GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

AP Photo Andy Manis

Last Tuesday, Governor Scott Walker presented his State of the State Address to a joint session of the Legislature.

As expected, the Governor did not provide a lot of insight into his 2017-19 state budget proposal, which he will present to the Legislature in February.

Highlights of the Governor's address include the following:

• Making college more affordable and accessible for Wisconsin families and students by cutting tuition for all in-state undergraduate students at all University of Wisconsin System schools.

• Increasing funding for K-12 public education throughout the state.

• Investing in Wisconsin's broadband infrastructure by providing an additional $35.5 million for the Broadband Expansion Grant Program (previously announced).

• Reiterating his intention to not raise taxes to fund Wisconsin's infrastructure needs.

A full copy of the Governor's address can be accessed 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.

Full event details can be found here.

FLOOR SESSIONS  

The Senate will be on the floor on Tuesday, January 17 at 11:00.

See the Senate calendar here.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 16, 2017

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

Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Assembly Committee on Mental Health, 10:00 a.m.

The committee will receive testimony from the following invited speakers regarding the work of their organizations, mental health matters, and ideas for mental health legislation:

• Pete Carlson, Aurora Psychiatric Hospital and Behavioral Health Services
• Matthew Stanford, Wisconsin Hospital Association
• Crystal Hester, NAMI Wisconsin
• Gregory Jurenec, Wisconsin Psychological Association
• Marc Herstand, National Association of Social Workers
• Jennifer Malcore, Jon Hoelter, and Rose Kleman, Department of Health Services
• Elizabeth Hudson, Office of Children's Mental Health

Thursday, January 19, 2017
Assembly Committee on Judiciary, 11:00 a.m.

Assembly Bill 23 - the determination of indigency prior to the state public defender appointing an attorney to represent a parent in a proceeding under chapters 48 and 938 (remedial legislation). WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 22 - recusal from juvenile justice proceedings (remedial legislation). WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 21 - description of defendant indigency for public defender fees (remedial legislation). WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 15 - changes to board of review proceedings (remedial legislation). WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 14  - eliminating the property tax assessment freeze (remedial legislation). WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 10 - cancelling coverage under the public employer group life insurance program (remedial legislation). WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 9 - accepting an application for a retirement annuity (remedial legislation). WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 8 - allowing a protective occupation participant who is at least age 50 and who is a part-time elected official to waive future Wisconsin Retirement System participation (remedial legislation). WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 7 - the determination of participating employee status under the Wisconsin Retirement System (remedial legislation). WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 5 - maximum child care subsidy rates for part-time child care and the authorized amount of child care under Wisconsin Shares (remedial legislation). WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 4 - child care record keeping and eligibility for child care subsidies (remedial legislation). WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 3 - removing the gross income reporting requirement for wage garnishment and changing a reference to federal law (remedial legislation). 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. 

PLAN TO ATTEND 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 17 - WCA Transportation and Public Works Steering Committee
• January 18 - WCA County Ambassador Program
• 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.

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