|
January 3, 2024
Wisconsin political news for clients and colleagues.
| |
|
Articles in this edition of Political Tidbits:
Other updates in this edition:
- Bits & Pieces (2024 Election Updates)
- News Clips
If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Hamilton Consulting team.
| |
|
Bits & Pieces
2024 Election Updates
-
Presidential Primary: The presidential primary in Wisconsin will take place on April 2. On the Democratic side, President Biden is the only listed candidate. The Republican ballot in Wisconsin will include Donald Trump, Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Asa Hutchinson, and Vivek Ramaswamy. Under state law, a committee including appointees from the participating parties selects the presidential primary ballot based on lists submitted by the state party chairs. Any other candidates would need to submit at least 8,000 signatures by January 30 to appear on the ballot. The Minocqua Brewing Super PAC reportedly plans to file a lawsuit seeking to exclude former President Trump from the primary and/or general election ballot in Wisconsin.
-
U.S. Senate: Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, plans to seek a third term. She won reelection to a second term in 2018 with an 11-point margin of victory. Madison businessman Eric Hovde reportedly plans to run as a Republican with the support of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Hovde has owned and managed several companies involved in financial services and property development and ran in the Republican primary for the same U.S. Senate seat in 2012. Scott Mayer, the founder of a Brookfield-based staffing firm, and former Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke are also potential Republican candidates.
-
Dane County Executive: Incumbent Joe Parisi plans to retire this spring, one year before his term ends in May 2025, setting up a special election that will appear on the regular November 2024 ballot. Madison Ald. Regina Vidaver was the first to announce a campaign for the seat, and several other local officials have expressed an interest in the position. Sen. Melissa Agard (D-Madison) announced late last year that she will run for the office and stepped down as Senate minority leader to focus on her campaign. Sen. Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) was then elected minority leader by her colleagues. After Parisi retires, the county board chair will appoint an interim county executive.
-
16th Senate District: With Sen. Agard seeking another office, all three Assembly Democrats within the district reportedly plan to run for the seat: Reps. Anderson, Baldeh, and Ratcliff.
-
Wisconsin Supreme Court (2025): Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, a judicial liberal and the court’s longest-serving active member, has said she will seek a fourth term in the 2025 spring election. Former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel recently announced that he will challenge Walsh Bradley as a judicial conservative. Appellate Judge Maria Lazar is reportedly considering a run as well.
Other Tidbits
-
State of the State This Month: Gov. Evers has scheduled the 2024 State of the State Address for Tuesday, January 23, at 7 PM. The address will take place in the Wisconsin Assembly Chamber before a joint session of the Legislature and will be broadcast live online.
-
School Report Cards: The Department of Public Instruction released its school and district accountability report cards for the 2022-23 school year. According to DPI: “Statewide, achievement improved from 2021-22 to 2022-23, though for many schools and districts, 2022-23 achievement performance is lower than pre-pandemic levels; thus, report card achievement scores, overall scores, and ratings may have decreased despite upward trending achievement performance.”
-
Health Care Spending Continues to Rise: Per a new report from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, health care spending in the U.S. increased by 4 percent in 2022, reaching $4.5 trillion. According to a news report, “After skyrocketing in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and then tempering almost as dramatically a year later, … The annual growth in the nation’s health care spending appears to be returning to pre-pandemic trends, … In the four years before 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, health care spending rose 4.2% to 4.6% a year.”
| |
Wisconsin Supreme Court Finds State Legislative Maps Unconstitutional, Orders New Maps for 2024 | |
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled that the state legislative maps adopted by the same court in April 2022 are unconstitutional. The court issued a decision in Clarke v. WEC on December 22, 2023. The justices of the court voted 4-3 along ideological lines to find that the current maps are unconstitutional and to order that new maps be put in place for the 2024 election.
Continue reading this article
| |
Governor Signs Brewers Stadium Package and 45 Other Bills, Vetoes Six | |
Since his last bill-signing announcement in mid-November, Gov. Evers has acted on 53 bills, signing 47 into law and vetoing six others. In total, 86 new laws have been enacted so far this session. Both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature are expected to adjourn the 2023-24 session within the first few months of 2024.
Continue reading this article
| |
PFAS Update: DNR Pauses PFAS Groundwater Rulemaking | |
The Department of Natural Resources recently announced a pause of its rulemaking to establish groundwater standards for several PFAS compounds. This is due to the requirements of Wisconsin’s REINS Act, a 2017 law that requires legislative authorization of any administrative rule with a compliance and implementation cost totaling at least $10 million over a two-year period.
Continue reading this article
| |
Republicans Introduce Revised EV Charging Legislation; Senate Hearing Held | |
A group of Republican legislators have introduced revised legislation to allow businesses to operate an electric vehicle charging facility without being regulated as a public utility and to create an electric vehicle infrastructure grant program to help pay for new charging stations. The Senate Committee on Utilities and Technology held a public hearing on both bills on December 19.
