WEEK OF FEBRUARY 27, 2017
GOVERNOR RELEASES CAPITAL BUDGET

On February 21, 2017, Governor Scott Walker unveiled his 2017-19 Capital Budget. The Governor's Capital Budget includes recommendations for the long-range biennial public building program. The budget recommends $803 million in total projects with under $450 million in new bonding.

See the Governor's Capital Budget here.
COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES TESTIFY BEFORE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Last Thursday, Fond du Lac County Executive Allen Buechel, along with WCA Executive Director Mark O'Connell and WCA Director of Government Affairs Kyle Christianson, testified before the Assembly Ways and Means Committee regarding the work and expertise of the association on issues relating to impacts of taxation on local governments.

To view the county testimony on WisconsinEye, click here.
DOR REVENUE COLLECTIONS

The Department of Revenue released its revenue collections for January 2017. Collections for the month are up 0.2% from this time last year. Collections to date in FY17 are up 2.1% from FY16 figures.

LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON DOT AUDIT

The Joint Legislative Audit Committee held a public hearing on Tuesday to discuss Audit Report 17-2: State Highway Program, Department of Transportation.  The committee went into executive session to introduce legislation addressing the recommendations included in the audit.

See the Legislative Audit Bureau's presentation here.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 27, 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, February 28, 2017
Senate Committee on Government Operations, Technology and Consumer Protection, 10:30 a.m.
Senate Bill 12 - multiple jurisdiction health departments. WCA supports this bill.

Senate Bill 51 - technical changes to the tax incremental financing statutes. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Committee on Financial Services, Constitution and Federalism, 2:00 p.m.
Senate Joint Resolution 3 - deleting from the constitution the office of state treasurer. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, 10:00 a.m.
Senate Bill 35 - mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect by juvenile correctional officers. WCA is monitoring this bill.

January 2017 Special Session Senate Bill 3 - immunity from revocation of probation, parole, or extended supervision for certain controlled substance offenses. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Thursday, March 2, 2017
Assembly Committee on Education, 1:30 p.m.
January 2017 Special Session Assembly Bill 11 - mental health training program and making an appropriation. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, 10:00 a.m.
January 2017 Special Session Assembly Bill 1 - emergency administration of opioid antagonist to pupils and other persons. WCA supports this bill.

January 2017 Special Session Assembly Bill 2 - treatment and diversion programs and making appropriations. WCA supports this bill.
Assembly Bill 58 - requirements for law enforcement dogs that have bitten a person. 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. 
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
  • March 3 - WCA Health and Human Services Steering Committee
  • March 10 - WCA Judicial and Public Safety Steering Committee
  • March 17 - WCA Board of Directors
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