Civil Trial Counsel of Wisconsin



	Political Tidbits	Compiled by The Hamilton Consulting Group Dec. 29, 2003

As the end of 2003 approaches, our policy-makers in the Legislature and Administration are taking a little breather to reflect on past accomplishments and anticipate continuing challenges and opportunities. While this is a quiet week in Madison, Legislative committees will return next week to put their stamp of approval on the landmark regulatory reform package that was negotiated between the Administration and Legislative leadership. On the week of January 12, the full Legislature will reconvene the Extraordinary Session to vote on the compromise proposal and move the document on to the Governor for final approval. The Legislature may take up other economic development bills during the Extraordinary Session and then will be back in Regular Session on January 20. The final Regular Session activity of the 2003-04 Legislature is scheduled to conclude on March 11, 2004.

From all of us at The Hamilton Consulting Group – HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Policy Developments

Tax Collections Exceed Expectations
With its December 11^th report, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue announced positive growth signs for the state economy. According to the report, individual and corporate income tax and sales tax collections for the first five months of the fiscal year were up 7.4 percent (approximately $233.6 million) from the same collection amount last year. This increase reflects an amount which greatly exceeds the estimated revenue increase of 5.3 percent, anticipated by budget writers earlier this year.

Following these results, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau announced its plans to analyze the results further, and adjust expectations for the remainder of the year, accordingly.

Small Business Regulatory Reform Advances
Despite last week’s highly publicized veto of AB 267 relating to small business regulatory reform, the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) announced that Governor Doyle will support SB 100, the Senate version of the regulatory reform bill, which will be amended to contain compromises reached last week. SB 100, as previously amended, has passed the Senate by a vote of 22-11. The bill will be further amended in the Assembly and returned to the Senate for further action.

The NFIB outlined major elements of the compromise version of SB 100, including:

Requirement that agency rules be written in easy to understand language in order to reduce the amount of cross-referencing;
Establishment of a small business regulatory coordinator position within each agency involved in regulating small businesses;
Creation of a Regulatory Review Board to assist agency compliance enforcement;
Allowance of additional time for small business compliance with new rules;
Agency discretion to waive or reduce penalties for small businesses who voluntarily disclose violations; and
Judicial review of penalties, in certain cases.

Governor Announces 2004 Transportation Aids
On Friday, December 26, Governor Doyle announced the final figures of General Transportation Aids and Connecting Highway Aids to local governments. The Governor’s 2004 figures include $373.3 million in General Transportation Aids and $12.9 million in Connecting Highway Aids. (See the breakdown of this funding, by locality.)

Legislation Would Eliminate State Estate Tax
A bill that would eliminate the state estate tax was introduced December 23 in the State Senate. SB 355 would eliminate the estate tax beginning with deaths occurring on Jan. 1, 2006. The bill has been referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a detailed analysis.

Bill Creates Technology Grant
On Friday, December 19, a bill that would create a technology commercialization grant and loan program (AB 705) was introduced in the Assembly. The bill was sent to the Assembly Committee on Economic Development.

Bill Provides Liability Immunity
On Friday, December 19, AB 707 was introduced in the Assembly. The bill provides for immunity from civil liability for those who provide, or administer the provision of, transportation to an individual who is utilizing the service to avoid operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant. AB 707 has been referred to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Wisconsin Politics

New Senate Chief Clerk Named
On Tuesday, December 23, Senate leaders announced their selection of Legislative Reference Bureau attorney Robert Marchant to be the new Senate Chief Clerk. The full Senate is expected to approve the appointment of Marchant when it reconvenes in January.

Upcoming Fundraisers

Wednesday, January 14, 2003

St. Sen. Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield), 5:00 p.m., Madison, 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.
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For Further Information

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

In the News

Study finds county taxes up 3.6 percent statewide: Janesville Gazette, Dec. 29, 2003.

‘Electrical bill of rights' to be debated in Legislature: La Crosse Tribune, Dec. 29, 2003.

2004 will bring more red tape for some companies: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Dec. 29, 2003.

Wisconsin's challenges for the year ahead (opinion): Wisconsin State Journal, Dec. 28, 2003.

State's drinking warning has a bite: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Dec. 25, 2003.

Gloominess splits along party lines in survey: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Dec. 24, 2003.