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Assembly approves tax incentives for Kimberly-Clark

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Kimberly-Clark would be able to take advantage of new tax incentives if it keeps two of its Wisconsin plants open, under a bill approved by the Assembly Thursday night.

The proposal would offer the company benefits similar to those used to lure Foxconn to the state last year, including job retention tax credits of 17 percent of payroll. State Representative Mike Rohrkaste (R-Neenah), who represents the region where the plants marked for closure are located, said it could help protect those 600 jobs and the others that depend on Kimberly-Clark’s presence.

“We are talking about a real solution that will keep good paying jobs here in Wisconsin,” he said. “This will give Kimberly-Clark the opportunity to improve their business plan and be here for the long run.”

Democrats argued the proposal sets a bad precedent though and could encourage other companies to request similar benefits by threatening to leave the state. State Representative Amanda Stuck (D-Appleton) also noted that the company used federal tax cuts approved last year to justify the cuts in the first place.

Kimberly-Clark did not ask for the incentive package and has only said it will take it into consideration.

The bill passed on a 56-37 vote. It now heads to the state Senate.

Assembly approves funding for new prison and county prosecutors

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The state Assembly has passed a bill that would make it easier to revoke the release of anyone on extended supervision, parole, or probation if they are charged with a crime – adding in language that would also fund new prosecutors and construction of a new prison.

The legislation was one of dozens of bills the chamber was taking up Thursday, as the Assembly pushes to wrap up its floor periods for the year. Its original aim was to allow the Department of Corrections to recommend revoking the release of those who state Representative Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc) said “screw up” their second chance.

Kleefisch recounted the story of a man who was on extended supervision and threatened his wife, but was allowed to stay free. “Extended supervision is extended supervision because you don’t have your full rights back yet,” he said. “You have to be good.”

Democrats were critical of the effects the bill would have on the corrections system, both through sending people back to prison and by taxing the courts. While an amendment authorizes up to $350 million in borrowing to fund a new state prison and funds the addition of nearly 54 new prosecutors in 40 counties, state Representative Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) said it could overload the system. “The long term consequences of this bill will be meaningful criminal justice reform in the state of Wisconsin – the short term consequences are that we will break the system, and break our bank,” he argued.

The legislation now heads to the Senate, which will have to sign-off on the amendments added by the Assembly.

Tax credit bill passes the Wisconsin Assembly

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The Wisconsin Assembly (Photo: Andrew Beckett)

The state Assembly has approved a bill that would give parents a tax rebate and offer a limited sales tax holiday.

The proposal would give parents a $100 per child tax rebate and offer a sales tax holiday in early August for purchases of up to $100. Republican state Representative Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca), the bill’s sponsor, says it “offers an opportunity to return the state’s budget surplus to Wisconsin citizens.”

State Representative Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) and other Democrats described it as an election year gimmick though, since payments would go out this summer. “It reeks of vote-buying and game-playing,” he argued during debate on the Assembly floor Thursday.

After nearly three hours of debate, the bill passed on a bipartisan 61-35 vote.

The measure now heads to the state Senate, where its future remains uncertain. Senate Republican Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) has been largely non-committal on whether his chamber will take up the bill when it meets next month for the last time this session.

If the Senate were to make changes that require Assembly approval, it could likely kill the bill. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) has indicated his chamber has no plans to return this year after it adjourns early Friday morning.

Assembly opens marathon floor session

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The Wisconsin Assembly. (File photo)

The state Assembly has kicked-off what could be its final session day of the year.

Lawmakers are expected to take up dozens of bills, during a floor period that’s expected to stretch in to early Friday morning. Among the bills being taken up are a proposed $100 per child care tax credit Governor Scott Walker proposed, along with legislation authorizing $350 million in funding to build a new state prison.

Democrats argue Republicans are going home without addressing important issues facing that state – such as fixing transportation funding and expanding broadband infrastructure. Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) and other Democrats have called the child tax credit an election year gimmick, and argue the money would be better spent investing in the state’s infrastructure.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) says Republicans are proud of what they have done in the past year, and there are many accomplishments they can point at with pride.

Assembly approves juvenile corrections reforms

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Lincoln Hills School (Photo: WI DOC)

The state Assembly has passed legislation that would overhaul the state’s juvenile corrections system.

The bill approved unanimously on Wednesday would close the state’s troubled Lincoln Hills youth prison by 2021, moving offenders to new state or county-run facilities. If signed by the governor, Democratic state Representative David Bowen (D-Milwaukee) said will make the first major changes to the system in 22 years. “I think that we have a chance to really set a new course for the state of Wisconsin on how we get young people back on the right track, to be able to be contributing members of our communities,” he said during debate on the Assembly floor Wednesday.

The push to change how juvenile corrections operates comes after years of reports about abuse at Lincoln Hills, and concerns about the safety of inmates and staff. While Governor Scott Walker initially said he was confident in how the facility was operating, he began calling earlier this year for lawmakers to begin the process of reforming the system before the current session ends for the year.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) has raised doubts about it passing before the session ends. Based on changes made to the proposal and approved by the Assembly though, Senate Republican Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) said Wednesday he’s optimistic about it receiving a vote when the chamber meets next month.

“We have to change what we’re doing…we can’t continue to just house juveniles and have the recidivism rate as high as it is,” he told reporters. “I think this will help us get to that point.”

