Capitol Watch is the Wisconsin Counties Association's weekly online publication covering activities of the 101st Legislature. Capitol Watch provides a summary of major legislative activities of the past week, including those directly impacting county government, and a preview of activities for the week to come. General information can also be found on The Wheeler Report or WisPolitics.com. 

This Week in the Legislature: May 13-17, 2013
 
Assembly In Session
The full Assembly will convene on Tuesday, May 14 at 1:00 p.m. for what is expected to be its last floor period prior to that body's action on the biennial state budget.  The Assembly is scheduled to receive an address from the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader.  This marks the second time the Dalai Lama will address the full Assembly.  The Assembly calendar also includes bills which would allow drivers to provide proof of insurance via smart phone devices and codify conflict of interest standards for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.  The body will also take up Assembly Bill 180, which requires mandatory jail sentences for repeat OWI offenders.  WCA opposes this bill.  

Senate In Session
As with the Assembly, the Senate is expected to convene its final session prior to debate on the budget proposal in mid-June on Tuesday, May 14 at 11:00 a.m. The Senate calendar includes proposals that would address payments for losses of public deposits in failed or failing financial institutions and provides income tax exemptions for active duty members of the military who die in combat.  The Senate will also take up Assembly Bill 85, which would modify Milwaukee County's governance structure.

Non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau Releases Revenue Estimates
The non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) released new revenue estimates indicating that the state's general fund may see sales, income and excise tax collections $575 million in excess of previous estimates.  The revised estimates reflect estimated collections over three state fiscal years, including the second year of the current biennium.  Click here to read the LFB summary.  

Joint Finance Committee Continues Work on Budget
The Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) will meet two times this week in an effort to wrap-up its review of Governor Walker's budget proposal by the last week in May or the first week in June.  Legislative leaders have indicated a desire to conclude work on the budget by mid-June with the majority of the budget amendments occurring in the JCF rather than on the floor of either house.

On Monday, May 13, the JCF's Executive Session is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. for action on the following boards, agencies and portions of agencies (NOTE:  Those sections impacting counties appear in bold lettering.  The Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) has also prepared issue papers on selected topics.):  
  • Workforce Development
  • Corrections: Departmentwide
  • Corrections: Adult Corrections
  • Corrections: Community Corrections
  • Corrections: Juvenile Corrections
  • Youth Aids Funding
  • Juvenile Correctional Institution rates
  • Judicial Commission
  • Judicial Council
  • Administration: Transfers
  • Administration: Facilities Management and Facilities Development
  • Administration: Division of Gaming

The JCF's Executive Session is scheduled to begin Wednesday, May 15th at 10:00 a.m. for action on the following boards, agencies and portions of agencies (NOTE:  Those sections impacting counties appear in bold lettering.  The Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) has also prepared issue papers on selected topics.):  

 

*    Revenue: Department-wide

*    Revenue: Tax Administration

*    Revenue: Lottery Administration

*    Secretary of State

*    Administration: General Agency Provisions: Register of Deeds Redaction Fees

*    Administration: Procurement

*    State Treasurer

*    Program Supplements

*    Health Services: Care Facilities and Quality Assurance

*    Natural Resources: Stewardship

*    Natural Resources: Forestry and Parks

*    Natural Resources: Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation

*    Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: County Land Conservation Staffing Grants

 

OCI Issues FAQs Relating to the Implementation of the Federal Affordable Care Act
In response to numerous requests, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance released a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) relating to the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on agents, consumers and employers.  Click here to read the FAQ documents.  

"County Day" at Speaker's Task Force on Mental Health
The Speaker's Task Force on Mental Health held its fourth meeting on Thursday, May 9, 2013 in Balsam Lake.  Invited speakers for the meeting included: the Department of Corrections, the Office of the State Public Defender, ABC for Rural Health, Polk County Sheriff Peter Johnson, the Wisconsin Counties Association, and Cumberland Health Care.  Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf and Jim LeDuc, Washburn County Mental Health and AODA Coordinator represented the Wisconsin Counties Association at the meeting.  For a copy of WCA's testimony, click here.

