatory reform. At the summit, the governor renewed his commitment “to enact lawsuit reforms to protect small businesses.” According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses, […]
Fall Session Preview
Date Fri, Sep. 29, 2017 - 8:49am By Hamilton
While most of the public was only mildly aware of the budget deliberations taking longer than usual, those who watch the legislature for a living have been wondering what the delay will mean for the rest of session. In the past, the legislature tends to wrap up their budget work in early July and there […]
Committee Recap: September 18-29
Date Fri, Sep. 29, 2017 - 8:31am By Hamilton
Fall session is officially here after Gov. Scott Walker signed the budget and Foxconn bills last week. In this week’s Committee Recap, catch up with the latest action on regulatory reform, law enforcement, health, and other issues that are being addressed in bills throughout the legislature. On Tuesday, Sept. 19, the Assembly Regulatory Licensing Reform […]
Governor Signs Foxconn Legislation
Date Fri, Sep. 29, 2017 - 8:24am By Hamilton
On Monday, Sept. 18, Gov. Scott Walker traveled to Gateway Technical College in Sturtevant to sign Act 58, the incentive package put together by his administration in order to bring Taiwanese technology company Foxconn to Wisconsin. The legislature passed the Foxconn bill on Sept. 14. Walker approved the bill only in part, exercising his partial […]
Governor’s Opioid Task Force Meets
Date Fri, Sep. 29, 2017 - 8:11am By Hamilton
The governor’s Task Force on Opioid Abuse met at Sauk County Human Services in Baraboo on Sept. 22. The meeting focused on trauma-informed care and medication assisted treatment programs. First on the agenda, Department of Safety and Professional Services Secretary Laura Gutierrez gave an update on Wisconsin’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), citing statistics showing […]