The Tale of TABOR
Just when it appeared as if TABOR, the issue of amending the constitution to limit the growth of government spending, was relegated to campaign rhetoric and future legislative debate, the Legislature agreed to call itself back into session in an effort to pass first consideration of a constitutional amendment in advance of the August 3 publication deadline.

[A constitutional amendment must be approved by two consecutive sessions of the Wisconsin Legislature before being put before the voters in a statewide referendum. By law, first consideration must be accomplished in time to meet an August 3 deadline for public publication by the Secretary of State in each even-numbered year to qualify as “first consideration.” A favorable and timely vote this year would have allowed the next Legislature that convenes in January 2005 to take the second vote which could permit the referendum to occur as early as April 2005. Failure to act by August 3 would mean that the earliest a second legislative vote could occur would be 2007.]

The State Senate had previously announced that there were not sufficient votes for any “available” proposal; that more deliberation was necessary; and, that the issue of amending the constitution would be revisited in 2005. Subsequent to that decision, State Rep. Glenn Grothman filed to run against Senate Majority Leader Mary Panzer in a Republican primary, in a strong Republican, conservative district. An obvious issue was the Senate’s failure to call a session to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to limit the growth of government spending, TABOR. (The Assembly, which has been discussing TABOR for months, also never took a vote on language to amend the constitution.)

Following Grothman’s decision to challenge Panzer, several Republican legislators renewed their call for an extraordinary session on TABOR. Senator Panzer, who had previously supported delaying consideration of a constitutional amendment, publicly announced that she would urge a legislative session for this past week. Legislators from both Houses and both parties returned to Madison; were briefed on proposed language (including amendments to the “original” draft which was first available on Tuesday); caucused; failed to achieve consensus; and, went home without a vote.

DOJ Files Complaint against the Beaver Dam Area Development Corporation
Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager announced that the Wisconsin DOJ had filed an Open Meetings/Public Records action against the Beaver Dam Area Development Corporation, contending that the corporation is in fact quasi-governmental and, thereby, has been acting outside of the scope of the open meetings and public records laws. The results of this case could have far reaching effect on the operation of many private, nonprofit local economic development corporations. A key issue seems to relate to the source, or sources, of funding of the nonprofit organization.

Wisconsin AG Joins Lawsuit on Global Climate Change
Peg Lautenschlager, Wisconsin AG, has joined her counterparts from six other states in a federal court action aimed at forcing five of the country’s largest power producers to cut carbon dioxide emissions. One of the five is Xcel Energy, which services a significant portion of Wisconsin and already has plans for substantial carbon dioxide reduction over the next several years. While applauded by environmental groups, the move has been attacked by economic development professionals, business organizations and the media for its potential economic impacts and unrealistic assertion that a few companies in the U.S. should be prosecuted for global climate change. (See WMC and Wisconsin State Journal editorial.)

Recommendations of Task Force on Energy Efficiencies and Renewables
Wisconsin's private and public sectors would be powered by more renewable energy sources in the coming years and public benefits funds would be preserved for energy efficiency work under two proposals unanimously backed by the Governor's Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Renewables.

The first proposal would increase statewide use of renewable energy by all customers to 10 percent by 2015. With the second, task force members want to make sure what happened in this budget does not happen again. Doyle and the Republican-controlled Legislature took about $47 million from a fund earmarked for energy conservation and renewables -- so-called public benefits money -- to help balance the state budget.

The proposals were part of a package of energy recommendations carved by the 25-member task force over the past year. The pile of policy proposals will be presented to Gov. Jim Doyle in September. Task force chair Lee Cullen, a Madison-based attorney, said he has been assured by Doyle that the governor "is favorably disposed to what these recommendations are."

Read more of the Wisconsin Business article and also see the Governor’s press release.

Kevin Reilly Selected for UW System Presidency
The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents has chosen UW Extension Chancellor Kevin Reilly to succeed Kathryn Lyall as president of the UW System. Reilly, who had served as associate provost for academic programs and secretary of the State University of New York System, earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and has masters and doctorate degrees from the University of Minnesota.