Continue reading this article
| |
|
Redistricting, RNC and congressional races: 9 Wisconsin political storylines for 2024
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, January 2, 2024
Buckle up: 2024 is sure to be a wild time in Wisconsin politics
The Capital Times, January 1, 2024
2023 at the Capitol: Shared revenue, Brewers stadium deal, elections
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 26, 2023
Speaker Robin Vos on the 2024 election cycle in Wisconsin
PBS Wisconsin, December 26, 2023
How did Evers, Vos other politicians and organizations respond to the Wisconsin Supreme Court redistricting decision?
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 22, 2023
Wisconsin Supreme Court orders new state legislative maps
Politico, December 22, 2023
Assembly leaders on what to expect in 2024 legislative session
Wisconsin Examiner, December 22, 2023
Vos expects new maps, but impeachment is unlikely
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 21, 2023
A Republican proposal to legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin is coming soon
Associated Press, December 21, 2023
Vos wants election official out, but not through impeachment
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 21, 2023
Wisconsin Assembly’s top Republican wants to review diversity positions across state agencies
Associated Press, December 19, 2023
What Joe Biden’s negative poll numbers say about his re-election chances
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 19, 2023
Would ranked-choice voting work for Wisconsin? Legislators are split
The Capital Times, December 18, 2023
Vos says UW deal ‘first step’ toward eliminating ‘cancerous’ DEI practices
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 14, 2023
Wisconsin lawmakers weigh bipartisan ranked choice voting bill as opponents push to ban
Associated Press, December 12, 2023
Gov. Evers takes action on alcohol regulation, drivers ed and election bills
Wisconsin Examiner, December 7, 2023
Gov. Tony Evers signs Brewers stadium bill, ensuring team stays in city until 2050
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 5, 2023
Democrat Dianne Hesselbein elected new Senate minority leader
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 1, 2023
State Sen. Melissa Agard announces run for Dane County executive
The Capital Times, November 30, 2023
Republican former AG Brad Schimel to announce Wisconsin Supreme Court bid
Wisconsin State Journal, November 28, 2023
| |
|
Alliant Energy brings six new solar projects online
The Capital Times, December 30, 2023
Developers hope a balloon-like battery will aid Wisconsin renewable energy efforts
Wisconsin Watch, December 27, 2023
Bill would give regulators more authority over longer-term utility construction plans
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 27, 2023
Enbridge hopes to begin work this winter on project to slow erosion near Line 5
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 18, 2023
We Energies nears completion of $192 million liquified natural gas facility in Ixonia
Milwaukee Business News, December 15, 2023
Half of a controversial transmission line comes online in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 13, 2023
Solar can save renters big money, but Wisconsin law gets in the way
The Capital Times, December 13, 2023
As utilities close coal-burning plants, debate shifts to role of natural gas in energy future
Wisconsin Public Radio, November 30, 2023
Bill would open the door to more electric vehicle charging options in Wisconsin
Wisconsin State Journal, November 29, 2023
State regulators approve electric rate increases, reduce utility profits
Wisconsin Public Radio, November 22, 2023
| |
|
PFAS lawsuits involve complex science and law, but settlements can be worth millions
Wisconsin Public Radio, January 1, 2024
Gov. Evers asks GOP lawmakers to release PFAS funds as they’ve reached a standstill on legislation to address the chemicals
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 28, 2023
Wisconsin PFAS groundwater standards halted—for now
Foley & Lardner LLP, December 27, 2023
GOP lawmakers press Evers’ appointees to DNR board on wolf management, PFAS
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 20, 2023
Excessive costs force Wisconsin regulators to halt work on groundwater standards for PFAS chemicals
Associated Press, December 19, 2023
Wisconsin GOP lawmaker says he’s open to legislation banning PFAS in certain products
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 14, 2023
PFAS testing at 3M plant in Wausau finds levels up to 7 times higher than state drinking water standard
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 5, 2023
Conservation group estimates PFAS cleanup in state drinking water would cost $208 million
Wisconsin Examiner, December 4, 2023
Wausau files lawsuit against ‘forever chemical’ makers and their insurers
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 4, 2023
World carbon dioxide emissions increase again, driven by China, India and aviation
Associated Press, December 4, 2023
3M, DuPont defeat massive class action over forever chemicals
Reuters, November 28, 2023
| |
|
Who are the 2 referees the Wisconsin Supreme Court named to review new maps?
