Hamilton Consulting Group Political Tidbits - 2011 Final Edition In this final Political Tidbits edition of 2011, HCG provides a review of the major political and legislative events of the year. From recall elections to major legislative reforms, 2011 will not soon be forgotten.
Introduction
In this final Political Tidbits edition of 2011, HCG provides a review of the major political and legislative events of the year. From recall elections to major legislative reforms, 2011 will not soon be forgotten.
Even those outside the state are taking notice of Wisconsin's big year as noted in a recently released report championing Wisconsin's lawsuit reforms.
This issue also features HCG's analysis of today's hot topics: the recently introduced mining legislation; gubernatorial and senate recalls; and the lawsuits surrounding the new voter ID law.
Last but not least, our final article discusses a recent federal court decision that struck down a Wisconsin campaign finance law based on the U.S. Supreme Court's controversial Citizens United precedent.
Happy Holidays and best wishes for the new year from all of us at the Hamilton Consulting Group.
Visit Hamilton Consulting Group's Blog for timely news updates. Read more Political Tidbits on our website.
A Year in Review: 2011
To say that 2011 was a historical and eventful year politically in Wisconsin is an understatement. Below is a summary of some of the major events that took place in Madison in 2011.
Read more about the following events...
Wisconsin Receives Accolades from Judicial Hellholes Report
The American Tort Reform Association recently came out with its annual Judicial Hellholes report, and instead of receiving negative scrutiny, Wisconsin received accolades for the significant tort reforms enacted into law by Gov. Walker and the Legislature. In a statement highlighting the positive reforms made throughout the country, ATRA President Tiger Joyce had this to say about Wisconsin:
"As anemic economic growth and high unemployment continue to plague much of the country, many governors and state legislators were determined to make their states more competitive and attractive to employers with a variety of tort reform measures. None were more successful than Gov. Scott Walker and lawmakers in Wisconsin. They pushed a comprehensive civil justice reform package to enactment early in the year, before coming back for three more significant measures in a special session this fall."
See p. 38 of ATRA's Judicial Hellholes report to read discussion of Wisconsin's accomplishments in 2011.
Voter ID Law Challenged
By Emily Kelchen, The Hamilton Consulting Group
Wisconsin's new voter ID law is facing some legal and logistical challenges. Three lawsuits have been filed seeking to overturn or modify the law, one in federal court in Milwaukee and two in state court in Dane County. The lawsuits may determine if a photo ID such as a driver's license or other state-issued identification is necessary if voters want to participate in the February 21st primary election.
The first suit concerning the new law was filed by Wisconsin League of Women Voters. The challengers allege the law violates the suffrage section of the state constitution. A hearing on that case is set for January 19th in Dane County Circuit Court.
The most recent suit has been filed in Dane County, by the Milwaukee Chapter of the NAACP and Voces de la Frontera. The suit seeks an injunction which would bar implementation of the law before the spring elections or any recall elections.
Read more...
Wisconsin Recall Update
Since Hamilton's last analysis of the recall effort three major events have occurred: 1) the coalition seeking to recall Governor Walker announced updated signature totals; 2) both sides of the recall campaigns made financial reports; and 3) the Government Accountability Board discussed how the signature verification process will be handled.
Assembly Holds First Mining Bill Hearing
The Assembly Jobs, Economy and Small Business Committee met yesterday for the first hearing on the proposed mining bill, AB 426.
The bill is a response to Gogebic Taconite's proposal to build Wisconsin's largest ever iron mine. Earlier this year, the company said it needed more certainty in the state's regulatory process before it proceeds with the $1.5 billion mine in portions of Iron and Ashland counties. Without the changes, testified Gogebic President Bill Williams, it is doubtful outside investors would lend money for the 1,000-foot-deep mine.
The mining hearing was covered by news outlets across the state, and nationally by the Wall Street Journal. The Journal characterized the proposed mine as "the latest flash point in a growing national debate that weighs the prospect of new jobs against concern about environmental damage," and its coverage of the varied opinions expressed at the hearing supports that description.
Daubert Summit - CLE Seminar: Jan. 11, 2012
The Wisconsin Civil Justice Council (WCJC), in partnership with the Wisconsin Defense Counsel (WDC) and the Wisconsin Association of Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC), is presenting a comprehensive education and training event regarding the recently enacted rules governing expert opinion testimony in Wisconsin (2011 Wisconsin Act 2). The major sponsors of this event are the Wisconsin Insurance Alliance (WIA) and The Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA).
Titled "Daubert Comes to Wisconsin-CLE Summit on Expert Opinion Evidence," the program is primarily for in-house counsel and trial lawyers who are engaged in the defense of civil litigation as well as those lawyers who represent businesses and professionals, and whose litigation fate relies heavily on the admissibility - or non-admissibility - of expert testimony.
The Summit will be held on Jan. 11, 2012 at the Milwaukee Marriott West.
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