Spotlight

Wisconsin Legislative Spotlight

This page, prepared by the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau, provides an overview of recent and upcoming activities in the Wisconsin Legislature. It will usually appear weekly, but less frequently when the legislature is not in floor session. Links to more detailed information sources are highlighted. A link at the end of this feature accesses earlier issues of the Spotlight.

April 2, 1999

New Session

The senate and assembly will next meet on Tuesday, May 11. See the session schedule for future meeting dates.

The 1999-2001 Budget

The Joint Committee on Finance will be holding hearings on the state budget over the next month. Public hearings are being held at:

Thursday, April 8 (10:30 a.m. -- 5:00 p.m.) J.I. Case High School 7345 Washington Avenue, Racine	Tuesday, April 13 (10:30 a.m. -- 5:00 p.m.) University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point University Center -- Alumni Room 1015 Reserve Street, Stevens Point
Wednesday, April 14 (10:30 a.m. -- 5:00 p.m.) Osceola High School 1029 Oakridge Drive, Osceola	Thursday, April 15 (10:30 a.m. -- 5:00 p.m.) State Capitol, Room 411 South, Madison

See the Joint Committee on Finance's Web page for more information on the committee.

The 1999-2001 State Budget Bill has been introduced as 1999 Senate Bill 45 and 1999 Assembly Bill 133. It is available in Adobe Acrobat™ format which can be printed or downloaded, and also in a word searchable (Folio) format.

The Legislative Fiscal Bureau's 1999-01 Wisconsin State Budget provides a summary of each agency, program and item in the budget.

The Legislative Reference Bureau's Budget Index Report provides a subject index to the budget and to the LRB drafts that were combined in the budget.

Governor Tommy Thompson's 1999-2001 Budget Address is also available.

The Department of Administration's State Budget Office has prepared the "Executive Budget Book" and the "Budget in Brief" to accompany the bills.

Early Session Activity

Constitutional amendments must be adopted by two consecutive legislatures before being placed on the ballot for voter ratification. Two constitutional amendments have been introduced in the 1999 Legislature on "second consideration".

1999 Assembly Joint Resolution 2, relating to distribution of state lottery proceeds for property tax relief was adopted by the legislature. For additional information on the proposed amendment, see the LRB's Constitutional Amendments to be Considered by the Wisconsin Voters, April 6, 1999.

Assembly Joint Resolution 3, which would authorize a 4-year term of office for district attorneys, was adopted by the assembly and forwarded to the senate. If adopted by the senate, the question of district attorney terms could be placed on the November 2000 ballot.

Legislative Fiscal Bureau Papers

The Legislative Fiscal Bureau's Informational Papers for the 1999 session are now available.

Rep. Ourada Resigns

Rep. Thomas Ourada of Antigo resigned January 29 to become executive assistant at the Department of Revenue. A special election will be held April 13 to fill the vacancy.

The Republicans continue to control the assembly by a 54-to-44 margin.

Capitol Tours Site Announced

The Department of Administration has provided a site which offers photographs of the State Capitol and information on capitol tours.