Extraordinary Session Litigation Update
Date Fri, Apr. 5, 2019 - 1:40pm By Hamilton
Several ongoing cases seeking to void the 2018 extraordinary session legislation are moving through Wisconsin and federal courts. This article provides background on each of the cases and updates on where each of the cases are in the legal process. League of Women Voters v. Evers Status 4/15/19: The Wisconsin Supreme Court accepted the […]
Health Care Issues Moving in the Legislature
Date Fri, Mar. 22, 2019 - 11:00am By Hamilton
Although the legislature is not planning to meet in March and may not meet in April, too, for floor action, several notable health care related bills are making their way through committees. Below is an overview of major health care issues this session and their current status in the legislative process. Dental Therapists – […]
Dane County Judge Orders Temporary Injunction of Extraordinary Session Laws
Date Fri, Mar. 22, 2019 - 10:53am By Hamilton
On March 21, Dane County Circuit Court Judge Richard Niess issued an order granting a temporary injunction prohibiting the enforcement of laws passed in the 2018 Extraordinary Session. Provisions blocked by the order include limits on the attorney general’s authority to withdraw from or settle certain cases, the legislature’s ability to intervene in certain lawsuits, […]
Property Tax Increase Bill Re-Circulating
Date Fri, Feb. 22, 2019 - 9:03am By Hamilton
This week, legislators re-circulated a bill that opponents argue would increase property taxes for Wisconsin businesses. LRB 1665, authored by Rep. Rob Brooks (R-Saukville) and Sen. Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville) along with 16 other Republicans, combines SB 291 and SB 292, both of which failed to pass last session. LRB 1665 addresses two issues. First, the bill […]
Get to Know a Freshman: Reps. Sortwell, Stubbs, Vining & Wittke
Date Fri, Feb. 22, 2019 - 8:57am By Hamilton
Eighteen new members were officially inaugurated into the Wisconsin Legislature on Jan. 7, 2019. Over the past several weeks, HCG has highlighted each new member of the legislature. In the final week of Get to Know a Freshman, meet Reps. Shae Sortwell (R-Two Rivers), Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison), Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) & Robert Wittke (R-Racine). […]
Floor Report: Legislature Passes (And Evers Vetoes) Middle Class Tax Cut
Date Fri, Feb. 22, 2019 - 8:52am By Hamilton
The Assembly and Senate met on Feb. 12 and 13 to vote on very limited calendars. Most notably, both chambers passed AB 4, which provides a middle class income tax cut. The bill, authored by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Joint Finance Committee member Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green), funds the $688.1 million reduction […]
JCRAR Briefed on Act 369
Date Fri, Feb. 22, 2019 - 8:50am By Hamilton
At a public hearing this week, Legislative Council briefed the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) on relevant rulemaking changes in 2017 Act 369, which was enacted as part of the 2018 Extraordinary Session. Relevant to JCRAR, Legislative Council explained that Act 369 implemented several changes related to guidance documents, which agencies often […]
Gov. Tony Evers, Speaker Vos Announce Water Quality Initiatives
Date Fri, Feb. 22, 2019 - 8:48am By Hamilton
Both Gov. Tony Evers and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) have recently announced initiatives to address water quality in Wisconsin. Evers’s plan is in the form of specific budget and policy items, whereas Vos has created a task force to gather input and make recommendations to improve water quality in Wisconsin. Evers Initiatives After […]
Minimum Markup Repeal Legislation Circulating
Date Fri, Feb. 8, 2019 - 9:33am By Hamilton
Wisconsin’s “Unfair Sales Act” (Wis. Stat. §100.30) prohibits the sale of merchandise at less than cost and requires a specified minimum markup above the wholesale cost for alcohol, tobacco, and motor vehicle fuel. Several legislators are currently circulating bills that would amend or repeal the Unfair Sales Act to lower costs for consumers on prescription […]
Get to Know a Freshman: Reps. Kurtz, Myers, Oldenburg & Ramthun
Date Thu, Feb. 7, 2019 - 10:04am By Hamilton
Eighteen new members were officially inaugurated into the Wisconsin Legislature on Jan. 7, 2019. Over the next several weeks, HCG will highlight each new member of the legislature. This week, meet Reps. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc), LaKeshia Myers (D-Milwaukee), Loren Oldenburg (R-Viroqua) and Timothy Ramthun (R-Campbellsport). Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) Rep. Kurtz, representing District 50, is a […]