State Revenues Higher Than Anticipated

The Department of Revenue has released the preliminary data on general fund tax collections for the 2011-12 fiscal year. According to the Department, collections totaled $13,514,626,000 in 2011-12, which is an increase of 4.7% from the prior year and .9% more than was projected in May. A DOR chart summarizing the collections indicates all revenue […]

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Wisconsin’s Lawsuit Climate Ranking Increases Thanks to Tort Reforms Enacted in 2011-12

Wisconsin moved up seven spots, from No. 22 to No. 15, in the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s latest lawsuit climate study: 2012 State Liability Systems Survey, Lawsuit Climate: Ranking the States.[1] The survey of over 1100 corporate attorneys and executives focused on a number of criteria, including each state’s overall treatment of tort […]

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GAB Approves Electronic Voter Registration

The Government Accountability Board (GAB) voted unanimously to allow people to show electronic documents displayed on electronic devices such as smart phones, tablets and laptops to prove they meet Wisconsin residency requirements when registering to vote. When people register on Election Day, they must provide an identifying document to prove residency before they can vote. […]

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Affordable Care Act Seminar: What You Need to Know to Be Compliant

On Thursday, September 6, 2012, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the Alliance of Health Insurers, the Benefit Services Group Inc., Michael Best & Friedrich, Quarles & Brady, and Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek, will host a seminar on provisions of the Affordable Care Act and what businesses needs to know to be compliant. It is safe to say […]

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Sullivan Releases Workforce Development Report

Tim Sullivan, the former CEO of Bucyrus International Inc. and current unpaid consultant for business and work force development for the state, has released his highly anticipated report detailing the workforce development issues facing the state and offering solutions. The report, The Road Ahead: Restoring Wisconsin Workforce Development, will now be reviewed by the Council […]

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GAO Report on Medicaid Expansion & Sec. Smith’s Response

The Government Accountability Office has released the results of a survey of state budget directors opinions on PPACA’s Medicaid expansion. The report, Medicaid Expansion: States’ Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, suggests the states need more guidance and highlights concerns about costs. The GAO sent out its survey to all 50 state […]

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Feds Approve Wisconsin’s Family Care Renewal Request

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ Family Care waiver renewal request has been approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The renewal is approved through December 31, 2014. The approval means that the Family Care program can continue to provide services to needy residents in the state that allow them to live […]

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DOR Releases Revamped Wisconsin Tax Bulletin

In response to a reader survey, the Wisconsin Dept. of Revenue has changed the look of its Wisconsin Tax Bulletin, and is reviewing comments to see if further changes are warranted. The latest Bulletin includes information on: Frac Sand Mining and Processing in Wisconsin 50 Years of Sales and Use Tax in Wisconsin Index of […]

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Money Saving Ideas from the Public Become a Reality

Wisconsin’s Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Elimination Task Force has issued its second quarterly report of 2012. The report includes citizen suggestions and highlights state actions, which that helped save taxpayers money and make government more efficient.   “We are continuously looking for ways to reduce waste in government,” said Governor Walker. “Suggestions from state employees […]

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Hospital/Health System CEO Roundtable: Health Reform after the Supreme Court

Four of the state’s leading hospital and health system CEOs discussed health care reform in Wisconsin and the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act during a Wisconsin Health News lunch panel at the Madison Club on July 26, 2012. Panelists included: Dean Health System President and CEO Dr. […]

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