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The week of February 16 will
be filled with committee activity (hearings
and committee votes) and the signing, on Friday,
of the landmark TIF legislation. (See the Hamilton
Consulting Group’s Update
on this legislation.) Despite only four weeks
left in the Regular Session, bills continue
to be introduced and moved through the process
if they have significant statewide impact, broad
support, and can add to the reputation of a
legislative session highlighted by major economic
development enactments. Among the items to be
tackled by committees this week are “predatory
lending” and “airport development zones.”
TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights)
continues to be debated and negotiated but does
not appear to be ready for prime time as of
this writing. There is some speculation that
there could be an Extraordinary Session sometime
after March 11 to address the proposed constitutional
amendment. The Wisconsin Constitution can be
amended only after the identical language passes
two successive sessions of the Wisconsin Legislature
and is approved by the people. If the process
is to move forward, it is critical that it is
“done right” since the second go-round does
not allow for amendment and will result in an
up or down proposition.
| Policy Developments |
 |
| Seminars to be Held
on Regulatory Reform Legislation
Last Friday, Feb. 6, the most comprehensive
regulatory reform legislation in the
history of the state – The Jobs Creation
Act of 2003 – became effective
as 2003
Wis. Act 118. Because 2003
Wis. Act 118 is as complex as it
is comprehensive, and to help businesses
and economic development professionals
better understand its provisions and
implications, Wisconsin Manufacturers
and Commerce (WMC) is sponsoring seminars
– The Job Creation Act: Changing Wisconsin’s
Regulatory Climate – in the following
four locations:
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Thursday, February 19,
2004; Milwaukee (Briggs & Stratton)
-
Tuesday, February 24,
2004; Appleton (Paper Valley Hotel)
-
Thursday, February 26,
2004; Eau Claire (Park Inn)
-
Tuesday, March 2, 2004;
Madison (Sheraton Hotel)
Please see WMC’s brochure
on the seminars for topics to be addressed
regarding how this landmark legislation
will change the business climate in
our state. Speakers include Bob Fassbender
of the Hamilton Consulting Group who
represented WMC and WEDA on the development
and negotiation of major portions of
the reform legislation particularly
in relation to DNR’s air program and
agency rulemaking procedures; James
Buchen and Jeff Schoepke of WMC; Jerry
Deschane of the Wisconsin Builders Association;
Paul Kent, a lawyer expert on water
issues; and, Al Shea, Administrator
of the DNR Air and Waste Division. For
a detailed analysis of this massive
legislative undertaking, please refer
to the Hamilton Consulting Group’s Update
on the Jobs Creation Act.
Governor to Sign TIF
Bills
During his Keynote Address to the Governor’s
Conference on Economic Development last
Thursday, Governor Doyle announced his
intention to sign the landmark TIF legislation
(SB 305 and
its trailer bill SB 306)
that passed the Legislature earlier
this session. The signing will take
place on Friday in Beloit.
Governor Signs ID Theft
and Other Bills
On Friday, Feb. 6, Governor Doyle announced
his signing of AB 459
as 2003
Wis. Act 120, aimed at protecting
Wisconsin residents against identity
theft by attempting to keep personal
information, such as social security
numbers, etc., out of the hands of potential
thieves. In addition, the Governor signed
five other bills:
Assembly Committee
to Act on “Predatory Lending”
AB 792,
relating to regulation of “high cost
mortgage lending,” will be voted on
by the Assembly Financial Institutions
Committee on Thursday, February 19.
The Executive Session will be held at
9:00 am in 415 NW, Capitol. The committee
is expected to also introduce and support
an amendment to respond to some issues
raised at the public hearing.
Senate Committee to
Hear Airport Development Zone Proposal
The Senate Committee on Economic Development,
Job Creation and Housing will hold a
public hearing at 1:00 on Wednesday,
February 18, on SB 444
relating to creating income and franchise
tax credits for businesses located in
an “airport development zone” and to
create a loan program for construction
projects in airport development zones.
The hearing will be held in 411 South,
Capitol.
The Committee will also
hear AB 151
which expands the definition of “industrial
development project” to include commercial,
retail and service enterprises and AB 608
relating to “Smart Growth.” Both bills
have previously passed the Assembly.
Assembly and Senate
GOP Working on Versions of TABOR
The so-called Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights
(TABOR), a proposed constitutional amendment
to limit the growth of government spending,
is the subject of serious debate and
negotiations among Republicans in both
houses as differences exist on several
key proposals. The original version
was introduced as AJR 55.
Governor Announces
New Brownfields Grant
On Tuesday, Feb. 10, Governor Doyle
announced
that the Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) had granted brownfield funds totaling
$250,000 to the communities of Fond
du Lac and Oshkosh. The grants, which
require local matching, will assist
the communities in cleaning up contaminated
land for public use.
