Overview of Wisconsin’s Tort Reform Law

Significant changes were instituted by Wis. Act 2 to Wisconsin’s civil liability law in areas of product liability, expert witness testimony, risk contribution, frivolous law suits, punitive damages, and health care quality improvement programs. For an overview, read this summary. Contact Bob Fassbender or Andy Cook at Hamilton Consulting Group for more information on how […]

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Prosser, Kloppenburg Win Primary for Supreme Court Race

State Supreme Court Justice David Prosser received 55 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s primary election. He will advance with Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg to the General Election on April 5. Results of the Primary: David Prosser (inc)    55%JoAnne Kloppenburg 25%Marla Stephens         11%Joel Winnig                  9% For more information about the Wisconsin Supreme Court, […]

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Supreme Court Primary Election

The primary election for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court will be held on Tuesday, February 15. Incumbent Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David T. Prosser, Jr. is being challenged by three candidates: Joanne Kloppenburg, an assistant attorney general; Marla Stephens, director of the state public defender’s appellate division, and Joel Winnig, a Madison attorney. […]

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Joint Finance to Hold Public Hearing on Budget Adjustment Bill

The Legislature’s finance committee announced a public hearing on the Governor’s Budget Adjustment Bill to be held Tuesday at the state Capitol. See the Legislative Fiscal Bureau analysis.Related News: Walker picks a fight – and it’s the right fight (opinion): Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 12, 2011. The governor is right to insist that state workers […]

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Special Session Progress

Governor Scott Walker and the Republican-controlled Legislature are off to a fast start. In the first month of taking office, the Legislature has actively passed a number of Gov. Walker’s special session bills focusing on job creation. 2011 Wis. Act 2, contains major legal reforms. This landmark legislation was the first piece of legislation to […]

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Governor Announces Budget Repair Bill

With the state facing a $137 million budget deficit, Governor Walker today has unveiled his budget repair bill for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. Notable changes include a number of reform measures focused on bringing government employee benefits closer to the private sector. Pension Contributions – Currently, state, school district and municipal employees […]

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Walker Sworn In; Calls Special Session

Scott Walker was officially sworn into office this week as Wisconsin’s 45th governor and the Legislature has begun the 2011-12 session. Within minutes after taking the oath of office, Gov. Walker declared an economic emergency and called a special session to pass legislation aimed at adding jobs and sending a message that “Wisconsin is open […]

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Governor-elect Walker Announces Cabinet Selections

Gov.-elect Scott Walker today announced his selections to head the state agencies. Below are the names and background of each appointee: Dept. of Administration – Rep. Mike Huebsch – current Republican Assemblyman from La Crosse areas; former Speaker of the Assembly. Dept. of Natural Resources – Cathy Stepp – former State Senator from 2002-06; currently […]

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Gov.-elect Walker Unveils Wisconsin Economic Development Plan for Special Session

Governor-elect Scott Walker today announced his third piece of legislation for the upcoming Wisconsin is Open for Business Special Session. The proposal replaces the Wisconsin Department of Commerce with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. Specifically, the legislation: creates a public authority called the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC); establishs the governance structure of the WEDC; […]

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Supreme Court to Hear Landmark Cases

The U.S. Supreme Court accepted two new cases that will set precedent on major issues: The first case will clarify whether companies claimed to be a major source of global warming can be sued under the law of nuisance. In the second, the Supreme Court will review of Wal-Mart’s appeal challenging the huge class-action lawsuit […]

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