Tuesday, May 14, 2013
9:28 PM
The Assembly is adjourned
The Assembly is adjourned.
The Assembly is adjourned.
Just an update -- the Assembly has special ordered three bills for the next floor period starting in June: The landlord-tenant bill, the injunction bill and the venture capital bill that was kicked off of today's calendar.
We're now on debate over the Milwaukee County Board reform bill, which was sent over by the Senate.
The Democrats objected to third reading of the bill and a motion to push the bill forward failed to overcome the two-thirds threshold needed to move third reading.
We're on to the amendments from the Dems, starting with one from Rep. Janet Bewley, D-Ashland, that would remove the crime provisions included in Rep. Duey Stroebel's bill. An amendment from Rep. Stroebel, which does a few things -- including removing the "written notice" language relating to notifying tenants about code violations from the original bill -- passed on a voice vote.
The state Senate has adjourned.
The state Senate concurred in Assembly Bill 85 by a 19-14 vote after making a series of changes this evening.
The Democrats objected to third reading on the injunction bill, so it's been put off for the day.
The Democrats are now on to debate of a bill that would allow an immediate stay of a court injunction on a law passed by the Legislature, saying a memo from legislative council shows the measure is unconstitutional.
Despite the fact that it looked like we were back on track to handling the remaining work of the Legislature, the Assembly just spent a few minutes debating a resolution honoring the late British PM Margaret Thatcher.
According to Assembly Majority Leader Suder, there will be a two-hour limit on each of the Assembly bills left on the calendar and a half-hour debate max on the Milwaukee County Board bill, assuming that it makes its way over here without objection.
A quorum call is underway.
Senate Majority Leader Chris Larson, upon returning from caucus, withdrew his motion to expunge the voice vote on the previous amendment.
We're in recess until then.
Dems have asked for a caucus until 5:35 p.m. to discuss the new amendment to the Milwaukee County Board bill.
After hefty debate on the WEDC bill, it has passed on an 80-15 vote. We're informal.
The Senate is awaiting an amendment to the Milwaukee County Board bill that would allow one lobbyist each for the board and the county exec while creating four budget analyst positions in the comptroller's office.
The third amendment to the WEDC bill has been found to be not germane, and we're on to the fourth amendment, which is also being challenged. There's one more amendment after that, but it was recently added, so we might see more pop up.
We've been informal for a few minutes in the Senate chamber as a new amendment to the Milwaukee County Board bill is still being drafted and distributed to lawmakers.
We're still on the first amendment to the WEDC bill - trying to make the WEDC CEO a board appointed position. Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca is still trying to make the point that his amendment is germane.
Senators have returned from the joint convention and are set to resume debate on AB 85 pending drafting of another amendment.
In a brief speech to a joint session of the Legislature, the Dalai Lama recounted his appreciation of democracy and reminded officials "transparency, that brings trust, trust brings friendship."
Right now, Rep. Jeff Stone, R-Greendale, is introducing him to the Legislature.
We're in recess for the Dalai Lama.
We're back on debate of the bill regulating conflicts of interest by WEDC Board of Directors members.
Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca seemed a bit confused, saying the Dems had amendments to the bill they were still drafting. Now we're informal as GOP leaders confer. The Assembly is going to recess at 2:40, regardless of what gets worked out here.
We're back on the floor. AB 77, a bill on reviews of the one and two family building code, is on the floor and Rep. Janet Bewley, D-Ashland, is offering an amendment that the GOP has moved to table.
We might take up one more bill, which would enable motorists to provide an electronic proof of insurance, before breaking. Still waiting.
Just before we break to await the joint session for the Dalai Lama's address, here are a few bills that were quickly passed:
Debate has been suspended on a bill to curtail the Milwaukee County Board’s budget, salaries and term length so senators can join the Assembly for an address by the Dalai Lama.
It looks like the Assembly is trying to get through the non-contentious bills first, as they've started by quickly (and unanimously) passing a bill that gives a tax exemption to soldiers killed in a combat zone. There is already a federal tax exemption for that military income, but not a state tax exemption.
Few notes before we start to hit the bills up today:
The Senate has recessed for 30 minutes for partisan caucuses.
The Senate has quickly moved through the first few bills on its agenda, but has moved a measure to exempt income taxes of military members who die in a combat zone to the end of today’s calendar.
Roll is being called and the Senate session is about to get underway.
The Senate will start a half-hour later than previously scheduled, according to an announcement from the chief clerk.
Both houses of the Legislature will be on the floor today, and the Dalai Lama will address a joint session of lawmakers.
The Assembly has adjourned.
The state would switch to a “reasonable physician standard” in what doctors have to tell patients they’re treating about the benefits and risks of treatments under legislation the Assembly approved Wednesday evening 65-31.
