Thursday, May 26, 2011, Dane County Circuit Court Judge Sumi struck down the hotly contested collective bargaining bill ruling that Republicans in the State Senate had violated Wisconsin’s open meetings law. Judge Sumi concluded that the Republicans violated the law because they did not give at least two hours notice to the public. The Wisconsin […]
Wisconsin Judge Strikes Down Collective Bargaining Bill
Date Fri, May. 27, 2011 - 10:29am By Hamilton
Governor Walker Signs Voter ID Bill into Law
Date Fri, May. 27, 2011 - 10:15am By Hamilton
Showing valid photo identification is required to purchase alcohol, cough medicine and to withdraw money from a bank. Now a new Wisconsin law will require voters to show their photo ID on Election Day. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed the controversial legislation — Assembly Bill 7 – into law Wednesday, May 25, 2011. AB7 requires photo […]
Rep. Paul Ryan Will Not Run for Senate
Date Tue, May. 17, 2011 - 10:29am By Hamilton
Stating that he believes he can have more impact tackling our fiscal and economic challenges as Chairman of the House Budget Committee, Rep. Paul Ryan has announced he will not run for the U.S. Senate next year. “House Republicans have taken bold steps forward in tackling our fiscal and economic challenges – we have led, […]
Supreme Court Recount News
Date Tue, May. 17, 2011 - 8:48am By Hamilton
The Government Accountability Board (GAB) has published certified county-by-county recount results. Waukesha County is still counting votes, with a May 26 deadline to finish. Questions as to the security of the ballot bags have been addressed by GAB. “The ability to put a hand into a ballot bag is not by itself evidence of fraud,” according […]
Senate Recalls Beginning to Take Shape
Date Fri, May. 13, 2011 - 12:00am By Hamilton
If it seems that election season in Wisconsin is never-ending, that would be a reasonable inference. Voters just had a statewide election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court (see below for more information) along with three elections to fill vacancies in the Assembly. What’s more, the Wisconsin Senate could face up to nine recall elections this […]
Legislative Special Election Results
Date Fri, May. 13, 2011 - 12:00am By Hamilton
Special elections were held last week on May 3 to fill the seats of three legislators who resigned to take jobs within the Walker Administration. In Assembly District 94, which covers rural La Crosse County and parts of Monroe County, Democrat Steve Doyle beat Republican challenger John Lautz, 54 to 46 percent. Doyle, the current […]
Supreme Court Recount Yields No Major Changes – Justice Prosser Still Well Ahead of Kloppenburg
Date Fri, May. 13, 2011 - 12:00am By Hamilton
With 71 of 72 counties having completed the recount in the race between Justice David Prosser and his challenger, JoAnne Kloppenburg, Justice Prosser’s lead has declined by only 355 votes. The only county left to report its official recount is Waukesha County, where Kloppenburg would need to pick up 6,962 votes. According to University of […]
Major Changes Made to Wisconsin’s Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Law
Date Fri, May. 13, 2011 - 12:00am By Hamilton
Governor Scott Walker recently signed into law 2011 Wisconsin Act 14, which largely returns Wisconsin’s automobile insurance laws to their status before changes were made in the budget last legislative session. The requirement to purchase automobile insurance, however, was retained. The new law reduces the minimum mandatory liability coverage to $25,000 for each person, $50,000 […]
Assembly Passes Voter ID Bill – Heads to Senate for Vote Next Week
Date Fri, May. 13, 2011 - 12:00am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Assembly this week passed legislation that would require voters going to the polls to present proof of identification. Under Assembly Bill 7, the following types of identification would be allowed to verify the voter’s residency status: 1) an operator’s license issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT); 2) an identification card issued by […]
Legislation Would Allow Right to Carry Concealed Weapons
Date Fri, May. 13, 2011 - 12:00am By Hamilton
Sen. Pam Galloway (R-Wausau) this week introduced two bills that would allow individuals to carry concealed weapons. One would require a license to carry a concealed weapon while the other would not. Currently, those caught with a concealed weapon face a $10,000 fine and nine-month jail term. Senate Bill 90 would require an individual to […]