By Andrew CookOctober 2010 Governor Jim Doyle last December signed into law 2009 Wisconsin Act 89, the so-called “Impartial Justice Act,” which creates a public financing scheme for candidates to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Under the new law, which takes effect Dec. 1, 2010, an eligible candidate may receive $100,000 for the primary election and […]
Is Wisconsin’s “Impartial Justice Act” Unconstitutional?
Date Tue, Oct. 12, 2010 - 3:02pm By Hamilton
Hamilton Tidbits Provides Wrap-up of Wisconsin Primary 2010
Date Wed, Sep. 15, 2010 - 5:07pm By Hamilton
The Sept. 15 issue of Hamilton Political Tidbits provides results of the primaries across the state as well as other political and policy news, including a discussion of several Wisconsin Supreme Court cases to be decided this term. Voters in Wisconsin went to the polls yesterday in record numbers – an estimated 28 percent – […]
Associated Press Declares Scott Walker Winner in Republican Primary
Date Tue, Sep. 14, 2010 - 10:01pm By Hamilton
The Associated Press has projected Scott Walker as the winner in the Republican primary for Wisconsin Governor. Walker will face Milwaukee Mayer Tom Barrett (D). Stay tuned to the Hamilton Consulting Blog for further 2010 Wisconsin primary updates.
Lawsuit Challenges Amendment to Wisconsin Fair Employment Law Banning Employers From Discussing Unions with Employees
Date Tue, Sep. 14, 2010 - 3:43pm By Hamilton
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 […]
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 […]