Political Tidbits – October 24, 2024

Email from The Hamilton Consulting Group

October 24, 2024

Wisconsin political news for clients and colleagues.

In this edition of Political Tidbits:



If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Hamilton Consulting team.

Bits & Pieces


State Ended Fiscal Year 2023-24 with $4.6 billion surplus

The Department of Administration reported the state ended the 2023-24 fiscal year with $4.6 billion in the general fund, about $400 million more than expected, due in part to higher-than-anticipated revenues and deferred spending. The current fiscal year 2024-25 is also looking positive, with revenues up 4.3% compared to the previous year, driven by increases in income, sales, and corporate taxes. Additionally, the state's rainy-day fund has reached a record high of $1.9 billion. With a projected $3.5 billion surplus for the biennium, the state's financial outlook will become clearer after the November 20 revenue forecast and upcoming tax collection reports. 


EdVest May Now Be Used for Apprenticeship Costs

Bipartisan legislation, authored by Reps. Binsfeld (R-Sheboygan) and Joers (D-Middleton) and Sens. Cabral-Guevara (R-Appleton) and Hesselbein (D-Middleton), updated Wisconsin law to newly allow for Wisconsin’s 529 college saving program, EdVest, to be used for additional expenses, including apprenticeships. 2023 Wisconsin Act 148 also increases the state income tax deduction for contributions to $5,000, indexed for inflation. Author Rep. Binsfeld explains the new law, here.


Statewide Races Still Tight

No surprise here – the two statewide races in Wisconsin continue to be extremely tight. Recent polling from the Marquette Law School shows close races in Wisconsin for both the U.S. Presidential and Senate contests. In the Senate race, incumbent Senator Tammy Baldwin (D) is neck-and-neck with Republican challenger Eric Hovde. Similarly, in the Presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are polling nearly evenly, with voters showing high enthusiasm for both races. With these narrow margins, Wisconsin once again stands as a key battleground state that could shape the outcome of the top of the ticket. Read more below about the down ballot races in the state house. 


Wisconsin Supreme Court to Consider Legislative Review Over Administrative Rule-Making

Last week, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued an unsigned order agreeing to take up another issue in a lawsuit filed by Democratic Governor Tony Evers in October 2023. Earlier this year, the court divided the case into three separate issues, all centered around the scope of the legislature’s authority. The recent order focuses on whether the Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) can indefinitely block administrative rules. Evers' lawsuit argues that this “legislative veto” undermines the separation of powers and violates constitutional requirements for lawmaking. In July, the court ruled 6-1 that the oversight power exercised by a legislative committee over decisions made by a state agency—regarding already-appropriated funds in the Knowles-Nelson stewardship program—violated the separation of powers established by the Wisconsin Constitution.

State Assembly Race Preview

The implementation of new maps will perhaps have the most immediate impact to the State Assembly where Republicans have maintained large comfortable majorities for the past decade. That cushion will not be the case for the next several cycles and instead we will likely see tightening of the margins and potentially a flip from GOP to Dem. Currently out of the 99 seats, the GOP holds 64 seats to the Dems 34 (with one vacancy). While elections almost always yield surprises, if Trump v Harris ends up as close as polling says it will, the below twelve seats will be the most impactful toward the new makeup of the Assembly. While Republicans are expected to return with a majority, the tighter margins will likely lead to a new dynamic in the Assembly and potentially a need for bipartisan compromise on more issues than what has been the norm.  


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Wisconsin Supreme Court Holds Oral Arguments on “400-Year” Partial Veto

October 9, the Wisconsin Supreme Court held oral arguments in a case challenging Gov. Tony Evers’ partial veto that extended school revenue increases for 400 years. The lawsuit challenging the partial veto was brought by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC), the state’s largest business lobbying association.



