GOVERNOR'S 2017-19 STATE BIENNIAL BUDGET

On Wednesday, February 8 at 4:00 p.m., Governor Scott Walker will unveil his 2017-19 biennial budget. The Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) Government Affairs Staff will begin summarizing the budget at that time. Later that evening, a summary of items impacting county government will be available via e-mail and placed on the WCA website.

To date, the Governor has released the following information regarding his budget proposal. Click on titles below:

Strengthening Families

GOVERNOR APPOINTS NEW DVA SECRETARY

Last week, Governor Walker appointed Daniel Zimmerman as the new secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

See the Governor's press release here.

WCA ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE KICKS OFF TOMORROW

The WCA's Annual Legislative Exchange kicks off tomorrow, February 7 and February 8, 2017 at the Madison Concourse Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin. Governor Walker and legislative leaders highlight the event.   See the final agenda with speakers here.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 6, 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 .

Thursday, February 9, 2017
Assembly Committee on Health, 10:00 a.m.
The committee will hold a hearing on the following items as part of the Assembly Republicans' Red Tape Review Initiative aimed at improving Wisconsin's business climate and removing burdensome regulations from our everyday lives.

Department of Health Services (DHS), Management and Technology and Strategic Finance
*     DHS 1 - Uniform Fee System
*     DHS 5 - Personnel Administration in Local Human Services Agencies
*     DHS 18 - Environmental Policy Implementation

Department of Health Services (DHS), Community Services
*     DHS 62 - Assessment of Drivers with Alcohol or Controlled Substance Problems
*     DHS 70 - Group Homes for Recovering Substance Abusers

For a listing of all bills impacting county government and WCA's positions on those bills, please visit the WCA website. 

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY FLOOR SESSIONS  

Senate Floor Session
Wednesday, February 8, 11:00 a.m.
In addition to a number of appointments, the Senate is taking up the following bills of interest to counties:

Senate Bill 3 - project labor agreements. WCA opposes this bill.
Senate Bill 9 - court proceedings for traffic violations. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Floor Session
Wednesday, February 8, 1:00 p.m.
In addition to taking up Assembly rules, the Assembly is taking up the following bills of interest to counties:

Assembly Bill 1 / Senate Bill 1 - changing the 12 percent rule regarding the total value of taxable property included in the creation of, or amendment to, a tax incremental financing district in the village of Oostburg. WCA is monitoring these bills.

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

• February 7-8 - WCA Legislative Exchange
• February 8 - Governor's Budget Address
• 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