April 17, 2006
NEW VERSION OF THE “TPA” APPROVED BY ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE
Last week the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means approved, on a 7-6 vote, the new version of the “Taxpayer Protection Act,” Assembly Joint Resolution 77. The substitute version of the resolution was only introduced less than a day before the vote on April 12. Under the newest proposal, certain revenues could be exempt from the limits. (A Legislative Fiscal Bureau Summary of the new version is available at:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lfb/LFBPublications_ButtonPages/Publications_Main.htm.) One of the bill’s leading supporters, Representative Frank Lasee (R-Green Bay) has withdrawn his support saying the new version weakens the bill. The no votes in committee included all of the democrats and Rep. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater). It is not yet known when the full Legislature will act on the bill, but a vote is possible in the Assembly next week.
Also last week, the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce took "a formal position of opposition to the proposed legislation due to concerns about the direct and indirect effects TPA will have on our region." More information about their position is available on their web page (see "Government Affairs") at http://www.greatermadisonchamber.com/.
More information about the Taxpayer Protection Amendment is available at: http://staterelations.wisc.edu/TABOR.html.
PREFERENTIAL SEATING TAX EXEMPTION CLEARS COMMITTEE
The Assembly Ways and Means Committee unanimously approved Assembly Bill 1084, which provides a sales tax exemption for contributions to the Badger Fund for preferential seating at UW-Madison sporting events. The bill could get action by the full Assembly in the next couple weeks.
WISCONSIN INSTITUTES FOR DISCOVERY ON TAP FOR STATE BUILDING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY
Following the recent announcement of the $100 million gift from John and Tashia Morgridge and WARF for the public and private components of the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, the proposal now goes to the State Building Commission for final approval this week. The proposal includes a $50 million state contribution for the projects as approved in Governor Doyle’s 2005-07 state budget. The vote is scheduled for Wednesday, April 19 at 3 pm in the Governor’s Conference Room.
For more information on state related issues contact,
Kristi Thorson or Don Nelson
Assistant Director, State Relations
608/262-8967