Wisconsin political news for clients and colleagues.
After several weeks of voting, the Joint Finance Committee has finished its work on the 2019-21 state budget. With the June 30 fiscal year deadline approaching, the Legislature's focus is mostly on the budget process. However, other happenings in the state capitol over the last few weeks include:
The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) has wrapped up its work on the 2019-21 state budget, rounding out the committee process with votes on Medicaid, taxes and transportation over the past few weeks. With an amended budget approved by JFC, the budget now goes to the full Legislature.
Marketplace Providers Tax Bill Advances in Committees
Legislation from Rep. Jessie Rodriguez (R-Oak Creek) and Sen. Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield) is advancing in the Wisconsin Legislature that would make clarifications related to the collection of online sales taxes from out-of-state retailers. The bill comes after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2018 inSouth Dakota v. Wayfair that states may collect online sales tax from sellers with no physical presence in the state.
The Senate met for floor votes on June 5, taking up a number of issues including drug step therapy protocols, electric scooters, and abortion-related bills. The Assembly plans to meet next on June 18 and June 20. Budget votes in the Senate or Assembly will also likely take place later this month, as the 2019-21 state budget is due June 30.
Wisconsin Supreme Court Reinstates Extraordinary Session Laws in SEIU Case
On June 11, the Wisconsin Supreme Court granted a stay on the temporary injunction in the extraordinary session challenge SEIU v. Vos, reinstating provisions of the legislation that had been blocked by a Dane County Circuit Court. Additionally, the Supreme Court stayed proceedings on the case in the lower court, cancelling the trial on guidance document provisions of Act 369 set to begin in Dane County on June 12.
Wisconsin AG Joins Lawsuit to Block T-Mobile-Sprint Merger, Other Multistate Actions
On June 11, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul joined eight other states and Washington, D.C. in a civil antitrust lawsuit to block the proposed merger of wireless communication companies T-Mobile and Sprint. On June 12, Attorney General Kaul also signed onto two additional multistate attorneys general actions.
Water Quality Task Force Meets in Mauston & La Crosse
The Speaker's Task Force on Water Quality convened for two more meetings this week in Mauston and La Crosse. In La Crosse on June 13, the task force first heard from the Wisconsin Rural Water Association (WRWA). Overall, WRWA emphasized that the task force should recognize that water issues and regulations affect small rural systems uniquely, and the state should consider providing funding mechanisms for any additional regulatory costs.
Gov. Evers Announces Health Care Coverage Partnership
Gov. Tony Evers, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and the Department of Health Services announced last week a Health Care Coverage Partnership aimed at boosting health care insurance enrollment, through both the individual market and Medicaid.
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