The Task Force is charged with offering recommendations to improve the state's mental health system no later than May 31, 2013.  Committee Chair Erik Severson indicated the committee will meet again at the end of May to forward a series of recommendations to Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.

Legislative Audit Bureau Releases Audit Recommending Changes to WEDC
According to an audit released last week by the non-partisan Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) concerning organizational problems at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the public-private agency did not have sufficient policies to administer its grant, loan, and tax credit programs effectively; did not consistently follow statutes or its existing policies when making awards; and, among other issues, found that WEDC made some awards to ineligible recipients, for ineligible projects, and for amounts that exceeded limits specified in its policies.  Click here to read the full audit.  In an attempt to address issues raised by the LAB, the Governor convened an emergency meeting with WEDC Board members and legislative leaders.   

Wisconsin's Business Tax Burden Drops to 34th in the Nation
According to a new report conducted by Anderson Economic Group LLC, a consulting firm for businesses, governments and nonprofits, Wisconsin's business tax burden is "comparable" to other states, but ranks worse than all surrounding states except Michigan, which ranks 43rd.  Click here to read the full study.  

Legislative Committee Meetings
*    The Joint Committee on Finance will hold an executive session on Monday, May 13
at 2:00 p.m. on a number of boards, agencies and portions of agencies (listed above).
*    The Joint Committee on Finance will hold an executive session on Wednesday, May 15 at 10:00 p.m. on a number of boards, agencies and portions of agencies (listed above).


Last Week in the Legislature: May 6-May 10, 2013

Joint Finance Committee Continues Work
The JCF met on Thursday, May 9 and took up a number of budget provisions related to county finances and operations.   Although there was not a motion offered by the Committee related to 911 operations, it is possible that action could still occur prior to completion of the Committee's activities.

*    Shared Revenue and Tax Relief: Action by the Committee included the repeal of the county rate tax limit, increasing the excess levy carryover provision to 1.5% and extending the negative debt adjustment limit exception for debt issued prior to July 1, 2005.  
*    Residency Requirements:  The Committee also modified the Governor's recommendation to eliminate all non-statutory municipal residency requirements in favor of allowing for municipal entities to require police, fire and emergency workers to be required to live within 15 miles of the municipality to which they are assigned.  

The JCF is expected to convene up to three days next week in order to complete its action on the spending document in time for both houses of the Legislature to act on the legislation before mid-June, the tentative goal legislative leaders have set for completing their work on the budget.   

Bills Circulating for Co-Sponsorship

An optional incentive program for counties and tribes that identify fraudulent activity in certain public assistance programs.   Under the legislation proposed by Reps. Chad Weininger, Andre Jacque and Eric Genrich, an optional incentive program would be established for counties to receive a reward payment of up to 20 percent of the amount that is estimated to be saved by eliminating the fraudulent activity over a 12-month period. Click here to read the co-sponsorship memo and bill draft.


Other News and Events  

WCA's Budget Briefing Webinars

Commencing with the Joint Finance Committee's action and continuing through the Legislature's budget deliberations, WCA staff will hold regular web-based briefings on the actions and impacts of the budget deliberations from the previous week and will also allow participants to ask questions and offer feedback. The briefings occur Mondays at 10:00 a.m. and are free of charge to all members.  To sign up for this free webinar, click here.

 

To listen to the 5.6.2013 WCA Budget Briefing, click here.  

To listen to the 4.26.2013 WCA Budget Briefing, click here.   

 

WCA May Webinar

Join WCA for the latest in our webinar series on May 20th.  The topic, "Broadband Deployment: County Case Studies," runs from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and the cost is free.  Learn more here. 

  


Member Services: WisPolitics & The Wheeler Report

Members of the Wisconsin Counties Association are eligible for a free email subscription for WisPolitics.com and The Wheeler Report. These daily email updates are an invaluable resource for those interested in keeping up with the day-to-day activities of the Legislature and include in-depth "insider" information on state politics. 

 

To begin your free subscription, please contact Amy Dias of WCA at 866.404.2700 or
with your name, your county name and the email address where you would like subscriptions sent.  
Wisconsin Counties Association
22 East Mifflin Street, Suite 900
Madison, Wisconsin 53718
866.404.2700