|
Capitol Notes
WI: Weekly Political and Legislative Update |
TO: Clients/Friends of Capitol Consultants, Inc./Wimmer & Company, S.C.
FROM: Capitol Consultants, Inc.
& Wimmer Company, S.C.
DATE: March 16, 2012
SUBJECT: Weekly Legislative and Political Update
|
|
Recall Election Update
This week, Dane County Judge Richard Niess granted the Government Accountablity Board (GAB) more time to finish its review of recall petitions, which means that recall primary elections would be held on Tuesday, May 8, and general elections on Tuesday, June 5.
The GAB had asked for and granted an extension to March 30 to finish its review of the nearly 2 million signatures against Governor Scott Walker and Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch.
Early in the week, the GAB voted unanimously in support of recall elections against four GOP Senators - Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerad (R-Juneau), Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls), Pam Galloway (R-Wausau) and Van Wanggaard (R-Racine).
The GAB has also advocated for all of the six recall elections of Walker, Kleefisch and the four GOP state Senators be on the same day "to best serve the public's interest," (www.wispolitics.com). |
|
State Capitol Happenings
Legislature Concludes 2011-12 Session
As of this writing, the 2011-12 legislative session is in its final hours before final adjournment and concluding its legislative business after 15 months of being in session during some of the most tumultous political times and weakest economic periods in the state's recent history.
The GOP-controlled session saw the passage of several broad reaching measures like the restriction of collective bargaining rights for public employees, concealed carry, Voter ID, wetlands reform and several other measures that focused on regulatory reform aimed at job creation to stimulate the state's economy.
The session also saw the 2011-13 state budget pass by a party-line vote. The more than $60 billion spending package passed on time and balanced the state's budget without raisng taxes; however, it included significant reductions in spending for public K-12 education, universities and technical colleges and medical assistance programs.
Special Session on Mining Possible
This week, Governor Walker said that he would be willing to call a special session of the Legislature to reconsider mining legislation if a possible deal could be reached between the Governor and lawmakers. A bill that would have overhauled mining regulations was defeated in the Senate last week on a 17-16 vote, with one Republican, Dale Schultz of Richland Center, voting with Democrats.
After the vote, Gogebic Taconite, which had proposed a $1.5 billion mine in Iron and Ashland counties, said it was shelving its plans due to the legislature's inaction. The company has said the mine would employ 600 to 700 people and lead to thousands of spinoff jobs ( www.jsonline.com). Opponents of the proposal believed the legislation would have undermined environmental standards.
Senate Utilities Committe Chair Rich Zipperer (R-Pewaukee) announced that a hearing will be held on Monday on proposed mining legislation (see Week Ahead below).
Voter ID Law Ruled Unconstitutional
Dane County Judge Richard Niess ruled the Voter ID law (Act 23) that was signed into law last year unconstitutional and issued a permanent injunction against any further implementation or enforcement, which means that voters will not have show a photo ID to vote in the upcoming Spring election on Tuesday, April 3.
To view a link to the Judge's opinion, click here: http://thewheelerreport.com/releases/March12/0312/0312lwvvscottwalker.pdf
|
|
The Week Ahead
| Mar 19 Mon | Judiciary, Utilities, Commerce, and Government Operations (Senate)
10:00 AM
330 Southwest | Items: Assembly Bill 426; Senate Bill 488; Senate Bill 542
| Public Hearing |
|
| Mar 20 Tue | Administrative Rules (Joint)
11:00 AM
417 North (GAR Hall) | Items: Emergency Rule 1115; Emergency Rule 1113
| Public Hearing |
|
| Mar 20 Tue | Administrative Rules (Joint) (Executive Session)
11:05 AM Upon the close of the Public Hearing
417 North (GAR Hall) | Items: Emergency Rule 1115; Emergency Rule 1113
| Executive Session |
|
|
