According to a new report from the Tax Foundation, Wisconsin’s tax climate ranks 43rd this year among the 50 states. The 2013 State Business Tax Climate Index looks at over 100 variables in individual income tax, corporate income tax, sales tax, unemployment insurance tax, and property tax, and synthesizes them into a single score. The […]
Musical Chairs
Date Wed, Oct. 10, 2012 - 5:33pm By Hamilton
A couple of recent changes in the make-up of the executive branch are worth mentioning. Also of note is a brush-up between the Treasurer and a handful of legislators. Corrections Wisconsin Department of Corrections Sec. Gary Hamblin is stepping down on October 26th to attend to health issues. Gov. Walker released the following statement on […]
Agency Budget Request Highlights
Date Wed, Oct. 10, 2012 - 5:28pm By Hamilton
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 […]
Supreme Court Punts on Voter ID, For Now
Date Wed, Oct. 10, 2012 - 5:24pm By Hamilton
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 […]
Autumn Upkeep
Date Wed, Oct. 10, 2012 - 5:22pm By Hamilton
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 […]
World Dairy Expo Highlights Dairy Technology
Date Wed, Oct. 10, 2012 - 3:16pm By Hamilton
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 […]
Court to Decide Scope of Arbitration
Date Wed, Oct. 10, 2012 - 1:22pm By Hamilton
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 […]
High Court Hears Oral Argument in UIM Case Determining Whether Policy Excluding Self-Insured Vehicles Is Lawful
Date Wed, Oct. 10, 2012 - 1:15pm By Hamilton
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 […]
WMC to Host EPA Trainwreck Briefing
Date Wed, Oct. 10, 2012 - 1:03pm By Hamilton
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 […]
October is Cyber Security Awareness Month
Date Wed, Oct. 3, 2012 - 11:07am By Hamilton
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 […]