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. Gov. Walker provided a specific directive that “most agencies…maintain their overall fiscal year 2013-14 […]
Senate Holds Hearings on Mining
Date Fri, Sep. 21, 2012 - 4:24pm By Hamilton
Last session’s hot topic is back again, as the Senate is holding three hearings on mining in Wisconsin. Mining Committee Chairman Sen. Tim Cullen (D-Janesville) called the hearings in an effort to create a greater context for the issues involved in reforming Wisconsin’s mining laws and detail the roles other government entities play in the […]
Walker Sets Special Election Date
Date Wed, Sep. 19, 2012 - 10:37am By Hamilton
Gov. Walker has ordered a special election on December 4, 2012 to fill the seat of retiring State Sen. Rich Zipperer. The order also states that if a primary is necessary, it is to be held on November 6. Zipperer, who resigned in order to become the governor’s deputy chief of staff, is the most […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Review and Preview
Date Tue, Sep. 18, 2012 - 4:27pm By Hamilton
The Madison Federalist Society will hold a luncheon program on Thursday, September 27 titled, “Wisconsin Supreme Court Review and Preview.” The speaker will be Prof. Rick Esenberg, who is an adjunct law professor at Marquette Law School and President and General Counsel of the public interest law firm, Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty. Prof. […]
Sullivan Discusses Skills Gap & Economic Development
Date Mon, Sep. 17, 2012 - 12:12pm By Hamilton
Marquette Law School recently hosted Tim Sullivan, former Bucyrus International CEO and Special Consultant to the Governor for Workforce Development and Education, for one of its popular On the Issues discussions. What do we do about an acute skills gap in Wisconsin, one that combined with an aging workforce could threaten the state’s economic future? […]
Recalls Costs Over $13 Million
Date Mon, Sep. 17, 2012 - 12:07pm By Hamilton
The Government Accountability Board has released local election cost data for elections held earlier this year. Preliminary numbers indicate the May recall primary and June recall election cost taxpayers more than $13 million. At the request of the Legislature, the G.A.B. began last August to collect election cost data from Wisconsin’s 72 counties and 1,851 […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Begins 2012-13 Term
Date Thu, Sep. 13, 2012 - 2:37pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme Court kicked off its 2012-13 term by hearing oral arguments in a number of cases. Two of the first few cases are of interest to Hamilton Consulting clients. Rock-Koshkonong Lake District v. Department of Natural Resources (2008AP1523)Depending on how the court rules, the rights of every riparian landowner in the state could […]
Despite Surplus Walker Directs Agencies to Cut Costs
Date Thu, Sep. 13, 2012 - 2:33pm By Hamilton
Gov. Walker has directed agencies to submit their 2013-2015 budget cycle requests by September 17, 2012. Wisconsin’s biennial state budget sets the financial parameters for virtually all state programs over the two-year budget cycle. Walker’s directions included a discussion of his goals as governor, and a specific directive that “most agencies…maintain their overall fiscal year […]
State Revenues Higher Than Anticipated
Date Thu, Sep. 13, 2012 - 2:30pm By Hamilton
The Department of Revenue has released the preliminary data on general fund tax collections for the 2011-12 fiscal year. According to the Department, collections totaled $13,514,626,000 in 2011-12, which is an increase of 4.7% from the prior year and .9% more than was projected in May. A DOR chart summarizing the collections indicates all revenue […]
Just a Swingin’
Date Thu, Sep. 13, 2012 - 2:21pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin hasn’t backed a Republican for president since Ronald Reagan’s reelection in 1984, but national politicos are looking at Wisconsin as one of the states that could decide the 2012 election. Much attention is given the presidential race at this time of year, but you know the race is getting close when people start talking […]