.
Political Tidbits___

.
 Political Tidbits Compiled by The Hamilton Consulting Group 
Nov. 3,  2003 
 

Due to the fluid nature of late session legislative activity, this issue of Tidbits is both late and short. We have listed below certain activities that have, to date, been formally scheduled for this week. The Assembly plans to have floor sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week and Wednesday and Thursday next week. The Senate has also planned floor sessions for Tuesday and Wednesday of this week but has not announced the number of days it plans to be in next week. The Organization Committees of both houses have scheduled meetings to add to their calendars this week and to plan for next week – the last week of the fall floor period. Meanwhile, committee work and negotiations continue.

 A major TIF proposal is currently being circulated for co-sponsorship and is scheduled to have a public hearing on Thursday, while an omnibus regulatory reform package (see below) is in the final drafting stages. The Joint Finance Committee last week reported out a capital investment proposal aimed at increasing the availability of venture capital in Wisconsin, and the Senate Judiciary recommended joining the Assembly in capping the amount of bond that can be required for appeals in civil cases. Both of these bills are expected to pass both houses in the next two weeks. Due to drafting delays and some good faith negotiations, many of the big ticket items are likely to receive final legislative attention at the very end of this fall floor period. Tidbits will further update its readers at the end of this week.

 Policy Developments
.

Republican Leaders Announce Regulatory Reform Package
On Thursday, October 30, legislative and business leaders joined together to announce a sweeping regulatory reform effort. Senate Majority Leader Mary Panzer (R-West Bend) and Assembly Speaker John Gard (R-Peshtigo) announced a broad legislative package aimed at creating jobs in Wisconsin. The republican leaders announced it was their goal to see their so-called “Job Creation Act of 2003” pass before the end of the current floor period.

Highlights of the Job Creation Act include:

  • Reforming agency rule-making procedures (Chapter 227);

  • Creating the right for parties affected by a proposed agency rule to petition the agency to prepare an Economic Impact Report on the proposed rule;

  • Providing for DOA oversight of agency rule-making;

  • Modifying Chapter 285, which authorizes DNR’s air permit program, in order to streamline and consolidate this program to allow for business expansion in Wisconsin; and

  • Modifying  Chapter 30, which authorizes DNR’s water permit program, to streamline the water permit process that is currently impeding job creation and business development.

Business leaders that expressed support of this legislative endeavor include: Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA), Wisconsin Manufacturer’s and Commerce (WMC), and Alliant Energy, among others.

Upcoming Legislative Activity

  • Senate Floor Schedule
    On Tuesday, November 4, the Senate will take up AB 548, relating to limiting the amount of an appeal bond set by a court in a civil action. Additionally, the Senate will take up SB 223, relating to the reduction and recovery of damages and admissibility of evidence in civil actions related to use or nonuse of protective headgear by operators and passengers of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and snowmobiles.

  • Assembly Floor Schedule
    On Tuesday, November 3, the Assembly is scheduled to take up AB 507, relating to the income and franchise tax credit for sales and use tax paid on fuel and electricity consumed in manufacturing.

  • Joint Finance Committee
    On Thursday, November 6, the Joint Finance Committee will hold an executive session on AB 626, relating to an income tax and franchise tax credit for training apprentices. The executive session is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. in room 412-E.

  • Senate Economic Development, Job Creation and Housing Committee
    On Thursday, November 6, the Senate Economic Development, Job Creation and Housing Committee will hold a public hearing and possible executive session on several bills. Included bills are LRB 3137/1, relating to technical and policy changes in the TIF program; and LRB 3585, relating to authorizing the DOR to impose a fee to determine or redetermine the tax incremental base of a TIF district.

  • Assembly Energy and Utilities Committee
    On Thursday, November 6, the Assembly Energy and Utilities Committee will hold a public hearing on AB 632, relating to construction of electric generating facilities and transmission lines, and granting rule-making authority. The hearing is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. in room 415-NW.
 Upcoming Fundraisers
.

Monday, November 3, 2003:

  • “One on One” with Republican Officials and Candidates, 6:30 p.m., Pewaukee, Wis.

  • Milwaukee County Republicans, 5:30 p.m., Milwaukee, Wis.

  • St. Rep. Tom Hebl (D-Sun Prairie), 5:00 p.m., Sun Prairie, Wis. 

  • St. Rep. Terri McCormick (R-Appleton), 5:00 p.m., DePere, Wis. 

Tuesday, November 4, 2003:

  • Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, 5:00 p.m., Madison, Wis. 

Wednesday, November 5, 2003:

  • Joan Kessler (Ct. of Appeals 2004), 5:30 p.m., Fox Point, Wis. 

Thursday, November 6, 2003:

  • Republican Party of Dane County, 5:00 p.m., Middleton, Wis. 

Monday, November 10, 2003:

  • St. Rep. Jeff Wood (R-Chippewa Falls), 7:00 a.m., Chippewa Falls, Wis.

CTCW Political Tidbits is a weekly newsletter on Wisconsin political and policy developments prepared for CTCW members by The Hamilton Consulting Group. Employees of CTCW member organizations can subscribe at: http://www.ctcw.org/form-subscribe-tidbits.html.
To unsubscribe, go to: http://www.ctcw.org/form-unsubscribe-tidbits.html.

 © 2003 The Hamilton Consulting Group

 

Tidbits Links

Subscribe

Unsubscribe

Tidbits Archives

Current Edition

For Further Information

For further information on these initiatives, contact Jim Hough at The Hamilton Consulting Group.

In the News

Tech bill good fit for small business: Marshfield News Herald, Nov. 3, 2003.

Bill aims at cutting red tape on permits: Wisconsin State Journal, Oct. 31, 2003.

GOP seeks to streamline regulations: Appleton Post-Crescent, Oct. 31, 2003.

Regulatory runaround shows need for reform (opinion): Wisconsin State Journal, Oct. 31, 2003.

PSC approves building coal plants: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oct. 31, 2003.

Briggs backs legislation on small-engine emissions: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oct. 31, 2003.

State seeks drugs from Canada: Appleton Post-Crescent, Oct. 31, 2003.

WisconsinEye: Fair and balanced? (opinion): Wisconsin State Journal, Oct. 31, 2003.

State's Department of Administration outlines proposed rules for TV coverage of Legislature: Racine Journal Times, Oct. 31, 2003.

Leibham focuses on jobs: Manitowoc Herald Times, Oct. 29, 2003.

Health-care costs called a crisis: Wisconsin State Journal, Oct. 29, 2003.

Tribes' purchase ends Crandon mine tussle: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oct. 29, 2003.

Doyle proposes regulatory reform: Milwaukee Business Journal, Oct. 28, 2003.

Commerce head says state needs new businesses: Wisconsin State Journal, Oct. 28, 2003.

Gov urges bipartisan efforts to create jobs: Madison Capital Times, Oct. 28, 2003.

Doyle, legislators agree on power plan: Wisconsin State Journal, Oct. 28, 2003.

Bill would hasten new power lines: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oct. 28, 2003.

State biotech firms employ nearly 20,000: Madison Capital Times, Oct. 28, 2003.

| About CTCW | CTCW Events | Legislative Update | Expert Witness |
| CTCW Newsletter | Members | CTCW Resources | Contact Us | Home |
.
Copyright © 2001-2003 Civil Trial Counsel of Wisconsin all rights reserved.
|
The information presented on this site is provided for the benefit of CTCW members and the general public. While legal subjects are discussed, this is not legal advice. Further, no warranty is expressed or implied as to the accuracy of information found on this site or the sites to which it links.