GAB Finalizes Recall Election Dates, Barrett Announces Candidacy

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, […]

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Legislative Elections Update

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 […]

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Gov. Walker Signs Three Healthcare Bills

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 […]

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Candidates Square Off in Presidential Primary & Judicial Elections

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 […]

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Election Preview

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 […]

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Significant Legislation Passed This Session

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 […]

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High Court Rules that Owners of Property Destroyed by a Forest Fire Are Entitled to Double Damages

In a 6-1 decision authored by Justice Annette Ziegler, the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that if an owner’s property is destroyed by a forest fire that is caused by negligence of another person, then the property owner automatically is entitled to double damages. Chief Justice Abrahamson, along with Justices Crooks, Prosser, Roggensack, and Gableman joined […]

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Legislature Passes Ski Hill Liability Protection Legislation, Sent to Governor’s Desk

This week, the Wisconsin Assembly passed Senate Bill 388, which expands the “assumption of risk” doctrine to protect ski operators who follow certain safety protocols from lawsuits. The bill will now be sent to the Governor for his signature. The assumption of risk doctrine provides that when an individual engages in a potentially dangerous activity, […]

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Judge Sets Recall Election Dates

On the morning of March 14th, Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess approved the Government Accountability Board’s plan to hold the upcoming recall elections on May 8, and if that becomes a primary election, June 5. Attorneys for all six targeted officials, for the committees to recall them, and for the GAB agreed to the […]

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GAB Calls for Four Senate Recall Elections

The Government Accountability Board met on Monday, March 12th and ordered recall elections against four senators. The GAB also decided it would ask a judge to allow for recall elections to be held on May 8 and June 5, a week later than is currently required by law. The GAB ordered recall elections for state […]

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