WisconsinEye’s Steve Walters interviewed Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Minority Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) on August 7, 2013 at the state Capitol. The two leaders discussed many different topics, including, same-sex marriage decisions, what they would like to see in the new University of Wisconsin system president, healthcare, drunk driving, raw milk, personhood, and […]
Vos and Barca Discuss Upcoming Legislative Session & Elections
Date Wed, Aug. 7, 2013 - 4:36pm By Hamilton
Legislature to Vote on $70 Billion Budget
Date Tue, Jun. 18, 2013 - 8:18pm By Hamilton
The Joint Finance Committee’s (JFC) budget bill, ASA 1 to AB 40, will now be taken up for consideration by each house of the legislature. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald have both indicated they would like to pass the JFC version of the budget with as few changes as possible. […]
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to Undergo Changes
Date Tue, Jun. 18, 2013 - 4:13pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has been the focus of much legislative attention since the Audit Bureau’s report on mismanagement at WEDC came out last month. In addition to items included in the JFC proposed 2013-15 budget, numerous bills have been introduced to make changes at the pseudo-agency. In the height of budget action, companion […]
State to Enter Venture Capital Business
Date Tue, Jun. 18, 2013 - 3:43pm By Hamilton
Both houses of the legislature have now passed a bill, AB 181, which would establish a state-funded venture capital fund. The bill now goes to the governor for approval, the last step in the law-making process. AB 181 passed the Assembly 91-2 on June 6, with overwhelming support from both parties. Only Reps. Chris Kapenga […]
Assembly Votes to Raise Campaign Contribution Limits
Date Fri, Jun. 14, 2013 - 1:35pm By Hamilton
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 […]
Lemon Law Reform Passes Assembly in Bi-Partisan Vote
Date Fri, Jun. 14, 2013 - 10:22am By Hamilton
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, […]
Assembly to Vote on Lemon Law Reform Bill
Date Wed, Jun. 12, 2013 - 12:04pm By Hamilton
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 […]
Budget Bill Heads to the Floor
Date Fri, Jun. 7, 2013 - 9:56am By Hamilton
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 […]
On Last Day JFC Will Take Up Medical Assistance, K-12 Education & Taxes
Date Thu, May. 30, 2013 - 4:20pm By Hamilton
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 — […]
Wisconsin Lemon Law Reforms Garner Attention
Date Wed, May. 22, 2013 - 3:01pm By Hamilton
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 […]