The Study Committee on the Use of Police Body Cameras met for the first time on July 26, 2018. The committee, chaired by Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) and Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison), is tasked with “review[ing] law enforcement policies regarding the use of body cameras and recommend[ing] legislation to establish uniform procedures regarding the […]
Study Committee on Alcohol Beverages Enforcement Meets
Date Mon, Jul. 30, 2018 - 1:19pm By Hamilton
The Study Committee on Alcohol Beverages Enforcement met for the first time on July 25, 2018. The committee, chaired by Rep. Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) and Sen. Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac), is tasked with reviewing the structure and enforcement of Wisconsin’s alcohol regulation efforts within the Department of Revenue (DOR). The study committee comes after a […]
Thompson Center Holds Criminal Justice Conference
Date Tue, May. 1, 2018 - 2:34pm By Hamilton
The Tommy Thompson Center on Public Leadership held a two-day conference last week focusing on Criminal Justice Reform. The program discussed how lawmakers can address criminal justice reform in “more cost-efficient and liberty-enhancing” ways while still prioritizing public safety. Topics included prisoner re-entry into the workforce, prosecutorial discretion, and civil asset forfeiture. The first panels […]
Special Session Bill Package Circulates
Date Fri, Feb. 3, 2017 - 10:58am By Hamilton
In early January, Governor Walker issued Executive Order 230, calling the Wisconsin State Legislature into special session to combat opioid abuse. In addition to calling for a special session, the governor directed his state agencies to take various administrative actions. The announcement came after the release of a report from the Governor’s Task Force on Opioid Abuse. […]
Bills of Note: SB 3 and AB 24 – Project Labor Agreements Neutrality
Date Fri, Feb. 3, 2017 - 10:30am By Hamilton
Rep. Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield) and Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-Brookfield) introduced bills in their respective chambers requiring government to be neutral regarding the use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). The Senate bill, SB 3, was recommended for passage on a partisan 3-2 vote by the Senate Committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform on Feb. 2. We […]
Bills of Note: SB 10 – CBD Oil
Date Fri, Feb. 3, 2017 - 10:29am By Hamilton
Reprising a bill from last session, Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) and Rep. Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa) introduced a bill that would allow parents easier access to use non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD oil) as a treatment for a medical condition. The bill, SB 10, allows for possession of CBD oil with written certification from a Wisconsin-licensed doctor. The […]
Joint Finance Committee Approves WEDC Tax Credit Reallocation
Date Thu, Jun. 16, 2016 - 12:21pm By Hamilton
On Monday June 13, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) approved the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC) request to reallocate tax credits between two tax credit programs. WEDC proposed reallocating $8 million in unused Early Stage Business Investment Tax Credits to the Business Development Tax Credit program. The Early Stage Business Investment Tax Credit program includes […]
Wisconsin Joins Other States in Suit to Overturn Obama’s Transgender Guidance
Date Thu, May. 26, 2016 - 4:22pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin joins Texas and nine other states challenging the Obama Administration’s new Title IX transgender guidance. Several local school districts are also participating. Under the guidance, schools must allow transgender students access to bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their self-professed gender identity. In his May 25 press release, Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel states […]
Get Ready for Campaign Season: Basic Fundraising Points You Need to Know
Date Fri, May. 6, 2016 - 9:10am By Hamilton
Nomination papers are circulating and the candidates listed on the ballot have yet to be finalized, but that has not precluded the onslaught of fundraising appeals in your mailbox, inbox and even on your voicemail. With the passage of campaign finance reform legislation (2015 Wisconsin Act 117) during the 2015-2016 legislative session, here are a […]
Mandatory CPR Training Bill Signed into Law
Date Thu, May. 5, 2016 - 3:23pm By Hamilton
In one of the final bill signings this legislative session, Gov. Scott Walker signed AB 545 into law as 2015 Wisconsin Act 390. The legislation requires mandatory cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training be taught in every health class offered to pupils in grades seven through 12. The requirement will be effective starting with the 2017-18 school […]