Assembly Votes to Raise Campaign Contribution Limits

The Assembly has passed a bill making various changes in election, campaign finance, ethics, and lobbying laws. The bill passed on a bi-partisan voice vote and is now headed to the Senate. Electronic Voter Registration Under the bill, starting in 2015, people could register to vote and change their address on a secure internet site […]

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Lemon Law Reform Passes Assembly in Bi-Partisan Vote

The Wisconsin Assembly voted 88-8 to enact long-needed changes to Wisconsin’s Lemon Law. AB 200 makes several significant changes to Wisconsin’s law, as outlined in this memo from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and other supporters, but paramount is the elimination of the punitive double damages mandate. Wisconsin is universally known among automobile, motorcycle, truck, […]

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Assembly to Vote on Lemon Law Reform Bill

The Wisconsin Assembly will today vote on long-needed changes to Wisconsin’s Lemon Law. Wisconsin is universally known among automobile, motorcycle, truck, and recreational vehicle manufacturers as having the worst lemon law in the country. The law places unreasonable and unworkable requirements on vehicle manufacturers that allows lawyers like self-proclaimed “Lemon Law King,” Vince Megna, to […]

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Budget Bill Heads to the Floor

After a marathon hearing that covered three of the biggest policy issues in the budget – medical assistance, K-12 education, and taxes – the Joint Finance Committee finalized its version of the 2013-15 budget. Highlights Medical Assistance As Gov. Walker recommended, the JFC voted (12-4 along party lines) to reject federal funds for expanding Medicaid […]

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On Last Day JFC Will Take Up Medical Assistance, K-12 Education & Taxes

The Joint Finance Committee will convene on Tuesday, June 4 at 10 a.m. to vote on the remaining budget items – medical assistance, K-12 education & taxes. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau has prepared papers on the following budget items for JFC’s consideration: Health Services — Medical Assistance and Related ProgramsMA Cost-to-Continue Reestimate BadgerCare Plus — […]

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Wisconsin Lemon Law Reforms Garner Attention

Sen. Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) and Rep. Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) have introduced SB182/AB200, which will help bring Wisconsin’s lemon law back into the mainstream with a number of reasonable changes. The bill’s introduction has drawn national attention, as Wisconsin is known for having the worst lemon law in the country. Wisconsin is the only state in […]

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Budget Update

The Joint Finance Committee continues to vote on various parts of the budget. The committee has mostly voted on non-controversial items thus far, so this week’s session was a change of pace as the committee voted on some more weighty issues. Video of the JFC hearing from WisconsinEye. JFC covered the following items at its […]

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Assembly Advances Civil Justice Legislation

The Wisconsin Assembly has passed three bills, AB 19, AB 27 and AB 139, that will improve Wisconsin’s litigation climate, making Wisconsin a more attractive place to do business. Video of the floor debate is available from WisconsinEye. Personal Injury Trust Claims Transparency (AB 19): The purpose of this legislation is to provide transparency and […]

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Joint Finance Committee Begins Voting on Budget

The Joint Finance Committee has begun taking votes on various parts of the budget. Prior to each JFC session the Legislative Fiscal Bureau publishes a budget paper detailing the various options the committee will vote on at a specific session. The next JFC session is scheduled for May 9. The committee is slated to cover […]

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Legislature Considers Various Venture Capital Proposals

This week the legislature held a hearing on one venture capital bill and started discussions about another. Venture capital is a hot topic this session because Wisconsin lags behind other states in the availability of start-up capital, but there is a hesitancy to put taxpayer money at risk. The Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economy and […]

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