The Senate this week passed Senate Bill 202, authored by Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) and Rep. Michelle Litjens (R-Oshkosh), which repeals a law enacted last session (2009 Wisconsin Act 20) that for the first time imposed punitive and compensatory damages in discrimination cases under the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act. Before enactment of Wisconsin Act […]
Senate Passes Bill Repealing Punitive and Compensatory Damages under the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act
Date Wed, Nov. 9, 2011 - 7:07pm By Hamilton
Daubert Comes to Wisconsin — CLE Summit on Expert Opinion
Date Tue, Oct. 25, 2011 - 3:02pm By Hamilton
This one day “summit” is for trial lawyers who are engaged in the defense of civil litigation as well as those lawyers who represent businesses and professionals, and whose litigation fate relies heavily on the admissibility—or non-admissibility—of expert testimony, including the elimination of “junk science.” A comprehensive understanding of decisions and trends from other jurisdictions […]
Bill Would Provide Employers Protection in Hiring Convicted Felons
Date Tue, Oct. 11, 2011 - 5:06pm By Hamilton
The Assembly Labor and Workforce Development Committee this week held a public hearing on Assembly Bill 286, permitting employers to consider a person’s felony conviction record when deciding to hire or terminate the person. (The Senate companion bill is SB 207). Currently, Wisconsin is one of only four states that include convicted felons as a […]
Governor Walker Calls Second Special Session on Jobs
Date Wed, Sep. 28, 2011 - 3:58pm By Hamilton
For the second time this year Governor Scott Walker has called the legislature into special session to address jobs. The “Back to Work Wisconsin” special session is expected to begin on Thursday, September 19, and run through November. Walker’s announcement included a list of 26 pieces of legislation for the session. The list is replicated […]
Three Petitions against Democratic State Senators Certified by GAB
Date Wed, Jun. 15, 2011 - 12:31pm By Hamilton
The Government Accountability Board (GAB) voted to certify recall petitions against Senator Jim Holperin (D- District 12), Senator Robert Wirch (D- District 22), and Senator Dave Hansen (D- District 30). State law requires the recall elections be held on the sixth Tuesday after the petitions are found to be sufficient. If there is a primary, […]
Wisconsin Budget Bill Set to Come Before Assembly
Date Wed, Jun. 15, 2011 - 12:29pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin legislators’ plan to balance the state’s budget is largely written and is set to come before the Assembly Wednesday, June 15. GOP lawmakers and Governor Scott Walker agree on the outlines of the bill that will close a $3 billion deficit in the state’s main account over the next two years by holding the […]
Voter ID Bill Becomes Law
Date Thu, Jun. 9, 2011 - 3:46pm By Hamilton
Gov. Scott Walker recently signed into law legislation – Assembly Bill 7 – which requires voters to present identification before they vote. The law also ends straight ticket voting and strengthens absentee voter requirements. The law requires that anyone voting in a particular district must have resided in that district for 28 days. Previously, living […]
Joint Finance Committee Passes Budget Bill; Legislature to Vote Soon
Date Thu, Jun. 9, 2011 - 12:35pm By Hamilton
The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) voted along party-lines (12-4) passing the 2011-13 budget bill. The final two nights were marred by protestors disrupting the proceedings. Below is a snapshot of some of the changes made by the JFC to Gov. Scott Walker’s original bill: A provision that creates a domestic production tax credit for manufacturers […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on Collective Bargaining Bill
Date Tue, Jun. 7, 2011 - 9:18am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments today on whether to take up a lawsuit over the Wisconsin collective bargaining law (2011 WI Act 10). The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard both the appeal of the Wisconsin Department of Justice on the original temporary restraining order (TRO) as well has final decision released by the Dane […]
Legislation Would Allow Right to Carry Concealed Weapons
Date Fri, May. 13, 2011 - 12:00am By Hamilton
Sen. Pam Galloway (R-Wausau) this week introduced two bills that would allow individuals to carry concealed weapons. One would require a license to carry a concealed weapon while the other would not. Currently, those caught with a concealed weapon face a $10,000 fine and nine-month jail term. Senate Bill 90 would require an individual to […]