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Wisconsin Legislative SpotlightMaintained by the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB), this page provides an overview of recent and upcoming activities in the Wisconsin Legislature. The LRB revises its content weekly during legislative floorperiods. Links to more detailed information are highlighted in the text. |
The schedule of floorperiods for the 2009-2010 Legislative Session was established by 2009 Senate Joint Resolution 1. The most recent floorperiod ended on May 21, and the next one is scheduled to commence on June 9 and continue until June 30 or budget passage.
After a marathon session Thursday night into Friday morning, the Joint Committee on Finance completed work on the 2009-10 budget and passed it in a 12-4 vote. The state is facing a deficit of $6.6 billion through the next biennium. The budget passed by JCF includes increased taxes on cigarettes, oil companies, and the state’s highest earners. It also cuts funding for local governments, schools, and state agencies.
The budget must now pass both the Assembly and Senate and be signed by the governor. Lawmakers have said they hope to pass the budget before the new fiscal year starts July 1.
On May 11, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau reported that it now believes that general fund tax revenues will be lower than January’s estimates by $408 million in 2008-09, $573 million in 2009-10, and $622 million in 2010-11. The three-year reduction is $1,603 million, or approximately -4.3%.
On May 21, the Doyle administration announced additional proposals for reductions in state spending to offset the projected shortfall:
The above proposals are expected to yield an additional $1.629 billion in savings.
On May 13, Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan and Assembly Minority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald said that assembly legislative staff will be put on furlough for 16 days over the next two years to match the order by Governor Doyle for executive branch employees. Representatives Sheridan and Fitzgerald also announced they will each return 16 days of their legislative pay to the state treasury, as the governor previously said he would do.
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau has prepared an Informational Paper on the State Budget Process, which explains the budgeting process in both plain language and technical detail.
Tax and Fee Increases. On March 18, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau released a memorandum titled: “State Tax and Fee Modifications Included in the Governor’s 2009-11 Budget Recommendation.” According to a summary in the memo, the changes in the governor’s budget would increase net taxes by about $1.47 billion during the biennium and would increase net fees by about $237 million during the two years covered by the budget. In addition, measures to enhance the collection of current taxes and fees would generate an estimated $61 million.
Local aids. On March 19, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau released estimates for 2010 County and Municipal Aid Payments under AB 75. The bill would reduce local aid payments by a total of about 1%, or $8.5 million.
Property Tax Estimates. On April 8, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau released a memorandum that provides an estimate of the effects of the budget bill on property taxes, updating the property tax estimates for the 2008(09) tax year based on nearly complete reports filed with the Department of Revenue.
On April 7, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau released a list of non-fiscal policy items contained in the proposed budget. Joint Committee on Finance co-chairs Senator Miller and Representative Pocan released a letter in response. (Links courtesy www.thewheelerreport.com.)
Senate Bill 27, signed into law by Governor Doyle as Act 14 on May 21, requires insurance companies to cover the cost of hearing aids and cochlear implants for people under 18 years old.
A compromise between advocates and opponents of a statewide smokefree workplace law for certain retail establishments provides for a smoking ban to take effect on July 5, 2010, prior to which local ordinances will remain in effect. The compromise allows businesses to establish outdoor smoking areas for their customers and provides limited exceptions for preexisting retail tobacco shops and tobacco bars. Senate Bill 181 passed both houses on May 13 and became 2009 Wisconsin Act 12 when Governor Doyle signed the bill on May 18.
Assembly Bill 265, introduced on May 12, relates to the regulation of income tax refund anticipation loans.
Assembly Bill 266, introduced on May 12, relates to the provision of support services information to employees who are affected by a business closing or mass layoff.
Assembly Bill 270, introduced on May 19, proposes to reallocate utility aid payments for wind power.
Assembly Bill 277, introduced on May 19, would prohibit housing discrimination against domestic abuse victims.
Assembly Bill 278, introduced on May 19, proposes requirements for the sale, disposal, collection, and recycling of electronic devices.
Assembly Bill 281, introduced on May 27, would restrict the amount of phosphorus in certain cleaning agents.
Assembly Bill 283, introduced on May 27, relates to making changes to the penalties for drunk driving.
Senate Bill 201, introduced on May 14, relates to permitting motor vehicle dealers to remain open for business on Sunday.
Senate Bill 202, introduced on May 14, relates to school policies on bullying.
Senate Bill 204, introduced on May 14, relates to prohibiting discrimination in housing because of domestic abuse victim status.
Senate Bill 205, introduced on May 18, would allow local governments to create regional transit authorities.
Senate Bill 207, introduced on May 18, proposes to allow minors under age 12 to use firearms for target practice and trap shooting with parental supervision or with another adult.
Senate Bill 209, introduced on May 18, proposes to increase the fermented malt beverage (beer) tax from $2 to $10 per barrel.
Senate Bill 210, introduced on May 20, is a Legislative Council bill relating to services for children with severe disabilities.
Senate Bill 212, introduced on May 20, is a Legislative Council bill to require notification of relatives when a child is removed from the custody of his or her parents.
Senate Bill 213, introduced on May 20, relates to alternative dispute resolution in foreclosure actions.
Senate Bill 218, introduced on May 27, relates to increasing penalties for telephone solicitors who violate do-not-call restrictions.
Senate Bill 220, introduced on May 27, relates to eliminating the enrollment limit on virtual charter schools.
The LRB Library has created a list of items available through its online catalogue on a variety of subjects of current interest. The most recent addition to "Noteworthy Titles" is on "Historical Economic Forecasts."
The National Conference on State Legislatures has recently compiled a nationwide list of cuts proposed or enacted to help compensate for budget shortfalls: FY 2010 Actions & Proposals to Balance the Budget: Across the Board Budget Cuts & Other Cuts of Note. NCSL also produces annual updates to their report on state budgets and the 2009 report is now available in paper or electronic form through the library. An interactive map shows the current and estimated budget gaps across the U.S.
There are committee hearings scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week. See the Schedule of Committee Activities to view the full monthly calendar and details on times and locations of committee meetings.
The Legislative Reference Bureau recently issued the following publications:
The LRB is on Twitter
You can now access updates from the LRB on Twitter, including information on new LRB publications, new acquisitions by the LRB Library, and general information about the legislature, and the current legislative session. To find the LRB on Twitter, go to: http://twitter.com/WILRB.LRB Podcasts
The LRB has also released a new Podcast about the online library catalog system (LRBCat) and one about Conflict in the Wisconsin Legislature.
Recent publications by other legislative service agencies
Two Informational Bulletins were also issued by the LRB as companions to the 2007-2008 Wisconsin Blue Book: Informational Bulletin 07-1, “A Study Guide to the 2007-2008 Wisconsin Blue Book,” and Informational Bulletin 07-2, “Inside the 2007-2008 Wisconsin Blue Book.”
Send comments to LRB.Reference@legis.wisconsin.gov
Last revised: May 29, 2009