2013 Wisconsin Act 101, which amends Wisconsin’s lemon law, went into effect on March 1. Prior to Act 101, Wisconsin notoriously had one of the worst lemon laws in the country. The law placed unreasonable and unworkable requirements on vehicle manufacturers that allows lawyers like self-proclaimed “Lemon Law King,” Vince Megna, to win outsized awards […]
Supreme Court Hears Case on Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Date Thu, Mar. 6, 2014 - 6:05pm By Hamilton
Supreme Court Hears Case Determining Scope of EPA’s Authority to Regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions under Clean Air Act On Monday, February 24, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments for the case Utility Air Regulatory Group v. Environmental Protection Agency.This is the first case since the Court’s Massachusetts v. EPA opinion to address the EPA’s authority […]
Lt. Governor Kleefisch Discusses Tax Reform Roundtables
Date Thu, Mar. 6, 2014 - 5:43pm By Hamilton
On Feb. 19th, 2014, WisconsinEye sernior producer Steve Walters hosted a Newsmakers Interview with Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch. They discussed the upcoming tax reforms in the State of Wisconsin. The interview concentrated largely on the new tax reform roundtables, which are held throughout the state to gather input from Wisconsin citizens. Kleefisch also discussed an […]
Wisconsin Governor’s Conference on Tourism takes flight
Date Thu, Mar. 6, 2014 - 5:20pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Governor’s Conference on Tourism was hosted this past week in Lake Geneva, which celebrates one of Wisconsin’s leading industries and shares the Department of Tourism’s outlook and plans for the future. This year the conference was held at the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa in Lake Geneva, and featured a unique commercial debut. […]
Legislators Weigh in on Worker’s Compensation Bills
Date Thu, Mar. 6, 2014 - 4:58pm By Hamilton
In the last edition of Hamilton Consulting’s Political Tidbits, we reported on the Joint Committee hearing on Worker’s Compensation. The proposed bill plans to establish cost controls in the system by implementing a fee schedule for medical costs by mid-year 2015. Addressing issues seen in the bill, Senator Glen Grothman, Chair of the Senate Committee […]
Public Hearing on Bill Limiting Liability for Parents Negligence of Minor Drivers
Date Fri, Feb. 14, 2014 - 10:39am By Hamilton
Legislation (AB 706) was introduced by Rep. Jim Ott (R-Mequon) and Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) that would protect parents from unlimited liability when their minor child is involved in an automobile accident. Wisconsin is currently one of only 12 states that imposes unlimited liability to parents who sign their child’s driver’s license application. AB […]
Committee Passes Legislation Allowing Strip Searches – Bill Headed to Assembly for Vote
Date Fri, Feb. 14, 2014 - 10:18am By Hamilton
Legislation (AB 556/SB 447) introduced by Rep. Duey Stroebel (R-Saukeville ) and Sen. Joe Leibham (R-Sheboygan) amends Wisconsin’s current law to allow strip searches if a person is lawfully arrested or detained by law enforcement and if the person will be incarcerated or detained in a jail or prison with one or more persons. Under […]
Legislative Update: Assembly passes constitutional amendment
Date Thu, Feb. 13, 2014 - 9:23pm By Hamilton
Assembly passes Governor’s tax cut plan, constitutional amendment The state Assembly passed Special Session Assembly Bills 1 and 2, which Governor Walker announced in his State of the State Address in January. The bill uses a $1 billion state surplus to cut income and property taxes, gives $35 million to job training programs, and adds […]
Legislative Days at State Capitol
Date Thu, Feb. 13, 2014 - 8:57pm By Hamilton
Legislative Days provides an opportunity for individuals and businesses to come to Madison to meet with their elected officials and discuss issues of importance to them. Members from Xcel Energy, Wisconsin Economic Development Association, and the Wisconsin Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, met with state senators, legislators, and elected officials this past week. The […]
Joint Committee Hears Testimony on Worker’s Compensation Bills
Date Thu, Feb. 13, 2014 - 8:45pm By Hamilton
Last week, a joint public hearing of the Assembly and Senate Labor committees was held on AB 711 and Senate Bill 550. These companion bills were forwarded to the legislature by the Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council, a council made up of management and labor representatives who negotiate worker’s compensation policy changes. This Council has been […]