As it relates to the current state of Wisconsin politics, the words “John Doe” have been omnipresent for what seems like Governor Walker’s entire tenure in office. The probe may be close to a conclusion as another challenge to the probe has been eliminated. In the spring of 2014 Eric O’Keefe, Executive Director of Wisconsin […]
U.S. Supreme Court Will Not Take Up John Doe Case – Decision Pending in Wisconsin Supreme Court
Date Sun, May. 31, 2015 - 7:44pm By Hamilton
EPA Plans to Review Permit for Pig Farm in Bayfield County
Date Sun, May. 31, 2015 - 7:41pm By Hamilton
After opposition arose over the potential construction of a new pig concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided to step and review the permitting process. Wisconsin currently is home to approximately 240 cow CAFOs, but Badgerwood LLC, a Wisconsin-based subsidiary of Iowa-based Reicks Farms, is looking to construct the […]
JFC Executive Actions – Week 3
Date Fri, May. 15, 2015 - 10:38am By Hamilton
PECFA, Fast Forward Program, State Parks, Confluence Project, DOJ The Joint Finance Committee continues to work their way through the governor’s budget. Below are the highlights of JFC votes from last week. Read about JFC’s from this week here. Petroleum Environmental Cleanup Fund Award (PECFA) JFC passed a motion that would delay the governor’s proposed […]
JFC Executive Actions – Week 4
Date Fri, May. 15, 2015 - 10:32am By Hamilton
Environmental Improvement Fund, Telecommunications for Schools, IT Consolidation, Legal Services, Property Tax, Public Works, School Levy Tax The Joint Finance Committee continues to work their way through the governor’s budget. Below are the highlights of JFC votes from this week. Read last week’s JFC actions here. Environmental Improvement Fund The Environmental Improvement Fund includes two […]
LFB: No Additional Revenue Projected
Date Fri, May. 15, 2015 - 10:25am By Hamilton
After weeks of optimistically waiting for new revenue numbers from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB), legislators were faced with the bleak reality: there is no new revenue projected for the 2015-2017 budget. In the LFB memo to the members of the Joint Finance Committee, the LFB director explained that even if there was additional revenue […]
Senate and Assembly Meet: Pass TIF and Foodshare Bills
Date Fri, May. 15, 2015 - 10:10am By Hamilton
Since the last edition of Political Tidbits, both the State Senate and State Assembly have met on the floor to pass and debate a number of bills. Last week, the Senate unanimously passed four bills that came out of the Joint Legislative Council Study Committee on Tax Increment Financing Study Committee. This includes Senate Bill […]
WEDC & WHEDA Merger Called Off
Date Fri, May. 15, 2015 - 10:08am By Hamilton
In the previous edition of Political Tidbits we detailed the just released bill draft that would merge the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) into one agency, the Forward Wisconsin Development Authority (FWDA). Last Friday, Governor Walker issued a press release requesting legislators to remove the WEDC and […]
Bills of Note: Changing the Rules
Date Fri, May. 15, 2015 - 10:05am By Hamilton
In this week’s edition of Bills of Note, we provide an update on the ride-sharing bill, a description of major reforms being circulated to change Wisconsin administrating rule-making processes, and a bill that would increase funding for law enforcement grants. Ride-Sharing Bill A bill we introduced in Bills of Note in mid-April has quickly gone […]
Sen. Farrow Resignation to Take Effect July 17
Date Fri, May. 1, 2015 - 10:42am By Hamilton
Senator Paul Farrow (R-Pewaukee) is resigning from the 33rd Senate District seat he holds as of July 17, 2015, to become Waukesha County Executive. Read his resignation letter, released today, below:
DNR’s Coolest Fish Contest
Date Fri, May. 1, 2015 - 8:58am By Hamilton
“Does a lake sturgeon beat a bowfin, a burbot beat a sauger?” The Department of Natural Resources is holding an online contest to determine which fish really is the coolest. Head to the Wisconsin DNR’s Facebook page and you can vote for your favorite fish.