Agency Budget Request Highlights

Agency budget requests for the 2013-15 biennial budget bill have been submitted to the Department of Administration (DOA) for review. Requests approved by the Governor will be included in his budget bill, which is expected to be introduced in January 2013. While the bulk of the agency requests submitted to date generally relate to standard […]

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Supreme Court Punts on Voter ID, For Now

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has declined to take up challenges to the state’s voter ID law until an appeals court hears the cases, meaning questions about the law will not be resolved until well after the November elections. Two separate Dane County circuit judges have ruled against the law in Milwaukee Branch of the NAACP […]

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Autumn Upkeep

In the real world autumn is a time to prepare for the coming winter; in the lobbying world autumn is the time to prepare for the next legislative session. The Hamilton team is working to make sure our clients have the tools necessary to accomplish their government relations goals in the 2013-14 Legislative session, which […]

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World Dairy Expo Highlights Dairy Technology

The World Dairy Expo, an annual event held in Madison, broke attendance records with attendees from over 90 different countries and a record 2,977 cows exhibited. The Expo is a forum for dairy producers, companies and organizations to come together to compete and learn more about technology and commerce. The number of commercial booths at […]

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Court to Decide Scope of Arbitration

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has heard oral arguments in a case concerning the scope of discovery in arbitration cases. IDS Property Casualty Insurance Company issued an automobile insurance policy to the Marlowes (the plaintiffs). The uninsured provision contained an arbitration agreement which provided that the “local rules of law as to procedures and evidence will […]

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High Court Hears Oral Argument in UIM Case Determining Whether Policy Excluding Self-Insured Vehicles Is Lawful

The Wisconsin Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in a case dealing with under-insured motorist coverage (UIM). The case arose from an automobile accident which killed Lynn Bethke. Bethke collided with a driver who was operating a rental car owned by AVIS Rent-a-Car. The driver of the rental vehicle did not have insurance. Instead, AVIS […]

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WMC to Host EPA Trainwreck Briefing

Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce is presenting, Decision 2012, Part IV: EPA Trainwreck. The briefing will explain how EPA rules targeting the energy sector will increase the cost of electricity. Speakers include Congressman Reid Ribble and Ross Eisenberg, Vice President, Energy Resource NAM. The briefing will be held on October 24 in Neenah at the Best […]

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October is Cyber Security Awareness Month

In 2010, people throughout Wisconsin lost $4.9 million through cyber rip-offs and scams. The average was more than $1000 per victim. In one case, a victim lost more than $160,000. Gov. Scott Walker has declared October as Cyber Security Awareness Month. Throughout the month, ReadyWisconsin will feature easy to follow tips that can stop cybercriminals […]

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Recent Polls Show Democratic Trend

There is a lot of variance in the slew of recent polls covering the Badger state, the first since the party conventions. However, all of the polls show a Wisconsin electorate trending toward Democrats with less than 50 days until the November 6th elections. Seven  straight polls have shown U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin with a […]

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Court Rulings Increase Act 10 Confusion

Gov. Walker’s budget repair bill, Act 10, was thrown into judicial limbo when a Dane County judge recently struck down parts of the law causing some public-sector unions to seek revisions to their contracts. However, Atty. Gen. J.B Van Hollen is currently seeking a stay of the decision and has said the state will appeal […]

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