|
Capitol Notes
Wisconsin Political and Legislative Update
|
TO: Clients/Friends of Capitol Consultants, Inc./Wimmer & Company, S.C.
FROM: Tony Langenohl
Capitol Consultants, Inc.
& Wimmer Company, S.C.
DATE: January 11, 2013
SUBJECT: Weekly Political & Legislative Update 
|
If you know anyone that would enjoy receiving our weekly updates, please feel free to forward and have them join our mailing list below.
 |
First Day of Assembly Session is Free of Drama
 | | Photo credit: watchdog.org |
On Thursday, the first session day for the State Assembly in the 2013-2014 Legislative Session, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca started the day with a joint press conference announcing two resolutions that would be brought before the Assembly that day dealing with the "rules" of the Assembly. At the press conference the Assembly Leaders of both parties announced that they signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" to provide greater transparency to the legislative process and to establish a structure for a "more productive" debate. Included in the MOU are the following changes: - Our goal this session is to finish debate at a reasonable time.
- The Rules Committee will meet to set goals for the structure and timing of debate, including the division of time on final passage for both parties.
- The Majority Leader and Minority Leader will make an effort to minimize the number of contentious bills on any session day.
- The Majority Leader and Minority Leader will consult before the Rules notice is distributed regarding the time frame for debate on each bill.
- The time frame for debate on a bill will be defined by the point at which the Assembly Chief Clerk reads the bill to the point at which there is vote on final passage.
- Amendments submitted to the Assembly Chief Clerk by 9 a.m. on a session day will receive priority consideration and shall be considered by each caucus.
- Bipartisan Leadership Meetings will be held on a regular basis.
- The floor rules will be strictly enforced; including time limits. There will be objections to breaking for caucus, except under extenuating circumstances, and extending time limits for debate.
- There will be a minimum of 30 minutes set aside for debate on final passage of each bill, unless agreed to by the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader.
- The session start time published on the Rules notice will be strictly followed.
- When the agreed upon time frame for debate has expired on a bill, the Majority Leader may make a motion to dispense of all remaining amendments. Every effort will be made to consider all amendments.
- If a Rules Committee meeting needs to be convened, any such break for the meeting will not count against the agreed upon time for debate on the bill under consideration.
A copy of the MOU can be found here. When the Assembly took to the floor, they considered two resolutions to establish the rules for the Assembly. Assembly Resolution 3, contained agreed upon provisions between the two parties, and passed on a unanimous vote.
Assembly Resolution 4, contained 3 provisions that were supported by the Majority Republicans and opposed by all of the Democrats with the exception of Rep. Chris Danou (D-Black River Falls). 2013 AR 4 provides for the following changes to last session's Assembly Rules:
- Conducting Committee on Assembly Organization meetings by ballot
This change allows the Committee on Assembly Organization to conduct its business by ballot. If the committee elects to vote by ballot, public notice shall be given at least 24 hours before the ballot is circulated.
- Behavior in gallery
This change states that individuals may be admitted to the visitor galleries for the sole purpose of observing the proceedings of the assembly. Individuals admitted to the visitor galleries shall at all times remain quiet, act in an orderly manner, and respect the decorum of the chamber. The resolution provides that no individual may engage in any conduct that expresses or that may be considered to express support for or opposition to any matter before the assembly or that may come before the assembly. In addition, without limitation because of enumeration, no individual in the visitor galleries may use any audio or video device to record, photograph, film, videotape, or in any way depict the proceedings on or about the assembly floor. The amended assembly rules specifically state that this policy regarding conduct is established for the purpose of keeping the doors of the assembly open, as provided in section 10 of article IV of the Wisconsin Constitution. The resolution provides that an individual may not engage in activities in the visitors galleries that the presiding officer determines does not respect the decorum of the chamber or that hinders the right of representatives to the assembly to participate in proceedings in the chamber. In addition, no individual may do any of the following in the visitor galleries: lean over or put any object over the balcony; use a laptop or other computer device; stand except for prayer or pledge of allegiance or as otherwise permitted by the presiding officer; use recording devices of any kind; use cell phones or pagers; read newspapers or other printed materials; eat any food or drink any beverages; exhibit public displays or demonstrations; display signs or placards; possess bags or briefcases; or wear hats. Finally, the resolution provides that an individual who engages in a prohibited action may be removed from the visitor galleries and not be allowed admittance to the visitor galleries for a period of 24 hours. For a second violation during a biennial legislative session, the individual may be removed from the visitor galleries and not be allowed admittance to the visitor galleries until the first roll call day of the next regularly scheduled floorperiod. For a third violation during a biennial legislative session, the individual may be removed from visitor galleries and not be allowed admittance to the visitor galleries for the remainder of the biennial legislative session.
- Dress code on assembly floor; recognition
The resolution provides that while the assembly is in session, on the assembly floor in the rectangular area bounded on four corners by the pillars in the front and back of the chamber, members and other individuals should dress appropriately, which has traditionally been considered to include a coat and tie for men and appropriate attire for women. In this area, no member or other individual may wear an overcoat or hat. The presiding officer may exempt individuals, other than members, from these requirements when appropriate. The resolution also provides that the presiding officer is not required to recognize any member who is in violation of this dress code.
The Assembly stands adjourned until Tuesday, January 15th, when they will reconvene for a Joint Session to receive the Governor Scott Walker's State of the State Address.
Back to the table of contents
|
Governor Walker to deliver State of the State Address on 1/15
 | | 2012 State of State Speech (credit Madison.com) |
On Tuesday, January 15th at 7:00 p.m., Governor Scott Walker will deliver his 3rd State of the State Address to a joint session of the Wisconsin Legislature. The Governor's speech will be covered live on Wisconsin Eye.
In previewing his speech, and the introduction of his 2013-2015 Executive Budget in February, Governor Walker revealed in a speech to the Wisconsin Bankers Association that the budget will include a significant income tax cut. Governor Walker hinted that this initial cut is a "down payment" and that he would like to return more money to Wisconsinites as the economy improves.
According to coverage of the speech by the Wisconsin State Journal, Governor Walker also talked about "enacting some form of property tax relief." (Link to State Journal story)
Governor Walker also told reporters that his budget will not contain any plans for carpool toll lanes, but noted that it could be an option in future budgets.
|
Important Resources for the 2013-2014 Legislative Session
We have compiled some internal and external links of note for preparation for the 2013-2014 session:
|
|
Weekly Political & Legislative Calendar
Now that we are heading back into the Legislative Session, we will be previewing the week ahead for Legislative and Political Events:
MONDAY, January 14, 2013
TUESDAY, January 15, 2013
- Governor Scott Walker's State of the State Address
7:00 PM
State Assembly Chamber
WEDNESDAY, January 16, 2013
- Democratic Party of Wisconsin's 14th Annual Eleanor Roosevelt Tribute
5:30 PM
Home of Hans and Mary Lang Sollinger,
1206 Sherman Ave.,
Madison.
Sponsorship levels:
Eleanor Roosevelt - $1000 | Cong. Shirley Chisholm - $500 | Senator-elect Tammy Baldwin - $250 | Hilary & Chelsea Clinton Mother Daughter $100
Suggested donation: $75
To sponsor please contact 608.260.2429 or julieb@wisdems.org
THURSDAY, January 17, 2013 FRIDAY, January 18, 2013
Back to the table of contents |
|
Stay Connected on what's going on politically throughout the week
Follow us on Twitter
Like us on Facebook
Archived copies of the Capitol Notes as well as PowerPoint Presentations and other information are always available on our website at CapitolConsultants.net
|
