Employer Issues Update: Federal Unemployment Benefits Have Ended; Class Action Lawsuit Filed by Disabled Residents
Date Thu, Sep. 9, 2021 - 3:28pm By Hamilton
Effective September 6, several federal programs providing new or additional unemployment insurance (UI) benefits have ended. Notably, the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program provided recipients of UI benefits with $300 per week in addition to the state benefits they were eligible for. The supplemental benefit was created in 2020 as part of the first […]
PFAS Update: State Hires California Firm to Litigate PFAS Claims; Other Lawsuits in Progress
Date Thu, Sep. 9, 2021 - 2:26pm By Hamilton
On August 25, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul (D) and Governor Tony Evers (D) announced that the state had hired a law firm, Sher Edling LLP, to litigate against companies responsible for discharging PFAS compounds in Wisconsin. According to a press release from the Department of Justice (DOJ), Sher Edling “represents state and local governments […]
DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk Has Retired
Date Thu, Sep. 9, 2021 - 11:01am By Hamilton
Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk has retired as of September 10. Governor Tony Evers (D) announced one week earlier that Willems Van Dijk would retire and that Deb Standridge would take her place starting September 13. Previously, Standridge directed Wisconsin’s temporary care site for COVID-19 patients at State […]
Governor, Legislators Introduce Prescription Drug Package
Date Thu, Sep. 9, 2021 - 9:43am By Hamilton
On August 4, Governor Tony Evers (D), Rep. Lisa Subeck (D-Madison), and Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-West Point) announced a package of bills that they argue will reduce the cost of prescription drugs in Wisconsin. Called the “Less for Rx” prescription drug plan, the package includes a variety of proposals recommended by the Governor’s Task Force on […]
Election Policy Update: Eight Election Bills Vetoed; Census Data Released; Investigations Proceeding
Date Fri, Aug. 13, 2021 - 11:16am By Hamilton
So far during the 2021 session, the Wisconsin Legislature has passed eight bills related to election law and administration, all of which have been vetoed by Governor Tony Evers (D). On August 10, Gov. Evers announced that he had vetoed six election bills in a public ceremony at the Wisconsin Capitol Building: Senate Bill (SB) […]
Legislative Update: Special Session and Veto Override Attempt End Without Changes
Date Fri, Aug. 13, 2021 - 11:15am By Hamilton
On July 27, the Wisconsin Assembly met in extraordinary session to vote on a veto override of Assembly Bill 336. The bill would have ended Wisconsin’s participation in federal programs to provide or supplement unemployment benefits. It also would have prohibited the state from waiving the work search requirements for unemployment benefits for any reason […]
Governor Signs State Budget With 50 Partial Vetoes
Date Fri, Jul. 16, 2021 - 12:37pm By Hamilton
On Thursday, July 8, Governor Tony Evers (D) signed 2021 Act 58, the state budget for the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium, which began July 1. The Wisconsin Assembly approved the budget bill (Assembly Bill 68) on June 29, with the Senate concurring in the bill the following day. The two-year budget, assembled by the Republican-led Joint Finance […]
After State Budget, Governor Signs 15 Bills Into Law
Date Fri, Jul. 16, 2021 - 12:05pm By Hamilton
Since signing the 2021-2023 state budget into law on July 8, Governor Tony Evers (D) has signed 15 other bills, including the following notable acts: Assembly Bill (AB) 406: Requires the lowest schedule of unemployment insurance contribution rates to remain in effect through the end of calendar year 2023, regardless of the cash balance of […]
Governor Vetoes Personal Property Tax Repeal, “Mill Bill,” and Legislative HR Office
Date Fri, Jul. 16, 2021 - 11:50am By Hamilton
On July 8, the same day he signed the 2021-2023 state budget into law, Governor Tony Evers (D) vetoed four bills sent to him by the Legislature: Assembly Bill 191: Exempts all remaining business and manufacturing personal property from personal property tax assessments, effective January 1, 2022. Veto message Assembly Bill 367: Requires the governor […]
Legislature Passes State Budget and a Package of Related Bills
Date Thu, Jul. 1, 2021 - 8:48pm By Hamilton
This week, the Wisconsin Legislature passed a state budget for the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium, which began on July 1. The Assembly approved the budget bill (Assembly Bill 68) on June 29, with the Senate concurring in the bill the following day. The two-year budget proposal, assembled by the Republican-led Joint Finance Committee (JFC), would spend […]