|
| Wisconsin: Legislative & Political Weekly Update
|
|
|
|
TO: Clients & Friends of Capitol Consultants, Inc. and Wimmer & Company
FROM: Capitol Consultants, Inc.
and Wimmer & Company
DATE: August 7, 2009
SUBJECT: Wisconsin Political & Legislative Update
|
Legislative Update
|
We are effectively a little more than one-third of the way through the 2009-2010 Legislative Session. The first third of the session was largely focused on solving the state's $6.6 billion state budget deficit. During that time period 37 bills, including the budget and budget-repair bills, completed the entire legislative process and became law. That is 20 more pieces of legislation that have made it through the entire legislative process at this point in the legislative session than at this same point in the 2007-2009 session.
There are two main differences between this session and last. This session there is one-party control of the process, Democrats control both houses of the legislature and the Governor's office. The other point of note is that the 2009-2011 budget was completed on June 30th, prior to the beginning of the biennial budget fiscal year, versus the 2007-2009 budget, which didn't get enacted until October 26th, 2007, 118 days into the next fiscal year. The 2007-2009 budget bill, 2007 WI Act 20, was the only the 20th bill to be signed into law that year.
Having the budget done on time, along with one-party control, has already freed the legislature up to move more legislation through the process at a quicker pace, and with a fall session not encumbered with debate on the budget, we expect an even greater number of bills to receive action.
Even though we are only a little over one-third of the way through the session, there are only 36 scheduled floor period days left on the legislative schedule, 15 in calendar year 2009 and 21 in calendar year 2010.
Here is the remaining 2009-2010 Session Calendar.
- September 15 to 24, 2009 (Tu − Th) Floorperiod
- October 20 to Nov. 5, 2009 (Tu − Th) Floorperiod
- December 10, 2009 (Thursday) Bills sent to Governor
- January 19 to 28, 2010 (Tu − Th) Floorperiod
- February 16 to March 4, 2010 (Tu − Th) Floorperiod
- March 25, 2010 (Thursday) Bills sent to Governor
- April 13 to 22, 2010 (Tu − Th) Last general−business Floorperiod
- May 4 to 6, 2010 (Tu − Th) Limited−business Floorperiod
- May 13, 2010 (Thursday) Bills sent to Governor
|
Capitol News
|
|
- Joint Finance Action:
On Tuesday the Joint Committee on Finance approved $47.5 million of Governor Jim Doyle's $48 million request to purchase two sets of trains from Spain's Talgo to be used for Amtrak's Milwaukee-to-Chicago Hiawatha line. Although approved on a party-line 11-4 vote, both sides of the aisle criticized the Governor and Administration over the deal. Co-Chairman Mark Pocan (D-Madison) criticized the Administration for keeping the Legislature out of the loop. According to testimony at the Finance meeting, Wisconsin DOT Secretary Frank Busalacchi signed a letter of intent with Talgo on May 11th, but the Joint Finance Committee wasn't notified until July 17th and then were told a deal needed to be approved by August 11th. Republican Finance member Robin Vos (R-Caledonia) criticized the Department for signing the deal without a competitive bid process. Secretary Busalacchi insisted in his remarks that taxpayers got a good deal and that a 12-year old law exempts all state passenger rail contracts from the normal bidding process. DOT also noted that Talgo was the only company of the seven main train manufacturers that responded with a detailed response. The deal includes an option to buy two more train sets for a proposed 110-mph Milwaukee-to-Madison line if federal stimulus is made available. |
| Election News |
|
Attorney General 2010:
- Former Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and attorney Scott Hassett officially registered as a Democratic candidate for attorney general. In an interview Hassett didn't officially declare his candidacy but said "It's a good time for me. A lot of people, friends, people whose judgment I trust, encouraged me to do this. I just think it's a great challenge." According to an article in the Appleton Post Crescent, Hassett resigned as Secretary of the DNR in mid-2007,"saying the pace of the job was getting to him. On Thursday, he hinted there may have been some friction between him and the governor's administration, saying he supported the idea of the Natural Resources Board appointing the secretary rather than making the post a cabinet position, but he didn't elaborate." Republican Attorney General JB Van Hollen released the following statement regarding Hassett entering the race, "I've returned the focus of the Department of Justice to fighting crime and assisting local law enforcement. And in the process we've demonstrated the importance of rising above partisan politics and putting the citizens of Wisconsin first," said Attorney General Van Hollen. "I welcome Scott and I think our very different backgrounds will provide voters a clear contrast next November."
Congress 2010:
- State Senator Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse) filed an intent to run for Congress with the Federal Election Commission for the seat held by Democrat Congressman Ron Kind. Congressman Kind has held the seat since being elected in 1996. Kapanke, who also owns the La Crosse Loggers baseball team, issued a statement saying Congress is spending "trillions" on economic stimulus programs that aren't working. He says he also wants to bring more transparency to how Congress spends tax dollars.
|
| Next Week's Legislative Committee Calendar |
|
Schedules for dates from 8/9/2009 to 8/15/2009
Thursday, August 13th
- Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources (Senate)
9:00 AM
411 South Items: Senate Bill 241 (def. of ATV); Senate Bill 243 (hunting deer during bow season); Senate Bill 113 (appoint of DNR Secretary by NR Board)
Public Hearing
- Strengthening Wisconsin Families (Legislative Council)
10:00 AM
411 South, State Capitol, Madison Items: (None)
Overview: � Discussion of committee assignment, including bill drafts relating to: o Training for foster parents. o Creating bills of rights for foster children and foster parents. o Youth who age out of foster care. o Creating a Family Policy Board. Study Meeting
- Small Business, Emergency Preparedness, Technical Colleges, and Consumer Protection (Senate) (Executive Session)
2:00 PM
400 Southeast Items: Senate Bill 218 (Penalties for violations of Do Not Call list)
Executive Session
- Small Business, Emergency Preparedness, Technical Colleges, and Consumer Protection (Senate)
2:05 PM Upon conclusion of the executive session
400 Southeast Items: Senate Bill 200 (products containing mercury); Senate Bill 226 (emergency management-succession of public offices); Senate Bill 227 (emergency management-interim successors for legislators); Senate Bill 229 (regional structural collapse team); Senate Joint Resolution 39 (continuity of government)
Public Hearing
|
| Upcoming Fundraisers |
|
8/10/2009
15th Annual FItzgerald Open
11 a.m.
Old Hickory Country Club,
Beaver Dam.
11:00 Shotgun start
4:30 Cocktail and Dinner Reception
8/26/2009
Annual Democratic Party of Wisconsin Legislative Reception5 p.m. Madison's Downtown, 119 King Street, Madison. Please Join Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker & Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan for the Annual Democratic Party of Wisconsin Legislative Reception Wednesday, August 26 - 5:00 to 6:30pm Hosts: $2,500 Sposors: $1,000 Friends: $500 ($100 minimum suggested contribution at the door) Individual, conduit, and State & Federal PAC contributions gratefully accepted. | |
|
|
|
|
|
