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 […]
Governor Announces Budget Repair Bill
Date Fri, Feb. 11, 2011 - 4:56pm By Hamilton
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 […]
Walker Sworn In; Calls Special Session
Date Wed, Jan. 5, 2011 - 11:15am By Hamilton
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 […]
Governor-elect Walker Announces Cabinet Selections
Date Thu, Dec. 30, 2010 - 1:41pm By Hamilton
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 […]
Gov.-elect Walker Unveils Wisconsin Economic Development Plan for Special Session
Date Tue, Dec. 28, 2010 - 3:59pm By Hamilton
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; […]
Supreme Court to Hear Landmark Cases
Date Tue, Dec. 7, 2010 - 10:25am By Hamilton
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 […]
Assembly Committees for 2011 Announced
Date Thu, Dec. 2, 2010 - 1:52pm By Hamilton
Representative Jeff Fitzgerald has announced the names and chairpersons of standing committees for the 2011 biennium. The list includes 26 standing committees, the fewest number of standing committees in the Assembly since 1975. The committee chairs are listed alphabetically by committee name. Aging & Long Term Care, Rep. Dan Knodl Agriculture, Rep. Lee Nerison Children […]
New Senate Leadership Appointments Announced
Date Thu, Nov. 11, 2010 - 10:44pm By Hamilton
New Senate Leadership Appointments Announced Following the election last week, Senate Republicans met to elect new leadership for the 2011-12 legislative session that will begin in January. Senate President: Sen. Michael Ellis (R-Neenah)President Pro Tem: Joe Leibham (R-Sheboygan)Majority Leader: Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau)Assistant Majority Leader: Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend)Republican Caucus Chair: Sen. Dan Kapanke […]
Final Preview of 2010 General Elections
Date Mon, Nov. 1, 2010 - 9:06am By Hamilton
Final Preview of 2010 General Elections Hamilton Consulting Group provides an update of the most closely watched races which will likely help decide who will control the legislative and executive branches in Madison. Governor Scott Walker led the primary from box to wire, eventually ousting his Republican primary competitor Mark Neumann with 60 percent of […]
November Election Preview
Date Tue, Oct. 19, 2010 - 5:27pm By Hamilton
With November 2 and the fall election getting closer, Hamilton Consulting Political Tidbits provides a breakdown of the candidates and an overview of the contested races. Watch for a Special Election edition where we will post results, and subscribe to the Hamilton Blog RSS feed to for updates on Wisconsin politics.