The Wisconsin Supreme Court has decided to hear a case that will determine whether the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is required, when making water level decisions on impounded lakes, to consider evidence of the water level’s effect on property values. The DNR argues that it is not required to consider the economic effects on […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Accepts Case Determining DNR’s Authority
Date Fri, Mar. 2, 2012 - 11:34am By Hamilton
High Court Votes to End Open Administrative Conferences
Date Fri, Mar. 2, 2012 - 11:27am By Hamilton
In another 4-3 decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court voted to end the practice of holding all court administrative conferences as meetings open to the public. The rule was proposed by Justice Patience Roggensack and supported by Justices David Prosser, Annette Ziegler, and Michael Gableman. Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson opposed the rule, along with Justices Ann […]
Federal Court Hears Oral Arguments in Redistricting Case
Date Fri, Mar. 2, 2012 - 11:20am By Hamilton
A three-judge panel for the United States District Court in Milwaukee recently wrapped up oral arguments in redistricting case. The lawsuit was filed by a number of citizens arguing that newly drawn electoral maps violate the U.S. Constitution. Before oral arguments began, the court gave the attorneys for the Republican legislators a chance to redraw […]
Legislature Repeals Punitive and Compensatory Damages under WFEA
Date Wed, Feb. 22, 2012 - 4:21pm By Hamilton
On February 21, 2012 the Wisconsin Assembly passed SB 202, which repeals punitive and compensatory damages under the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act. The Senate has already passed SB 202, so it is now headed to Gov. Walker for his signature. By repealing punitive and compensatory damages and removing an incentive for plaintiff attorneys to sue […]
Mining Update
Date Fri, Feb. 17, 2012 - 3:15pm By Hamilton
This has been a busy week with regard to the proposed mining legislation, Assembly Bill 426/Senate Bill 488. The bills would create new statutes to govern ferrous (iron) mining, which is currently regulated in the same manner as non-ferrous (non-iron minerals like gold or copper) mining under Wisconsin law. On Monday, February 13th, the Senate […]
Senate Passes Wetlands Bill
Date Wed, Feb. 15, 2012 - 3:28pm By Hamilton
Early this morning, the Senate approved legislation that would ease restrictions on development in or near state wetlands. Senate Bill 368, sponsored by Senator Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn), makes significant changes to Wisconsin’s wetlands permitting process. Wisconsin wetlands are currently subject to a myriad of different regulations. For example, some wetlands are subject to both state […]
DHS Accepting Comments on Long Term Care Sustainability Plan
Date Wed, Feb. 15, 2012 - 12:59pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is accepting public comments on its outline of initiatives designed to keep the state’s long term care programs sustainable. DHS developed the proposals after months of studying public long term care programs including Family Care, Include Respect I Self-Direct (IRIS) and PACE and Partnership. Family Care and related programs, […]
Judicial Candidates Square Off in Spring Primary
Date Mon, Feb. 13, 2012 - 1:14pm By Hamilton
On February 21st, voters in 6 circuit court districts will head to the polls to cast their ballots in the Spring Primary. This is not to be confused with the Spring Election and Presidential Preference Primary, which will be held on April 3rd. The two top vote-getters in each Spring Primary race will square off […]
$140 Million Allocated to Wisconsin in $25 Billion Mortgage Settlement
Date Mon, Feb. 13, 2012 - 1:07pm By Hamilton
A national settlement with Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citigroup and Ally Financial related to loans issued between 2008 and 2011 that were foreclosed on will provide Wisconsin an estimated $140 million over the next three years. Monetary benefits to Wisconsin will include: Up to an estimated $60 million in benefits from loan […]
Legislative Fiscal Bureau Projects Budget Shortfall
Date Mon, Feb. 13, 2012 - 1:04pm By Hamilton
The latest general fund condition statement generated by the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau projects Wisconsin will be $143.2 million in the hole at the end of the current budget biennium. This is $215.9 million below the LFB’s October 2011 projection. According to the LFB, the $215.9 million change is the net result of: (1) a […]