As a prelude to Independence Day next week, there were some early fireworks in Wisconsin. Publicly released documents in the John Doe case prompted a provocative headline that sparked debate across the country on how the case would affect Governor Walker's re-election for governor and potential presidential run. On Monday, the announced acquisition of Integrys by We Energies Corporation produced some oohs and aahs in energy world as insiders speculate on the ramifications of the venture. And the Supreme Court tried to lower the boom on the EPA, but stopped short of forcing them to reverse course on their regulation of greenhouse emissions. These stories and parade of others are featured in this week's Political Tidbits.
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Wisconsin Energy to Acquire Integrys Energy Group
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On Monday, June 23, Wisconsin Energy Corp. announced that they intend to acquire Integrys Energy Group in a transaction valued at $9.1 billion in cash, stock, and assumed debt to form the single holding company WEC Energy Group, Inc.
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| John Doe II |
As it relates to the current state of Wisconsin politics, the words "John Doe" have been omnipresent for what seems like Governor Walker's entire first term.
While it is a little hard to gauge, the general public appears to be passive toward the investigation as a whole. John Doe I was in the papers and produced charges against some in Governor Walker's circle, but seemed to have minimal impact as the Governor cruised to victory in his recall election.
Read more...
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| U.S. Supreme Court Decision - EPA Loses the Battle, Wins the War |
On Monday, June 23, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a much anticipated decision (Utility Air Regulatory Group v. Environmental Protection Agency, 573 U.S. ___ (2014)) deciding whether it was permissible for the Environmental Protection Agency to determine whether its motor-vehicle greenhouse-gas (GHG) regulations automatically triggered permitting requirements under the Clean Air Act for stationary sources that emit GHG. Justice Scalia delivered the opinion with the other Justices concurring and dissenting with the various parts of the decision.
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| Former Senator Named Head of Motor Carriers | |
 Former Sen. Neal Kedzie, who had announced earlier this month that he was resigning from the Senate, will become the new president of the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association.
He will replace Tom Howells, who has been with the WMCA for 35 years.
Read more...
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| Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules Property Owners Liable for Independent Contractor Work |
In a 4-3 decision authored by Justice Crooks, joined by Justices Roggensack, Ziegler, and Gableman (Chief Justice Abrahamson concurring/dissenting, joined by Justices Bradley and Prosser) the Supreme Court held that a property owner may be held liable for damage caused by an independent contractor hired to perform work on his or her property. The case is Brandenburg v. Briarwood Forestry Services, LLC, 2014 WI 37.
Read more... |
| WEDC Places Moratorium on Historic Preservation Tax Credit |
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has placed a temporary moratorium on the Wisconsin Historic Preservation Tax Credit program, due to the unexpectedly large influx of projects applying for the tax credit.
In December, Hamilton Consulting reported that Governor Walker had signed 2013 Wisconsin Act 62 into law, which raised the Historic Tax Credit on qualified rehabilitation expenditures of certified historic structures to 20 percent. In addition, a new 20 percent tax credit was created for rehabilitation expenditures on qualified rehabilitated buildings so long as the expenditures exceed $50,000.
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| Walmart Responds to NYT Columnist | |
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| The New Zealand Herald Highlights Wisconsin Tourism |
In a recent article, The New Zealand Herald, the country's largest circulating newspaper, highlighted Wisconsin in its international tourism column:
There are two standard responses to the statement "I'm going to Wisconsin."
The first is "Where?"
The second is "Why?"
Where is easy: head north out of Chicago along the western shore of Lake Michigan.
Explaining the why takes more time, but only because there are so many reasons.
The article, which you can read in full, highlighted the Wisconsin dairy industry, cheese curds (both fried and fresh), Harley-Davidson, and Frank Lloyd Wright.
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DOT Drunk Driving Task Force Members Resign
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Four non-government members of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) Drunk Driving Task Force have resigned from their place on the task force, citing procedural issues and conflicts of interest with the Tavern League of Wisconsin's involvement on the board.
Read more...
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Wisconsin Alzheimer's Research Center Awarded
NIH Grant
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The Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) at the University of Wisconsin recently received $7.5 million in additional grants from the National Institutes of Health, after it was first established by NIH grants in 2009.
Since its establishment in 2009, the ADRC has published three hundred works and identifying many risk factors and biomarkers in fighting Alzheimer's disease. With the new grant, Dr. Sanjay Asthana, director of the ADRC, plans to double the size of the research group which currently administers tests and research on 500 participants.
The ADRC has conducted research with the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention (WRAP), which is the nation's largest long-term study of relatives of people with Alzheimer's disease. The ADRC also conducts research on diabetes, risk for Alzheimer's, and patient-care delivery.
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| Hamilton Consulting's Political Fundraiser Calendar |
Be sure you are up to date on all of the most recent political fundraisers. As Election Day nears, candidates look to their supporters to help fund their campaigns. Hamilton Consulting has all of the dates and locations consolidated in one calendar, under the "Resources" tab at Hamilton-Consulting.com. 
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Hamilton Consulting: Your Government Relations Easy Button
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The Hamilton team is working to make sure our clients have the tools necessary to accomplish their government relations goals. We encourage our clients to remember to make use of all the many services we provide:
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- Political Fundraising Calendar - Hamilton's political fundraising calendar allows you to see all of the upcoming fundraising events and import them to your own calendar.
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