The Madison Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society is hosting an event on July 18, 2012 debating the pros and cons of amending the Wisconsin Constitution in light of the recent political turmoil involving the historic spate of recalls. Wisconsin recently endured a historic stretch of recall elections of Wisconsin senators and the Governor. In […]
Reconsidering Wisconsin’s Constitutional Recall Provision: Should the Recalls be Recalled?
Date Mon, Jul. 9, 2012 - 10:20am By Hamilton
Resources on the SCOTUS Healthcare Decision
Date Tue, Jul. 3, 2012 - 4:49pm By Hamilton
If Independence Day has you pondering “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” why not put on your thinking cap and dive into some of these resources on the Supreme Court’s healthcare decision. National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius (The Decision) SCOTUSblog’s Post-decision Health Care Symposium provides various viewpoints on the legal ramifications and […]
Redistricting Appeal Dropped, Maps Finalized
Date Thu, Jun. 21, 2012 - 12:56pm By Hamilton
The state Department of Justice has dropped its appeal of a court-ordered redistricting plan for two state Assembly districts and has agreed to pay the plaintiffs’ attorneys $185,000 in legal bills. The lawsuit was brought by Democrats and others challenging the constitutionality of the state’s election maps recently drawn by the Republican-controlled Legislature. In March, […]
LRB’s Summary of the 2011–2012 Wisconsin Legislative Session
Date Thu, May. 31, 2012 - 10:40am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau has released its research bulletin providing an overview of the acts and joint resolutions of the 2011–2012 Wisconsin Legislative Session. Legislation is organized by topic with acts described under the appropriate subject heading or headings. Significant acts and joint resolutions are highlighted by shading.
Legislative Audit Bureau Reviews Two DHS Programs
Date Thu, May. 31, 2012 - 10:37am By Hamilton
Wisconsin’s independent Legislative Audit Bureau recently released its audits of the Wisconsin FoodShares program and the state’s Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan (HIRSP) Authority. FoodShares Audit Summary FoodShare Wisconsin is the state’s program implementing the federal Food Stamp Act of 1964 to assist low-income individuals and families in purchasing food. The program is administered by the […]
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Seeks Public Input
Date Thu, May. 31, 2012 - 10:30am By Hamilton
In April, Governor Scott Walker signed Executive Order #65, creating the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. The Council is designed to explore ways to improve planning, coordination and cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the state. The Council will meet at least four times per year and annually report to the Governor and other relevant state […]
DHS Sec. Smith Speaks About Medicaid Reforms
Date Thu, May. 31, 2012 - 10:21am By Hamilton
At a luncheon sponsored by Wisconsin Health News and Badger Bay Management, Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary Dennis Smith gave an update on DHS’s Medicaid reforms. Smith also discussed his unique experiences working on Medicaid waivers at both the state and federal levels. Smith discussed in depth Wisconsin’s decision to retain coverage levels in […]
Concealed Carry and Firearms Laws in Wisconsin
Date Fri, May. 25, 2012 - 9:44am By Hamilton
The Legislative Reference Bureau has released a brief detailing Wisconsin’s recently enacted concealed carry law and other various firearms laws. The brief details: the history of Wisconsin’s concealed carry law; concealed carry licensing; limitations on concealed carry; and other firearms laws.
Agencies Searching for Burdensome and Outdated Rules
Date Thu, Apr. 26, 2012 - 1:52pm By Hamilton
Gov. Walker’s Executive Order #61 Relating to Job Creation and Small Business Expansion asks all state agencies to conduct a thorough review of regulations, and to recommend for possible elimination, outdated and overly cumbersome regulations that provide no or little demonstrable benefit. A similar effort last year by Michigan’s Office of Regulatory Reinvention generated a […]
Walker Issues Few Vetoes
Date Wed, Apr. 25, 2012 - 12:11pm By Hamilton
The month after the end of the legislative floor session ends is a flurry of bill signings and last ditch efforts aimed at getting the Governor to veto particular bills. This year was no different except that the number of vetoes was significantly lower than previous years owing since both houses of the legislature and […]