Civil Trial Counsel of Wisconsin



	Political Tidbits	Compiled by The Hamilton Consulting Group Feb. 23, 2007

Washington County Circuit Court Judge Annette Ziegler outpaced her two opponents in this week’s Supreme Court primary election. She and second place finisher, Attorney Linda Clifford of Madison, will face off in the spring general election on April 3. Judge Ziegler amassed almost 58 percent of the vote to 26 percent for Clifford and 16 percent for Joseph Sommers, a criminal defense lawyer from Dane County who was eliminated from the race based on his third place finish. The turnout for the April election is expected to be about three times higher than the primary turnout, but the margin of victory in the primary makes Judge Ziegler the clear frontrunner heading into the April election.

The State Senate’s failure to act on the proposed constitutional amendment limiting the scope of the partial veto afforded Wisconsin governors means that the issue will not be before the general electorate this year. The measure passed both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature last session and passed the Assembly by a wide margin earlier this year. For a proposed constitutional amendment to be presented for approval by the voters, it must pass two successive sessions of the Legislature in identical form. The Senate can still adopt the measure before the end of the 2007-08 session and the matter would be presented to the people in 2008.

Governor Doyle underwent successful hip surgery earlier this week. We wish him a full and speedy recovery and expect that we will see a golf handicap reduction later this summer.

In this Issue

Azar Named to PSC

Jason Helgerson Appointed Medicaid Director

Other Appointments

Senate Democrats Prevent Vote on “Frankenstein Veto” Bill

Joint Finance to Hold Budget Hearings Around the State

Clifford/Ziegler Advance in Supreme Court Race

Doyle Hip Surgery Successful

Legislative Activity

Senate Democrats Announce Legislative Session Agenda

Senate Republicans Unveil 2007-2008 Agenda

Policy Developments

Azar Named to PSC
Governor Jim Doyle has appointing Lauren Azar to the Public Service Commission (PSC) effective Monday, March 12, 2007. Azar, of Madison, replaces Bert Garvin, who is stepping down.

Azar is an energy law attorney with Michael Best and Freidrich. She received her law degree from UW-Madison and also holds an M.S. in Water Resources Management.

Jason Helgerson Appointed Medicaid Director
The Secretary of the Department of Health and Family Services has announced the appointment of Jason Helgerson as the new Administrator of the Division of Health Care Financing, effective March 19th.

Helgerson has served as Executive Assistant for the Department since February 2005 and has instrumental in the development of BadgerCare Plus.

Prior to coming the Department of Health and Family Services, Helgerson served as the Executive Assistant for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. Helgerson holds a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts degree from The American University in Washington, D.C.

Other Appointments
The Senate unanimously approved the appointments of Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary Mike Morgan and Department of Revenue (DOR) Secretary Roger Ervin.

Morgan served as Secretary of Revenue for the Doyle administration prior to the appointment. Secretary Morgan received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was a running back for the Wisconsin Badgers from 1974 to 1977.

Taking Morgan’s place at the Department of Revenue is Roger Ervin. Prior to accepting the Secretary position, Ervin was a senior executive in the office of Government and Public Affairs at Foley and Lardner. Roger holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Tulane University.

Senate Democrats Prevent Vote on “Frankenstein Veto” Bill
On Feb. 20, Senate Democrats refused [15-18] to allow floor debate and a vote on a constitutional amendment to restrict the use of the partial veto by Wisconsin governors.

Tuesday was the last day for the state Senate to take action on the proposed constitutional amendment [AJR-1] in order to place the amendment on a statewide referendum in April 2007. All 18 Senate Democrats voted not to bring the amendment to the state Senate floor for a vote. All 15 state Senate Republicans voted in favor of taking action today to get the amendment to Wisconsin voters in April.

Sen. Risser said the Senate Ethics Reform and Government Operations will hold a hearing on the bill sometime after the completion of the state budget but before the end of the legislative session.

The proposed constitutional amendment passed in both houses of the Legislature in the previous session and in the state Assembly this session, 70-25. The Senate’s inaction on the amendment today ensures the Governor will be able to use the broad item veto in the upcoming state budget.

Joint Finance to Hold Budget Hearings Around the State
The Legislature's Joint Finance Committee has scheduled six public hearings in March and April for Wisconsin residents to comment on the budget plan.

