| What's Left? |
This week the legislature adjourned their fall floor period and Extraordinary Sessions for 2015. With the passage of John Doe, Campaign Finance, and Government Accountability Board reforms many wonder, what's left?
Yesterday's Marquette Law School poll identified waning support for both political parties in the legislature, which means passing policies that message well at home will become a priority as the legislature moves into campaign season.
Potential big-ticket items that are already queued up for committees to take on include Wisconsin's minimum markup law, worker's compensation reforms, regulatory and civil justice reform, restructuring of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and tax incremental financing legislation. However, the legislature doesn't have much time. The first floor period of 2016 starts on January 12, and few floor periods are also scheduled for February, March, and April. But legislative leadership has already sent signals they would like to adjourn prior to April.
Read about where these pieces of legislation are in the legislative process.
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| Legislature Passes GAB Reform |
On Monday, the Assembly met in an Extraordinary Session to pass the final changes to the bill that eliminates Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board (GAB).
GAB was under fire from Wisconsin Republicans for not living up to its intended mission as an independent board controlled by non-partisan judges. Republican legislators believed the Board was led by partisan staff and that the structure of using non-partisan judges was ineffective and unable to combat the agenda of the board's staff. Whereas Democrats in the legislature argued the Board worked exactly as intended.
Read more about the reforms.
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| Legislature Seeks More Control Over State Employee Health Insurance Programs |
Private Consultant Concludes State Could Save Up to $50 Million, Annually, if State Self-Insures
Monday, November 16, the Assembly concurred in legislation passed by the Senate to give the legislature more control and authority over state employee health insurance programs. Joint Committee on Finance Co-Chairpersons Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) and Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) introduced Senate Bill 312/Assembly Bill 394 which would have allowed the Joint Committee on Finance to review and approve any changes proposed by the Group Insurance Board to the health plan for state employees. Instead, the Senate narrowed the legislation such that committee approval is only required if the state moves the program to a self-insured model. Governor Walker is expected to sign the narrowed legislation into law.
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| Governor Delivers Remarks at Associated Builders and Contractors |
This fall, Governor Scott Walker joined Wisconsin construction representatives in touring the Wisconsin Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin (ABC) headquarters and apprentice training center in Madison. ABC is a national trade association for the construction industry that promotes the merit shop form of construction.
Watch the video of the Governor's visit.
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| U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform: Frivolous Lawsuits Have Serious Consequences |
According to the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform the United States legal system is the most costly in the world, making it a major factor in a business' decision-making process, such as where to expand or relocate. In this podcast, Harold Kim, executive vice president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, discusses how the United States' legal climate plays an increasingly influential role in a company's planning and operations. Also hear Roberto Guerrero, owner of Cumaica coffee in San Francisco share the story of his own legal battle, and his advice for other business owners.
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| Hamilton Consulting: Your Government Relations Easy Button |
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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