Pres. Obama Unveils Climate Change Plan

Pres. Obama has laid out a sweeping new climate change plan. The plan, which would cut carbon emissions in the United States and encourage other countries to do so as well, bypasses Congress, opting to achieve the president’s policy goals via executive action. Video of Pres. Obama’s remarks on his plan. Click here for the […]

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Gov. Walker Issues Vetoes & Signs Budget

Gov. Scott Walker signed the $70 billion 2013-15 Wisconsin biennial budget into law on June 30, 2013. Walker vetoed 57 items in the budget, which reduced GPR spending by $856,000 over the biennium. The budget signed by Gov. Walker varies from the budget passed by the legislature thanks to the expansive veto powers granted to […]

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Legislature Adopts Budget Provision Retroactively Applying Lead Paint Provisions

In 2011, Gov. Scott Walker introduced and the Legislature passed the omnibus civil liability reform bill (2011 Wisconsin Act 2). One of Act 2’s provisions overturned the Thomas v. Mallet decision, which established the “risk contribution” theory in lead paint cases. The legislature is considering retroactively applying the Act 2 standard to all cases.   […]

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DWD Working to Implement Wisconsin Fast Forward Training Program

Since Gov. Walker signed legislation in March to enact the Wisconsin Fast Forward initiative, the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has moved quickly to launch the Office of Skills Development (OSD) and lay the regulatory groundwork for a nimble, adaptive and accountable system to advance innovative worker training programs. Rulemaking DWD’s initial public comment period […]

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Legislature to Vote on $70 Billion Budget

The Joint Finance Committee’s (JFC) budget bill, ASA 1 to AB 40, will now be taken up for consideration by each house of the legislature. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald have both indicated they would like to pass the JFC version of the budget with as few changes as possible. […]

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Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to Undergo Changes

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has been the focus of much legislative attention since the Audit Bureau’s report on mismanagement at WEDC came out last month. In addition to items included in the JFC proposed 2013-15 budget, numerous bills have been introduced to make changes at the pseudo-agency. In the height of budget action, companion […]

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State to Enter Venture Capital Business

Both houses of the legislature have now passed a bill, AB 181, which would establish a state-funded venture capital fund. The bill now goes to the governor for approval, the last step in the law-making process. AB 181 passed the Assembly 91-2 on June 6, with overwhelming support from both parties. Only Reps. Chris Kapenga […]

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Executive Overreach in the Age of Obama: Dodd-Frank, IRS Targeting, & the DOJ

THE FEDERALIST SOCIETY FOR LAW & PUBLIC POLICY STUDIES MADISON LAWYERS CHAPTER PRESENTS: Executive Overreach in the Age of Obama: Dodd-Frank, IRS Targeting, & the DOJ A Conversation with former White House Counsel Boyden Gray Moderated by the Honorable Randy Koschnick, Jefferson County Circuit Court Thursday, June 27, 2013 5:00 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Madison […]

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Unemployment Reserve Fund Improving but Still in the Red

The Legislative Audit Bureau’s report on the state’s Unemployment Reserve Fund shows that the fund’s equity increased by $313.7 million during the 2011-12 fiscal year, however, the fund is still $612.4 million in the hole. During fiscal year (FY) 2011-12, fund equity increased from a deficit of $926.1 million as of June 30, 2011, to […]

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Assembly Votes to Raise Campaign Contribution Limits

The Assembly has passed a bill making various changes in election, campaign finance, ethics, and lobbying laws. The bill passed on a bi-partisan voice vote and is now headed to the Senate. Electronic Voter Registration Under the bill, starting in 2015, people could register to vote and change their address on a secure internet site […]

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