The Assembly voted 60-36 to place limits on how much lawyers could collect in contingency fees if they represent the state.
The Assembly voted 58-39 to pass legislation that would set new standards for those seeking compensation from personal injury trusts.
The Assembly voted 59-39 to approve legislation that would cut the Milwaukee County Board's budget and reduce supervisors' terms in half to two years.
Assembly Dems opened today's floor period by railing on legislation that would cut the Milwaukee County Board budget and reduce supervisors' pay.
The state Assembly will be back on the floor today with a calendar that includes a final vote on legislation to cut the Milwaukee County Board’s budget and supervisors’ terms and pay.
The Assembly has adjourned until tomorrow afternoon.
Following passage of the second-to-last bill on today’s Assembly agenda -- a bill to increase the penalty for driving violations near sanitation workers -- we’ve recessed for a quick meeting of the Rules Committee.
The state Assembly voted 68-26 to pass a bill that would require that two-thirds of purchases made with food stamps meet nutrition standards outlined in the federal government’s Women, Infants and Children -- or WIC -- program.
We’re now onto final passage of the food stamp bill after the completion of the amendment process.
After passage of two more bills -- measures to increase the road access of the Wisconsin Dells “ducks” and to restrict private information of municipal utility customers -- we’re now onto legislation requiring that two-thirds of food stamp purchases meet federal nutrition standards.
The state Assembly voted down a motion to take up AR 8 to convene a special committee on the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation 39-57.
After passage of two bills -- measures requiring registered sex offenders to notify school officials if they appear on school grounds, and expanding the definition of intoxicant in statute to include inhalants for driving while intoxicated offenses -- Dems have proposed their WEDC resolution on the floor.
The state Assembly is about to get started.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said prior to today's Assembly session that while his caucus is committed to taking up the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation during the Joint Finance Committee process -- a vote currently scheduled for Thursday -- he's open to making additional changes to the embattled jobs agency.
The Senate is down for the day.
Democrats are set to offer a resolution on the Assembly floor today that would, among other items, require the appointment of a special committee to "ensure that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation ... follow state law."
The Senate voted 28-5 today to make it illegal to sell or trade food stamps for anything of value.
President Mike Ellis, R-Neenah, has called senators to the floor to begin today's session.
Both houses of the Legislature will be in session today with Republicans taking up food stamp bills.
After the Legislature adopted three GOP-authored amendments and tabled three Dem amendments, Dem lawmakers objected to third reading of a bill making sweeping changes to the Milwaukee County Board bill.
Republicans shot down a substitute amendment to the Milwaukee County Board bill on a 58-39 vote.
Debate began on a measure to curtail the Milwaukee County Board with Milwaukee-area Dems seeking to refer the bill back to committee, saying the bill had been fast-tracked with little input from county residents.
Before getting to the Milwaukee County Board bill, Rep. Amy Sue Vruwink, D-Milladore, moves to pull AB 63, an income and franchise tax credit for investments in a community development financial institution, to the floor.
The Assembly has quickly moved through the first few bills on its agenda, including legislation making changes to regulations of fees for dental services on a 89-8 vote.
The Senate adjourned and will not be back on the floor until May 7.
The state Senate made quick work of its agenda today, approving every bill on the agenda either on voice vote or unanimously.
Lawmakers are greeting the families of the fallen soldiers honored today.
The Senate is back on the floor.
The Assembly is about to get underway. Resolutions in honor of a trio of fallen soldiers will kick off the session.
Rep. Joe Sanfelippo said today he's not shocked by the controversy over allegedly improper negotiations with employees by Milwaukee County, saying it's "further evidence that helps my case" as the Assembly prepares to take up a bill to overhaul the county board.
The Senate has recessed until 1 p.m. after approving a several resolutions honoring fallen soldiers.
And away we go.
Both houses of the Legislature will be on the floor today.
The Assembly has adjourned until tomorrow.
The Assembly approved the FoodShare trafficking bill on a 73-24 vote. The bill now heads to the Senate.
The Assembly has given Hometown Hero awards to Oak Creek Lt. Brian Murphy and Officer Sam Lenda for their role in responding to the shooting at the Oak Creek Sikh Temple last year.
Justice Patience Roggensack delivered the oath. Neylon was elected to the 98th AD seat after a five-way primary, where he narrowly beat former Pewaukee Police Chief Ed Baumann.
The Assembly is getting underway. Only two bills on the docket in addition to a few resolutions: The bill imposing specific penalties for FoodShare benefits trafficking and another altering the degree requirements for those looking to take a Certified Public Accountant licensing exam.
The state Assembly will convene the first of two floor sessions this week, beginning with a brief calendar today that includes a measure to ban trading food stamps for anything of value.