Hamilton Conquers the British on Their (Its) Own Soil
Congratulations to Todd Hamilton, a fine American, who won the 2004 British Open in Troon, Scotland. Next month, the entire eyes and ears of the golf world will focus on Whistling Straits in Wisconsin where the 4^th Major of the year, the PGA, will welcome the best golfers in world to the Herb Kohler/Pete Dye masterpiece.

Elections are in Full Gear/Eight Candidates Denied Ballot Status
The biggest buzz surrounding the filing of nomination papers on July 13 resulted from the decision of incumbent State Rep. Glenn Grothman to challenge State Sen. Mary Panzer, current Senate Majority Leader, in this September’s Republican primary. This extremely unusual move has stirred much debate among Republican members of the Legislature and among observers of the process regarding the impact that this challenge will have on other races this fall and efforts to interpret the results, regardless of who wins.

There are a number of other interesting and competitive races and we encourage you to read the Hamilton Consulting 2004 Elections Update prepared by Andy Franken and Amy Boyer. The fall elections will once again determine which party will be in the majority and provide a hint of next session’s legislative priorities. The Update also provides a profile of and insights into the various candidates and helps readers focus on key races throughout the state.

Aug. 3

• Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay), Green Bay

Aug. 4

• Russ Darrow (R) U.S. Senate Candidate, Green Bay

• Dave Magnum (R) US Congressional Candidate, Madison

Aug. 5

• Dave Magnum (R) Congressional candidate, Madison

Aug. 7

• U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (D), Milwaukee

Aug. 10

• Rep. Mike Huebsch (R-Onalaska), Middleton

Aug. 11

• Rep. Sheryl Albers (R-Reedsburg), Reedsburg

Aug. 13

• Dave Magnum (R) Congressional candidate, Madison

For details, go to Hamilton Consulting Fundraiser Calendar

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Tidbits Archives

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For Further Information

Plan to limit taxes all but dead: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 28, 2004.

Panzer, Gard trade blame on amendment: Wisconsin State Journal, July 28, 2004.

Taxpayer amendment hits snag: Green Bay Press-Gazette, July 28, 2004.

Don't wimp out on tax decisions (opinion): Wisconsin State Journal, July 28, 2004.

Caledonia drops suit against power plant: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 28, 2004.

Papermakers back nuclear plant sale: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 27, 2004.

GOP trying to line up quick vote: Baraboo News Republic, July 27, 2004.

Tax amendment keeps Capitol abuzz: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 27, 2004.

Kelley: Got all the answers? (opinion): Wisconsin State Journal, July 27, 2004.

How's this for a flip-flop? (opinion): Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 27, 2004.

Timing makes Panzer plan suspect (opinion): Green Bay Press-Gazette, July 27, 2004.

Milwaukee attorney starts ad campaign in congressional race: Janesville Gazette, July 27, 2004.

Vote on spending limit bill blasted: Appleton Post-Crescent, July 26, 2004.

Campaign finance race is going strong: Appleton Post-Crescent, July 26, 2004.

Doyle rips GOP move to vote on tax measure: Green Bay Press-Gazette, July 26, 2004.

Weber, Nelson arm campaigns: Green Bay Press-Gazette, July 26, 2004.

Panzer calls for vote on spending limits: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 24, 2004.

Feingold’s foes step it up: Oshkosh Northwestern, July 23, 2004.

Special session sought to limit property taxes: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 23, 2004.

Two GOP legislators endorse Panzer's opponent: Wisconsin State Journal, July 21, 2004.

Renewable Energy Recommended: Wisconsin State Journal, July 21, 2004.

State to join seven others in filing global warming lawsuit against 5 utilities: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 21, 2004.

Politics drives lawsuit over emissions (opinion): Wisconsin State Journal, July 22, 2004.

Wisconsin Joins Legal Global Warming Fight: Wisconsin State Journal, July 22, 2004.