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| Wisconsin: Legislative & Political Weekly Update
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TO: Clients & Friends of Capitol Consultants, Inc. and Wimmer & Company
FROM: Capitol Consultants, Inc.
and Wimmer & Company
DATE: January 23, 2009
SUBJECT: Weekly Political and Legislative Update
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| Federal Stimulus: Governor Doyle announces creation of Office of Recovery and Reinvestment |
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Governor Jim Doyle today announced an Office of Recovery and Reinvestment has been created to quickly move federal stimulus funds to create jobs in Wisconsin.
Although the details of the federal stimulus package are still in development, the Office of Recovery and Reinvestment will continue efforts to explore avenues to deploy funds as well as work with local governments, schools, non-profits and the business community on possible projects that will create jobs and provide long-term investment in Wisconsin.
In order to maximize Wisconsin's ability to use the federal funds, the office will also begin identifying obstacles to move funds quickly and work to remove barriers while still maintaining environmental and quality standards.
The Office of Recovery and Reinvestment webpage, www.recovery.wisconsin.gov, has information about the new office and information on current drafts of the federal stimulus package. The Office of Recovery and Reinvestment encourages suggestions for projects that create jobs and fit the federal criteria through the new website.
See the full release:
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Budget: Updates on budget deficit
and federal stimulus
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State Budget Director gives update on budget deficit and stimulus assistance
State Budget Director David Schmiedicke gave an update to the Wisconsin Credit Union League on the status of the state's budget deficit and expectations for assistance from the federal government.
Schmiedicke told the League that the state could get about $2.5 billion in federal economic stimulus funds for health care and education programs. Schmiedicke also said state and local governments could get about $575 million for highways and other transportation programs. These funds would partially cover, but not completely, the projected $5.4 billion deficit the state is facing by mid-2011, and the current projected shortfall in this fiscal year of $346 million.
Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Finance Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison), speaking to the same group, noted that the budget crisis the state is facing is "dire" and in order to solve the problem "we are going to have to have (new) revenues." Rep. Pocan said that special interests have been given unfair tax breaks over the last decade and that those tax breaks need to be reversed in order to prevent increases in the general sales or income taxes to fix the state's budget situation. Rep. Pocan said those changes will start to be made in a state economic stimulus package that could be passed by mid-February.
NCSL estimates Wisconsin could get more than $3.4 billion from Federal Stimulus
A breakdown of the federal stimulus package by the National Conference of State Legislatures estimates Wisconsin could receive more than $3.4 billion from the legislation.
Michael Bird, NCSL's federal affairs counsel, said figures for some programs like Medicaid and energy programs are not complete, and changes to the bill could still come as it works its way through the House and Senate. But the allocations chart is the most complete look yet at which state programs will get what portion of the $825 billion stimulus package.
According to NCSL, the state will receive nearly $1.2 billion for fiscal stabilization. About $564 million will go to highways, $237 million for special education programs, and nearly $202 million for K-12 construction.
A preliminary analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates Wisconsin will receive more than $1 billion in Medicaid assistance.
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Legislative preview
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Senate Preview
Possible regulation of so-called "issue ads"
The Senate will take up regulation of so-called "issue ads" as one of its next orders of business, Majority Leader Russ Decker, D-Weston, said.
The issue ad proposal, a version of which is also being considered by the Government Accountability Board, would require that an "ad that cannot reasonably be interpreted to be anything other than a campaign expense" to adhere to the same reporting requirements as other campaigns, according to a statement from Decker's office.
Decker also said that Senate will take up proposals to exempt the first $60,000 of a home's value from property taxes and to publicly finance Supreme Court campaigns.
"Property tax relief for homeowners remains a top priority for Senate Democrats," Decker said. "And the change of leadership in the Assembly means issues ads and the elections for Supreme Court Justice will finally get a fair hearing."
See the press release:
http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=146517
Assembly Preview
Bills emphasize use of Wisconsin goods and services
The Assembly's proposed calendar for its first floor day includes bills that would place an emphasis on state government purchasing goods and services from Wisconsin businesses.
The tentative Assembly calendar has two bills listed. Assembly Bill 1 sets goals for state and local governments to hit in purchasing goods and services from Wisconsin businesses. AB 2 relates to state procurement of contractual services.
