The 101st session of the Wisconsin Legislature came to order on January 7, 2013 at the State Capitol to inaugurate newly elected members. The leaders of all four legislative caucuses, Speaker Robin Vos, Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, and Minority Leader Chris Larson made comments expressing their goals for the […]
Article Highlights Recently Enacted Civil Liability Reforms throughout the Country
Date Thu, Jan. 10, 2013 - 4:57pm By Hamilton
The Federalist Society this week published an article, Tort Reform Update: Recently Enacted Legislative Reforms and State Court Challenges, authored by Hamilton Consulting Group’s Andrew Cook discussing the numerous civil liability reform bills passed throughout the country the last two years. In addition, the article discusses recent decisions involving state court challenges to previously enacted […]
Audit of “Double Dipping” State Employees Recommends Changes
Date Thu, Dec. 20, 2012 - 7:21pm By Hamilton
The nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) recently released a report on detailing Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Annuitants rehired by WRS-eligible employers. At the request of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, the LAB conducted the review to respond to concerns raised about WRS annuitants being rehired by WRS-participating employers and being granted both a salary and […]
Sen. Cullen & WMC’s Manley Debate Mining
Date Thu, Dec. 20, 2012 - 7:15pm By Hamilton
Sen Tim Cullen (D-Janesville) and Scott Manley, a lobbyist for Wisconsin Manufactures & Commerce debated mining legislation on the latest edition of “UpFront with Mike Gousha” on WISN-TV. Cullen and Manley both said they think a mining bill will pass this session, but they disagree as to what the legislation should contain. Click to view […]
Explaining the Fiscal Cliff
Date Fri, Dec. 7, 2012 - 11:03am By Hamilton
Now that the election is over, news outlets seem to cover nothing but the royal baby and the fiscal cliff. While news about Will & Kate’s future offspring is easy to grasp, information on the fiscal cliff is more complex and deserves a more in-depth explanation than it has gotten. What The “fiscal cliff” […]
Lame Duck Senate Moving Forward on Mining
Date Fri, Dec. 7, 2012 - 9:57am By Hamilton
When outlining priorities for the coming legislative session, Gov. Walker and Republican leaders in the state legislature have indicated modifying Wisconsin’s mining law will be one of the first orders of business. Although the legislative session does not begin until January, the post-recall, Democrat-controlled Senate has been working on a mining bill since September, and […]
UW Launches Flexible Degree Program to Aid Workforce Development
Date Tue, Dec. 4, 2012 - 11:30am By Hamilton
In an effort to address the needs of Wisconsin’s workforce and the fill the demand for online education, the University of Wisconsin System has created the UW Flexible Option, a competency-based, self-paced learning option. The UW Flexible Option is designed for nontraditional adult students who often come to college with substantial learning acquired in a […]
Transportation Study Commission Nearing Completion
Date Tue, Dec. 4, 2012 - 10:58am By Hamilton
The Commission tasked with looking at transportation needs and revenues over the next ten years is finishing work on its report early in hopes of having it available for the Governor’s consideration in advance of introducing the 2013-15 biennial budget bill. The Wisconsin Commission on Transportation Finance and Policy was created in the 2011-2013 budget […]
Taxes, Regs, Slowdown Are Top Concerns of Wisconsin CEOs
Date Mon, Dec. 3, 2012 - 2:47pm By Hamilton
The results of the latest Economic Outlook Survey from Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) are in, and Wisconsin CEOs say the state is heading the right direction, but taxes, regulations and the economic slowdown continue to hamper growth. WMC Economic Outlook Survey 2013 Highlights: TOP POLICY PROBLEM – Thirty percent said the economic slowdown is […]
2012 Annual Report on Wisconsin Homeland Security
Date Mon, Dec. 3, 2012 - 2:30pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Homeland Security Council has released its 2012 annual report, which includes an overview of the state and federal homeland security funding process. It also provides information on the new and continuing efforts by the council, state agencies, and officials from public, private, and non-profit sectors to implement new homeland security, public health, and […]