Legislative Days provides an opportunity for individuals and businesses to come to Madison to meet with their elected officials and discuss issues of importance to them. Members from Xcel Energy, Wisconsin Economic Development Association, and the Wisconsin Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, met with state senators, legislators, and elected officials this past week. The […]
Joint Committee Hears Testimony on Worker’s Compensation Bills
Date Thu, Feb. 13, 2014 - 8:45pm By Hamilton
Last week, a joint public hearing of the Assembly and Senate Labor committees was held on AB 711 and Senate Bill 550. These companion bills were forwarded to the legislature by the Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council, a council made up of management and labor representatives who negotiate worker’s compensation policy changes. This Council has been […]
Legislators React to Walker’s State of the State
Date Thu, Jan. 23, 2014 - 8:53am By Hamilton
Reactions to the State of the State are always mixed, with people typically splitting along party lines. WisconsinEye once again provided exceptional video coverage of both prepared and off-the-cuff reactions following the governor’s speech. The official Democratic response was provided by Senate Minority Leader Chris Larson and Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca. Immediately following the […]
2014 State of the State: Blueprint for Prosperity
Date Wed, Jan. 22, 2014 - 10:52pm By Hamilton
Last night Gov. Walker delivered his 4th State of the State address, the final one of his first term. He used the opportunity to highlight his view of an ever improving economic situation in Wisconsin pointing to a number of statistics that show job creation, an increase in personal wealth, decreasing unemployment, more homes being […]
DNR Continues Focus on Reform
Date Thu, Jan. 9, 2014 - 2:00pm By Hamilton
Dept. of Natural Resources Sec. Cathy Stepp laid out her plans for 2014 in the latest edition of AgriView News. While the article focuses on DNR’s involvement with and oversight of the state’s agricultural community, the general push for transparency between the agency and the public and the emphasis on streamlining regulations is indicative of […]
Walker Signs Slew of Bills
Date Thu, Dec. 19, 2013 - 9:28am By Hamilton
This month Gov. Walker has signed 56 pieces of legislation into law, nearly doubling the number of Acts in the books for the 2013 Legislative Session. Senate Bill 274 – With this legislation, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development expects they will be able to serve approximately 23,000 jobseekers with disabilities over the next two […]
Business Day in Madison
Date Mon, Dec. 16, 2013 - 4:30pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce’s Business Day in Madison brings business leaders, from sole proprietors to major corporations, together with policymakers to discuss the most important issues facing our state. Business Day in Madison 2014, scheduled for February 6, 2014, will include discussion on Wisconsin and the global business climate, the year ahead, and what you […]
Last Floor Sessions of 2013
Date Tue, Nov. 19, 2013 - 11:59pm By Hamilton
The Senate and Assembly have adjourned their last regular sessions for 2013. Both houses had busy agendas as they moved to get bills passed before the end of the calendar year. Elections and Politics The most contentious issues involved elections – from voting to recalls and redistricting. Party line votes and long debates were abundant. […]
Beer Taxes Nationwide
Date Sun, Nov. 10, 2013 - 7:59pm By Hamilton
Excise taxes on beer vary greatly from state to state. With a $0.06 per gallon tax for off-premise sales, Wisconsin is tied for the second lowest beer tax rate in the nation. Missouri’s tax rate is also $0.06 per gallon, while Wyoming residents pay just $0.02 per gallon. States with the highest beer taxes include […]
LAB Audits State Life Insurance Fund
Date Thu, Oct. 24, 2013 - 8:28pm By Hamilton
The non-partisan Legislative Audit Bureau has released its review of the State Life Insurance Fund for the years 2009-2012. LAB found that the fund was in good shape, but needs to decrease its surplus to asset ratio from 11 percent to be within the statutorily prescribed 7-10 percent range.