In early December, Congress passed the Fixing America’s Transportation Act (FAST ACT) with bipartisan support. The legislation provides funding to improve surface transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, transit systems and passenger rail network. The bill will provide $305 billion in funding over the next five years. This is the first long-term transportation bill in a […]
Sen. Gudex Will Not Seek Re-election
Date Fri, Dec. 11, 2015 - 10:34am By Hamilton
Senator Rick Gudex (R-Fond du Lac) recently announced he would not be seeking re-election to the 18 Senate District. The first term state senator was elected in 2012 and will complete his four year term following the 2016 fall election cycle. Sen. Gudex, the president pro tempore of the Senate, serves on the Committee on […]
What’s Left?
Date Fri, Nov. 20, 2015 - 12:18pm By Hamilton
This week the legislature adjourned their fall floor period and Extraordinary Sessions for 2015. With the passage of John Doe, Campaign Finance, and Government Accountability Board reforms many wonder, what’s left? Yesterday’s Marquette Law School poll identified waning support for both political parties in the legislature, which means passing policies that message well at home […]
U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform: Frivolous Lawsuits Have Serious Consequences
Date Fri, Nov. 20, 2015 - 12:16pm By Hamilton
According to the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, the United States legal system is the most costly in the world, making it a major factor in a business’ decision-making process, such as where to expand or relocate. In this podcast, Harold Kim, executive vice president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, discusses […]
Legislature Passes GAB Reform
Date Fri, Nov. 20, 2015 - 12:14pm By Hamilton
On Monday, the Assembly met in an Extraordinary Session to pass the final changes to the bill that eliminates Wisconsin’s Government Accountability Board (GAB). GAB was under fire from Wisconsin Republicans for not living up to its intended mission as an independent board controlled by non-partisan judges. Republican legislators believed the Board was led by […]
Legislature Seeks More Control Over State Employee Health Insurance Programs
Date Fri, Nov. 20, 2015 - 11:50am By Hamilton
Private Consultant Concludes State Could Save Up to $50 Million, Annually, if State Self-Insures Monday, November 16, the Assembly concurred in legislation passed by the Senate to give the legislature more control and authority over state employee health insurance programs. Joint Committee on Finance Co-Chairpersons Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) and Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) […]
Governor Delivers Remarks at Associated Builders and Contractors
Date Fri, Nov. 20, 2015 - 11:46am By Hamilton
This fall, Governor Scott Walker joined Wisconsin construction representatives in touring the Wisconsin Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin (ABC) headquarters and apprentice training center in Madison. ABC is a national trade association for the construction industry that promotes the merit shop form of construction. WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and […]
Governor Walker Creates New Commission on Government Reform, Efficiency, and Performance
Date Fri, Nov. 13, 2015 - 10:50am By Hamilton
Governor Scott Walker’s newly created bipartisan Commission on Government Reform, Efficiency, and Performance met for the first time last week. Governor Walker created the commission by executive order in order to “explore methods to reduce government spending, reduce service duplication, eliminate waste fraud, and abuse in government, and look for better ways to operate state […]
Legislature Attempting to Exert Additional Control Over State Employee Health Insurance Plan
Date Fri, Nov. 13, 2015 - 10:46am By Hamilton
Joint Finance Committee Co-Chairpersons Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) and Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) introduced and championed Assembly Bill 394 to empower JFC to review and approve changes proposed by the Group Insurance Board to the health plan for state employees. The assembly passed AB 394 by a vote of 90-2 on October 27. Friday, […]
Structured Settlements Bill Signed Into Law
Date Fri, Nov. 13, 2015 - 10:43am By Hamilton
Governor Scott Walker signed Assembly Bill 129 into law this week, creating a new set of statues to govern the transfer of structured settlement payments. With the bill’s signing, Wisconsin joined 48 other states that previously had structured settlement transfer provisions already in place. In response to structured settlement rules at the federal level codified […]