CapitalSky
2015-16, No. 18
May 4, 2015

In this Issue:


JFC Takes up Recycling Grants Tomorrow

Legislative Luncheon May 13

Uber/Lyft Preemption Bill Signed into Law

Hearing on Prevailing Wage Repeal Tomorrow

Recently Introduced Legislation

Hearings on Municipal Bills

League of Wisconsin Municipalities
 
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Legislative Bulletin Archive 
 
Joint Finance Committee Takes up Recycling Grants Tomorrow


The funding level of the state's recycling grant program will be decided by the Joint Finance Committee when it meets tomorrow.  The Governor recommends in his budget bill, AB 21/SB 21, reducing funding for the program from $19 million to $15 million in the first year of the state budget and restoring it back to $19 million in the second year.

The League opposes the $4 million cut to the recycling program in the first year of the state budget. The proposed cut of nearly 22% falls on top of a 40% reduction in 2011. The result would be a cumulative reduction of over 50% in just 5 years' time. These cuts pose a risk to municipal and county recycling programs across the state. Even at the current funding level, the grants cover only 17.5% of responsible unit recycling program costs statewide. At $15 million the grant program would cover only 15% of municipal and county recycling costs statewide.


Take Action Now. Contact your state legislators and tell them to make sure the Joint Finance Committee rejects the Governor's proposed $4 million cut in the recycling grant program.


We have made it easy for you to do this. Simply click on the following link and follow the instructions for sending a pre-written e-mail to your legislators urging them to support full funding of the recycling grant program:  http://bit.ly/LWMJFCRecycling


Read the joint League and Counties Association memo to the JFC on the recycling grant program here.


Read the Legislative Fiscal Bureau papers on the recycling grant program here.  

Register now for the League's Legislative Luncheon -- May 13


All city and village officials are invited to attend the League's 2015 Legislative Luncheon in Madison on May 13.  The Luncheon will be held from 11:45-1:45 at Monona Terrace Convention Center, 1 John Nolen Drive. There is no cost for League members to attend the luncheon.

 

Assembly Majority Leader Rep. Jim Steineke and Senator Tom Tiffany, a member of the Joint Finance Committee will speak at the luncheon.  

 

Municipal officials are encouraged to invite their state representative and senator to the luncheon. League staff has prepared sample invitations for you to use.

 

Register for the luncheon by clicking here: http://bit.ly/RSVPLobbyDay

Governor Walker Signs Uber/Lyft Preemption Bill Into Law


Late last Friday, Governor Walker signed into law AB 143, establishing a statewide licensing program regulating Transportation Network Companies like Uber and Lyft. The bill, now known as Act 16, prohibits municipalities from regulating such businesses more stringently than the state. For that reason the League opposed it.

Public Hearing Tomorrow on Prevailing Wage Repeal Bill


The Senate Committee on Labor and Government Relations is holding a public hearing tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. in room 411 South, State Capitol on SB 49, repealing the prevailing wage law requirements that apply to state and local public construction contracts. 


The League has taken a neutral stance on this bill.  As Executive Director Jerry Deschane explained in the March 2 Legislative Bulletin, The League is not lobbying on changing the prevailing wage law this session because we are working with a coalition of transportation stakeholders on the more important issue of obtaining adequate, long term, and sustainable funding for transportation. Engaging in a prevailing wage debate at this time will fracture the coalition that was formed on funding for transportation. 

Recently Introduced Legislation

SB 143, Ambulance Staffing Levels. Under current law, an ambulance transporting a sick, disabled, or injured individual must contain any two emergency medical technicians (EMTs), licensed registered nurses, licensed physician assistants, physicians, a combination of those individuals, or one EMT and one individual with an EMT training permit. The Department of Health Services promulgated rules regarding staffing of ambulances at various ambulance services levels. This bill allows an ambulance transporting a sick, disabled, or injured individual to be staffed with one EMT and one first responder. By Sen. Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls).  The League has not yet taken a position on this bill. Send comments to League staff about this bill 
Hearings on Municipal Bills 

SB 49, Repealing Prevailing Wage Law.  By the Senate Committee on Labor and Government Relations, Tuesday, May 5, 8:30 a.m., room 411 South. The League is neutral on this bill.