The Assembly Committee on Jobs, the Economy and Small Business passed both bills. One Republican, Rep. Mary Williams, voted with the eight Dems on the committee to pass the bills. Voting against the bill were GOP Reps. Rich Zipperer and Karl Van Roy, according to the committee clerk. Two other GOP members, Reps. Pat Strachota and Donald Friske, were absent. ( www.wispolitics.com) Fund TransfersAs the state grapples with plans to resolve a $5.4 billion projected deficit, three GOP Assembly reps are resubmitting a proposal to take segregated fund transfers off the table for future budgetary needs.
Reps. Gary Tauchen of Bonduel, Pat Strachota of West Bend and Mark Gottlieb of Port Washington have introduced a constitutional amendment that would prohibit spending fund revenues that conflict with the specific purpose of that particular fund.
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Legislative Calendar
Week of January 26th
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State of the State
Next Wednesday, January 28th, Governor Jim Doyle, will deliver his state of the state address at 7:00 p.m. CST.
The Governor is expected to deliver the broad themes that will frame the 2009-2011 budget that he will introduce to the Legislature on Tuesday, February 10th.
Senate and Assembly in Session
The Senate will be in session at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28th. The Senate Organization Committee will meet Monday, January 26th to set the calendar.
The Assembly will be in session at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27th.
Jan 26 Mon
Strengthening Wisconsin Families (Legislative Council)
10:00 AM
300 Southeast, State Capitol, Madison Items: (None)
Overview: Discussion of committee assignment, including: ? WLC: 0346/2, relating to creating a family policy board and requiring counties to provide prevention resources. ? WLC: 0383/1, relating to requiring notice to relatives when a child is taken into custody. Study Meeting
Jan 26 Mon
Senate Organization (Senate) (Executive Session)
3:30 PM
Senate Parlor Items: (None)
Executive Session
Jan 27 Tue
Veterans and Military Affairs, Biotechnology, and Financial Institutions (Senate)
10:30 AM
Wauwatosa City Hall, Council Chambers, 7725 W. North Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI 53213 Items: Safety and Soundness of Wisconsin's Financial Institutions
Public Hearing
Jan 27 Tue
Economic Development (Senate)
12:30 PM
411 South Items: Impact of Federal Stimulus Bill; Wisconsin Economic Forecast; Matching Displaced Workers with High-Demand Occupations
Public Hearing
Jan 27 Tue
[CANCELLED] Administrative Rules (Joint) (Executive Session)
1:00 PM
300 Southeast Items: DFI 4.06 - Emergency Rule Extension; DOC 560.02 - Emergency Rule Extension
Executive Session
Jan 27 Tue
[CANCELLED] Administrative Rules (Joint)
1:30 PM or following the conclusion of the executive session
300 Southeast Items: Explanatory Discussion
Public Hearing
Jan 27 Tue
Commerce, Utilities, Energy, and Rail (Senate)
2:00 PM
400 Southeast Items: Leinenkugel, Richard
Public Hearing
Jan 27 Tue
Commerce, Utilities, Energy, and Rail (Senate) (Executive Session)
2:30 PM
400 Southeast Items: Leinenkugel, Richard
Executive Session
Jan 28 Wed
Natural Resources (Assembly)
10:15 AM
417 North (GAR Hall) Items: Assembly Bill 3
Public Hearing
Jan 29 Thu
Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs (Senate)
10:00 AM
411 South Items: Senate Bill 2; Sweeney, Timothy; Senate Bill 1
Public Hearing
Jan 29 Thu
Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs (Senate) (Executive Session)
11:00 AM Or upon adjournment of Public Hearing
411 South Items: Sweeney, Timothy; Senate Bill 1; Senate Bill 2
Executive Session
Jan 29 Thu
Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue (Senate)
12:00 PM
201 Southeast Items: Ruiz, Laura; Sanchez, Pablo; Weiden, Mike; Axtell, Roger; Canter, Richard; Flaherty, Kevin; LeGrand, Roger; McAdams, Thomas; Senate Bill 7
Public Hearing
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| Fundraisers |
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Monday, January 26th
5-6:30 pm: Reception for Kathleen Vinehout
Madison's Downtown, 119 King St, Madison.
Special guest: Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker.
Suggested contribution: $100. Sponsorships: $1000 host, $500 sponsor. $250 supporter.
All contributions gratefully accepted. Sorry no PAC.
To RSVP contact Kory at (608) 260-2403 or e-mail Koryk@wisdems.org. Please make checks payable to: Voters for Vinehout, Po Box, 1274, Eau Claire, WI, 54702.
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