 |
|
GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ADDRESS
Last week the Governor's office announced his 2017-19 Biennial Budget Address will take place on Wednesday, February 8.
|
|
ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Last week the Assembly Republicans announced their framework for a transportation solution and tax relief. The plan calls for at least $300 million in tax relief and reforms coupled with transportation cost savings, reforms and a corresponding increase in transportation revenue to address the long-term solvency in the transportation fund.
See the Assembly Republicans press release here.
|
|
REVENUE ESTIMATES RELEASED
On January 18, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) released its final revenue and expenditure projections for the Legislature prior to commencement of legislative deliberations on the state budget.
According to the LFB, aggregate general fund tax collections will be $454.6 million more than the amount included in the Department of Administration's (DOA) November 21 report. The LFB also projects a gross ending balance for FY17 $322.4 million above the amount in DOA's report.
See the LFB report here.
In a memo provided to Speaker Robin Vos dated January 19, $1,642.2 million of additional general fund collections will be available for the 2017-19 biennium. When added to the opening balance for the 2017-19 biennium of $427.2 million and subtracting the required statutory balance of $75 million for FY 19, the total amount of revenue available for the 2017-19 budget is projected at $1,994.4 million.
See the LFB memo here.
|
|
WCA ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE
Do not forget to register for WCA's Annual Legislative Exchange to be held February 7-8, 2017 at the Madison Concourse Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin. Come hear the latest on what is happening at the Capitol, as well as learn about WCA's priorities for the legislative session.
Parking for WCA Legislative Exchange
Please be informed that the Madison Concourse Hotel will be undergoing construction in the hotel garage and the hotel parking garage will be closed entirely. Valet parking is available for all overnight hotel guests at the cost of $10 per vehicle. Guests should pull up in front of the hotel and a member of the hotel staff will assist.
For guests that are not staying overnight, parking is available in the State Street Capitol Garage, just a half block from the hotel on 214 North Carroll Street. Day-only guests that are coming to the hotel and not staying overnight will need to pay for the parking ramp charges on their own at the public parking ramp.
See the hourly rates for the ramp here.
Full event details for the 2017 WCA Annual Legislative Exchange can be found here.
|
|
COMMITTEE HEARINGS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 23, 2017
|
|
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR WCA REGIONAL LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS
Each odd-numbered year, the Wisconsin Counties Association holds legislative briefings across the state to educate members on legislative issues affecting counties. This year, our legislative briefings will include a discussion on WCA's 2017-2018 Legislative Agenda, a review of the 2017-19 state biennial budget, as well as answer member questions regarding legislative initiatives.
Following please find a list of the dates, times, and locations of the 2017 Regional Legislative Meetings. Please feel free to attend whichever meeting is most convenient for you.
Southeast District
Monday, March 13, 2017
9:00 a.m. - Noon
Country Springs Hotel
2810 Golf Road
Pewaukee, WI 53072
Counties in District: Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha
North Central District
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Menominee Casino Resort
N277 Wisconsin 55
Keshena, WI 54135
Counties in District: Florence, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Portage, Shawano, Vilas, Waupaca, Waushara, and Wood
East Central District
Thursday, March 16, 2017
9:00 a.m. - Noon
The Meadows Conference Center
850 Kepler Drive
Green Bay, WI 54311
Counties in District: Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Outagamie, Sheboygan, and Winnebago
Southern District
Monday, March 20, 2017
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
North Star Conference Center at Comfort Inn & Suites
5025 County Road V
DeForest, WI 53532
Counties in District: Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Lafayette, Richland, Rock, and Sauk
Northwest District
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Flat Creek Inn & Suites
10290 Highway 27 South
Hayward, WI 54843
Counties in District: Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, and Washburn
West Central District
Thursday, March 23, 2017
9:00 a.m. - Noon
Holiday Inn Eau Claire South
4751 Owen Ayres Court
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Counties in District: Barron, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, and St. Croix
Western District
Friday, March 24, 2017
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Radisson Hotel La Crosse
200 Harborview Plaza
La Crosse, WI 54601
Counties in District: Adams, Buffalo, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Marquette, Monroe, Trempealeau, and Vernon
|
|
UPCOMING WCA MEETINGS
- January 27 - WCA Agriculture, Environment, and Land Use Steering Committee
- February 7-8 - WCA Legislative Exchange
- February 13 - WCA Taxation and Finance Steering Committee
- February 23 - WCA County Organization and Personnel Steering Committee
- March 3 - WCA Health and Human Services Steering Committee
- March 10 - WCA Judicial and Public Safety Steering Committee
- March 17 - WCA Board of Directors
See a complete listing of upcoming WCA meetings here.
|
|
HOW CAN YOU FOLLOW THE SESSION WITH US?
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 dias@wicounties.org 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
christianson@wicounties.org
Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf,
Deputy Director of Government Affairs
608.663.7188
diedrick@wicounties.org
Dan Bahr,
Government Affairs Associate
608.663.7188
bahr@wicounties.org
Marcie Rainbolt,
Government Affairs Associate
608.663.7188
rainbolt@wicounties.org
Chelsea Fibert,
Government Affairs Assistant
608.663.7188
|
|
|
|
|
|