For further information
on legislative activity of interest
to CTCW members, go to CTCW
Legislative Tracking Report. |
| Wisconsin Politics |
|
| Veteran Lawmaker Mark
Meyer Will Not Seek Re-election
State Senator Mark Meyer of La Crosse
has announced that he will not seek
re-election this fall and will pursue
other opportunities at an appropriate
time. Mark has served in the State Senate
for four years after serving six years
in the State Assembly.
Krug, Flynn to Run for
Congress
State Representative Shirley Krug and
former State Democratic Party Chair
Matt Flynn have announced their intentions
to run for Congress to fill the vacancy
created by U.S. Rep. Jerry Kleczka’s
announced retirement at the conclusion
of this term. State Senator Gwen Moore
has announced the formation of an exploratory
committee and there is substantial speculation
that State Senator Tim Carpenter will
also enter the race. There are likely
to be additional candidates, some of
whom might surface after the Milwaukee
Mayor’s race is over.
Appeals Court Refuses
to Dismiss Chvala Complaint
On Thursday, Feb. 12, the Fourth District
Court of Appeals ruled not to
dismiss four of the ten criminal complaints
against State Senator Charles Chvala
(D-Madison) based on the Senator’s
contention that the charges are unconstitutionally
vague, overbroad, and in violation of
Wisconsin’s speech and debate doctrine
and the separation of powers doctrine.
The court of appeals disagreed and,
accordingly, ruled that the charges
may stand. |
| Federal Developments |
|
| Hearing Held on Sykes
Nomination
On Wednesday, Feb. 11, Wisconsin Supreme
Court Justice Diane Sykes had her confirmation
hearing for the U.S. Circuit Court before
the Senate Judiciary Committee. There
appeared to be no controversy, but rather,
bipartisan praise. Justice Sykes’ confirmation
by the full U.S. Senate is expected
in March. |
| Upcoming Fundraisers |
|
| Monday, February 16, 2004:
Wednesday, February 18,
2004:
Thursday, February 19,
2004:
Monday February 23, 2004:
-
Tim Michels for US Senate,
4:45 p.m., Madison, WI
-
St. Sen. Jeff Plale
(D-S. Milwaukee), and St. Rep. Tony
Staskunas (D-West Allis), 5:00 p.m.,
Milwaukee, WI
-
St. Sen. Ted Kanavas
(R-Brookfield), 5:00 p.m., Brookfield,
WI
|
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 |
|
For
further information on these
initiatives, contact Jim Hough at
The Hamilton Consulting Group.
|
In the News |
|
| Democrats
play it safe in Milwaukee: Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel, Feb. 16, 2004.
Familiar
name bids for Senate: Appleton Post-Crescent,
Feb.16, 2004.
Wisconsin
at center stage of U.S. politics:
Appleton Post-Crescent, Feb.16, 2004.
Two
join race for 41st seat: Oshkosh
Northwestern, Feb. 16, 2004.
WMC, Doyle
make odd but pragmatic bedfellows:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 16,
2004.
Jobs
take center stage in Wisconsin primary:
Green Bay Press-Gazette, Feb. 16, 2004.
‘Main
Street Crime’ bill may finally advance
in Legislature: Green Bay Press-Gazette,
Feb. 16, 2004.
Halt
highway spending abuses: Wisconsin
State Journal, Feb. 16, 2004.
Transportation
bill shorts Wisconsin taxpayers, Kohl
and Feingold say: Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel, Feb. 16, 2004.
State’s
future in our hands (opinion): Green
Bay Press-Gazette, Feb. 15, 2004.
Environment
grades all over map for legislators:
Marshfield News Herald, Feb. 15, 2004.
scale.
Area jobs
decline for 4th year: Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel, Feb. 14, 2004.
Mercury
problem needs state, national solutions
(opinion): Appleton Post-Crescent,
Feb.14, 2004.
Candidate
Russ Darrow says it's time for a change:
Ashland Daily Press, Feb. 12, 2004.
Federal lawmakers
praise state judicial nominee: Janesville
Gazette, Feb. 12, 2004.
Getting
on the high-tech stick: Wisconsin
State Journal, Feb. 12, 2004.
G-P’s
Broadway mill under EPA probe: Green
Bay Press-Gazette, Feb. 12, 2004.
Assure
stable energy with nuclear power:
Wisconsin State Journal, Feb. 12, 2004.
State
revenue estimates fall short: Wisconsin
State Journal, Feb. 11, 2004.
State's
tax collections falling short of forecast:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 11,
2004.
Republicans
look to resurrect Taxpayers Bill of
Rights: Wisconsin State Journal,
Feb. 11, 2004.
Lawmakers
tweaking bill to add spending amendment:
Green Bay Press-Gazette, Feb. 11, 2004.
Lawsuit
alleges that drug Pitocin given too
soon: Janesville Gazette, Feb. 11,
2004. |
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