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News Clips

Politics

UW journalist in residence sees a shift underway in Wisconsin’s traditional political strongholds

Wisconsin Public Radio, October 24, 2024


Fight for control of state government runs through 3 Wisconsin Senate districts

Wisconsin Public Radio, October 23, 2024

 

'I'm surprised by it': Voters in Sauk County react to the county's bellwether label

WKOW, October 22, 2024


Obama encourages voters in Madison, saying Harris-Walz have more than ‘concepts of a plan’

Wisconsin Examiner, October 22, 2024


Early voting kicks off in battleground Wisconsin with a push from Obama and Walz

Associated Press, October 22, 2024

 

'We've never faced a threat like this': Kamala Harris, Liz Cheney pitch undecided Wisconsin voters

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 22, 2024


Wied, Lyerly face off in race for northeast Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District

Wisconsin Public Radio, October 21, 2024


Four of the most competitive Wisconsin State Senate races on ballots in November

Wisconsin Examiner, October 21, 2024

 

Harris seeks to win over Republicans uneasy about Trump with visits to Midwestern suburbs

Associated Press, October 20, 2024

 

Tammy Baldwin, Eric Hovde get personal during sole US Senate debate

Wisconsin Public Radio, October 18, 2024


Steil, Barca at odds on big issues in race for Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District

Wisconsin Public Radio, October 18, 2024

 

What Will Wisconsin Spend $4.6 Billion Surplus On?

Urban Milwaukee, October 17, 2024


Kamala Harris storms through Wisconsin, with events in Milwaukee, Green Bay, La Crosse

Wisconsin Public Radio, October 17, 2024


Outside groups have spent nearly $11M in races for the Wisconsin Legislature

Wisconsin Public Radio, October 17, 2024


Wisconsin ends 2024 fiscal year with $4.6B surplus, down from $7B record but above projections

Wisconsin Public Radio, October 16, 2024

 

Can Democrats win Wisconsin Assembly? Key races could decide control

Wisconsin Public Radio, October 16, 2024

 

Swing state map: Polls move in Trump’s direction, but the race remains tight

National Public Radio, October 16, 2024

 

Former President Obama to campaign in Madison on Tuesday, the first day of early voting

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 15, 2024


Suburban voters could decide Wisconsin’s election. Waukesha County is the biggest prize.

Wisconsin Public Radio, October 15, 2024


Here's the breakdown on visits to Wisconsin by Harris, Trump

Wisconsin State Journal, October 15, 2024

 

Utilities & Energy

In move to clean energy, Wisconsin invests most in solar power. How do we rank nationally?

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 17, 2024

 

Vista Sands solar project to transform Wisconsin’s energy landscape

Solar Builder, October 15, 2024


Superior gas plant withdraws permit request, leaving project in limbo

Wisconsin Examiner, October 15, 2024



Environment

Gov. Evers appoints Waupaca Co. dairy farmer to Natural Resources Board

Wisconsin Examiner, October 18, 2024


Landmark climate law helps boost clean energy jobs to 73K in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Public Radio, October 17, 2024

 

‘Very frustrating’: Verona sues DNR over Badger Mill Creek trout habitat

WKOW, October 17, 2024

Legal

Conservative firm sues WEC for records on same-day voter audit guidance

Wisconsin Public Radio, October 21, 2024


Ex-partner at US law firms Husch, Dykema sentenced for tax crimes

Reuters, October 15, 2024

Employer & Consumer

What's the coolest thing made in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin State Journal, October 17, 2024


US maker of generators sees demand surge in wake of hurricanes

Reuters, October 16, 2024



Transportation & Infrastructure

Secretary Boardman announces new deputy secretary of WisDOT

Wisconsin Department of Transportation, October 17, 2024

Health

Issue of health care access hits close to home in western Wisconsin

Wisconsin Public Radio, October 24, 2024


As childhood immunization rates fall, Wisconsin urges families to get kids vaccinated

Wisconsin Examiner, October 17, 2024


Harris backs slashing medical debt. Trump’s ‘concepts’ worry advocates

National Public Radio, October 16, 2024

Education

DPI Superintendent Jill Underly seeks release of funding for state literacy program

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 23, 2024


To prevent problematic employees moving from UW campus to campus, hiring policy update coming

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 22, 2024

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