Republicans Outline Spring Agenda

Update on Civil Justice Proposals

Midwife Licensure Bill Passes Legislature

Other Legislative Action this Week

Doyle’s Press Secretary Joins Campaign

New House Majority Leader Wins in Upset

Republicans Outline Spring Agenda
On Monday, January 30, Assembly Republicans outlined their 2006 Agenda, as “tax relief, improving access to affordable health care, and initiatives to create jobs and grow the state’s economy.” The Agenda includes bills to eliminate the state’s death and capital gains taxes. Other proposals included in the Agenda:

• The Taxpayer Protection Amendment, limiting taxing and spending at all levels of government; allowing the state to prioritize spending on education, health care and improving the economy.

• A sales tax exemption for equipment used to expand broadband Internet access in the state.

• A series of proposals to “address rising medical costs.”

• A proposal to provide incentives to “attract new physicians to underserved rural areas of Wisconsin.”

Later in the week, Assembly Republicans gave specifics during a news conference on their agenda items for the Spring 2006 session.

Senate Republicans unveiled their legislative spring agenda on Wednesday, February 1, saying that they will “reflect what folks are talking about around their kitchen tables, including taxes and spending, health care, energy and jobs.” In addition to agreeing to fully consider a Constitutional amendment to limit spending (The Taxpayer Protection Amendment), the Senate Republican agenda includes:

• Price and quality transparency in health care as well as Health savings Accounts.

• Energy initiatives including renewables and an overhaul of the public benefits program

• A pension income tax exemption.

• Various jobs and economic development incentive proposals..

Update on Civil Justice Proposals
The Senate had scheduled veto override votes on two high-profile civil justice bills – SB-58, relating to changes in product liability law in Wisconsin, and SB-402 (the Jobs Preservation Act), which relates to manufacturer and seller liability, in response to last year’s Thomas decision.

Both bills were referred to the Senate Committee on Organization for scheduling at a later date unless some meaningful compromise position can be worked out with the Administration. Both bills had been passed by the Legislature as part of a high priority effort to respond to the liability crisis, created, in part, by several Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions last year. The Governor has vetoed all “civil justice reform” bills that have reached his office to date.

The Senate on Tuesday amended and passed SB-447, relating to changing the standard for the award of punitive damages, in response to one of the above referenced cases. The amendment provides that one-half of all punitive damage awards be paid into the Wisconsin school fund. AB-843, a companion bill to SB-447 passed the Senate last week, but without the school fund amendment.

The Senate advanced SB-425, which would place limits on the Attorney General’s power to use “nuisance theory” to sue Wisconsin businesses who are otherwise fully in compliance with laws and regulations. On a procedural move, Democrats prevented a final vote this week, and the matter will be in the Senate on February 21.

Midwife Licensure Bill Passes Legislature
On Tuesday, Jan. 31, the Legislature passed SB-477, adopting Senate amendments 1, 2, and 3. A requirement to carry medical malpractice insurance was not included in the bill. Gov. Jim Doyle is expected to sign the legislation.

Other Legislative Action this Week
SB-501. Damages for frivolous claims. Am. 1 adopted, voice vote. Passed the Senate,19-13.(The companion bill, AB-855, passed the Assembly last week.)

The following executive action was taken by the Senate Agriculture and Insurance Committee:

AB-15. Ethanol requirements for auto gas. Sub. 1 (LRBs0449) not recommended, 2-4. Sen. Am. (LRBa2199) recommended 5-1. Passage as amended recommended, 4-2.

For more information on legislation of interest to CTCW members, go to the CTCW Tracking Report.

Doyle’s Press Secretary Joins Campaign
Melanie Fonder, press secretary in Gov. Doyle’s office, has joined the Doyle re-election campaign as press secretary. She began her new duties on Jan. 30.

New House Majority Leader Wins in Upset
In an upset on Thursday, Rep. John A. Boehner of Ohio has become the new House Majority leader after defeating Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri. Blunt, the interim majority leader, lost on a second ballot, 122 to 109.

Huebsch seeks to lift state ban on nuclear power: La Crosse Tribune, Feb. 3, 2006.

Growth, pollution threaten nation's coastlines: Manitowoc Herald Times, Feb. 3, 2006.

Booster seat law expanded: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 3, 2006.

Make kids safer while riding in car (opinion): Sheboygan Press, Feb. 3, 2006.

Doyle returns $10,000 tied to company seeking state aid: Janesville Gazette, Feb. 2, 2006.

GOP lawmakers to release retooled, renamed 'TABOR': Racine Journal Times, Feb. 2, 2006.

Wisconsin makes economic honor roll: Wisconsin State Journal, Feb. 2, 2006.

Dems delay 'unfair' lawsuit bill opposed by AG: Madison Capital Times, Feb.2, 2006.

Bill could stir fiscal windfall: Wisconsin State Journal, Feb. 1, 2006.

Assembly Democrats drawn into caucus scandal: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 1, 2006.

Override fails on weapons veto: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 1, 2006.

Doyle leads pack in funds: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 1, 2006.

Report card praises Wisconsin economy, but comes with warning: Wisconsin Technology Network, Jan. 31, 2006.

Legislature OKs bill creating certification for midwives but not malpractice insurance: La Crosse Tribune, Feb. 1, 2006.

Doyle kills travel contract: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan. 31, 2006.

GOP unveils 2006 agenda: La Crosse Tribune, Jan. 31, 2006.

Goodwill continues to flow at Red Cross blood drives: Baraboo News Herald, Jan. 31, 2006.

Poultry markets may pose bird flu threat: Marshfield News Herald, Jan. 31, 2006.

Gas cost jumps as much as 25 cents: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan. 30, 2006.

Bill calls for more renewables: Janesville Gazette, Jan. 30, 2006.

Achievement gap growing, study says: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan. 30, 2006.

School shortfall shows state cap on revenue works (opinion): Janesville Gazette, Jan. 29, 2006.

For more Wisconsin News, go to Hamilton Consulting News Clips.

Feb. 7

• Rep. Sheldon Wasserman (D-Milwaukee), Milwaukee

• Scott Walker (R) gubernatorial candidate, Milwaukee

Feb. 8

• Sen. Judy Robson (D-Beloit), Madison

Feb. 9

• Sen. Joe Leibham (R-Sheboygan), Milwaukee

Feb. 11

• Scott Walker (R) gubernatorial candidate, Green Bay

Feb. 18

• Scott Walker (R) gubernatorial candidate, Waukesha

For details, go to Hamilton Consulting Fundraiser Calendar.

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