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 […]
Joint Finance Committee Passes Budget Bill; Legislature to Vote Soon
Date Thu, Jun. 9, 2011 - 12:35pm By Hamilton
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 […]
Senate Recalls Beginning to Take Shape
Date Fri, May. 13, 2011 - 12:00am By Hamilton
If it seems that election season in Wisconsin is never-ending, that would be a reasonable inference. Voters just had a statewide election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court (see below for more information) along with three elections to fill vacancies in the Assembly. What’s more, the Wisconsin Senate could face up to nine recall elections this […]
Legislative Special Election Results
Date Fri, May. 13, 2011 - 12:00am By Hamilton
Special elections were held last week on May 3 to fill the seats of three legislators who resigned to take jobs within the Walker Administration. In Assembly District 94, which covers rural La Crosse County and parts of Monroe County, Democrat Steve Doyle beat Republican challenger John Lautz, 54 to 46 percent. Doyle, the current […]
Major Changes Made to Wisconsin’s Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Law
Date Fri, May. 13, 2011 - 12:00am By Hamilton
Governor Scott Walker recently signed into law 2011 Wisconsin Act 14, which largely returns Wisconsin’s automobile insurance laws to their status before changes were made in the budget last legislative session. The requirement to purchase automobile insurance, however, was retained. The new law reduces the minimum mandatory liability coverage to $25,000 for each person, $50,000 […]
Assembly Passes Voter ID Bill – Heads to Senate for Vote Next Week
Date Fri, May. 13, 2011 - 12:00am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Assembly this week passed legislation that would require voters going to the polls to present proof of identification. Under Assembly Bill 7, the following types of identification would be allowed to verify the voter’s residency status: 1) an operator’s license issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT); 2) an identification card issued by […]
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 […]
Governor Walker Signs Act 14: Repeals Auto Insurance Minimum Coverage Mandate
Date Fri, Apr. 15, 2011 - 10:27am By Hamilton
Governor Scott Walker recently signed Act 14, which repeals the auto insurance minimum coverage mandate put in place by the previous administration. As reported in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Republicans, who now control state government, argue that the higher coverage requirements enacted as part of then-Gov. Jim Doyle’s 2009-’11 budget are raising insurance costs for […]
Joint Finance to Hold Public Hearing on Budget Adjustment Bill
Date Mon, Feb. 14, 2011 - 1:52pm By Hamilton
The Legislature’s finance committee announced a public hearing on the Governor’s Budget Adjustment Bill to be held Tuesday at the state Capitol. See the Legislative Fiscal Bureau analysis.Related News: Walker picks a fight – and it’s the right fight (opinion): Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 12, 2011. The governor is right to insist that state workers […]
Assembly Committees for 2011 Announced
Date Thu, Dec. 2, 2010 - 1:52pm By Hamilton
Representative Jeff Fitzgerald has announced the names and chairpersons of standing committees for the 2011 biennium. The list includes 26 standing committees, the fewest number of standing committees in the Assembly since 1975. The committee chairs are listed alphabetically by committee name. Aging & Long Term Care, Rep. Dan Knodl Agriculture, Rep. Lee Nerison Children […]