Hamilton Political Tidbits – March 3, 2022

Political Tidbits - March 3, 2022
March 3, 2022
Wisconsin political news for clients and colleagues.
Assembly Adjourns After Final Floor Votes: February 23, 24
The Wisconsin Assembly stands adjourned following a week of floor votes on February 22, 23, and 24. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has stated publicly that, barring any unusual circumstances, the Assembly will not convene again until the next legislative session begins in January 2023. The Assembly created a lengthy floor calendar for February 23 and 24, scheduling 17 hours of floor time over the two-day period to address more than 100 bills.

DNR Board Approves, Modifies, Rejects PFAS Rules
The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board recently voted on three proposed rules affecting PFAS. The Department of Natural Resources developed three proposals to regulate the allowable levels of certain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and other compounds in surface water, groundwater, and drinking water. The surface water and drinking water rules approved by NRB will now head to Gov. Evers and then to the Legislature for review.

Senate and Assembly Floor Sessions: February 22
The Senate passed 64 bills and eight resolutions, including SB 520, which authorizes almost $42 million in general fund-supported borrowing to build a new juvenile correctional facility in Milwaukee County. The Assembly passed 39 bills and two resolutions. The chamber’s calendar was heavy on bills related to education, including a proposal to break up the Milwaukee Public Schools into several smaller school districts.

Assembly Floor Session: February 17
The Assembly passed 23 bills and 12 resolutions, including several bills affecting government benefit programs, two bills affecting apprenticeship programs, and a bill affecting nursing licensure in Wisconsin. The Assembly also concurred in a resolution acknowledging "the importance of oil and natural gas pipelines for Wisconsin and its economy."

NEW CONTENT: Hamilton PFAS Page
Given the recent rulemaking and legislative activity related to PFAS in Wisconsin, we gave an overhaul to our PFAS Issue Update page, with lots of new and updated content. Be sure to visit this page and check back regularly for the latest information about PFAS policy in Wisconsin.

JUST RELEASED: Marquette Law School Poll
Yesterday, the Marquette University Law School released its latest poll of politics and public policy in Wisconsin. The long-running poll regularly surveys hundreds of registered voters in Wisconsin to ask their opinions on elected officials, political candidates, and a variety of policy matters. The introduction to this month's poll notes that "With just more than five months until Wisconsin’s Aug. 9 primary election... about half of both Republican and Democratic voters say they don’t know whom they support in the races for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate and the Republican nomination for governor."

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