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 […]
Cullen to Retire at End of Current Term
Date Mon, Sep. 16, 2013 - 8:16pm By Hamilton
Sen. Tim Cullen (D-Janesville) recently announced that he will not seek another term in the State Senate. He will retire at the end of his current term ending in January 2015. In a press release announcing his retirement Cullen says: I have concluded that it is time to retire from public office and continue to […]
Assembly Majority Leader Stepping Down to Join PSC
Date Wed, Aug. 21, 2013 - 3:14pm By Hamilton
Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) is resigning his elected office to become administrator of the Public Service Commission’s Water Compliance and Consumer Affairs Division. The No. 2 leader in the Assembly, who has represented the 69th Assembly District for 14 years, will step down Sept. 3. Suder released the following statement regarding his resignation: […]
Vos and Barca Discuss Upcoming Legislative Session & Elections
Date Wed, Aug. 7, 2013 - 4:36pm By Hamilton
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 […]
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, […]