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After the holiday respite, the
Wisconsin Legislature returns to a very
busy schedule over the next few months. This week will
be devoted to committee activity and final work on the
regulatory reforms that were negotiated between the
Administration and Legislative leaders. We continue
to expect the Legislature to reconvene its Extraordinary
Session on the Jobs Creation Act next week.
In anticipation of likely legislative
activity in the very near future, please see The
Hamilton Consulting Group’s Updates detailing
the following legislative proposals:
| Policy Developments |
 |
| Amendments to Jobs Bills
Being Drafted
Following last week’s report of a compromise
between Legislative leaders and the Administration
on the Jobs Creation Act of 2003 (otherwise
known as companion bills SB 313
and AB 655),
the bills are now at the Legislative Fiscal
Bureau awaiting completion of drafting of amendments
containing provisions from the compromise. (Please
see the Hamilton Consulting Group’s Update
for details of the legislation and compromise
points.)
It is expected that the
amendments will receive Committee action later
this week, and that the Senate and Assembly
will reconvene their Extraordinary Session on
this legislation the week of Jan. 12, 2004.
Stray Voltage Bill to
Receive Hearing
On Tuesday, January 6, the Assembly Committee
on Energy and Utilities will hold a public hearing
on AB 529,
which relates to remediation of objectionable
flows of electric current, and the burden of
proof and damages in certain actions against
public utilities, and various exceptions to
the civil justice system. The hearing is scheduled
for 10 a.m. in room 412 E.
(See the Wisconsin Coalition
for Civil Justice’s memo
opposing this legislation.)
Hearing on Unemployment/Worker’s
Compensation Bills
On Wednesday, January 7, the Assembly Committee
on Labor will hold a public hearing on the following
bills:
-
AB 625,
relating to employment rights of certain
employees in the state civil service (suggested
as remedial legislation by the Office of
Employment Relations);
-
AB 668,
relating to various changes in unemployment
insurance law; and
-
AB 669,
relating to various changes in worker’s
compensation law.
The hearing is scheduled
for 9:30
a.m.
in room 225 NW.
Product
Liability Bill to Receive Hearing
On Thursday, January 8, the Senate Committee
on Judiciary, Corrections and Privacy will hold
a public hearing on several bills, including
SB 126,
relating to product liability of manufacturers,
distributors and sellers. The Assembly companion
bill, AB 317,
has had an Assembly public hearing and was recommended
for passage by the Assembly Committee on Judiciary.
The hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m., in room
201 SE.
Possible Executive Action
on Education Tax Credit Bill
On Wednesday, January 14, the Senate Committee
on Homeland Security, Veterans and Military
Affairs and Government Reform will hold a public
hearing on several bills. Additionally, the
Committee will address certain appointments
and may take executive action on SB 268,
relating to education tax credits for businesses.
The hearing and possible executive session is
scheduled for 10 a.m. in room 330 SW.
For further information
on legislative activity of interest to CTCW
members, go to CTCW
Legislative Tracking Report. |
| Wisconsin Politics |
|
| Capitol Police Chief Retires
On Dec. 28, 2003, the Chief of the Capitol Police
Department, Mike Metcalf, retired. Metcalf served
on the force for more than 30 years and has
been Chief since 1987. A successor is expected
to be named soon.
Milwaukee Receives New Mayor
On Friday, January 2, former Common Council
Leader for Milwaukee, Marvin Pratt, was sworn
in as acting mayor of Milwaukee. Pratt is filling the
position formerly held, and vacated early, by
Mayor John O. Norquist, who has moved to Chicago
to run the Congress for the New Urbanism. Pratt
is the first African-American mayor to serve
the City of Milwaukee. |
| Upcoming Fundraisers |
|
| Wednesday, January 14,
2004:
Tuesday, January 27, 2004:
|
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.
© 2004 The Hamilton Consulting
Group |
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| For Further Information |
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For further
information on these initiatives, contact
Jim Hough at
The Hamilton Consulting Group.
|
In the News |
|
| Money,
politics and reform (opinion): Wisconsin
State Journal, Jan. 4, 2004.
Governor's
job cuts under way: Wisconsin State Journal,
Jan. 4, 2004.
Doyle
has big ideas for ’04: Appleton Post-Crescent,
Jan. 4, 2004.
Politics
will be big news in 2004: La Crosse Tribune,
Jan. 4, 2004.
Doyle, Republicans
follow through on regulatory change: Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel, Jan. 4, 2004.
Business
competitions give fuel to start-ups:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan. 4, 2004.
Push
on to boost minimum wage: Green Bay Press-Gazette,
Jan. 4, 2004.
Video court
visits could save millions: Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel, Jan. 4, 2004.
State takes
lead in livestock tracking: Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel, Jan. 4, 2004.
Leibham
praises ‘new spirit’ in Madison:
Manitowoc Herald Times, Jan. 3, 2004.
Primaries
beckon, and the U.S. is ready to go off to the
races: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan.
3, 2004.
Property
tax freeze should be rejected (opinion):
La Crosse Tribune, Jan. 3, 2004.
Cancer
changes lawmaker's mind on drug: Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel, Jan. 3, 2004.
Hospital
gears up for obese: Wausau Daily Herald,
Jan. 3, 2004.
Traffic
deaths on a grim pace: Green Bay Press-Gazette,
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