Hamilton Political Tidbits – October 5, 2018

Political Tidbits - October 5, 2018
Hamilton Consulting Group
 October 5, 2018
Wisconsin political news for clients and colleagues.

The countdown to elections is just over one month. This Tidbits analyzes the governor's race and the latest polls. Plus, more news from around the state capitol.
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Election Update: Walker vs. Evers with a Month to Go

October will be the most important month in the race for governor in Wisconsin as both candidates will attempt their final positioning toward a victorious Election Day. Much has been made of the potential "blue wave" and whether or not it will run into a red wall in Wisconsin. While history tells us it should be a good year for Democrats, election nights always yield surprises.
 
 
Marquette Poll: Evers Takes Lead Over Walker, Vukmir Trails Baldwin

The latest Marquette University (MU) Law School poll, released Sept. 18, is the most indicative evidence so far of the "blue wave" that some are predicting will shift Wisconsin elections to the left in November. The poll, conducted Sept. 12-16, showed favorability numbers dropping for almost every Republican politician and Democratic candidates gaining significant leads.

 
Legislature to Meet in Extraordinary Session on Kimberly-Clark

This week, legislative leadership called for an extraordinary session of the legislature to take up an incentive package to keep open a Kimberly-Clark manufacturing plant in northeast Wisconsin. A Senate committee will hold a public hearing on the bill on Nov. 12, and the full Senate could vote on the bill later that month - if they have the votes.
 
 
Plaintiffs Refile in Gill v. Whitford Redistricting Case

Democratic plaintiffs in Gill v. Whitford, the legal challenge to Wisconsin Republicans' 2010 redistricting map, have refiled their case in district court. A three-judge panel will hear the case, which has been renewed with additional plaintiffs and refreshed arguments.
 
 
Agencies Submit 2019-21 Budget Requests

Wisconsin state agencies have submitted their 2019-21 state budget requests to Gov. Scott Walker and the Department of Administration (DOA). Under Wisconsin's biennial budget process, DOA's State Budget Office and the Governor's Office will review the agency requests and develop the biennial budget. The governor will then present his budget to the state legislature for its consideration in early 2019. A final budget passed by the legislature and signed by the governor will be due at the end of June 2019.
 

Unpacking DHS's Budget Request 

On Sept. 17, state agencies submitted their 2019-21 biennial budget requests that, in total, included roughly $2.5 billion dollars in additional funding (according to Wispolitics). Accounting for the bulk of the increase in state general purpose revenue (GPR) are the usual cost drivers - education, health care and corrections. Coming in a distant second to the Department of Public Instruction's request for $1.4 billion new funds, is the Department of Health Services's request for an increase of $623.7 million GPR. Across all funds, DHS's request is an increase of 6.8 percent over the base year doubled.
 
 
Alcohol Study Committee Meets, Considers Drafts

Last week, the Study Committee on Alcohol Beverages Enforcement met for the third time. The Committee heard from Department of Revenue (DOR) Secretary Rick Chandler on agency enforcement and Donovan Borvan a former executive director of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission then discussed various drafts being considered by the study committee.
 
 
Direct Primary Care Committee Will Not Recommend Legislation, Kapenga/Sanfelippo To Reintroduce Bill

The Study Committee on Direct Primary Care (DPC) met for the final time on Sept. 18 to make their final recommendations from their work this summer. The committee concluded without recommending any legislation but agreed that DPC is a positive part of the health care system and that the Group Insurance Board (GIB) should explore DPC for state employees. After the conclusion of the study committee proceedings, Sen. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) and Rep. Joe Sanfelippo (R-New Berlin) announced this week they will reintroduce their bill (2017 AB 798) on the first day of the 2019-20 legislative session.
 

WCJC Issues 2018 Judicial Evaluation 

The Wisconsin Civil Justice Council (WCJC) has released its 2018 Guide to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Judicial Evaluation, which reviews the most important cases decided by the Supreme Court of Wisconsin affecting the business community. 
 
The 2018 Judicial Evaluation covers six terms, spanning from 2012 through the most recent term that ended in summer of 2018 and provides a discussion of the facts and the court's holding in each of the decisions, including the dissenting opinion(s). The guide then lists how each justice
decided the case, along with WCJC's position on the court's decision. 
 
This is the third judicial evaluation issued by WCJC since 2011. 

Click here to download the 2018 Judicial Evaluation.
 
Gov. Scott Walker Declares PA Week Oct. 6-12

Gov. Scott Walker has declared Oct. 6-12, 2018, as Physician Assistant (PA) Week in Wisconsin. The governor's proclamation recognizes PAs as valuable assets to medicine, especially in underserved rural areas of the state. PA Week also recognizes PAs for contributing "to the well-being and quality of life for all patients of Wisconsin."
 



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News Clips
Politics
Walker optimistic despite polls: Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, October 4, 2018.

Health
Utilities and Energy
Study: Wind power could fuel threat to climate: Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, October 5, 2018.
Public hearing slated for Chippewa County sand mine: Chippewa Herald, October 4, 2018.
Texas sand, pipeline constraints dog Wisconsin frac mines: Wisconsin State Journal, October 4, 2018.
Candidates talk energy policy today: Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, October 3, 2018.

Environment
Legal
Economic Development
Transportation
Education
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