Final MU Poll Before Election Shows Close Gov, AG Races
Date Thu, Nov. 1, 2018 - 3:24pm By Hamilton
On Oct. 31, Marquette University Law School (MU) released its final poll before the 2018 midterm elections. Overall, numbers remained largely the same as in the previous poll. Voter opinions on the economy remain positive, and the majority of voters still think Wisconsin is headed in the right direction. Gov. Scott Walker and Tony Evers […]
CMS Approves BadgerCare Reform Demonstration Waiver
Date Thu, Nov. 1, 2018 - 2:55pm By Hamilton
The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved Wisconsin’s Section 1115 BadgerCare Reform demonstration waiver. The waiver primarily makes changes to the BadgerCare childless adult (CLA) population in the state’s Medicaid program. The changes include: Work requirements. CLAs are required to participate in 80 hours per month of community engagement, including employment, […]
State Finishes FY 2018 With Positive Balance
Date Thu, Nov. 1, 2018 - 2:52pm By Hamilton
On Oct. 15, the Department of Administration (DOA) released the state fiscal report, detailing the final budget numbers for fiscal year 2018. The state ended the year with a balance of $588 million in general funds, which was $41 million more than budgeted. General purpose revenue (GPR) was up over 4 percent from the fiscal […]
Study Committee on Body Cameras Discusses First Draft of Bill
Date Thu, Nov. 1, 2018 - 2:46pm By Hamilton
The Study Committee on the Use of Police Body Cameras met for what was expected to be the last time on Oct. 18. However, because of concerns with the current bill draft, it was determined that the committee will need to meet one final time. The first part of the meeting was spent reviewing the […]
Study Committee on Bail & Conditions of Pretrial Release Discusses Risk Assessments Data, Draft Ideas
Date Thu, Nov. 1, 2018 - 2:43pm By Hamilton
The Study Committee on Bail & Conditions of Pretrial Release had their third meeting on Oct. 16. The committee heard from two presenters and began to develop ideas for potential draft legislation updating Wisconsin’s pretrial detention processes. First, the Wisconsin Department of Justice gave a presentation on using data, research, and information for informed pretrial […]
Study Committee on School Trust Funds Discusses Next Steps
Date Thu, Nov. 1, 2018 - 2:39pm By Hamilton
The Study Committee on Investment and Use of School Trust Funds met at the state capitol on Oct. 11 to hear from several presenters and to discuss next steps for the committee. The meeting began with presentations from the Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board’s manager of investments, who discussed how Idaho updated its constitution to […]
Supreme Court Adopts Petition Amending Default Judgment Rule
Date Thu, Nov. 1, 2018 - 9:29am By Hamilton
Recently, the Supreme Court adopted a petition amending the default judgment rule (Wis. Stat. § 806.02) for parties failing to timely file answers to complaints. Under previous law, only plaintiffs could obtain default judgments against defendants who fail to comply with deadlines in Wis. Stat. § 802.06(1). Under the statute as amended by the Supreme […]
2018 State of the Judiciary Address Highlights Business Court Pilot
Date Thu, Nov. 1, 2018 - 9:27am By Hamilton
On Oct. 31, Chief Justice Patience Roggensack delivered the 2018 State of the Judiciary Address. Among other topics, Chief Justice Roggensack’s remarks highlighted Wisconsin’s Commercial Docket (a.k.a. Business Court) Pilot Project that began in July 2017. According to Chief Justice Roggensack, the commercial docket has handled 35 cases as of September, 14 of which have […]
Supreme Court November Oral Arguments
Date Thu, Nov. 1, 2018 - 9:24am By Hamilton
The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in six cases next week, marking the beginning of the November calendar. On Monday, Nov. 5, the court will hear arguments in two cases of note: Yacht Club at Sister Bay Condo Association, Inc. v. Village of Sister Bay will determine whether each nuisance-causing event at a town […]
Wisconsin Tort Costs Fair Well in U.S. Chamber Study
Date Thu, Nov. 1, 2018 - 9:22am By Hamilton
At its annual summit in October, the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform released a comprehensive study on how the tort system imposes costs on society. The study shows Wisconsin’s costs and compensation in its tort system fair well in comparison to other states. The study showed Wisconsin has the fourth lowest tort costs per […]