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.
Capitol Access Suit Settled
Date Tue, Oct. 8, 2013 - 9:47pm By Hamilton
The state and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have signed a settlement agreement ending the lawsuit ACLU filed against the state regarding state capitol building access. The agreement recognizes that DOA has the responsibility and authority under Wisconsin law to manage state buildings; acknowledges the permitting process that has been in place since 1979 […]
Legislature Plans Busy Fall Session
Date Wed, Sep. 18, 2013 - 8:32am By Hamilton
After spending summer away from the state house, legislators are back in Madison for the fall floor period. The Senate was back in session on September 17th, and the Assembly will be back in October. Both houses have ambitious plans for passing legislation now that the state budget is no longer dominating the legislature’s attention. […]
Audit Scrutinizes Supervised Release Program
Date Mon, Sep. 16, 2013 - 8:37pm By Hamilton
The latest audit from the non-partisan Legislative Audit Bureau examined the state’s supervised release program, which allows sexually violent individuals who have been civilly committed to live in the community under the custody of the Department of Health Services. The LAB audit found DHS was spending more money administering the program than the Department of […]
Act 10 Once Again Upheld by Court
Date Mon, Sep. 16, 2013 - 8:34pm By Hamilton
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin has rejected the last remaining federal court challenge to 2011 Wisconsin Act 10, also known as the Budget Repair Bill. The court ruled that the plaintiffs in the case, Laborers Local 236, et al., had failed to prove that (1) Act 10’s restrictions on collective […]
Bi-Partisan Social Media Bill Gains Momentum
Date Thu, Aug. 22, 2013 - 9:17am By Hamilton
A bill prohibiting requesting or requiring an employee, student or applicant to disclose a user name or password for a personal social media account, like Facebook or Twitter, is gathering broad bi-partisan support ahead of next month’s floor period. The bill, AB218/SB223, which is sponsored by political odd-couple Sen. Glen Grothman (R-West Bend) and Rep. […]
Wisconsin Tax Reform Update with DOR Sec. Chandler
Date Thu, Aug. 22, 2013 - 8:01am By Hamilton
Taxes are a hot topic in Wisconsin, particularly since several reforms were included in the state budget. Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce’s Director of Tax & Transportation Policy, Jason Culotta, discussed the details of some of those budget reforms with Rick Chandler, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, in this video from WMC:
Ban on Joint Ownership of Funeral Homes and Cemeteries Targeted for Repeal
Date Wed, Aug. 21, 2013 - 11:45am By Hamilton
Wisconsin is one of just a handful of states with a law on its books prohibiting the joint ownership of cemeteries and funeral homes. The archaic law has come under fire recently because a new study has estimated it will cost families in the Badger State an extra $15.5 million over the next ten years. […]