WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2017
2017-19 STATE BIENNIAL BUDGET

Last Wednesday, the Wisconsin State Assembly adopted the 2017-19 state biennial budget on a 57-39 vote. The vote was along party lines with the exception of five Republicans (Allen, Brandtjen, Gannon, Jarchow, Sanfelippo) who voted against the bill. The bill faced a little more difficulty in the Wisconsin State Senate as four members (Craig, Nass, Kapenga, Stroebel) of the Republican caucus indicated they could not vote for the bill without modifications. With a 20-13 majority and no Democrats expected to vote for the budget, Republicans could only lose three members of its caucus and still pass the bill.

In the end, a deal was struck with the Governor's office that allowed Senators Nass, Kapenga, and Stroebel to vote for the budget. The deal included assurances from the Governor that he would veto a number of budget items, including:
  • Partial veto to allow school districts to conduct referenda only on regularly scheduled election days (removed option for a November election in odd-numbered years).
  • Partial veto eliminating the requirement that a study be conducted on the federal swap and give DOT the ability to administratively enact the swap.
  • Partial veto that implements an immediate repeal of the prevailing wage on state projects.
The Governor announced additional vetoes support by the three as well including:
  • Removal of local oversight for rock quarries.
  • Tolling implementation study.
The Senate adopted the budget Friday evening on a 19-14 vote.
 
The Governor is expected to sign the budget bill this week.
 
The Senate is not expected to return to the floor until the week of October 31. 
WCA ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING RESOLUTIONS AVAILABLE

The 61 resolutions submitted for consideration at the WCA Annual Business Meeting on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. are now available.

The Annual Business Meeting will be held at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center. Access the resolutions here .
COMMITTEE HEARINGS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

Note: The Committee hearings and bills listed below reflect action on legislation impacting county government.  See a complete listing of weekly hearings here.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Assembly Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform, 10:00 a.m.
Assembly Bill 384 - the expiration of administrative rules. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Speaker's Task Force on Foster Care, 10:00 a.m.
The Speaker's Task Force on Foster Care will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, September 20 at 10:00 a.m. in Dodgeville at Iowa County Health and Human Services. Testimony will be accepted from invited speakers and the general public on matters relating to the foster care system. The hearing will end at 4:00 p.m.

NOTE: The next meeting of the task force will be held on Thursday, September 28 in La Crosse starting at noon.

Assembly Committee on State Affairs, 1:00 p.m.
Assembly Bill 494 - allowing local public officials to receive anything of value that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation or the Department of Tourism is authorized to provide. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Assembly Committee on Judiciary, 12:00 p.m.
Assembly Bill 119 - method of notification when a legal notice is provided electronically. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Bill 120 - information required to be included in call 2 and class 3 legal notices. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, 10:00 a.m.
Assembly Bill 355 - neglect of a child and providing criminal penalties. WCA opposes this bill.

Assembly Bill 463 - certain uses of interactive electronic devices while driving and providing a criminal penalty. WCA is monitoring this bill.
UPCOMING WCA MEETINGS/EVENTS
  • September 24-26  - WCA Annual Conference
  • October 5 - County Organization and Personnel Steering Committee
  • October 13 - Taxation and Finance Steering CommitteeOctober 20 - Judicial and Public Safety Steering Committee
  • October 25 - WCA County Ambassador Program (CAP Team)
  • November 17 - Health and Human Services Steering Committee
See a complete listing of upcoming WCA meetings here.
HOW CAN YOU FOLLOW THE SESSION WITH US?  

wispolitics
As a member-benefit, the Wisconsin Counties Association offers access to The Wheeler Report, WisPolitics, and WisconsinEye.

If you would like to subscribe to any one of these news services, please contact Amy Dias, Office Manager at [email protected] or at 866.404.2700.
QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about anything happening at the state level, please feel free to contact any member of the WCA Government Affairs Team:

Kyle Christianson, Director of Government Affairs
608.663.7188
[email protected]

Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf, Deputy Director of Government Affairs
608.663.7188
[email protected]

Dan Bahr, Government Affairs Associate
608.663.7188
[email protected]

Marcie Rainbolt, Government Affairs Associate
608.663.7188
[email protected]

Chelsea Fibert, Government Affairs Assistant
608.663.7188