WEEK OF APRIL 10, 2017
NON-FISCAL POLICY ITEMS REMOVED FROM GOVERNOR'S BUDGET:   

Last week the co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) announced the removal of 83 non-fiscal policy items from the budget.

The co-chairs also announced that the JCF will use as its starting point the Governor's budget recommendations with the exception of the Department of Transportation (DOT) budget. For the DOT budget, the JCF will entertain motions to amend the adjusted base, rather than the recommendations of the Governor.

See the memo from the co-chairs here.
2017-2019 STATE BIENNIAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARINGS:   

There are no public hearings on the 2017-19 state biennial budget this week. Hearings resume the week of April 17.
        • 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.

WCA STATE BUDGET WEEKLY WEBINARS:   

The biennial state budget is generally the single most important legislative document relating to county budgets and operations. Nearly every legislative decision has an impact on the way in which counties provide services, and understanding what decisions are being made can help inform the response by counties.

Again this biennium, the WCA Government Affairs Team will be hosting weekly budget webinars on Mondays at 9:00 a.m. during state budget deliberations. During this webinar, WCA staff will update participants on the actions and impacts of the Joint Finance Committee's (JFC) budget deliberations from the previous week and the week to come, and will also invite participants to ask questions and offer feedback.

"When state budget deliberations begin, both at the JFC level and on the floor of the legislature, the document is very fluid, with changes and revisions happening pretty much daily," said WCA Government Affairs Director Kyle Christianson. "We encourage county officials and other interested parties to join us each week as we discuss updates, policy changes and the impact on counties."

How to Sign Up
To join this FREE webinar, visit https://wicounties.adobeconnect.com/budget/ each Monday morning. This link will remain active throughout the budget process.  Budget webinars will likely start the  first week of May.  

COMMITTEE HEARINGS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 10, 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, April 11, 2017
Assembly Committee on Public Benefit Reform, 10:00 a.m.
Assembly Bill 57 - requiring child support compliance for FoodShare benefits. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Senate Committee on Economic Development, Commerce and Local Government, 10:00 a.m.
Senate Bill 79   -  authorizing county clerks and clerks of court to copy certified birth certificates for certain purposes. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Committee on Children and Families, 10:00 a.m.
The committee is holding an information hearing on the following items: 
  • Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect (CAN) Report for 2015 
  • 90 Day and 6 Month Summary Reports for Incidents of Child Death, Serious Injury, or Egregious Abuse or Neglect 
  • Quarterly & Annual Reports of Alleged Sexual Abuse of Children Placed in Out-of-Home Care
Assembly Committee on State Affairs, 9:45 a.m.
FLOOR SESSIONS

The Senate and Assembly are both expected to have floor session on Tuesday, May 2 and possibly Tuesday, May 9.
UPCOMING WCA MEETINGS
  • July 13 - County Organization and Personnel Steering Committee
  • July 14 - Judicial and Public Safety Steering Committee
  • July 14 - Health and Human Services Steering Committee
  • July 14 - Taxation and Finance Steering Committee
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