Recently, the Speaker’s Task Force on Mental Health published a report containing their recommendations to improve Wisconsin’s mental health services and laws. The bipartisan Task Force chaired by Rep. Severson, brought together legislators, specialists, law enforcement officers, and mental health care providers to develop the recommendations. The report recommendations include: Hospital Diversion, Emergency Detention, and Civil […]
New Committee Chairs Named
Date Thu, Oct. 24, 2013 - 8:26pm By Hamilton
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos announced the following new committee chair assignments in response to the resignations of Reps. Honadel, Stone, and Suder: Committee on Energy and Utilities – Rep. Mike Kuglitsch (R-New Berlin) Committee on Government Operations and State Licensing – Rep. Chad Weininger (R-Green Bay) Committee on Small Business Development – Rep. Gary Tauchen […]
LRB Publishes Latest Blue Book
Date Tue, Oct. 8, 2013 - 12:33pm By Hamilton
Since 1853, Wisconsinites have turned to the Blue Book as the ultimate reference guide on the state of Wisconsin. The 2013-14 edition is now available. The first edition of the Blue Book was prepared in 1853, under the direction of the speaker of the assembly. Except for a gap in publication between 1853 and […]
GAB Releases Lobbying Report for First Half of 2013
Date Tue, Oct. 8, 2013 - 12:27pm By Hamilton
The Government Accountability Board (GAB) has published a summary of the lobbying activity conducted during the first six months of 2013. Each of the 674 organizations that employed lobbyists in Wisconsin during the 2013-2014 legislative session reported to the GAB the number of hours and dollars it spent on lobbying-related efforts through the end of […]
Rep. Stone Headed to PSC
Date Fri, Oct. 4, 2013 - 9:30am By Hamilton
Yet another legislator has announced they will be resigning their office this fall. Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greendale) is resigning his office effective October 14th in order to join the Public Service Commission as its new Division Administrator for Water Compliance and Consumer Affairs. If this announcement has you feeling déjà vu, it might be because […]
Special Elections Scheduled
Date Wed, Sep. 18, 2013 - 8:57am By Hamilton
Gov. Walker has called a special election to fill the seats of departing Assembly members Scott Suder (the 69th District) and Mark Honadel (the 21st District). The elections will take place on November 19, and, if necessary, a primary will be held on October 22. Because the representatives resigned on different days, Gov. Walker issued […]
Legislature Plans Busy Fall Session
Date Wed, Sep. 18, 2013 - 8:32am By Hamilton
After spending summer away from the state house, legislators are back in Madison for the fall floor period. The Senate was back in session on September 17th, and the Assembly will be back in October. Both houses have ambitious plans for passing legislation now that the state budget is no longer dominating the legislature’s attention. […]
Senate Passes Bi-Partisan Lemon Law Reform Bill
Date Wed, Sep. 18, 2013 - 8:23am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Senate voted 32-1 to enact 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, and […]
Departure of Legislators Means a Leadership Shake-up
Date Tue, Sep. 17, 2013 - 9:27am By Hamilton
Two Republican Assembly members have announced they are leaving the legislature for the private sector, which means both their seats and the leadership positions are up for grabs. Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) resigned his elected office to become administrator of the Public Service Commission’s Water Compliance and Consumer Affairs Division on September 3. […]
Watching the Watchers – Government Accountability Board to Undergo Audit
Date Mon, Sep. 16, 2013 - 8:40pm By Hamilton
At its most recent meeting, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee voted 10-0 to approve an audit that will broadly review a number of aspects of the Government Accountability Board (GAB) as requested in the 2013-15 Biennial Budget. The Joint Audit Committee voted to audit the GAB at its most recent hearing. The committee also discussed the […]