Republicans propose adding new prosecutors in 40 Wisconsin counties

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Wisconsin Capitol (WRN photo)

Several Wisconsin counties could see new prosecutors added to their District Attorney’s office.

A proposal from state Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) and other Republicans would add about 54 new assistant district attorney positions in 40 counties by mid-2019. The Assembly will consider the plan during its final session day on Thursday, as an amendment to an existing bill.

“This is about real justice for crime victims around the state,” the Marinette Republican said during a Capitol news conference on Wednesday. “Swift and certain justice is an important tool…for keeping our citizens safe.”

The push to add new prosecutors comes after a 2014 study highlighted staffing shortages in offices across the state. The current plan focuses mainly on rural areas or those with smaller populations, which means many of the state’s larger counties would not see additional staff added.

Democratic state Representative Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) argued the measures falls short because it fails to address shortages in public defenders and judges. “You can’t add prosecutors without adding judges to hear the cases that they’re going to charge,” he pointed out. “We can’t just add positions on one side of the courtroom without addressing the effects that does on the entire system as a whole.”

Nygren said addressing all of those needs will take time. “Government is incremental,” he said. “As more resources are available in the future, I would continue to believe that this would be a focus for us.”

Debate over gun control hits the Capitol

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Madison high school students call for action on gun control legislation. (Photo: Andrew Beckett)

Assembly Democrats unsuccessfully pushed for a vote Tuesday on legislation that would have required background checks on all gun purchases in Wisconsin.

The effort got bogged down in a nearly four-hour procedural debate, after Republicans amended the bill to remove the background check language – adding provisions dealing with straw purchases of firearms and creating grants for school safety officers.

Madison Democrat Lisa Subeck was critical of the move, calling it a “bait and switch.”

Democrats accused the GOP of trying to avoid a vote on background checks, which they noted are widely supported by the public. However, Republican Kathy Bernier of Lake Hallie argued it was more about how they were trying to pass the bill though. “This deplorable blockhead believes in background checks,” she said during debate on the Assembly floor, while taking issue with the effort to call the bill for a vote without going through the committee process.

The amended legislation eventually passed on a bipartisan 71-24 vote.

The debate came just hours after dozens of high school students from Madison attended a press conference at the Capitol to call for legislative action on gun control. Sophomore Lydia Hester pointed to the active shooter drills she’s had to go through kindergarten. “This is not something that a five-year-old should have to think about,” she said. “Kids are dying for your right to own a gun – is your gun really worth hundreds of lives?”

The teens joined Democratic lawmakers in calling for votes on stalled bills that would require background checks, bar people convicted of domestic violence from having a gun, and ban the sale or manufacture of bump stocks.

Wisconsin lawmaker proposes allowing concealed carry in private schools

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A Republican state lawmaker wants to allow concealed carry permit holders to have a guns with them in private schools.

The bill from state Representative Jesse Kremer of Kewaskum comes just days after a shooting at a Florida high school that killed 17 people. The proposal would make it legal to carry a gun at private, religious or tribal schools – if a person has a concealed carry license and the school has a policy allowing it.

In a column posted on Right Wisconsin, Kremer argues gun-free school zones only increase the danger faced by children and teachers, and allowing teachers or parents to be armed may discourage an attack. “If this additional, untapped tool can be utilized to discourage a school attack or to disarm an attacker, then why are your elected officials preventing its use,” he asks.

The bill is unlikely to see any movement in the Legislature this session. Kremer set a Friday deadline for co-sponsor to sign on. That’s a day after the Assembly is expected to wrap up its work for the session.

Vote on ‘alcohol czar’ bill cancelled

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Wisconsin Capitol (WRN photo)

A state Senate committee will not vote on legislation creating an ‘alcohol czar’ to oversee state liquor laws – at least for the time being.

Lawmakers held a lengthy hearing on the bill Thursday, during which several craft brewery owners turned out to testify against it. State Senator Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac), the chair of the committee, cancelled a plan executive session this morning after hearing their concerns, and he’s not sure when or if it will be rescheduled.

“We are waiting to see where the Senators come down on this, and see if there’s any amendments coming forth, but right now I don’t have a plan to schedule one in the near future,” he said. “That could change at any time, if there’s amendments.”

The Fond du Lac Republican is also calling on leadership to create a committee to review Wisconsin’s liquor laws and look at ways to modernize them. “A broad look at updating these laws, many of which date back to prohibition and are no longer in sync with modern times, is long overdue,” he argued.

Wetlands development changes clear the Assembly

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WRN image

The state Assembly has approved legislation that will allow developers to fill some wetland areas without a permit.

The bill would apply to smaller wetland areas that are under state control – primarily those near urban areas that are under an acre in size and under three acres in rural areas. Republicans contend the changes are needed to simplify a process that can delay development and tack on thousands of dollars in extra costs.

State Representative Nick Milroy (D-South Range) was among Democrats who argued the bill would negatively affect wildlife habitat though. “It’s been said that this is the worst bill for sportsmen in a generation,” he said. “That’s because wetlands are some of the most supportive habitat for fish and wildlife.”

During debate in the Assembly Thursday night, Republican Leader Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna) noted many wildlife groups now support the bill or are neutral, after changes were made to ensure quality wetland areas are still protected. “No high quality wetlands will be filled in because of this bill,” he said.

The bill passed on a 58 to 39 vote. It now heads to the state Senate.