2015-17 State Biennial BudgetThe Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) did not meet last week. The committee has three issue areas remaining: Department of Transportation, general fund taxes, and financing for a new arena for the Milwaukee Bucks. The committee may come in to complete its work on Wednesday, June 17.
Transportation
Last week legislative leaders in both houses announced transportation tax and fee increases are no longer on the table following Governor Walker's veto threats. At this time, legislators are working on a plan to reduce the $1.3 billion in transportation bonding offered by the Governor. It is likely the Governor's proposed bonding will be reduced by $500 to $800 million. While WCA continues to advocate for new transportation revenues, we also believe the bonding levels proposed in the Governor's budget are unsustainable. The Joint Committee on Finance hopes to resolve the transportation budget sometime this week.
View WCA's communications to the JCF here.
Budget WebinarsThe WCA Government Affairs Team is hosting weekly budget webinars on Mondays during state budget deliberations. An email with additional detail and registration information will be sent early each week. The deadline for registering for each webinar is 8:00 a.m. on the day of the webinar.
Webinars are recorded each week and placed on the WCA website under Legislative>State Budget>2015-2017 State Budget>WCA Webinars shortly after the conclusion of each webinar.
Register for the June 22, 2015 WCA budget webinar here.
Committee Hearings for the Week of June 15, 2015Note: The Committee hearings and bills listed below reflect action on legislation impacting county government. See a complete listing of weekly hearings here. Tuesday, June 16, 2015Assembly Committee on Urban and Local Affairs, 11:30 a.m.Assembly Bill 199 - publication of certain legal notices on an Internet site maintained by a municipality.
WCA is monitoring this bill.Tuesday, June 16, 2015Assembly Committee on State Affairs and Government Operations, 1:30 p.m.Assembly Bill 116 - limiting the authority of a city, village, town, or county to create new occupational licenses or fees or to continue to regulate certain professions.
WCA is monitoring this bill.For a listing of all bills impacting county government and WCA's positions on those bills, please visit the WCA website here.
WCA Upcoming MeetingsFor a complete listing of upcoming WCA meetings, please click here.
July 16 - WCA Taxation and Finance Steering Committee
July 17 - WCA Agriculture Steering Committee
July 17 - WCA Judicial and Public Safety Steering Committee
July 20 - WCA Health and Human Services Steering Committee
July 22 - WCA County Organization and Personnel Steering Committee
July 23 - WCA Executive Committee
July 24 - WCA Board of Directors