WEEK OF APRIL 3, 2017
2017-2019 STATE BIENNIAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARINGS:   

Public hearings begin this week on the 2017-19 state biennial budget. Hearing dates and locations are listed below.

*    Monday, April 3 - UW-Platteville (Ullsvick Hall), Platteville, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
*    Wednesday, April 5 - State Fair Park - Exposition Center, Milwaukee, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
*    Friday, April 7 - Berlin High School (Auditorium), Berlin, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
*    Tuesday, April 18 - Spooner High School (Auditorium), Spooner, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
*    Wednesday, April 19 - Ellsworth High School (Gymnasium), Ellsworth, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
*    Friday, April 21 - Marinette High School (Auditorium), Marinette, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

All members of the county family are highly encouraged to attend the public hearings. Talking points for your use at the public hearings may be accessed here.

Last week the Joint Committee on Finance held agency briefings on the Governor's proposed budget. The briefings can be viewed here: http://www.wiseye.org. Once on the WisconsinEye website, click on "Joint Committee on Finance" on the right side of your screen to access briefing videos.
COMMITTEE HEARINGS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 3, 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 .

Monday, April 3, 2017
Joint Committee on Finance, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Public hearing on the 2017-19 state biennial budget:
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Ullsvick Hall
30 South Hickory Street
Platteville, WI 53818

Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Joint Committee on Finance, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Public hearing on the 2017-19 state biennial budget:
State Fair Park - Exposition Center
8200 West Greenfield Avenue
West Allis, WI 53214

Senate Committee on Elections and Utilities, 10:00 a.m.
Senate Bill 102 - aggrieved parties petitioning for a recount and making an appropriation. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Committee on Federalism and Interstate Relations, 10:00 a.m.
The committee will receive testimony only from the following invited speakers regarding an overview of Wisconsin's Medicaid Program and update on federal discussions surrounding the Medicaid Program:
  • Michael Heifetz, Wisconsin Medicaid Director, Department of Health Services
  • Eric Borgerding, President/CEO, Wisconsin Hospital Association
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, 10:00 a.m.
Assembly Bill 48 - expanding the definition of hate crime victims to include law enforcement officers. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Committee on Ways and Means, 10:00 a.m.
Assembly Bill 81/ Senate Bill 51 - technical changes to the tax incremental financing statutes. WCA is monitoring these bills.

Assembly Bill 140 - tax administration changes, the police and fire protection fee, defining restaurant for purposes of alcohol beverage regulation, lottery ticket couriers, background investigations for persons associated with the lottery, and providing a criminal penalty. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Friday, April 7, 2017
Joint Committee on Finance, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Public hearing on the 2017-19 state biennial budget:
Berlin High School (Auditorium)
222 Memorial Drive
Berlin, WI 54923

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

Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Wisconsin State Senate - 11:00 a.m.

Senate Bill 49 - the information technology block grant program, the broadband expansion grant program, waiving certain fees and appraisals, and making appropriations. WCA supports this bill.

Senate Bill 76 - replacement, reconstruction, and transfer of an approved high capacity well, recommendation of special groundwater measures by the Department of natural Resources, and metering requirements and grants for certain high capacity wells. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Wisconsin State Assembly, 1:00 p.m.

Assembly Bill 27/ Senate Bill 12 - multiple jurisdiction health departments. WCA supports these bills.

Assembly Bill 109 - modifying the requirements for certain towns to withdraw from county zoning. WCA opposes this bill.

Assembly Bill 151 - community paramedics, community emergency medical technicians, community emergency medical services providers, and services provided by emergency medical technicians. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Assembly Special Session

 SSAB 1 - emergency administration of opioid antagonist to pupils and other persons. WCA supports this bill.

 SSAB 2 - treatment and diversion programs and making an appropriation. WCA supports this bill.

SSAB 7 - grants to establish and expand graduate training in an addiction specialty. WCA is monitoring this bill.

SSAB 8 - creating additional opioid treatment programs. WCA is monitoring this bill.

 SSAB 9 - addiction medicine consultation program. WCA is monitoring this bill.

SSAB 10 - mental health training program (SBIRT). WCA is monitoring this bill.

Please Note: The Assembly and Senate will gather in joint session at 1:00 p.m. for the State of the Tribes Address.
UPCOMING WCA MEETINGS
  • Wednesday, April 5 - County Ambassador Program/Human Services Day at the Capitol
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 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