Cook Elected to State Bar Environmental Law Section Board

Please join us in congratulating Hamilton Consulting’s Andrew Cook, who was elected to the board of directors of the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Environmental Law Section! Cook, and the other newly elected members of the board, Margaret Hoefer, Chris Jaekels, and Matt Moroney, will serve terms beginning on July 1, 2012 and ending on June […]

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LRB’s Summary of the 2011–2012 Wisconsin Legislative Session

The Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau has released its research bulletin providing an overview of the acts and joint resolutions of the 2011–2012 Wisconsin Legislative Session. Legislation is organized by topic with acts described under the appropriate subject heading or headings. Significant acts and joint resolutions are highlighted by shading. 

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Legislative Audit Bureau Reviews Two DHS Programs

Wisconsin’s independent Legislative Audit Bureau recently released its audits of the Wisconsin FoodShares program and the state’s Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan (HIRSP) Authority. FoodShares Audit Summary FoodShare Wisconsin is the state’s program implementing the federal Food Stamp Act of 1964 to assist low-income individuals and families in purchasing food. The program is administered by the […]

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Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Seeks Public Input

In April, Governor Scott Walker signed Executive Order #65, creating the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. The Council is designed to explore ways to improve planning, coordination and cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the state. The Council will meet at least four times per year and annually report to the Governor and other relevant state […]

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DHS Sec. Smith Speaks About Medicaid Reforms

At a luncheon sponsored by Wisconsin Health News and Badger Bay Management, Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary Dennis Smith gave an update on DHS’s Medicaid reforms. Smith also discussed his unique experiences working on Medicaid waivers at both the state and federal levels. Smith discussed in depth Wisconsin’s decision to retain coverage levels in […]

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Recall Update

With less than a week to go before the June 5 recall elections, tensions are running high across the Badger State. Hamilton Consulting’s detailed analysis of the recall primary results lays out each race and the implications of different outcomes, so in case you missed it be sure to check it out. Since the primary, […]

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Wisconsin Supreme Court Issues Bad Lemon Law Decision

In a troubling 5-1 decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court awarded Attorney Vince Megna – the self-proclaimed “Lemon Law King” – a victory that allowed him and his client to walk away with over $700,000 in damages. This despite the fact that Megna and the owner acted in bad faith, therefore making it impossible for the […]

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Another Campaign Ad Falsely Claims Law Protecting Equal Pay for Women Repealed

The Greater Wisconsin Political Fund has released an ad targeting Gov. Scott Walker that falsely alleges that he repealed a law making it “easier for corporations to pay women less money than men.” Opponents of Senate Bill 202 (2011 Wisconsin Act 219), which repeals punitive and compensatory damages under the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, continue […]

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Court Decides Neither Employees nor Employers Have a Right to Cross Examine State Appointed Physician

The Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a little noticed decision (Aurora Consolidated Health Care v. Labor & Industry Review Commission, 2012 WI 49) involving worker’s compensation that could negatively affect Wisconsin’s employers. In a 5-1 decision – authored by Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, joined by Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, and Justices Patrick Crooks, Annette Ziegler and […]

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Supreme Court Issues Split Decision Expanding Liability of Physicians

The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Tuesday, April 17, issued a split decision which greatly expands the liability of physicians in medical liability cases. The case involved the scope of a physician’s duty to inform a patient, often referred to as “informed consent.”   The three-Justice majority decision was authored by Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, joined […]

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