This edition of Hamilton Consulting's Political Tidbits comes to you less than one month from the fall primary election day, August 12th, and some elections are heating up. Governor Walker and candidate Mary Burke are turning in their mid-year fund raising numbers, and we're waiting on next week's Marquette University poll to let us know if Walker or Burke is ahead, after last month's poll said the two gubernatorial candidates were tied.
Also in this week's Political Tidbits is analysis from our consultants on Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions released this week, and coverage of state and national agency action: both the state and national government is trying to fix the shortfalls in our nation's infrastructure, the Wisconsin DNR is getting good returns on the Walleye Initiative, DHS finds themselves falling shorter than they expected, and the Governor lifted WEDC's moratorium on a tax credit program. Read more in this July 17th, 2014 edition of Political Tidbits.
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| Election Update - July 17th, 2014 |
Rhetoric Heats Up in 6th CD Race
The election rhetoric is heating up in the 6th Congressional District, where four GOP candidates are vying to be the Republican candidate during the November election. At the start of July, press releases were passed back and forth as three of the Republican candidates responded to a disagreement over an Ozaukee county debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters (LWV)...
Walker Fund Raises More Than Burke
According to mid-year filings, Governor Walker raised nearly $8.3 million to Democratic candidate Mary Burke's $5.4 million during the first half of 2014.
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| "Lemon Law King" Loses |
In a 5-1 decision authored by Justice Ziegler and joined by Justices Crooks, Bradley, Prosser, and Gableman (Chief Justice Abrahamson dissenting and Justice Roggensack not participating), the Wisconsin Supreme Court handed the self-proclaimed "Lemon Law King" a defeat by refusing to award him attorney's fees in a lawsuit. The case is Betz v. Diamond Jim's Auto Sales, 2014 WI 66.
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| State Supreme Court Rules Trial Court Erred |
In a 4-3 decision authored by Justice Roggensack, joined by Justices Crooks, Gableman, and Ziegler, the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that the trial court's decision to give the absent witness instruction was erroneous and remanded the case back to the circuit court for a new trial.
Justice Bradley authored a dissenting opinion that was joined by Chief Justice Abrahamson. Justice Prosser also authored a dissenting opinion. The case is Kochanski v. Speedway Super America, 2014 WI 72.
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| Governor Lifts Moratorium on Historic Preservation Tax Credit | |
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| House Passes Highway Trust Fund Patch |
On Tuesday, July 15th, the House voted (367-55) to approve a $10.8 billion temporary patch to keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent through May 2015. The bill has garnered the support of the Obama Administration and now requires Senate action. A similar bill is pending in the Senate and Majority Leader Harry Reid has vowed the Senate will vote on the House bill this month.
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| Court Holds Plaintiff's Insurer Must Defend and Indemnify Defendant |
In a troubling 4-3 decision authored by Chief Justice Abrahamson, joined by Justices Crooks, Bradley, and Prosser, the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that the plaintiff's insurance carrier, American Family Insurance, had a duty to defend and indemnify the tortfeasor because the torfeasor was a "permissive user" of the plaintiff's vehicle under American Family's policy. Justice Roggensack authored the dissenting opinion and was joined by Justices Ziegler and Gableman.
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| Childless Adults Coverage Driving Medicaid Budget Shortfall |
On June 27, the Department of Health Services submitted a quarterly report to the Joint Finance Committee on the overall condition of the Medicaid benefits budget.
The report shows an estimated $93 million GPR shortfall ($232.5 million All Funds) by the end of the biennium, a nearly $73 million increase to the projected shortfall from last quarter
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| 2014 Broadband Planning Symposium and PSC Broadband Grants |
On July 8, the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin hosted the 2014 Broadband Planning Symposium. The symposium is part of the LinkWISCONSIN initiative to increase Wisconsin's competitiveness through the availability, adoption, and use of broadband technology. The event provided the opportunity for broadband stakeholders across the state to explore how broadband is changing in Wisconsin and share perspectives on the need and expansion of broadband.
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| Wisconsin Walleye Initiative Succeeding |
The Wisconsin Walleye Initiative has seen great success in boosting walleye populations statewide.
The program, developed by the Department of Natural Resources and the Governor's office, began in 2013 to increase the number of walleye in state waters. The program provides one time funding of $2 million to state, private, and tribal fish hatcheries to expand production of large fingerling walleye. Collectively, the program uses a $12 million funding to boost walleye populations through infrastructure improvements and production grants.
 | | Wisconsin Walleye Initiative |
Read more...
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| WMC Announces 76 "Working for Wisconsin" Awards |
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce has announced the 76 legislators who in the last legislative session voted for tax cuts, regulation relief, lawsuit reform, and other pro-growth legislation.
Scott Manley, WMC Vice President of Government Relations said, "These lawmakers are visionary pioneers for economic growth... They cut over $1 billion in taxes, cut red tape, and clamped down on frivolous lawsuits.
Read more for the full list... |
| Walmart Hosts "Made in the USA" Open Call |
 | | Walmart U.S. Open Call Event Highlights |
In July, Walmart opened the front door of its world headquarters for a "Made in the USA" open call.
The even allows suppliers of American products to meet with top Walmart leaders to pitch their products for Walmart stores. "In an unprecedented event, we are opening our doors and making our buyers available to meet with suppliers with one goal in mind: buy more American products," said Bill Simon, president and chief executive officer of Walmart U.S.
Read more... |
| Delta Dental Participates in Mission of Mercy |
The Wisconsin Dental Association held their sixth annual Mission of Mercy, with Delta Dental's support and staff volunteering their time. The Mission of Mercy program provides free dental care in one community for two days to those who are unable to obtain oral care. According to Dr. Fred Eichmiller, Delta Dental of Wisconsin Vice President & Science Officer, "This event provides them an opportunity to directly live our mission of improving access to better oral health."
Read more... |
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