The Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce this week filed a lawsuit challenging recently enacted legislation that prohibits employers from discussing with employees whether to join unions. Under 2009 Wisconsin Act 290(SB 585), the Department of Workforce Development now requires employers to post in their workplaces a notice advising employees of […]
Lawsuit Challenges Amendment to Wisconsin Fair Employment Law Banning Employers From Discussing Unions with Employees
Date Tue, Sep. 14, 2010 - 3:43pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin 2010 Elections Breakdown
Date Tue, Sep. 14, 2010 - 11:24am By Hamilton
By Andy Engel Governor Scott Walker led the primary from box to wire, eventually ousting his Republican primary competitor Mark Neumann with 60 percent of the vote. He now faces Democrat Tom Barrett. According to the polls, Walker has led Tom Barrett in head-to-head data since the race began. Various polls have Walker’s lead anywhere […]
Wisconsin Electioneering and Rulemaking Continue
Date Thu, Sep. 9, 2010 - 10:39am By Hamilton
Heading into the final days of summer, electioneering continues to pick up with the September 14th Wisconsin primary just weeks away. GOP gubernatorial candidates Scott Walker and Mark Neumann recently held their last public debate. The winner of the primary faces Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in the general election. The latest Rasmussen Report poll shows […]
EPA Rejects Claims of Flawed Climate Science
Date Thu, Aug. 5, 2010 - 9:37am By Hamilton
On July 29, 2010 the EPA re-affirmed its 2009 determination that climate change is real, is occurring due to emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities, and threatens human health and the environment by rejecting 10 petitions for reconsideration. The petitions raised questions about the validity of the data relied on by the EPA in […]
Potential Revisions to Water Quality Standards Regulation
Date Thu, Aug. 5, 2010 - 9:36am By Hamilton
Proposed changes to the rules governing water quality and conservation in Wisconsin have generated interest from all corners of the state. Wisconsin, however, is not the only place where water quality is an issue for debate. The EPA recently announced that it will hold public listening sessions on potential changes to the water quality standards […]
Phosphorus Rules Continue to Muddy the Regulatory Waters
Date Thu, Aug. 5, 2010 - 9:34am By Hamilton
Two state Senate panels recently heard testimony on the phosphorus rules that were adopted by the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board in June. The proposed rules impose phosphorus limits for Wisconsin rivers, streams and lakes. The rule provides a two-pronged approach, by setting water quality standards and placing new limits on municipal wastewater treatment plants and […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Issues Decision Affecting Arbitration Agreements
Date Thu, Jul. 8, 2010 - 12:10pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s ruling today in Estate of Robert C. Parker v. Beverly Enterprises, Inc., 2010 WI 71, makes clear appellate courts have the ability to review orders compelling arbitration. For the time being, it appears the Supreme Court will continue with its policy of deferring to the judgment of the lower courts when […]
EPA Announces Major Clean Air Act Proposal
Date Tue, Jul. 6, 2010 - 6:16pm By Hamilton
The EPA today announced proposed transport rules to replace the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) a federal circuit court ruled unacceptable in 2008. Twenty-eight states, including Wisconsin, will be required to reduce both annual SO2 and NOx emissions in 2012, with additional SO2 emission reductions occurring in 2014. These emission reductions are projected to help […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules Punitive Damages Unavailable When No Compensatory Damages Awarded
Date Thu, Jun. 24, 2010 - 12:25pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled today that a plaintiff is not entitled to punitive damages in cases where the plaintiff seeks equitable damages and where no compensatory damages are awarded. The case, Groshek v. Trewin, 2010 WI 51 involves a lawsuit against an attorney who entered into an agreement to purchase a farm and saw […]
Natural Resources Board Approves Costly New Phosphorus Rule
Date Thu, Jun. 24, 2010 - 8:26am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board yesterday adopted a proposed rule that imposes phosphorus limits for Wisconsin rivers, streams and lakes. The rule provides a two-pronged approach, by setting water quality standards and placing new limits on municipal wastewater treatment plants and factories that have their own treatment systems. Under the rule, the DNR will impose […]