The Department of Health Services is holding public meetings to solicit comments on a draft proposal for Virtual PACE, a program to integrate the care for people who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. More than 120,000 Wisconsin residents receive their health care through a combination of their Medicare and Medicaid benefit. This proposal […]
Federal Court Will Draw Final District Lines
Date Tue, Apr. 3, 2012 - 7:08pm By Hamilton
The electoral districts that will be in place for the next 10 years will soon be finalized by a panel of federal judges. Every 10 years the state legislature must redraw election boundaries to reflect population shifts and ensure that political districts throughout the state include roughly the same number of voters. The most recent […]
Voter ID Lawsuits Headed to Supreme Court
Date Tue, Apr. 3, 2012 - 7:01pm By Hamilton
Earlier this year, two different Dane County circuit court judges issued injunctions against the new voter ID law. The Attorney General appealed those decisions, and on March 28, those appeals were certified directly to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The Second District Court of Appeals said that because the lawsuits raise significant legal issues that affect […]
The Race to Fill Retiring U.S. Senator Kohl’s Seat
Date Tue, Apr. 3, 2012 - 6:58pm By Hamilton
On Nov. 6, 2012, Wisconsin voters will elect a new U.S. Senator to take the place of long-time Sen. Herb Kohl (D), who announced that he was retiring last May. Both parties view this seat as critical to their 2012 strategy, which means much attention, and much money will be focused on this race. The […]
GAB Finalizes Recall Election Dates, Barrett Announces Candidacy
Date Tue, Apr. 3, 2012 - 6:50pm By Hamilton
At a March 30 meeting, the five-member Wisconsin Government Accountability Board voted unanimously to formally certify recall elections against Gov. Walker, Lt. Gov. Kleefisch, and four Republican state senators: Scott Fitzgerald, Van Wanggaard, Terry Moulton, and Pam Galloway. All six recall elections have been scheduled for May 8, and if that becomes a primary election, […]
Legislative Elections Update
Date Tue, Apr. 3, 2012 - 6:45pm By Hamilton
Since Hamilton Consulting’s last elections update, two additional members of the Wisconsin legislature have announced they will not seek re-election. There are now two open Senate seats, which has enticed some Assembly members to abandon their current races for a shot at a seat in the other house. Rep. Robert Turner of the 61st Assembly […]
Gov. Walker Signs Three Healthcare Bills
Date Tue, Apr. 3, 2012 - 12:54pm By Hamilton
Bills passed by the legislature during the final days of session are beginning to make their way to the Governor’s desk for final approval. The Governor recently traveled to the Marshfield Clinic to sign three healthcare related bills. Senate Bill 317 expands the use of electronic prescriptions to schedule II substances. Schedule II substances are […]
Candidates Square Off in Presidential Primary & Judicial Elections
Date Mon, Apr. 2, 2012 - 4:05pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin voters will head to the polls on April 3rd to vote in the Presidential Preference primary and in various judicial elections. The national media are eagerly awaiting the Wisconsin primary, which could play a pivotal role in this year’s Presidential nomination process, but in Wisconsin the focus of the electorate has been drawn toward […]
Election Preview
Date Tue, Mar. 20, 2012 - 3:09pm By Hamilton
The end of the legislative session always signals the start of campaign season, however, this year the races have already started and the fights are projected to be intense. Adding to an already tumultuous election cycle, legislators are running in newly redistricted seats, some of which have not been finalized because they are being challenged […]
Significant Legislation Passed This Session
Date Tue, Mar. 20, 2012 - 3:06pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Legislature passed over 200 bills and a number of resolutions during the 2011-12 legislative session. As of March 20, 123 of those bills had been signed into law. Some of the most important bills impacting Hamilton clients include: Regulatory Reforms Prohibits DNR from requiring air pollution control permits for indirect sources. – SB […]