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While we are entering what is officially Week 2 of the Jobs Creation
Extraordinary Session of the State Legislature,
negotiations, rather than formal action, dominate
the political scene in Madison. There have been
two additional public hearings (Milwaukee and Wausau)
where varying interests have attempted to draw
attention to the pros and cons of the specific
legislative proposals. Perhaps more important,
however, are the ongoing negotiations involving the Administration
and Legislative leadership that are intended to
arrive at regulatory reform initiatives that can
achieve a majority vote in the Legislature AND
be signed by the Governor. That goal will not
be met this week as no official committee or legislative
floor actions are scheduled or expected.
In a related
development, Governor Doyle vetoed the so-called
“Green Tier” bill which had been sent to him earlier
in the week by Speaker Gard. This bill authorized
businesses to conduct self audits and reporting
and provided certain civil immunities. While the
Governor has supported the self-audit concept,
he is opposed to treating all businesses the same
after the effective date of the proposed law, and would treat businesses with a history of
environmental violations more strictly. He also
called for a more specific plan of action for
violators, equating the bill’s provisions to “presumptive
approval,” which is a sticking point in regulatory reform
discussions.
Two days
before the above-referenced veto, the Governor
signed a major piece of legislation aimed at speeding
up the environmental review of electric transmission
lines and natural gas pipelines, a measure strongly
supported by the business community and Legislature.
The proposal also promotes cooperation between
the PSC and DNR.
We will continue
to monitor the upcoming events with great interest
and anticipation.
| Policy Developments |
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| Governor Acts on Bills
On Wednesday, December 3, Governor Doyle
announced
his signing of the following bills:
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SB 300 (as Act 89 of 2003)
relating to construction of certain
public utility facilities, utility
aid payments, utility condemnations,
and granting rule-making authority.
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SB 168 (as Act
90 of 2003) relating to enforcement
of the one- and two-family dwelling
code in certain cities, villages,
and towns.
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AB 328 (as Act
91 of 2003) relating to the historic
sites operated by the State Historical
Society of Wisconsin, the purposes
for which the State Historical Society
of Wisconsin may contract with the
Wisconsin Historical Foundation, Inc.,
or any other nonprofit corporation.
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SB 243 (as Act
92 of 2003) relating to provision
of dental and dental hygiene services
to Medical Assistance recipients by
a volunteer health care provider.
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AB 130 (as Act
93 of 2003) relating to creating
a new method for towns to consolidate.
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AB 251 (as Act
94 of 2003) relating to designating
public depositories for the payment
of property taxes.
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AB 48 (as Act
95 of 2003) relating to accelerating
the mailing property tax bills.
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SB 121 (as Act
96 of 2003) relating to disposal
of oil-absorbent materials.
On Thursday, December
4, Governor Doyle announced
his signing of the following bills:
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AB
458, also known as the “Baby Luke”
bill, relating to operating a vehicle
or operating or going armed with a
firearm after using certain controlled
substances and providing penalties.
-
AB
121, relating to recruitment,
training, certification, and compensation
of election officials.
On Friday, December 5,
Governor Doyle announced
his veto of the “Green Tier Bill”:
Finally, on Monday, December
8, the Governor signed AB 507,
relating to elimination of the sales tax
on fuel and electricity used by manufacturers.
Assembly Committee Recommends
Passage of TIF Bills
The Assembly Committee on Ways and Means
recommended concurrence in SB 305,
the major Tax Incremental Financing (TIF)
bill, on a vote of 9-3 with 2 absent.
The trailer bill, SB 306
was recommended 12-0-2. Please see The
Hamilton Consulting Group’s Update
for further details on this legislative
effort.
Assembly Energy Committee
to Address Agency Approval of Nuclear
Plants
On Tuesday, December 9, the Assembly Energy
and Utilities Committee will hold a public
hearing on AB 555,
relating to requirements for approval
of construction of nuclear power plants.
The hearing schedule has been amended,
and is now scheduled to take place at
10 a.m., in room 415 NW.
Assembly Committee Holds
Capital Investment Hearing
On Wednesday, December 3, the Assembly
Committee on Economic Development held
an informational hearing relating to creation
of a Wisconsin Economic Leadership Board
and development of a Venture Capital Investment
Program, which would provide tax credits
for certain venture capital investments.
The Committee heard testimony regarding
these initiatives from invited speakers
only.
DNR to Hold Hearings on
“New Source Review” Revisions
On Tuesday, December 2, the Department
of Natural Resources (DNR) announced
that the Natural Resources Board had voted
unanimously in favor of allowing the DNR
to hold hearings this January on its revised
air permit rule package (otherwise
known as NR 405, or “New Source Review.”)
Hearing dates have not yet been scheduled.
The rule revisions would
mandate stricter air pollution emission
standards on several Wisconsin manufacturers
and utilities, and if approved in Wisconsin,
could become effective in December of
2005.
Senate Committee to Hold
Hearing on Minimum Wage and Obesity Bills
The Senate Labor, Small Business Development
and Consumer Affairs Committee is holding
a public hearing (and possible executive
session) on AB 633,
which would preempt local governments
from adopting living wage ordinances.
The hearing is scheduled for Dec. 8 at
11 a.m. in room 411 S.
The committee is also
hearing SB 289,
relating to civil liability exemptions
for claims resulting from weight gain
or obesity; SB 339,
relating to various changes in the worker’s
compensation law; and SB 340,
relating to various changes in the unemployment
insurance law.
