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 | August 18, 2017 |
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| Wisconsin political news for clients and colleagues. |
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This week Foxconn remained the central focus as the legislation cleared the Assembly. The Senate has yet to take any action on Foxconn, leaving most to assume that the budget and Foxconn will move simultaneously, perhaps as soon as next week. In this week's Tidbits, read about the increasingly crowded field for Democratic candidates for governor, a Senate committee hearing on Right to Try, updates on regulatory reform this session, and more!
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| Foxconn Package Moves in Assembly, Budget Timing Uncertain |
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The Assembly Committee on Jobs & the Economy debates the Foxconn proposal.
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Activities in the capitol over the past two weeks continued to center around Foxconn. The Assembly pushed the incentive package through committee and a floor vote this week. After introducing the Senate version last week and referring it to the Joint Finance Committee (JFC), the Senate has yet to take any action on the bill.
Sen. Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) has softened his stance on passing the budget first and has suggested a potential JFC hearing on Foxconn for next week. Several senators and the governor have said they expect to pass both Foxconn legislation and the budget simultaneously by the end of the month. Meanwhile, JFC co-chair Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) said the legislature is in position to pass a budget by mid-September. The next two weeks are sure to be busy for the legislature as they hurry to send both the Foxconn and budget bills to the governor as soon as possible.
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| Crowded Field of Dem Candidates for Governor Grows |
It wasn't that long ago when it seemed each new day brought on the announcement of another potential democratic challenger stating that they would in fact "not" challenge sitting Gov. Scott Walker in the November 2018 election. Now, there has certainly been a complete turnaround in Democrats motivated to run against Walker. All told there are currently 12 (12!) democratic candidates who have registered paperwork to begin a campaign for governor in Wisconsin.
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Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Right to Try
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On Wednesday August 16, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 84/Assembly Bill 69, or "Right to Try." Rep. Patrick Snyder (R-Schofield) and Sen. Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls) introduced AB 69, which would allow eligible patients that have a terminal illness, have considered all other available treatment options, and have received a recommendation or prescription order from the patient's physician to be given an investigational drug, device, or biological product. The Assembly Committee on Health held a hearing on the bill in February, and the full Assembly passed Right to Try on March 7, on a vote of 85-13.
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| Wisconsin Civil Justice Council Files Amicus Brief in Mayo Case |
Last week, the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council (WCJC) filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court of Wisconsin in Ascaris Mayo v. Wis. Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund. WCJC supports the patients' compensation fund position on the validity of the $750,000 cap on noneconomic damages arising out of medical malpractice claims. The brief asked that the court grant the fund's request for review.
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Signed by Governor: REINS Act
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On Wednesday, August 9, Gov. Scott Walker signed the REINS (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny) Act into law at the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce. The bill, which makes various administrative rule changes, was reintroduced this session by Sen. Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) and Rep. Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee) after passing the Assembly last session, but stalling in the Senate.
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