The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) recently voted on three proposed rules affecting PFAS. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) developed three proposals to regulate the allowable levels of certain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and other compounds in surface water (NR 105), groundwater (NR 140), and drinking water (NR 809). DNR presented the rules […]
State Budget Update: GAAP Balance; Withholding Tables; Lottery Credit
Date Thu, Jan. 13, 2022 - 11:23pm By Hamilton
State Records Large Positive GAAP Balance According to a press release from Gov. Tony Evers (D), Wisconsin’s General Fund recorded its largest positive balance ever, as calculated under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), at the end of the 2020-21 fiscal year. The state ended the most recent fiscal year with a balance of $1.18 billion. […]
PFAS Update: DNR Will Ask NRB to Approve Three PFAS Rules in February
Date Tue, Dec. 21, 2021 - 1:08pm By Hamilton
In December and January, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting public hearing and comment periods for three rules regulating the allowable levels of certain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and other compounds in surface water (NR 105), groundwater (NR 140), and drinking water (NR 809). DNR plans to present its final proposed […]
With Legal Challenges Pending, OSHA Suspends Vaccine Rule
Date Fri, Nov. 19, 2021 - 8:49am By Hamilton
Earlier this month, the federal government released the details of two administrative rules affecting an estimated 100 million workers or more, about two-thirds of the United States’ active labor force. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is requiring all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure that their employees are either vaccinated against COVID-19 or […]
DWD and DOA Clarify Jurisdiction Over Worker’s Compensation Cases
Date Thu, Nov. 18, 2021 - 5:46pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Departments of Administration (DOA) and Workforce Development (DWD) have reached an agreement on the handling of contested worker’s compensation hearings in Wisconsin. The worker’s compensation program provides an exclusive remedy for claims involving workplace injuries, ensuring that injured workers are compensated while also protecting employers from excessive litigation costs. On November 9, the […]
Audit Bureau Releases 2020 Election Report
Date Fri, Nov. 5, 2021 - 7:49am By Hamilton
Last month, the Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) released its report on election policy in Wisconsin. LAB is a nonpartisan agency of the Wisconsin Legislature. In February, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee directed LAB to examine issues with election administration in Wisconsin in the context of the November 2020 general election. The report includes 18 recommendations […]
Biden Administration Releases Employer Vaccine Rules
Date Thu, Nov. 4, 2021 - 6:49pm By Hamilton
The federal government has released the details of two administrative rules affecting more than 100 million workers in the United States, about two-thirds of the country’s active labor force. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is requiring all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure that their employees are either vaccinated against COVID-19 […]
Environmental Policy: State Developing Equity Tool; UW Hosts Climate Forum
Date Thu, Nov. 4, 2021 - 6:26pm By Hamilton
Evers Administration Developing Environmental and Health Equity Map On October 7, Governor Tony Evers (D) announced that his administration is “developing a comprehensive environmental and public health mapping system known as the Wisconsin Environmental Equity Tool [WEET] which will analyze and visualize data online so users can pinpoint Wisconsin’s most impacted communities, identify the environmental […]
State Ends 2021 With Record Surplus; Withholding Tables Updated; Bond Ratings Upgraded
Date Fri, Oct. 22, 2021 - 8:42am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) announced October 18 that the state ended its 2021 fiscal year with a balance of $2.58 billion, a record surplus and more than double the $1.17 billion balance Wisconsin had at the end of the previous fiscal year. Wisconsin’s fiscal year ends on June 30. The budget numbers released […]
Wisconsin COVID-19 Update: Federal Health Emergency Renewed; Employers Awaiting Details of National Vaccine Mandate
Date Fri, Oct. 22, 2021 - 8:40am By Hamilton
On October 15, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra signed an order to renew the federal public health emergency due to COVID-19. The extension will last for 90 days, into mid-January 2022. This is the seventh time that the COVID-19 health emergency has been extended since it began January 31, […]