The Legislative Reference Bureau has prepared a map showing on a county by county basis the 3-Year average of alcohol-related crashes per 10,000 people. According to the LRB’s analysis, “alcohol-related crashes involving a vehicle have decreased dramatically since they peaked in the late 1970s.” The LRB suggests this is due to changes in the law […]
Misdemeanors in Wisconsin
Date Thu, May. 2, 2013 - 1:09pm By Hamilton
The non-partisan Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau has compiled an informational brief on the statutory differences between misdemeanors and felonies. The brief also includes a 32 page list of all the statutory misdemeanors in Wisconsin.
Legislature Considers Lemon Law Reforms
Date Wed, May. 1, 2013 - 4:02pm By Hamilton
A coalition of vehicle manufacturers and dealers, including Hamilton Consulting clients, are supporting a Lemon Law reform bill being circulated by Sen. Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) and Rep. Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha). In their request for co-authors for the bill, the groups set forth their rational for supporting the legislation: Wisconsin is universally known among automobile, motorcycle, […]
Statewide Budget Hearings Draw Crowds
Date Thu, Apr. 11, 2013 - 5:14pm By Hamilton
The Joint Finance Committee is traveling the state in an effort to give Wisconsinites a chance to comment on the state budget before the committee begins voting on specific items on April 25. Information and video from the four scheduled public hearings will be added as it becomes available: Thursday, April 4 at Greendale High […]
Mining Bill Passes Legislature
Date Thu, Mar. 7, 2013 - 7:40pm By Hamilton
This evening, after 9.5 hours of debate, the Wisconsin Assembly voted 58-39 to approve a comprehensive iron mining bill, which, when signed by the Governor, will usher in a mining renaissance in Wisconsin. SB1 would create new statutes to govern ferrous (iron) mining, which is currently regulated in the same manner as non-ferrous (non-iron minerals […]
Mining Bill on the Assembly Floor Today
Date Thu, Mar. 7, 2013 - 10:42am By Hamilton
The mining bill, SB1, is being debated on the Assembly floor today. The bill is expected to pass this evening, after the 9.5 hours of scheduled debate expires. This is the last legislative step in the lawmaking process as the Senate passed the bill on February 27. Assembly approval would send the bill to Gov. Walker […]
White House Releases Enhanced State of the Union
Date Thu, Feb. 14, 2013 - 1:03pm By Hamilton
Pres. Obama delivered his fifth State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on February 12. In his speech, Obama outlined his policy goals for the coming years, asking Congress to send him legislation to reform immigration, combat climate change, increase the minimum wage, and reduce gun violence. The White House has […]
Medicaid Expansion a Hot Topic
Date Mon, Feb. 11, 2013 - 12:43pm By Hamilton
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) provides incentives for states to expand their Medicaid programs. Gov. Walker has said he will decide whether Wisconsin will expand its program by the time he delivers his budget address on February 20. In states like Wisconsin, that had a relatively expansive Medicaid Program prior to PPACA, […]
Mining Bills Headed to Joint Finance Committee
Date Fri, Feb. 8, 2013 - 4:28pm By Hamilton
On February 6 the Senate Committee on Workforce Development, Forestry, Mining, and Revenue and the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economy and Mining both met to amend the mining bill, AB1/SB1, and move it forward in the legislative process. Numerous amendments were made to the bill in response to concerns raised during hearings on AB1/SB1 and […]
Democrats Release Detailed Jobs Agenda
Date Fri, Feb. 8, 2013 - 2:28pm By Hamilton
Democrats in the state legislature have released a package of bills they say will create jobs quickly, close the skills gap and rebuild Wisconsin’s middle class. Workforce Growth Skills Training Program SUMMARY: Creates a competitive grant training program based on the needs of Wisconsin businesses aimed at closing the skills gap facing our state. DETAILS: […]