Governor Scott Walker has signed legislation limiting the types of crimes allowed to be investigated using John Doe proceedings and making changes to several of the procedures and processes of John Doe investigations. The bill was approved by the legislature on party line votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Wisconsin is the only state with […]
Nygren HOPE Agenda Moves Forward
Date Thu, Oct. 29, 2015 - 3:10pm By Hamilton
The Assembly Committee on Health unanimously approved all four of Representative John Nygren’s (R-Marinette) HOPE Agenda bills during an executive session last week. Additionally, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services unanimously approved Senate Bills 268, 271, and 272. The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety also passed the bill on law enforcement […]
Campaign Finance Reform Slows Down
Date Thu, Oct. 29, 2015 - 3:06pm By Hamilton
New campaign finance reforms continue to make their way through the legislative process. The reforms completely rewrite Chapter 11 in Wisconsin statutes and make significant changes. The Assembly passed the bill 61-0, after all Assembly Democrats recused themselves from the vote. Democrats argued they had a substantial financial interest in seeing the bill pass, therefore […]
Capitol Busy with Campaign Finance Reform
Date Thu, Oct. 15, 2015 - 5:09pm By Hamilton
Last week, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) rolled out legislation that will change current campaign finance laws in Wisconsin. While public reaction to the bill is mixed, the bills have been fast-tracked and will likely receive floor votes next week. The bill, which comes in at over 100 […]
Sen. Gudex Introduces High Capacity Well Legislation
Date Thu, Oct. 15, 2015 - 5:05pm By Hamilton
Legislation dealing with high capacity wells has recently been at the center of attention in the capitol. Several bills dealing with the regulation and permitting of high capacity wells have been introduced and have had extensive public hearings. Senate Bill 239, authored by Senator Rick Gudex (R-Fond du Lac), clarifies DNR permit regulations for existing […]
Bills of Note: A Constitutional Amendment and More TIF
Date Wed, Oct. 14, 2015 - 4:25pm By Hamilton
Constitutional Amendment to Eliminate State Treasurer Moves Forward In an executive session on Thursday, the Assembly Committee on State Affairs and Government Operations passed Assembly Joint Resolution 5, which would eliminate the State Treasurer position from the Wisconsin Constitution. The resolution passed on party-line, 3-2 vote. At a public hearing in September, State Treasurer Matt […]
Wisconsin DOT Announces Projects Delayed
Date Wed, Oct. 14, 2015 - 4:12pm By Hamilton
Governor Urges Legislature to Release Additional Dollars The recently-enacted biennial state budget bill reduced the level of bonding from Governor Walker’s recommended $1.3 billion in new bonding to $500 million, and allows for an additional $350 million in general obligation bonds to be issued upon approval by the legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance. This $350 […]
Back from the Campaign Trail, Legislation Takes Priority
Date Fri, Oct. 2, 2015 - 9:27am By Hamilton
Governor Walker is back from the campaign trail after spending just 70 days running for president, and while some thought he might take a break and catch his breath after his whirlwind candidacy, he has done quite the opposite. Governor Walker immediately started reconnecting with Wisconsinites with visits across the state and wasted no time […]
Duchow Wins Special Election for 99th AD
Date Thu, Oct. 1, 2015 - 2:24pm By Hamilton
Cindi Duchow has won the general election for the vacant 99th Assembly District seat in Waukesha County. Duchow received 1,424 votes to defeat two write-in candidates in the election. No Democrats filed to run. Representative-elect Duchow has worked for large national retailers and owns a small business that provides watersport and boat services on Lake […]
Bills of Note: Legal Notices, WRS Pensions and Deaths in the Line of Duty
Date Thu, Oct. 1, 2015 - 2:09pm By Hamilton
As the legislative session heats up, bills are quickly moving through the legislature. This week’s Bills of Note includes changes to the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), legal notices on internet sites for municipalities, and a death in the line of duty bill for law enforcement families. Legal Notice on Internet Sites In late April, Senator […]