Four non-government members of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) Drunk Driving Task Force have resigned from their place on the task force, citing procedural issues and conflicts of interest with the Tavern League of Wisconsin’s involvement on the board. Those who resigned, two doctors and two Wisconsin health professionals, explained in their four page […]
DOT Looks for Solutions for Funding Shortfall
Date Thu, Jun. 5, 2014 - 10:52am By Hamilton
In our last edition of Hamilton Consulting’s Political Tidbits, we reported the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is facing a $600 – $700 million shortfall in the next state budget. Secretary Mark Gotlieb warned that if the shortfall is not rectified, major transportation projects like the Zoo Enterchange and I-39/90 from Madison to the Illinois state […]
Walker Approves Harbor Improvement Grants
Date Thu, Jun. 5, 2014 - 10:47am By Hamilton
Governor Walker approved four harbor grants this month, through the Department of Transportation Harbor Assistance Program (HAP). HAP, created in 1979 by the state legislature, assists harbor communities with maintenance and improvements to aid commerce on the water. This year’s grants were given to: City of Two Rivers (Manitowoc County) $878,868 for dredging the Two […]
This Weekend: DNR Free Fun
Date Thu, Jun. 5, 2014 - 10:46am By Hamilton
This weekend, June 7th-8th, 2014, is the Wisconsin DNR’s Free Fun Weekend. Fishing on Wisconsin lakes is free and doesn’t require a license this weekend, whether you’re a Wisconsin resident or visitor. All admission fees for Wisconsin State Parks and trails will also be waived this weekend. Plus, all ATV trails are free, and machines […]
DWD Awards More Worker-Training Grants
Date Thu, Jun. 5, 2014 - 10:41am By Hamilton
In our last edition of Political Tidbits, we reported the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) awarded 37 different employers with $1.5 million in worker training grants for nearly 2,200 manufacturing workers. At the end of May, DWD announced its intent to award nearly $1 million more for worker training grants through the Wisconsin Fast […]
DOT Projects $600-$700 Million Funding Shortfall
Date Wed, May. 21, 2014 - 4:31pm By Hamilton
In early-April, DOT Secretary Mark Gottlieb publicly announced that the state is facing a $600 – $700 million shortfall in the next state budget to maintain the current transportation program and services. He warned that, absent new revenues, current major projects like the Zoo Interchange and I-39/90 from Madison to the Illinois state line could […]
DWD Awards More Than $1.5 Million in Grants
Date Wed, May. 21, 2014 - 4:28pm By Hamilton
The next round of Wisconsin Fast Forward grants were announced earlier this month, and 17 applicants will be given more than $1.5 million in worker training grants. 37 different employers from 15 counties will train nearly 2,200 manufacturing workers. Secretary Reggie Newson of the Department of Workforce Development, who awarded the grants said, “As our […]
EPA Proposes Rule to Assess SO2 Air Quality
Date Wed, May. 21, 2014 - 4:26pm By Hamilton
On May 13, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued proposed options for states and local air agencies to use air quality monitoring or modeling to determine whether areas meet the 2010 air quality standards for sulfur dioxide (SO2). Below is a discussion of the proposed rule. Background of 2010 Revised SO2 NAAQS In June 2010, […]
Wisconsin Tourism Enters Busy Season
Date Wed, May. 21, 2014 - 4:10pm By Hamilton
With Memorial Day just days away, the Wisconsin tourism industry prepares its facilities as families plan their get-away. While the Wisconsin Department of Tourism launched its advertisements earlier this spring with celebrities Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the cast of Airplane!, the Wisconsin Association of Convention & Visitors Bureau website features different Wisconsin cities to help visitors […]
Projected Medical Assistance Budget Reduced by $72 million
Date Fri, Apr. 4, 2014 - 9:49am By Hamilton
On April 1, 2014 the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) submitted a quarterly report on the overall condition of the Medical Assistance (MA) budget to the Joint Committee on Finance. The report showed significant improvement from the last quarterly report. The projected $92.6 million GPR deficit in the Medicaid budget, which was reported December […]