Last session’s hot topic is back again, as the Senate is holding three hearings on mining in Wisconsin. Mining Committee Chairman Sen. Tim Cullen (D-Janesville) called the hearings in an effort to create a greater context for the issues involved in reforming Wisconsin’s mining laws and detail the roles other government entities play in the […]
Sullivan Discusses Skills Gap & Economic Development
Date Mon, Sep. 17, 2012 - 12:12pm By Hamilton
Marquette Law School recently hosted Tim Sullivan, former Bucyrus International CEO and Special Consultant to the Governor for Workforce Development and Education, for one of its popular On the Issues discussions. What do we do about an acute skills gap in Wisconsin, one that combined with an aging workforce could threaten the state’s economic future? […]
Despite Surplus Walker Directs Agencies to Cut Costs
Date Thu, Sep. 13, 2012 - 2:33pm By Hamilton
Gov. Walker has directed agencies to submit their 2013-2015 budget cycle requests by September 17, 2012. Wisconsin’s biennial state budget sets the financial parameters for virtually all state programs over the two-year budget cycle. Walker’s directions included a discussion of his goals as governor, and a specific directive that “most agencies…maintain their overall fiscal year […]
State Revenues Higher Than Anticipated
Date Thu, Sep. 13, 2012 - 2:30pm By Hamilton
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 […]
Wisconsin’s Lawsuit Climate Ranking Increases Thanks to Tort Reforms Enacted in 2011-12
Date Tue, Sep. 11, 2012 - 10:38am By Hamilton
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 […]
GAB Approves Electronic Voter Registration
Date Fri, Aug. 31, 2012 - 1:19pm By Hamilton
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. […]
Affordable Care Act Seminar: What You Need to Know to Be Compliant
Date Fri, Aug. 31, 2012 - 12:12pm By Hamilton
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 […]
Sullivan Releases Workforce Development Report
Date Thu, Aug. 30, 2012 - 4:03pm By Hamilton
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 […]
GAO Report on Medicaid Expansion & Sec. Smith’s Response
Date Wed, Aug. 8, 2012 - 11:30am By Hamilton
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 […]
Feds Approve Wisconsin’s Family Care Renewal Request
Date Wed, Aug. 8, 2012 - 11:03am By Hamilton
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 […]