Last week, Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) released updated revenue and expenditure projections for the current fiscal year (FY 2015) and tax collection projections for each year of the biennium (fiscal year 2016 and fiscal year 2017). In November, the Department of Administration estimated a $132.1 million shortfall in the current fiscal year. Recent analysis from […]
LFB Releases Updated Revenue and Expenditure Projections
Date Fri, Jan. 30, 2015 - 10:29am By Hamilton
Bucks Arena Plan Moves Forward
Date Fri, Jan. 30, 2015 - 10:18am By Hamilton
Among the budget proposals released by Governor Walker this week came the plan for a new Milwaukee Bucks Arena. Governor Walker’s plan will give the Milwaukee Bucks $220 million in state bonds once $300 million has been raised from other sources. The plan calls for the creation of a Sports and Entertainment District, and any growth […]
Walker Wows in Iowa
Date Fri, Jan. 30, 2015 - 10:16am By Hamilton
Only a few short weeks after Governor Walker’s inauguration, his focus is clearly set on a new goal: The Presidency. The Governor took another step toward an official entrance into the Republican Presidential primary fray by forming “Our American Revival,” a committee that allows him to raise money to explore that new goal. Last Saturday, […]
Walker’s State Budget Rolls Out
Date Fri, Jan. 30, 2015 - 10:13am By Hamilton
On February 3rd, Governor Walker will provide the details of his budget plan in his Budget Address to the legislature. The anticipation surrounding this biennial address is heightened as Legislative Fiscal Bureau’s revenue numbers released last week indicate revenues for the current fiscal year are less than earlier estimates. With the steep needs of the Medicaid […]
US Supreme Court Takes Up Judicial Campaign Finance Laws
Date Thu, Jan. 29, 2015 - 4:57pm By Hamilton
State statutes affecting judicial candidates in Wisconsin could be impacted depending on a US Supreme Court decision. According to the Wisconsin Election Watch, the nation’s highest court has taken up Williams-Yulvee v. Florida Bar, a case concerning fundraising appeals for judicial candidates. In the case, a judicial candidate in Florida wrote a fundraising letter for […]
Get to Know a Freshman: Week 6
Date Thu, Jan. 29, 2015 - 4:52pm By Hamilton
As we continue our “Get to Know a Freshman” series, we again bring you information on five incoming legislators. With one of the largest freshman classes ever in the Wisconsin Legislature, it may be harder to get to know the newly elected senators and representatives. This week, Political Tidbits highlights the following new legislators: State […]
UPDATE: Legislation on Chief Justice Selection
Date Thu, Jan. 29, 2015 - 4:47pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin State Legislature has passed legislation that would potentially change how the Wisconsin Supreme Court chief justice is selected. The proposed amendment will now appear on the spring ballot as a referendum, and if a majority of voters approve it, the state constitution will be amended. The amendment would require the chief justice be […]
President Obama’s 2015 State of the Union Address
Date Thu, Jan. 29, 2015 - 4:45pm By Hamilton
President Obama gave his penultimate State of the Union address to Congress earlier this month. Highlighting his plan for “middle-class economics,” Obama focused his narrative around the Erler family and outlined policies that would positively affect the average middle-class family. While many commented that this was Obama’s most energized State of the Union since the […]
Joint Hearing Held on EPA’s Proposed Rules for Power Plants
Date Thu, Jan. 29, 2015 - 4:05pm By Hamilton
On Wednesday, the Assembly and Senate energy committees held a joint informational hearing on EPA’s proposed Clean Power Plan rule designed to lower carbon emissions from existing power plants. The committees heard testimony from the Department of Natural Resources, the Public Service Commission, Wisconsin utilities, Clean Wisconsin, and business groups. Much of the testimony and […]
Legislation on Chief Justice Selection
Date Thu, Jan. 15, 2015 - 5:49pm By Hamilton
UPDATE Jan. 20, 2015: The Wisconsin State Senate has passed legislation that could change how the Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice is selected. The State Assembly will vote on the legislation on Thursday afternoon. If passed, the legislation will be appear as a referendum on the April 7th ballot. If the referendum is approved, the […]