Supreme Court Decides
Wage Lien Case
On Nov. 20, 2003, the Supreme Court handed
down its opinion in Hubbard
v. Messer, relating to an employee
claim for unpaid wages under Chapter 109
of the Wisconsin Statutes. In this case,
the employee first filed a claim against
his employer for unpaid wages with the
Department of Workforce Development (DWD).
The DWD administrative action resulted
in the employer fully paying the wages
due to the employee. The employee, however,
subsequently filed a civil court action
for additional penalties (allegedly
due under Sec. 109.11(2), Wis. Stat.)
for the employer’s failure to pay the
wages by the statutory deadline imposed
by Sec. 109.03(1), Wis. Stat.
The court ruled in favor
of the employer, holding that Wis. Stat.
Sec. 109.11(2) “does not impose civil
penalties when wages due an employee have
been paid in full at the time a
circuit court action is commenced.” (Emphasis
added.)
Circuit Court Rules Hub
Airlines Property Tax Exemption Invalid
On Nov. 7, 2003, a Wisconsin Circuit Court
ruling held invalid the Wisconsin statute
authorizing a property tax exemption for
hub airlines. The statute, enacted by
the 2001 Legislature, was intended to
stimulate economic development by creating
a competitive environment for airline
companies considering locating or expanding
in Wisconsin. Midwest Airlines announced
that it is working with state officials
toward an appeal of the decision. A letter
is circulating among legislators of both
parties urging the Attorney General to
file the appeal.
Brewers Agree to Audit
On December 4, the Milwaukee Brewers announced
they would allow an audit of their records
by a panel of three, state-chosen, business
executives. The panel is expected to issue
a report within 90 days of analyzing the
team’s finances. This action was, at least
in part, in response to a letter requesting
an audit that was signed by 57 state legislators. |
| Wisconsin Politics |
|
| Three File Papers to Compete
for Coggs Assembly Seat
Two Democrats and one Independent have
filed papers to run in the Special Election
to fill Sen. Spencer Coggs’ recently vacated
17th District Assembly seat.
The two Democrats are: former Air Force
Captain, James A. Sigl, and Milwaukee
Area Technical College adjunct professor,
Barbara Toles. The Independent candidate
is Wendell Harris.
Toles and Sigl will face-off
in the December 30th primary
and the winner will take on Harris in
the January 27th general election.
Krug Named to Joint Finance
On December 1, Assembly Democratic Leader
Jim Kreuser announced
that Rep. Shirley Krug of Milwaukee
will replace former Rep. Spencer Coggs
on the Joint Finance Committee. |
| Federal Developments |
|
| EPA Responds to State/Tribal
Ozone Boundary Recommendations
On December 4, the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) announced
it had sent response letters, the same
day, to state and tribes regarding their
nonattainment area recommendations submitted
earlier this fall. (See EPA’s response
letter to Wisconsin.) |
| Upcoming Fundraisers |
|
| Monday, December 8, 2003:
-
Republican Party of
Wisconsin, 4:15 p.m., Milwaukee, Wis.
-
St. Rep. Leah Vukmir
(R-Wauwatosa), 6:00 p.m., Wauwatosa,
Wis.
-
St. Rep. Jeff Stone
(R-Greenfield), 6:00 p.m., Greendale,
Wis.
Tuesday, December 9, 2003:
-
St. Rep. Sheldon Wasserman
(D-Milwaukee), 5:00 p.m., Milwaukee,
Wis.
-
St. Sen. Alberta Darling
(R-River Hills), 5:30 p.m., Milwaukee,
Wis.
Wednesday, December 10,
2003:
-
St. Rep. Jim Kreuser
(D-Kenosha), 5:00 p.m., Kenosha, Wis.
-
St. Sen. Roger Breske
(D-Eland), 4:00 p.m., Madison, Wis.
Thursday, December 11,
2003:
Monday, December 15, 2003:
Tuesday, December 16,
2003:
-
U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan
(D-3), 5:30 p.m., Monona, Wis.
-
St. Sen. Jon Erpenbach
(D-Middleton), 6:00 p.m., Middleton,
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 |
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| For Further Information |
|
For
further information on these initiatives,
contact Jim Hough at
The Hamilton Consulting Group.
|
In the News |
|
| The
math on Doyle's plan to cut state jobs:
Wisconsin State Journal, Dec. 6, 2003.
Wisconsin
manufacturing jobs not yet rebounding:
Janesville Gazette, Dec. 6, 2003.
Pace
Of Job Growth Slows In November: Wisconsin
State Journal, Dec. 6, 2003.
Doyle vetoes
bill allowing business to self-audit environmental
practices: Janesville Gazette, Dec.
6, 2003.
Doyle signs
bill to hasten state's energy projects:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Dec. 5, 2003.
EPA proposes
stricter rules for area: Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel, Dec. 5, 2003.
State
joins clean air rules battle: Appleton
Post-Crescent, Dec. 5, 2003.
Doyle
signs bill to speed up power plants, lines:
Janesville Gazette, Dec. 4, 2003.
Bill
proposes more state cash for ethanol producers:
Wisconsin State Journal, Dec. 4, 2003.
Gard
tries to force Doyle to act on regulatory
reform: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Dec.
3, 2003.
3 file
papers to run for Assembly post: Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel, Dec. 3, 2003.
DNR to
go its own way on air pollution: Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel, Dec. 3, 2003.
State to
pursue stricter air pollution rules:
Janesville Gazette, Dec. 3, 2003.
Developer
accused of asbestos violations: Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel, Dec. 3, 2003. |
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