Danielle Jackson v. Diane Burczyk (Governmental Immunity)

In Danielle Jackson v. Diane Burczyk (2018AP65), the Court of Appeals District II held that governmental immunity applied to correctional facility employees when a kettle tipped, spilling boiling water that injured Danielle Jackson, who was a cook at the facility. Jackson argued that exceptions to governmental immunity applied in her case. The first exception states […]

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Town of Forest v. PSC (Wind Farm Application)

In Town of Forest v. PSC (2018AP367), the Court of Appeals District III declined on the grounds of claim preclusion Forest’s petition for judicial review of the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) final approval of a wind farm application. The court also declined to hold PSC in contempt of court following a previous circuit court order. […]

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Jacqueline Wise v. LIRC (Worker’s Compensation)

In Jacqueline Wise v. LIRC (2017AP2191), the Court of Appeals District II overturned an LIRC decision denying worker’s compensation for procedures related to the patient’s pre-existing condition. Jacqueline Wise slipped and fell on ice in the parking lot of her workplace, causing pain in her hips that prevented her from working at the caregiving facility. […]

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Aamaans Properties, Inc. v. DOT (Inverse Condemnation)

In Aamaans Properties, Inc. v. DOT (2017AP1220), the Court of Appeals District IV held that a property owner is not entitled to compensation when the Department of Transportation (DOT) relocates a nearby highway but does not physically take the property or legally change its use. Aamaans owned a property on a road that closely intersected […]

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Assembly Republicans Lay Out Issue Areas for Potential Compromise With Evers

On Jan. 10, Assembly Republicans sent Gov. Tony Evers a letter laying out several issue areas on which they hope to work with the Democratic governor in the 2019-20 session. The list includes several items Evers discussed during his campaign. Assembly Republicans hope to work with Evers on: Income tax reductions. Enhancing high speed internet […]

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Evers Issues Medicaid Expansion, Pre-existing Conditions EOs

In some of the first executive actions of his term, Gov. Evers this week signed two executive orders directing state agencies to implement plans for expanding Medicaid and prohibiting pre-existing conditions exclusions in health insurance. Executive Order 3 directs the Department of Health Services (DHS) to develop a plan for expanding Medicaid eligibility. EO 3 […]

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Get to Know a Freshman: Sen. Smith & Reps. Cabrera and Dittrich

Eighteen new members were officially inaugurated into the Wisconsin Legislature on Jan. 7, 2019. Sen. Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) was elected to replace retiring Sen. Kathleen Vinehout. Also joining the Senate, formerly from the Assembly, are Sens. Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield), Kathy Bernier (R-Lake Hallie), and Andre Jacque (R-DePere). 14 new members were inaugurated in the […]

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Evers Continues to Build Cabinet, Staff

Gov. Tony Evers was inaugurated on Monday, Jan. 7. Now officially in office, Evers is continuing to fill cabinet and staff positions, making new appointment announcements over the past several weeks. Evers’s executive staff includes: Chief of staff – Maggie Gau. Gau managed Evers’s campaign and has been his chief of staff throughout the transition. […]

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2019-20 Committees Finalized

Senate and Assembly leadership have finalized committee assignments for the 2019-20 session. There are several new committees in each chamber of the legislature, as well as changes to chairs and membership of existing committees going into the new session. Below are links to lists of all committees and members: Senate Assembly Joint

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Bills of Note: Marsy’s Law

On Jan. 9, the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety and the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety held a joint hearing on a bill that would elevate victims’ rights under Wisconsin law. Assembly Joint Resolution 1 and Senate Joint Resolution 2, authored by Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) and Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine), […]

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