The Wisconsin Assembly voted 88-8 to enact long-needed changes to Wisconsin’s Lemon Law. AB 200 makes several significant changes to Wisconsin’s law, as outlined in this memo from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and other supporters, but paramount is the elimination of the punitive double damages mandate. Wisconsin is universally known among automobile, motorcycle, truck, […]
Unemployment Insurance to Undergo Changes
Date Fri, Jun. 14, 2013 - 10:20am By Hamilton
Both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature have passed a bill, SB 200, overhauling the state’s Unemployment Insurance Compensation (UIC) program. The package of twenty-two reforms, which would increase the maximum weekly unemployment payout but also install new limits upon whom can collect the benefits, will now go to the governor for his signature. The bill […]
Assembly to Vote on Lemon Law Reform Bill
Date Wed, Jun. 12, 2013 - 12:04pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Assembly will today vote on long-needed changes to Wisconsin’s Lemon Law. Wisconsin is universally known among automobile, motorcycle, truck, and recreational vehicle manufacturers as having the worst lemon law in the country. The law places unreasonable and unworkable requirements on vehicle manufacturers that allows lawyers like self-proclaimed “Lemon Law King,” Vince Megna, to […]
Additional Changes Proposed for WEDC
Date Fri, Jun. 7, 2013 - 10:29am By Hamilton
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 finance action, companion […]
Legislature Moves Forward on Venture Capital
Date Fri, Jun. 7, 2013 - 10:26am By Hamilton
Wisconsin is a few steps closer to having a state-funded venture capital fund. On June 6, AB 181 was passed by the Assembly and its companion, SB 169 was the subject of a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Local Government. These bills would provide the framework for managing the $25 […]
How Much Does Wisconsin Export to China?
Date Fri, Jun. 7, 2013 - 10:07am By Hamilton
A new report from the US-China Business Council provides a snapshot of how much trade growth with China has grown since 2003 by state. The report indicates that Wisconsin exports to China grew 256% from 2003 to 2012. Wisconsin-specific information from the report. Click here to read the full report.
Budget Bill Heads to the Floor
Date Fri, Jun. 7, 2013 - 9:56am By Hamilton
After a marathon hearing that covered three of the biggest policy issues in the budget – medical assistance, K-12 education, and taxes – the Joint Finance Committee finalized its version of the 2013-15 budget. Highlights Medical Assistance As Gov. Walker recommended, the JFC voted (12-4 along party lines) to reject federal funds for expanding Medicaid […]
Court Upholds Voter ID Law
Date Thu, Jun. 6, 2013 - 10:01am By Hamilton
In its recent ruling in League of Women Voters v. Walker the IV District Court of Appeals declared the 2011 voter ID law to be constitutional on its face and, in doing so, vacated a lower court’s injunction against its enforcement. The court found that under the Wisconsin Constitution, the legislature may enact reasonable election […]
On Last Day JFC Will Take Up Medical Assistance, K-12 Education & Taxes
Date Thu, May. 30, 2013 - 4:20pm By Hamilton
The Joint Finance Committee will convene on Tuesday, June 4 at 10 a.m. to vote on the remaining budget items – medical assistance, K-12 education & taxes. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau has prepared papers on the following budget items for JFC’s consideration: Health Services — Medical Assistance and Related ProgramsMA Cost-to-Continue Reestimate BadgerCare Plus — […]
Finance Committee Votes on Controversial Issues
Date Thu, May. 23, 2013 - 11:06am By Hamilton
As the finance committee wades deeper into the budget mire, the issues become more complex and controversial. On Tuesday, JFC voted, mostly on party lines, on proposals related to public employee benefits, environmental fees, and food share. Double Dipping JFC voted to slightly change the governor’s proposal to limit the ability of retired public employees […]