On November 11, the Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in what is perhaps the most hotly anticipated case of the year – Madison Teachers, Inc. v. Scott Walker. The case centers on the constitutionality of 2011 Wisconsin Act 10, also known as the budget repair bill, which sparked massive protests at the state […]
Latest News from the Dept. of Revenue
Date Fri, Nov. 8, 2013 - 3:39pm By Hamilton
The latest Wisconsin Tax Bulletin from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue is now available. This edition features information on DOR’s efforts to protect the identity of people receiving tax refunds, the new online application for registering a “qualified Wisconsin business,” and the latest private letter rulings, among other things.
Special Elections Update
Date Fri, Nov. 8, 2013 - 2:45pm By Hamilton
Three special elections have been scheduled to fill the voids left by legislators giving up their seats this fall. Two generals and one primary will be held on November 19, and the final general is scheduled for December 17. 21st Assembly District – General Election Nov. 19 Elizabeth Coppola, D – […]
Crowdfunding Bill Signed Into Law
Date Fri, Nov. 8, 2013 - 12:03pm By Hamilton
Gov. Walker has signed into law the CASE (crowdfunding and securities exemptions) for Jobs Act, which gives businesses the ability to attract investments via the Internet. Gov. Scott Walker addressed the crowd at the bill-signing. In addition creating crowdfunding exemptions, the CASE for Jobs Act makes various changes to Wisconsin’s securities registration laws relating […]
DNR Releases Report on Water Use in Wisconsin
Date Thu, Oct. 24, 2013 - 8:59pm By Hamilton
As part of Wisconsin’s participation in the Great Lakes Compact, water users capable of withdrawing 100,000 gallons per day are required to report their water usage for the previous year to the DNR by March 1 of each year. The DNR has released its summary of these reports for the 2012 calendar year. According to […]
SCOTUS Takes Up Major Greenhouse Gas Case
Date Thu, Oct. 24, 2013 - 8:56pm By Hamilton
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an important case challenging the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from new and modified major stationary sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA). Background In April 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Massachusetts v. EPA, 549 U.S. 497 (2007), that greenhouse gases (GHG), including […]
Richards and Schimel Announce Candidacy for Attorney General
Date Thu, Oct. 24, 2013 - 8:48pm By Hamilton
Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen’s announcement that he will not seek re-election in 2014 has sparked a flurry of election activity. Rep. Jon Richards, D-Milwaukee, and Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel have already announced their entrance into the attorney general race, and other candidates are expected to announce soon. Richards has served the city […]
Measuring the Miles
Date Thu, Oct. 24, 2013 - 8:46pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) has released its annual report on the number of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in Wisconsin over the past year. The 2012 report indicates the states roads got 59 billion miles of use in 2012, with the average citizen putting in 10,337 miles behind the wheel. VMT is a commonly […]
Recommendations from the Mental Health Taskforce
Date Thu, Oct. 24, 2013 - 8:43pm By Hamilton
Recently, the Speaker’s Task Force on Mental Health published a report containing their recommendations to improve Wisconsin’s mental health services and laws. The bipartisan Task Force chaired by Rep. Severson, brought together legislators, specialists, law enforcement officers, and mental health care providers to develop the recommendations. The report recommendations include: Hospital Diversion, Emergency Detention, and Civil […]
LAB Audits State Life Insurance Fund
Date Thu, Oct. 24, 2013 - 8:28pm By Hamilton
The non-partisan Legislative Audit Bureau has released its review of the State Life Insurance Fund for the years 2009-2012. LAB found that the fund was in good shape, but needs to decrease its surplus to asset ratio from 11 percent to be within the statutorily prescribed 7-10 percent range.