Hamilton Political Tidbits – December 19, 2018

Political Tidbits - December 19, 2018
Hamilton Consulting Group
 December 19, 2018
Wisconsin political news for clients and colleagues.

Each year brings some sort of change into our lives, and 2018 was no different at Hamilton Consulting. 

As we close out the year it will be the first one without any of the firm's founders at the helm. A bittersweet reality, as the current team of Hamiltonians still often reflects on their guidance and advice in our current roles.  

Change also brought another child to the Hamilton brood (12 and counting!) as Caty and Brady had baby Elsie in April.  We also had a wedding this year as Michelle's son Adam was married in August.
 
One thing that never changes is our appreciation of the opportunity to work with great clients and people. You are what makes this job enjoyable and meaningful, and we thank you for choosing to work with us.

Whether your 2018 was spectacular, or you can't wait for 2019 to start, our team at Hamilton wishes you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday Season and Happy New Year!


 

If you wish to receive additional information about a topic addressed in Tidbits, please do not hesitate to 

HCG's Guide to Preparing for the 2019-20 Session

The inauguration of the 2019-20 legislative session is just a few weeks away, and the Hamilton Consulting Group team is busy preparing. In the list below, we have gathered our favorite and most helpful tools we use throughout the session. Bookmark the tools on the list for a successful start to 2019!
 
 
Evers Announces First Cabinet Picks

Governor-elect Tony Evers has announced the first members of his cabinet as he prepares to take office in January. The Evers team plans to announce more appointments on Friday.
 
 
Gov. Walker Signs Extraordinary Session Legislation

Last week, Gov. Scott Walker signed into law the extraordinary session legislation passed by the legislature earlier this month: 
  • 2017 Act 368 (SB 883) makes changes related to oversight of Department of Transportation funding and to pass-through entities and online sales tax collection under the Department of Revenue. 
  • 2017 Act 369 (SB 884) makes changes to agency rulemaking, including guidance documents and agency deference; narrows the authority of the attorney general; changes the constitution of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation; and codifies some voting law changes. 
  • 2017 Act 370 (SB 886) codifies certain provisions related to public assistance programs and agencies' federal waivers. 
 
HCG Guide to the Wisconsin Administrative Rules Process
Click to enlarge chart.

Wisconsin has been a national leader in reforming its administration rules process, creating a stable and predictable regulatory environment for Wisconsin businesses. Changes since 2011 have refined how agencies can enforce requirements and have given the governor and legislature more oversight in the rule-making process. The extraordinary session legislation recently signed by Gov. Scott Walker includes provisions requiring further transparency and oversight of agency processes.
 

EPA To Revise Waters of the United States Rule

The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this month a proposed rule to revise the definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The revised rule is intended to increase predictability and stability in water pollution enforcement.
 
 
Federal District Court Strikes Down ACA Mandate

A federal district court in Texas has ruled that the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) individual mandate is unconstitutional. The court further found that, because the individual mandate is "essential" to the ACA, the remaining provisions of the law are also invalid.
 
 
Opioid Task Force Releases Final Report

Gov. Scott Walker's Task Force on Opioid Abuse has released its final report. The report details the Commission on Substance Abuse Treatment Delivery's analysis of how the hub-and-spoke model of treatment delivery might work in Wisconsin.
 
 
2019-20 Senate, Assembly Committee Chairs Named

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) have announced 2019-20 committee leaders for their respective chambers.
 
 
JFC Members Finalized

The 2019-20 session is beginning soon, and the first several months of the session will focus on developing the 2019-21 state budget. Key to the budget process is the legislature's Joint Finance Committee (JFC), which modifies and takes the first votes on the budget bill before it goes to the full legislature.
 
 
Some Study Committees to Continue Into 2019

While many of the 2018 interim study committees held their last meetings this month, a few are planning to meet at least once more in January 2019.
 
Continue reading about the status of notable study committees.
 


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State tariff costs reach $139 million through October: Milwaukee Business News, December 17, 2018.

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