After two years of study, the Justice Department announced Thursday via letter that Yale University violated federal civil-rights law by making race and national origin the determinative factor in its admissions process. According to the government, Asian American and White applicants have a one-tenth to one-fourth chance of being admitted as similarly situated African American applicants. The […]
Justice Department Threatens Yale University With Lawsuit Over Racial Bias In Admissions Process
Date Tue, Aug. 18, 2020 - 12:50pm By Hamilton
WCJC Joins Support for Federal “SAFE TO WORK Act.”
Date Fri, Aug. 14, 2020 - 9:29am By Hamilton
On July 30th, the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council signed on in support with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce urging Congress to create COVID-19 liability protections for businesses and schools who comply with applicable government health and safety standards. You can read the full letter of support here. As the letter noted: “These crucial protections would safeguard […]
PFAS Update: Natural Resources Board Tables Emergency Firefighting Foam Rule and WisPAC Releases Draft Action Plan
Date Fri, Aug. 14, 2020 - 9:09am By Hamilton
Earlier this year, the legislature approved and the governor signed into law 2019 Wisconsin Act 101, legislation that regulates firefighting foam that contains PFAS. The Department of Natural Resources drafted Emergency Rule WA-06-20(E), as directed in Act 101, and it was put on the agenda for the Natural Resources Board (the board) to approve this […]
August MU Poll Surveys Wis. Voters on 2020 Election, Masks, Economy
Date Fri, Aug. 14, 2020 - 9:06am By Hamilton
The most recent Marquette University (MU) Law School poll, conducted Aug. 4-9, 2020, covered the 2020 Presidential election, the coronavirus response, economic hardship, police reform and other current issues. 2020 Presidential Election In the head-to-head question between Biden and Trump, Biden prevails by 5 points, 49-44 among likely voters. While this is not much of […]
Governor Evers’s Task Force on Climate Change Wraps Up Public Comment
Date Fri, Aug. 14, 2020 - 8:49am By Hamilton
The Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change, headed by Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, has been meeting periodically since December 19, 2019. Overall, the task force is charged with advising the governor in developing a strategy on climate change by: Evaluating the science surrounding the impacts of climate change on Wisconsin citizens and the environment. Reviewing […]
Wisconsin August Primary Update
Date Wed, Aug. 12, 2020 - 9:29am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin 2020 Primary was relatively uneventful when considering the state of Wisconsin politics over the last decade. It also proved to be a very good night for incumbents. In Congressional races, Majority Leader Fitzgerald (R- Juneau) cruised to victory in the 5th CD and is the odds-on favorite to win in November. There were […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court 2020-21 Term Begins August 1 with Karofsky in, Kelly out.
Date Sat, Aug. 1, 2020 - 12:59pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin’s Supreme Court 2020-21 term began August 1, 2020, with initial oral argument set for September 8. Go here for a list of cases to be heard in September and here for the 2020-21 court calendar. With the new term brings in a significantly different court. Conservative Justice Daniel Kelly is replaced by liberal Justice Jill Karofsky. Karofsky was sworn […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Accepts New Cases
Date Fri, Jul. 31, 2020 - 12:57pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme Court accepted three new cases this past week. Of particular note: Stroede v. Society Insurance and Village of Slinger v. Polk Props., LLC. In Stroede v. Society Insurance (2018AP1880/2018AP2371), the Court of Appeals, District I found the defendant immune from liability for a trespasser’s injury because the defendant was a “lawful occupant” on the premises where the incident occurred. […]
Gov. Evers Issues Executive Order Declaring Public Health Emergency and Requiring Face Coverings Statewide
Date Thu, Jul. 30, 2020 - 2:21pm By Hamilton
On July 30, Gov. Evers declared a public health emergency effective for the next 60 days (or until it is revoked by Gov. Evers or by action of the Legislature). Pursuant to the declaration, the governor issued a statewide requirement for all persons to wear masks. The statewide mask requirement goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, August […]
PSC Extends Utility Shut-Off Moratorium
Date Fri, Jul. 24, 2020 - 2:06pm By Hamilton
On July 24, the three-person Public Service Commission (PSC) voted 2-1 to extend the utility shut-off moratorium for only residential customers until September 1. In June, the Commission decided to lift the moratorium and utility disconnections were scheduled for delinquent customers starting on July 25. The moratorium was originally implemented by Governor Evers in March […]