While politicos waited with bated breath for the latest Marquette University poll to come out, something interesting happened along the way that had the release of the results greeted with higher anticipation. As we’ve written before, the MarquetteUniversity poll has become the standard for statewide polling in Wisconsin. Their results appear to be more accurate […]
Wisconsin Appeals Court Upholds Wind Siting Rules
Date Wed, Apr. 2, 2014 - 10:23am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin 3rd District of Appeals upheld Wisconsin’s wind siting standards on March 22nd. This means that the PSC will not have to produce a report on how wind turbines affect property values while imposing the siting standards. The Wisconsin Realtors Association, Wisconsin Builders Association, and Wisconsin Towns Association along with a few individuals, brought […]
Governor Walker Signs Trust Fund Transparency Bill
Date Wed, Apr. 2, 2014 - 10:19am By Hamilton
Gov. Walker signed AB 19, asbestos trust fund transparency, into law as Act 154 on March 27. The new law allows greater transparency by: Requiring asbestos plaintiffs to disclose any and all claims that they have filed or will file with asbestos trust funds, along with all of the documents and information that support the […]
Governor Walker Signs 29 Bills into Law
Date Wed, Apr. 2, 2014 - 10:12am By Hamilton
With the Assembly and Senate finishing off their two year session and March drawing to a close, Governor Walker signed a slew of bills into law, with one partial veto and one full veto. The following is a partial list of those bills signed: Assembly Bill 770 – creates an emergency heating assistance loan guarantee […]
The Federalist Society 2013 Civil Justice White Paper
Date Wed, Apr. 2, 2014 - 9:55am By Hamilton
In a recent Federalist Society White Paper, WCJC Legislative Director Andrew Cook provides a comprehensive national survey of recent court decisions on challenges to existing civil justice laws and newly enacted civil justice legislation. The first portion of the paper describes state and federal cases related to different civil liability issues and the second half […]
Newsmakers: Growing Wisconsin Small Business with Mark Lange
Date Wed, Apr. 2, 2014 - 9:52am By Hamilton
In a recent episode of WisconsinEye’s Newsmakers, Steve Walters interviewed Mark Lange, a senior official at the University of Wisconsin-Extension. Lange explained what Wisconsin small businesses are up against, where they’ve come from, and where businesses can expect to be heading. Lange explained that there has been an explosion of start-ups and new small businesses […]
DWD Announces New Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants
Date Wed, Apr. 2, 2014 - 9:47am By Hamilton
As part of Governor Walker’s Blueprint for Prosperity, applications for grants being awarded for worker training programs have been released by the Wisconsin Department fo Workforce Development (DWD). Nearly $1.5 million are available for programs which target training for high school students in high-demand fields looking for skilled workers. Secretary Reggie Newson of DWD explained […]
2014 Elections Update
Date Tue, Apr. 1, 2014 - 4:00pm By Hamilton
Kramer files for no candidacy Recently, Political Tidbits reported Representative Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) was ousted as Assembly Majority Leader following allegations of sexual harassment. While the Assembly Republican Caucus unanimously voted to remove Rep. Kramer from his leadership position until the end of session, no word had been heard about whether the representative would resign […]
Oral Chemotherapy Bill Passes Assembly with Amendment
Date Thu, Mar. 20, 2014 - 6:31pm By Hamilton
After passing the Senate earlier this week, discussion on a bill (SB 300) took place in the Assembly that would require an insurance plan that covers both intravenous and oral chemotherapy to treat the cost-sharing (copayment, deductible or coinsurance amounts) for oral chemotherapy the same as cost sharing for intravenous treatments. Referred to as “parity” the […]
Senate Passes Limit on Liability for Parents of Minor Drivers
Date Thu, Mar. 20, 2014 - 6:28pm By Hamilton
On Wednesday, March 12, the Wisconsin Senate passed SB 592 (Sen. Grothman/Rep. Jim Ott) that would place a $300,000 limit on liability for parents of minor drivers. Wisconsin is currently one of roughly 12 states that imposes unlimited liability on parents of drivers ages 16 to 18. Unexpectedly, Rep. Jim Ott, the Assembly Judiciary Chairperson […]