Last week, the Senate Committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform held a hearing on a bill that would change the composition of the Worker’s Compensation Council. SB 235/AB 308, authored by Rep. John Spiros (R-Marshfield) and Sen. Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville), would require the proportion of representatives on the Council for organized labor to be the […]
Bills of Note: Worker’s Compensation Council Composition
Date Thu, Sep. 14, 2017 - 2:31pm By Hamilton
LFB Releases Preliminary 2016-17 Tax Numbers
Date Thu, Sep. 14, 2017 - 2:28pm By Hamilton
On September 8, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) released preliminary general fund tax collections for the 2016-17 fiscal year, which ended on June 30. While the 2017-18 fiscal year began on July 1, legislators are still finalizing the state budget. LFB’s report shows positive news with revenue numbers increasing 2.8 percent over the previous fiscal […]
JCRAR Briefed on REINS Act
Date Thu, Sep. 14, 2017 - 2:18pm By Hamilton
On Thursday, September 7, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCRAR) received a briefing on changes in the committee as a result of the REINS (Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny) Act (Act 57). Under the new law, a co-chair of JCRAR could request a comment period and hearing for a scope statement. […]
JFC Passes Budget Bill
Date Mon, Sep. 11, 2017 - 11:44am By Hamilton
Just before 9 P.M. on Sept. 6, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) completed its work on the 2017-19 state budget. JFC spent long days on Tuesday and Wednesday taking votes on Foxconn and the remaining budget issues: transportation, taxes, and the “wrap up” motion. Statutory language of the budget bill will be finalized in the […]
DWD To Hold Fast Forward Grant Application Training Session
Date Fri, Sep. 1, 2017 - 9:02am By Hamilton
The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) will hold a free informational grant application training session on Wednesday, September 13. The goal of the training session, “Submitting a Successful Wisconsin Fast Forward Grant,” is to increase applicants’ understanding of the Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) grant application process, goals of the WFF grant program, process for funding […]
JFC Holds Public Hearing on Foxconn
Date Fri, Sep. 1, 2017 - 8:58am By Hamilton
Legislation on incentives for Foxconn continues to move its way through the legislature. After passing the Assembly on August 17, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) held a public hearing on the bill on August 22 at Gateway Technical College in southeast Wisconsin, the area of the state considered the likely location of the Foxconn site. […]
Wisconsin Businesses Oppose Property Tax Increase Bills at Senate Hearing
Date Fri, Sep. 1, 2017 - 8:55am By Hamilton
On August 30, the Senate Committee on Revenue, Financial Institutions, and Rural Issues held a public hearing on a pair of bills that opponents argue would increase property taxes for Wisconsin businesses. Senate Bills 291 and 292, authored by Sens. Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville) and Roger Roth (R-Appleton) and Rep. Robert Brooks (R-Saukville), aim to close […]
JFC Resumes Budget Work
Date Fri, Sep. 1, 2017 - 8:28am By Hamilton
After a two-month break, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) have resumed their work on the state budget. JFC met on August 24 and 28 to vote on some outstanding issues including Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Department of Public Instruction (DPI). JFC will meet again on Tuesday, September 5, to finish up their work, […]
DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp Moves to EPA
Date Thu, Aug. 31, 2017 - 2:16pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Cathy Stepp is resigning from her position to move to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Stepp will serve as deputy administrator for EPA, covering the region including Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and nine tribal nations. Stepp was appointed as DNR Secretary by Gov. Scott Walker in 2011. Previously, […]
Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council to Recommend Medical Fee Schedule
Date Thu, Aug. 31, 2017 - 2:03pm By Hamilton
On Aug. 23, the Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council came to an agreement on proposals to recommend to the legislature. This biennial activity provides the legislature ideas for reform in the worker’s compensation system that have been agreed to by both management and labor. Historically, the policy recommendations to come out of the Council are […]