The Senate and Assembly approved legislation which redraws Wisconsin’s political boundaries for the state’s 8 congressional districts, 33 Senate Districts, and 99 Assembly Districts. The Legislature is charged every ten years with redrawing the lines based on population data from the U.S. Census. Wisconsin’s population increased 300,000 over the past decade. There has been growth […]
Transparency in State Spending
Date Tue, Jul. 19, 2011 - 9:15am By Hamilton
A measure in the state budget passed last month requires the state to post online every purchase of $100 or more. The new requirement greatly expands the state’s reporting requirements and will offer the public a closer look at state expenditures. The state must post the grant or contract for each expense, the agency doing […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Limits Personal Jurisdiction over Foreign Corporations
Date Fri, Jul. 1, 2011 - 12:00am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme Court today issued a decision today, Rasmussen v. General Motors et al., 2011 WI 52, which places limits on lawsuits filed against foreign corporations in Wisconsin. Although the case caption cites General Motors, the specific issue in this case was whether Wisconsin had personal jurisdiction over Nissan Japan. The lawsuit involved […]
Governor Walker Signs Budget Into Law; Vetoes 50 Provisions
Date Tue, Jun. 28, 2011 - 12:00am By Hamilton
Gov. Walker signed into law the two-year budget on June 26. Over 50 percent of the general funds were devoted to local government services such as public schools and public safety. Below are a few of the major highlights of the budget bill: Limits growth in property taxes on the median value home to less […]
U.S. Supreme Court Issues Major Decisions
Date Tue, Jun. 28, 2011 - 12:00am By Hamilton
The Supreme Court of the United States finished its 2010-11 Term. As is its usual custom, the Supreme Court issued its more controversial and important cases near the end of the term. Below is a discussion of three significant decisions affecting businesses: McComish v. Bennett American Electric Power Co. v. Connecticut Wal-Mart v. Dukes (Class […]
Natural Resources Board Unanimously Votes to Repeal Outdated TSP Standard
Date Mon, Jun. 27, 2011 - 4:09pm By Hamilton
At its June meeting, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) voted unanimously to grant GLLF’s petition for rulemaking to repeal the total suspended particulates (TSP) standard under Wis. Admin. Code § NR 404.04(3). GLLF drafted the petition on behalf of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC). Since 1987, the EPA has recognized that the TSP standards […]
Wisconsin Public Unions File Lawsuit Challenging Constitutionality of Act 10 – Collective Bargaining Law
Date Mon, Jun. 27, 2011 - 8:46am By Hamilton
Following the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision last week in Ismael R. Ozanne v. Jeff Fitzgerald/State v. Circuit Court for Dane County, which allowed the collective bargaining law to go into effect, a coalition of unions filed a federal lawsuit. The new lawsuit was filed last week in the federal district court argue that Act 10 […]
Concealed Carry Passes the Legislature
Date Wed, Jun. 22, 2011 - 3:44pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin is poised to become the 49th state to allow the concealed carry of firearms. On Tuesday, the Assembly passed SB-93 by a vote of 68-27. The bill is now headed to Governor Scott Walker for signature. The final bill includes provisions requiring training and permits, which were sought by both Gov. Walker and Democrats. […]
Supreme Court Upholds Collective Bargaining Legislation–Rules Judge Sumi Violated the Constitution by Striking Down Legislation
Date Wed, Jun. 15, 2011 - 12:35pm By Hamilton
In a 4-3 decision on Tuesday June 15, 2011, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued an order allowing the controversial collective bargaining law to go into effect. The Supreme Court overturned Dane County Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi’s decision to block the implementation of the law. The Supreme Court found in its ruling that Judge Sumi […]
Three Petitions against Democratic State Senators Certified by GAB
Date Wed, Jun. 15, 2011 - 12:31pm By Hamilton
The Government Accountability Board (GAB) voted to certify recall petitions against Senator Jim Holperin (D- District 12), Senator Robert Wirch (D- District 22), and Senator Dave Hansen (D- District 30). State law requires the recall elections be held on the sixth Tuesday after the petitions are found to be sufficient. If there is a primary, […]