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The Governor has announced he will sign the budget bill on Monday, July 25, laying to rest any speculation of a complete veto. The Governor is expected, however, to make liberal use of his line-item veto power, probably the most comprehensive and powerful in the country. We will report on the Governor’s veto actions early next week.
Recent decisions by the Wisconsin Supreme Court and legislative responses thereto are likely to move to the top of the agenda when the Legislature reconvenes in the third week of September. As covered in last week’s Tidbits, the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned the caps on noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases and expanded the “risk-contribution,” Court- adopted theory regarding recovery of damages without direct proof of liability in a lead paint case. Earlier this year, the Court also re-interpreted the standards for punitive damages that had been adopted by the Legislature in the 1995 legislative session, the same session in which the Legislature adopted the caps in medical malpractice cases. Expect these to be very high-profile issues in the months ahead.
The U.S. Supreme Court has not gone unnoticed and its eminent domain decision has drawn much attention throughout the land. The decision and current law and practices in Wisconsin are being examined, and public policy debate on property rights issues and economic development is expected to be part of the Legislature’s upcoming agenda.
| In this Issue |
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Governor Doyle Signs Bill Re Conveyance for Transmission Lines
Doyle to Sign Budget on Monday
Legislative Hearings
Cord Blood Bill Recommended by Senate Committee
Justice Crooks to Seek Re-election
Nusbaum Announces for Congress in 8th District |
| Policy Developments |
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Governor Doyle Signs Bill Re Conveyance for Transmission Lines
AB-437, which requires the conveyance of publicly-owned property to a public utility for construction of transmission lines, was signed by Governor Doyle this week as 2005 Wisconsin Act 24. The bill introduced, at least in part, because of the Douglas County Board’s refusal to negotiate on the proposed power line route. The Board has recently indicated its willingness to negotiate but the legislation was deemed necessary to avoid potential future delays and added costs in this and other projects where action may be warranted following a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity by the Public service Commission.
Doyle to Sign Budget on Monday
The Governor will sign the budget bill (AB-100) at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 25, at the Executive Residence.
The Governor has announced that when he signs the budget, he will veto: provisions that would require the Stewardship fund to expend an estimated nearly $80 million to purchase land that the state already owns and protects; that would repeal the Smart Growth program; and, that would cut the tipping fee on out-of-state garbage by 25 percent, keeping the fee at its current level. Further, Doyle has announced that he will use his veto pen to restore $8 million of the $11 million increase he proposed in his budget for University of Wisconsin System financial aid.
"I have come to the conclusion that with my partial veto power, I can make significant improvements to that budget... certainly more than could be made by prolonging the process," Doyle said. He said the bill he signs into law "will be a very different budget from the one I received from the Legislature."
Gov. Doyle also announced that he was able to use his veto pen to expand the Enterprise Development Zone Tax Credits program and make available $120 million in existing tax credits. He further stated that the budget will include a $400,000 investment in a new dental clinic at the Marshfield Clinic in Chippewa Falls; and that he will veto a budget provision directing the sale of state-owned power plants and wastewater treatment facilities by April 1, 2007.
Legislative Hearings
Assembly Colleges and Universities, 10 am, Tue, July 26, 225-NW
AB-387. Eligibility of a person enrolled in a program that confers a master's degree in nursing for a loan under the Nursing Student Loan Program. (Hearing and possible Executive Session.)
Cord Blood Bill Recommended by Senate Committee
On Thursday, July 21, Assembly Bill 270, was unanimously recommended for passage by the Senate Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care Committee. Quarterback Jim Kelly of the NFL Buffalo Bills has formed a foundation called Hunter’s Hope, a national organization that supports cord blood treatment. At the public hearing Jim Kelly provided a video tape message supporting the bill.
Under this legislation pre-natal health-care providers will inform pregnant women of the option to donate their cord blood for free. The bill, as amended in the Assembly Health Committee, provides that no person may be held civilly liable for failure to comply, or for complying, with the requirement to provide the information.
For more information on legislation of interest to CTCW members, go to the CTCW Tracking Report. |
| Wisconsin Politics |
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Justice Crooks to Seek Re-election
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Pat Crooks ended speculation about his future plans today when he announced that he will seek another 10-year term on the State’s highest Court. Crooks’ current term expires on Aug. 1, 2006. Supreme Court elections in Wisconsin are non-partisan and are held in the Spring (2006), with a primary to be held in February.
Nusbaum Announces for Congress in 8th District
Nancy Nusbaum, former Mayor of De Pere (1988-1995), and former Brown County Executive (1995-2003) announced her decision to seek the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 8th Congressional District. Nusbaum has spent the last two years leading the Office of Crime Victim Services in the Department of Justice. (See Nusbaum’s web site for more information.)
The only other announced Democrat candidate is Jamie Wall, former employee of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce. Republican Mark Green, who is not seeking re-election, has announced his candidacy for Governor. |
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.
© 2005 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.
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In the News |
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Medicaid funds to go to schools: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 22, 2005.
Congress gives boost to Patriot Act: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 22, 2005.
La Crosse County wants wind energy: La Crosse Tribune, July 21, 2005.
Nusbaum makes bid for Congress: Appleton Post-Crescent, July 20, 2005.
Doyle vows to protect nature: Green Bay Press-Gazette, July 19, 2005.
Governor to restore land plan: Oshkosh Northwestern, July 19, 2005.
Property Ruling Under Fire: Madison Capital Times, July 20, 2005.
Bush picks D.C. judge for Supreme Court: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 20, 2005.
County borrows for building to promote economic growth: Rhinelander Daily News, July 20, 2005.
State said to be in prime position for wind energy: Fond du Lac Reporter, July 19, 2005.
Study disputes ethanol: Oshkosh Northwestern, July 18, 2005.
Doyle unveils first vetoes: Appleton Post-Crescent, July 18, 2005.
Doyle to use partial veto: Madison Capital Times, July 18, 2005.
Doyle has devil of decision on vetoing state budget (opinion): Appleton Post-Crescent, July 17, 2005.
Doyle weighs options on state budget: Fond du Lac Reporter, July 17, 2005.
GOP Promises To Reverse Court's Malpractice Ruling: Madison Capital Times, July 15, 2005.
State's high court lifts caps on pain, suffering awards: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 15, 2005.
Eminent domain ruling fuels imminent concern: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 15, 2005.
Wisconsin Supreme Court rules against Microsoft: Wisconsin Technology Network, July 15, 2005. |
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