Nearly 100 members of management teams and suppliers at Walmart visited the Wisconsin State Capitol this week to speak about growth in jobs in the US. Members meet with for breakfast and seminars with Walmart suppliers to discuss the current business climate and priorities for job creation. Members meet with Representative Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam). […]
Oral Argument for Voter ID Cases in Wisconsin
Date Fri, Mar. 7, 2014 - 11:36am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme court held oral argument for the Voter ID cases last week. The two cases, League of Women Voters v. Scott Walker and Milwaukee Branch of the NAACP v. Scott Walker challenge the constitutionality of the laws in Wisconsin requireing that one present a photo identification at the ballot. Tidbits covered the background […]
Nonmetallic Mining Property Rights Protection Bill
Date Fri, Mar. 7, 2014 - 11:08am By Hamilton
Senator Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) and Representative Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) introduced legislation on February 26th that would secure legal nonconforming use rights for existing nonmetallic mining operations. The Senate bill was passed by the Senate Committee (3-2), and is now available for a vote on the Senate floor. Under current law, a zoning ordinance may not […]
Act Amending Wisconsin’s Lemon Law Goes into Effect
Date Thu, Mar. 6, 2014 - 6:11pm By Hamilton
2013 Wisconsin Act 101, which amends Wisconsin’s lemon law, went into effect on March 1. Prior to Act 101, Wisconsin notoriously had one of the worst lemon laws in the country. The law placed unreasonable and unworkable requirements on vehicle manufacturers that allows lawyers like self-proclaimed “Lemon Law King,” Vince Megna, to win outsized awards […]
Legislators Weigh in on Worker’s Compensation Bills
Date Thu, Mar. 6, 2014 - 4:58pm By Hamilton
In the last edition of Hamilton Consulting’s Political Tidbits, we reported on the Joint Committee hearing on Worker’s Compensation. The proposed bill plans to establish cost controls in the system by implementing a fee schedule for medical costs by mid-year 2015. Addressing issues seen in the bill, Senator Glen Grothman, Chair of the Senate Committee […]
Public Hearing on Bill Limiting Liability for Parents Negligence of Minor Drivers
Date Fri, Feb. 14, 2014 - 10:39am By Hamilton
Legislation (AB 706) was introduced by Rep. Jim Ott (R-Mequon) and Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) that would protect parents from unlimited liability when their minor child is involved in an automobile accident. Wisconsin is currently one of only 12 states that imposes unlimited liability to parents who sign their child’s driver’s license application. AB […]
Committee Passes Legislation Allowing Strip Searches – Bill Headed to Assembly for Vote
Date Fri, Feb. 14, 2014 - 10:18am By Hamilton
Legislation (AB 556/SB 447) introduced by Rep. Duey Stroebel (R-Saukeville ) and Sen. Joe Leibham (R-Sheboygan) amends Wisconsin’s current law to allow strip searches if a person is lawfully arrested or detained by law enforcement and if the person will be incarcerated or detained in a jail or prison with one or more persons. Under […]
Legislative Update: Assembly passes constitutional amendment
Date Thu, Feb. 13, 2014 - 9:23pm By Hamilton
Assembly passes Governor’s tax cut plan, constitutional amendment The state Assembly passed Special Session Assembly Bills 1 and 2, which Governor Walker announced in his State of the State Address in January. The bill uses a $1 billion state surplus to cut income and property taxes, gives $35 million to job training programs, and adds […]
Legislative Days at State Capitol
Date Thu, Feb. 13, 2014 - 8:57pm By Hamilton
Legislative Days provides an opportunity for individuals and businesses to come to Madison to meet with their elected officials and discuss issues of importance to them. Members from Xcel Energy, Wisconsin Economic Development Association, and the Wisconsin Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, met with state senators, legislators, and elected officials this past week. The […]
Joint Committee Hears Testimony on Worker’s Compensation Bills
Date Thu, Feb. 13, 2014 - 8:45pm By Hamilton
Last week, a joint public hearing of the Assembly and Senate Labor committees was held on AB 711 and Senate Bill 550. These companion bills were forwarded to the legislature by the Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council, a council made up of management and labor representatives who negotiate worker’s compensation policy changes. This Council has been […]