Supreme Court Oral Arguments – September 2019
Date Sun, Oct. 13, 2019 - 6:50pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme Court held oral arguments on several notable cases in September. (Calendar and case synopses.) Issues before the court included legal nonconforming uses, successor liability, and annexation. Lamar Central Outdoor, LLC v. Division of Hearings & Appeals (Legal Nonconforming Use) – Sept. 4 This case will review whether the enlargement of a […]
Supreme Court Oral Arguments – October 2019
Date Sun, Oct. 13, 2019 - 5:55pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is in the midst of a busy month of oral arguments. Cases heard this month include the second case litigating the 2018 extraordinary session legislation, insurance issues, employee wages, and misrepresentation claims. Hinrichs v. DOW Chemical Co. (Fraudulent Representation) – Oct. 3 This case involves a dispute between a manufacturer […]
October Floor Preview: Senate to Approve Evers Appointments, Assembly Will Focus on First Responders
Date Tue, Oct. 8, 2019 - 10:27am By Hamilton
The Senate and Assembly are both meeting this week for the first time since passing the state budget in June. Both chambers plan to meet once more in November before returning in 2020 for the final floorperiods of the 2019-20 legislative session. Below are highlights of the Senate & Assembly calendars this week. Senate […]
Wisconsin Democrats Release Legislative Priorities
Date Tue, Oct. 8, 2019 - 10:24am By Hamilton
Ahead of October floor sessions this week, Wisconsin Democrats released a list of legislative priorities called “Forward Together.” Legislators released the initiative at press conferences around the state on Oct. 7. The package is “focused on values that put families, workers, and communities first.” The initiative contains several proposals under eight broad categories: Under Affordable […]
PSCW Gives Final Approval to Cardinal-Hickory Creek Transmission Line
Date Tue, Oct. 8, 2019 - 8:51am By Hamilton
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) has given final approval for the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line. The line will electrically connect Dane County, Wisconsin to Dubuque County, Iowa. Additional approvals are needed from the Iowa Utilities Board and federal agencies. The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the application and conditions, which received initial approval […]
Gov. Evers Requests AG Opinion on Act 21
Date Mon, Oct. 7, 2019 - 4:27pm By Hamilton
Attorney General Josh Kaul is currently considering a request from Gov. Tony Evers for a formal opinion regarding the applicability of 2011 Act 21. Act 21 provided a broad scope of rulemaking reforms. The legislation clarified that agencies may not enforce requirements unless explicitly permitted by statute or properly promulgated rule and further refined what an […]
Federal Extraordinary Session Case Dismissed
Date Mon, Oct. 7, 2019 - 4:12pm By Hamilton
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin recently dismissed DPW v. Vos, the federal case challenging the 2018 extraordinary session laws. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin (DPW) had filed a complaint in February seeking to declare the extraordinary session legislation in violation of the U.S. Constitution. DPW alleged that the legislation violates the […]
Wis. Congressional Candidates: Who’s In and Who’s Out
Date Mon, Oct. 7, 2019 - 3:51pm By Hamilton
UPDATED 10/16/19 The lists of possible candidates for the open 7th and 5th Congressional Districts in Wisconsin continue to narrow. Meanwhile, recent headlines in the 7th have focused on the primary and general election dates for the special election to replace Sean Duffy, whose resignation took effect Sept. 23. 7th CD Citing a need […]
CARES Act Would Eliminate Workforce Barriers for PAs
Date Mon, Oct. 7, 2019 - 3:47pm By Hamilton
The Collaboration and Rural Expansion of Services (CARES) Act (LRB 0196), which would update Wisconsin statutes related to physician assistants (PAs), is currently circulating in the Legislature. The bill seeks to reduce workforce barriers for PAs, thus maintaining and increasing access to high quality medical care, particularly in underserved rural areas of the state. The […]
Benefits for Families of Fallen Officers Scheduled for Senate, Assembly Votes
Date Mon, Oct. 7, 2019 - 3:32pm By Hamilton
The Senate plans to vote on Tuesday, Oct. 8, on legislation (SB 266/AB 300) which would require any government entity and Marquette University to provide health insurance benefits to the widowed spouse and/or children after a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty. The Assembly has also scheduled a vote on the […]