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, […]
Assembly to Vote on Lemon Law Reform Bill
Date Wed, Jun. 12, 2013 - 12:04pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Assembly will today vote on long-needed changes to Wisconsin’s Lemon Law. Wisconsin is universally known among automobile, motorcycle, truck, and recreational vehicle manufacturers as having the worst lemon law in the country. The law places unreasonable and unworkable requirements on vehicle manufacturers that allows lawyers like self-proclaimed “Lemon Law King,” Vince Megna, to […]
Budget Bill Heads to the Floor
Date Fri, Jun. 7, 2013 - 9:56am By Hamilton
After a marathon hearing that covered three of the biggest policy issues in the budget – medical assistance, K-12 education, and taxes – the Joint Finance Committee finalized its version of the 2013-15 budget. Highlights Medical Assistance As Gov. Walker recommended, the JFC voted (12-4 along party lines) to reject federal funds for expanding Medicaid […]