The hearings are:

· March 20 (Milwaukee) 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

· March 21 (DeForest) 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

· March 27 (Chippewa Falls) 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

· April 4 (Prairie du Chien) 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

· April 11 (Rhinelander) 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

· April 12 (Green Bay) 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

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

Wisconsin Politics

Clifford/Ziegler Advance in Supreme Court Race
The election between the two finalists on April 3 will be for a 10-year term to replace retiring Justice Jon Wilcox. See Hamilton Consulting Group’s Update for biographies on the candidates and links to their campaign websites.

Ziegler led the balloting, receiving 58 percent of the vote, followed by Clifford with 26 percent. Madison Lawyer Joseph Sommers came in third with 16 percent. Only the top two advance to the April general election for the post, vacated by the retirement of Justice Jon Wilcox.

In a related event, Judge Annette Ziegler this week gained the endorsement of former Governor Tommy G. Thompson.

Doyle Hip Surgery Successful
Doyle successfully underwent Surface Replacement Arthroplasty (hip resurfacing) surgery Thursday at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison. According to his doctor, he has been cleared to resume his duties as Governor. Governor Doyle will be at the hospital for a few days for observation and is expected to be on crutches for six to eight weeks.

Legislative Activity
The legislature reconvened on Tuesday, February 20, 2007. Senate Joint Resolution 1 establishes the 2007-2008 Session Schedule.

Senate Democrats Announce Legislative Session Agenda
Senate Democrats have several issues as part of their “Wisconsin Families First” legislative agenda. Democrats will work on the following consumer protection legislation:

· Expansion and stricter enforcement of Wisconsin’s successful and popular telemarketing do not call list

· Restrictions on payday lending institutions

· Privacy protections for people who have their taxes professionally prepared

· Shield Wisconsin outdoors enthusiasts from having their personal information sold to Businesses

Senate Republicans Unveil 2007-2008 Agenda
State Senate Republicans unveiled their legislative agenda for the 2007-2008 session. The agenda is highlighted by a “back to basics” approach focusing on lowering the tax burden on Wisconsin families, restoring fiscal discipline and honest budgeting, helping Wisconsin’s economy grow and ending the hidden tax on health care that cost Wisconsin families $550 million in 2005.

Senate Republicans will also focus on fostering a strong economy and creating good-paying jobs by lowering taxes, encouraging investments in Wisconsin businesses, curbing lawsuit abuse, and fostering new fields like nanotechnology.

In the News

Doyle will be on crutches following surgery: Appleton Post-Crescent, Feb. 22, 2007.

Ziegler, Clifford advance in state Supreme Court race: Beloit Daily News, Feb. 22, 2007.

Democrats disappoint by blocking reforms (opinion): Racine Journal Times, Feb. 21, 2007.

PSC nominee says she'll be fair: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 21, 2007.

Judge takes more than half of votes: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 20, 2007.

Sick leave is staying: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 20, 2007.

Experts: Doyle's oil company tax will probably cost consumers at pump: La Crosse Tribune, Feb. 19, 2007.

Doyle wants 98 percent insured by next year: La Crosse Tribune, Feb. 19, 2007.

Read budget, then judge Doyle's plans (opinion): Marshfield News Herald, Feb. 19, 2007.

New farmers' health plan unveiled: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Feb. 19, 2007.

Wisconsin hopes to be leader in health care reform: Janesville Gazette, Feb. 19, 2007.

Doyle's budget has good intentions, but doubts remain (opinion): Appleton Post-Crescent, Feb.18, 2007.

Tuition hikes in Doyle's budget and more: La Crosse Tribune, Feb. 18, 2007.

New revenue secretary looking to — quietly — make his mark: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 17, 2007.

Hospital tax would shift costs: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 16, 2007.

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

Upcoming Fundraisers

March 4

· US Sen. Russ Feingold (D) : High Noon Saloon, 701 E. Washington Ave., Madison

March 6

· Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) : Village Green, 7508 Hubbard Avenue, Middleton

March 8

· Rep. Mike Huebsch (R-West Salem) : Wilderness Resort - The Clubhouse, 511 East Adams Street, Wisconsin Dells

For details, go to Hamilton Consulting Fundraiser Calendar.

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.

Links

For Further Information

For further information on these initiatives, contact Jim Hough at The Hamilton Consulting Group.

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