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 […]
Marquette University Poll Results
Date Thu, Feb. 13, 2014 - 5:40pm By Hamilton
The Marquette poll recently released its latest iteration helping us gauge the overall state political climate as we officially enter the election year. The poll measured the status of the Governor’s race as well as some of the hot button issues the legislature is facing. The major change from the last Marquette poll (done in […]
Report Helps Returning Veterans Find Services
Date Wed, Feb. 12, 2014 - 5:26pm By Hamilton
State provided services and resources can be hard to find with so many laws and initiatives being passed and discussed across the state and federal government. In a recent report from the Wisconsin Legislative Bureau, the many services and programs available to veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan were compiled to help veterans find the […]
This Week in the Legislature
Date Thu, Jan. 23, 2014 - 5:35pm By Hamilton
Senate passes tax credit transfer, mental health, and renewable energy bills A tax credit transfer bill, authored by Sen. Rick Gudex (R-Fond du Lac) passed the Senate unanimously this week which allows the transfer of certain tax credits between businesses. The bill requires the businesses applying for the tax credit transfers to meet one of […]
Legislators React to Walker’s State of the State
Date Thu, Jan. 23, 2014 - 8:53am By Hamilton
Reactions to the State of the State are always mixed, with people typically splitting along party lines. WisconsinEye once again provided exceptional video coverage of both prepared and off-the-cuff reactions following the governor’s speech. The official Democratic response was provided by Senate Minority Leader Chris Larson and Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca. Immediately following the […]