A Dane County circuit court judge this week struck down Wisconsin’s controversial voter identification law. The law (2011 Wisconsin Act 23), passed in May 2011, requires that a person wishing to vote present proof of identification before they are given a ballot. The law was applied for the first time during the February 2012 primary […]
Mining Bill Stalls in Senate, Gogebic Taconite Ends Plans for a Mine in Wisconsin
Date Thu, Mar. 8, 2012 - 10:31am By Hamilton
Despite numerous attempts at compromise, the Wisconsin Senate was unable to pass iron mining permit reform legislation. Shortly after the Senate voted down the latest compromise legislation, Gogebic Taconite announced it would cease operations in Wisconsin. Iron mining permit reform has been a hot topic in Wisconsin since Gogebic Taconite announced they were interested in […]
JFC Schedules Executive Session on Mining Bill
Date Fri, Mar. 2, 2012 - 12:03pm By Hamilton
For the past month, the Wisconsin Senate has held the reins on mining reform, working off of the bill passed by the Assembly (AB 426) and various Senate versions, in an effort to garner 17 votes. The Joint Finance Committee has scheduled an executive session on both the Senate and Assembly bills for Monday, March […]
Fraud, Waste, and Mismanagement Hotline 2011 Summary Released
Date Fri, Mar. 2, 2012 - 11:39am By Hamilton
The Legislative Audit Bureau has released its 2011 summary of the Fraud, Waste, and Mismanagement Hotline. The summary highlights hotline activities in 2011 and describes outcomes and findings related to selected reports that illustrate the variety of issues addressed through the hotline. The Legislative Audit Bureau has operated the Fraud, Waste, and Mismanagement Hotline since […]
First Election with New Voter ID Law Successful
Date Fri, Mar. 2, 2012 - 11:37am By Hamilton
According to the Government Accountability Board, Wisconsin’s first election where voters were required to show a photo ID went smoothly, with very few reported problems. “Overall, we had a good experience with voter photo ID at the Spring Primary election,” said Kevin J. Kennedy, Wisconsin’s chief elections officer. “We were able to resolve the few […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Accepts Case Determining DNR’s Authority
Date Fri, Mar. 2, 2012 - 11:34am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has decided to hear a case that will determine whether the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is required, when making water level decisions on impounded lakes, to consider evidence of the water level’s effect on property values. The DNR argues that it is not required to consider the economic effects on […]
High Court Votes to End Open Administrative Conferences
Date Fri, Mar. 2, 2012 - 11:27am By Hamilton
In another 4-3 decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court voted to end the practice of holding all court administrative conferences as meetings open to the public. The rule was proposed by Justice Patience Roggensack and supported by Justices David Prosser, Annette Ziegler, and Michael Gableman. Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson opposed the rule, along with Justices Ann […]
Federal Court Hears Oral Arguments in Redistricting Case
Date Fri, Mar. 2, 2012 - 11:20am By Hamilton
A three-judge panel for the United States District Court in Milwaukee recently wrapped up oral arguments in redistricting case. The lawsuit was filed by a number of citizens arguing that newly drawn electoral maps violate the U.S. Constitution. Before oral arguments began, the court gave the attorneys for the Republican legislators a chance to redraw […]
Legislature Repeals Punitive and Compensatory Damages under WFEA
Date Wed, Feb. 22, 2012 - 4:21pm By Hamilton
On February 21, 2012 the Wisconsin Assembly passed SB 202, which repeals punitive and compensatory damages under the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act. The Senate has already passed SB 202, so it is now headed to Gov. Walker for his signature. By repealing punitive and compensatory damages and removing an incentive for plaintiff attorneys to sue […]
Mining Update
Date Fri, Feb. 17, 2012 - 3:15pm By Hamilton
This has been a busy week with regard to the proposed mining legislation, Assembly Bill 426/Senate Bill 488. The bills would create new statutes to govern ferrous (iron) mining, which is currently regulated in the same manner as non-ferrous (non-iron minerals like gold or copper) mining under Wisconsin law. On Monday, February 13th, the Senate […]