Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler announced she will “likely” run for re-election in April 2017. The conservative justice already claims endorsements of 48 sheriffs and 30 district attorneys. Among others, her steering committee will include former Gov. Tommy Thompson, former Lt. Gov. Margaret Farrow, and former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice John Wilcox. Her Sept. […]
Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler Announces “Likely” Run for Second Term
Date Sun, Sep. 25, 2016 - 8:47pm By Hamilton
Suit Challenging Wisconsin “Minimum Markup Law” Filed
Date Thu, Sep. 1, 2016 - 10:20am By Hamilton
On Tuesday, August 23, 2016, the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) filed a lawsuit in Vilas County Circuit Court on behalf of plaintiffs Krist Oil and Robert Lotto challenging the constitutionality and legality of s. 100.30 of the Wisconsin statutes, Wisconsin’s Minimum Markup Law. Krist Oil is an independent, family-owned Michigan corporation having […]
Court of Appeals Puts a Hold on Dane County Right to Work Decision
Date Thu, May. 26, 2016 - 4:05pm By Hamilton
On May 24, a state court of appeals reversed Dane County Circuit Judge William Faust’s ruling not to grant a stay of his controversial decision that the state’s new right-to-work law was unconstitutional. The appeals court decision allows the right-to-work law to be in effect and enforceable pending appeal of Faust’s underlying decision. Wisconsin became […]
Obama Doubles Overtime Exemption Level to $47,476
Date Thu, May. 26, 2016 - 2:42pm By Hamilton
The Obama Administration’s new overtime rule will double the salary threshold for “white collar” workers to $47,476. The current exemption, set in 2004, is $23,660. The new threshold that will impact 4.2 million salaried workers goes into effect on December 1, 2016. Under the new rule, the threshold will automatically increase every three years. Business […]
AG Schimel Sues EPA over New Ozone Standard
Date Fri, May. 6, 2016 - 9:03am By Hamilton
Wisconsin joined a coalition of states and industry groups challenging EPA’s new ozone standard. The new standard was released on October 26, 2015, and lowers the ozone standard to 70 parts per billion (ppb). The states filed their brief in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on April 22, 2016. […]
Attorney General Appeals Ruling on Right to Work
Date Thu, May. 5, 2016 - 3:09pm By Hamilton
Friday, April 8, Dane County Circuit Court Judge C. William Foust struck down 2015 Wisconsin Act 1, Wisconsin’s right-to-work law, concluding that labor unions have a property right to a portion of a worker’s wages. Under 2015 Wisconsin Act 1, No person may require, as a condition of obtaining or continuing employment, an individual to […]
Dane County Circuit Court Judge Strikes Down Wisconsin’s Right-to-Work Law, Appeal Anticipated
Date Fri, Apr. 15, 2016 - 10:08am By Hamilton
Friday, April 8, Dane County Circuit Court Judge C. William Foust struck down 2015 Wisconsin Act 1, Wisconsin’s Right-to-Work law. Under 2015 Wisconsin Act 1, “No person may require, as a condition of obtaining or continuing employment, an individual to do any of the following: Refrain or resign from membership in, voluntary affiliation with, or […]
Group Hails Civil Litigation Reform Successes – Some Offense, Some Defense
Date Wed, Mar. 30, 2016 - 3:25pm By Hamilton
According to their end of session lookback, Wisconsin Civil Justice Council continued to advance civil litigation reforms this past session, albeit without the sweeping reforms seen in the prior two sessions. WCJC recently released their end of session report noting the following enacted reforms: Repeal of “False Claims for Medical Assistance Act” – Signed into […]
Signed into Law: Statutes of Limitation on Claims Involving Property Damage or Motor Vehicle Accident
Date Mon, Mar. 28, 2016 - 3:10pm By Hamilton
Governor Walker signed AB 223 into law as 2015 Wisconsin Act 133 on February 4, 2016. Assembly Bill 223 introduced by Rep. Spiros (R-Marshfield) and Sen. Lasee (R-De Pere). Under current law, the time limit for initiating a civil action on a contract or obligation, including an insurance policy, is generally six years after the […]
Dies in Committee: Loss-of-Use Liability for Rental Motor Vehicles
Date Mon, Mar. 28, 2016 - 3:08pm By Hamilton
Under Assembly Bill 672/Senate Bill 495, introduced by Rep. Nancy VanderMeer (R-Tomah) and Sen. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield), a rental company may hold a renter or driver of a rental car liable for loss of use that results from an accident if the renter or driver is cited or charged with inattentive or reckless driving or […]