Assembly Passes Bill to Create Procedures to Repeal Invalid Rules By a partisan 63-36 vote, the Assembly passed AB 80 (Ballweg-R) which would establish “expedited” procedures for an agency to repeal a rule that the agency no longer has the authority to promulgate. Such rules can be rendered invalid because of the repeal or amendment of […]
Bills of Note: Repealing Rules, At-Will Employment, Charter Schools, and the Speed Limit
Date Fri, Mar. 20, 2015 - 8:53am By Hamilton
Energy Office Awards $1 Million to Wisconsin Trucking Companies
Date Wed, Dec. 17, 2014 - 3:37pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin State Energy Office awarded nearly $1 million to 53 trucking companies to fund diesel truck idling reduction technologies. Truck idling reduction technology provides power to heat, cool, or provide electricity to the truck as an alternative to the main engine, thereby saving fuel and reducing diesel fuel pollutants. Grants provide reimbursements for up […]
Transportation Referendum on November Ballot
Date Thu, Oct. 16, 2014 - 10:01am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Legislature has successfully adopted the same proposed constitutional amendment in each of the last two sessions, to make it illegal for the government to raid segregated funds for transportation to fill holes in the state budget. This qualifies the question for a deciding vote by electors in the upcoming November 2014 general election. […]
House Passes Highway Trust Fund Patch
Date Wed, Jul. 16, 2014 - 2:13pm By Hamilton
On Tuesday, July 15th, the House voted (367-55) to approve a $10.8 billion temporary patch to keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent through May 2015. The bill has garnered the support of the Obama Administration and now requires Senate action. A similar bill is pending in the Senate and Majority Leader Harry Reid has vowed […]
DOT Drunk Driving Task Force Members Resign
Date Thu, Jun. 26, 2014 - 11:56am By Hamilton
Four non-government members of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) Drunk Driving Task Force have resigned from their place on the task force, citing procedural issues and conflicts of interest with the Tavern League of Wisconsin’s involvement on the board. Those who resigned, two doctors and two Wisconsin health professionals, explained in their four page […]
DOT Looks for Solutions for Funding Shortfall
Date Thu, Jun. 5, 2014 - 10:52am By Hamilton
In our last edition of Hamilton Consulting’s Political Tidbits, we reported the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is facing a $600 – $700 million shortfall in the next state budget. Secretary Mark Gotlieb warned that if the shortfall is not rectified, major transportation projects like the Zoo Enterchange and I-39/90 from Madison to the Illinois state […]
Walker Approves Harbor Improvement Grants
Date Thu, Jun. 5, 2014 - 10:47am By Hamilton
Governor Walker approved four harbor grants this month, through the Department of Transportation Harbor Assistance Program (HAP). HAP, created in 1979 by the state legislature, assists harbor communities with maintenance and improvements to aid commerce on the water. This year’s grants were given to: City of Two Rivers (Manitowoc County) $878,868 for dredging the Two […]
Claims Board Rejects $66 million High-Speed Rail Claim
Date Wed, May. 21, 2014 - 4:32pm By Hamilton
The State of Wisconsin Claims Board has rejected a claim by Talgo, Inc. against the Department of Transportation (DOT) for nearly $66 million for a 2009 contract regarding a set of train cars. The train cars were to be part of a rail extension between Madison and Milwaukee, and a high-speed rail that would then […]
DOT Projects $600-$700 Million Funding Shortfall
Date Wed, May. 21, 2014 - 4:31pm By Hamilton
In early-April, DOT Secretary Mark Gottlieb publicly announced that the state is facing a $600 – $700 million shortfall in the next state budget to maintain the current transportation program and services. He warned that, absent new revenues, current major projects like the Zoo Interchange and I-39/90 from Madison to the Illinois state line could […]
Election News – May 23rd, 2014
Date Wed, May. 21, 2014 - 3:59pm By Hamilton
Transportation Referendum on November Ballot The Legislature has successfully adopted the same proposed constitutional amendment in each of the last two sessions, to make it illegal for the government to raid segregated funds for transportation to fill holes in the state budget. This qualifies the question for a deciding vote by electors in the upcoming […]