Wisconsin State Journal, December 28, 2023
Republicans likely to take Wisconsin gerrymandering case back to U.S. Supreme Court
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 26, 2023
Wisconsin Supreme Court rules GOP-drawn state legislative maps are unconstitutional
NBC News, December 22, 2023
AG Kaul announces $700 million settlement with Google over Play Store misconduct
Wisconsin Department of Justice, December 20, 2023
Lawsuit alleges State Bar of Wisconsin minority program is unconstitutional
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 20, 2023
Wisconsin prosecutor appeals ruling that cleared way for abortions to resume in state
Associated Press, December 20, 2023
Wisconsin Supreme Court hears arguments in case involving ‘gig workers,’ state unemployment fund
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 19, 2023
Supreme Court makes interim state court director permanent despite complaints
Associated Press, December 14, 2023
Wisconsin Supreme Court rejects hearing lawsuit seeking to end school voucher program
Wisconsin State Journal, December 14, 2023
New liquor law overhaul, wedding barn regulations, headed for lawsuit
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 7, 2023
Wisconsin judge reaffirms July ruling that state law permits consensual abortions
Associated Press, December 5, 2023
Unions file lawsuit challenging Wisconsin Act 10
Wisconsin Examiner, December 1, 2023
| |
|
Wage growth slowing in Wisconsin, but personal incomes expected to outpace 2022
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 28, 2023
Bipartisan bills aim to reform payday loans in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 27, 2023
Republicans eyeing tax cuts for Wisconsin retirees in 2024
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 21, 2023
Wisconsin unemployment system will get yearly checkups after overhaul
The Capital Times, December 20, 2023
Following death of a teen this summer, Northern Wisconsin sawmill fined $1.4M by OSHA
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 19, 2023
Amazon to Wisconsin Supreme Court: ‘Flex’ drivers are not employees
The Capital Times, December 19, 2023
Kwik Trip plans $151 million expansion of its Wisconsin operations
Milwaukee Business News, December 18, 2023
State’s highest court to weigh if Amazon delivery drivers are independent contractors or employees
Wisconsin Examiner, December 15, 2023
Property taxes see biggest jump since 2007 despite influx of cash for local governments
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 12, 2023
Foxconn qualifies for third round of state subsidies for scaled-down development
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 11, 2023
Wisconsin wedding barns face new regulations under liquor-law overhaul signed into law
Associated Press, December 6, 2023
Mount Pleasant approves Microsoft deal for data centers on Foxconn land
Wisconsin Public Radio, November 28, 2023
| |
Transportation & Infrastructure | |
Tesla has the highest accident rate of any auto brand
Forbes, December 18, 2023
Wisconsin communities get $11M in federal funds for street safety projects
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 19, 2023
Madison hopes federal money will help end traffic deaths in city
The Capital Times, December 19, 2023
Wisconsin faces up to nearly $1B in costs to replace private lead lines
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 15, 2023
Evers, DNR announce $414M for wastewater and stormwater projects
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 14, 2023
With pipeline growth booming, the US agency in charge of safety struggles to keep up
Wisconsin Examiner, December 13, 2023
$7.5 billion for EV chargers, none built yet
Urban Milwaukee, December 10, 2023
Wisconsin to receive $2.5M to study feasibility of passenger rail expansion
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 8, 2023
‘A huge win’: Madison Amtrak plan gets big lift with federal money
The Capital Times, December 7, 2023
Wisconsin bills would enable retail EV charging, drop ‘cumbersome’ utility requirement
Utility Dive, November 30, 2023
Wisconsin could get more electric vehicle chargers if not for one law
The Capital Times, November 28, 2023
| |
|
Wisconsin's biggest education stories of 2023
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 27, 2023
UW and Vos agreement is not quite a done deal
The Capital Times, December 21, 2023
Wisconsin Supreme Court rejects hearing lawsuit seeking to end school voucher program
Wisconsin State Journal, December 14, 2023
What to know about UW Regents Amy Bogost, Karen Walsh and Jennifer Staton, who changed their votes on diversity, pay raises
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 14, 2023
UW regents reverse position, accept GOP deal on funding and limits to DEI programs
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 13, 2023
Donors for new UW-Madison College of Engineering building ‘shocked’ by Board of Regents rejection of funding deal with Republicans that included DEI staff cuts
Milwaukee Business News, December 11, 2023
New law makes financial literacy a graduation requirement for Wisconsin high schoolers
Wisconsin Public Radio, December 8, 2023
Wisconsin teacher pay hasn’t kept up with inflation in more than a decade
Wisconsin Public Radio, November 30, 2023
| |
|
Political Tidbits is a free newsletter on Wisconsin political and policy developments, written and compiled by the Hamilton Consulting Group. Please forward it to others who may wish to receive this service.
If you require additional information about a topic addressed in Tidbits for your organization's board meeting or trade publication, please do not hesitate to contact a Hamilton Consulting Group lobbyist.
To ensure that Political Tidbits never gets caught in your spam filter, please add publications@hamilton-consulting.com to your address book/contacts list. If you are receiving these emails via a workplace email account, please advise your IT service desk to do this for you.
| | | | |
