|
WCA, along with other municipal groups, has once again created a coalition to address the pressing issues facing local govenrments around the state. Learn more here. |
 |
|
Increase in state and local government revenue in the first nine months of the 2007 fiscal year, according to the Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis: 5 percent
Increase in spending by state and local governments during the same period: 6.8 percent
Source: USA Today, 12/26/07
|
|
|
|
|
 Wisconsin's nonpartisan primary election on February 19 is also our state's presidential primary, in which voters can register their presidential preference at the polls. Wisconsin's presidential primary, once an early and vital part of the presidential nomination system, has faded in importance in the last thirty years. This topic will be covered in depth in the February issue of Wisconsin Counties magazine.
Topical to right now, however, is the level of state compliance with elections and voting law, including the national 2002 Help America Vote (HAVA) laws. The Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau has released Audit Report 07-16 on the topic. The audit lists several points of success and concern as Wisconsin looks at its statewide compliance.
The Joint Committee on Audit is having a public hearing on this audit report on Tuesday, January 8 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 411 S., State Capitol.
To view the Legislative Audit text, click here and see "Compliance with Election Laws."
To view the Audit Committee notice/agenda, click here. |
|
|
|
 Sen. Jon Erpenbach has proposed a bill that would raise the age at which a person in Wisconsin is considered an adult in criminal court from 17 to 18. To help pay for the additional burden on counties that deal with juvenile offenders, the bill also imposes a one percent surcharge on video games and consoles.
Read the Wisconsin State Journal article, which includes comments from WCA, by clicking here. |
|
On February 25, WCA will host an educational seminar entitled, "Emerging Issues in Emergency Management: The Role of County Officials in the Disaster Declaration Process." To learn more, including registration information, go to the "Upcoming Featured Events" section on the WCA home page. |
|
The Pew Charitable Trust recently released a study on retirement obligations of the states. To view the Wisconsin report card, click here. To view the full report, click here. |
|
 The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Wisconsin Council on Invasive Species (Council) have been working over the last three years to develop administrative rules to identify, classify and control invasive species. They are looking for county officials and interested parties to comment on the draft rule.
To view the draft rule and the species under consideration, and to comment on them, visit the DNR website. |
|
A poll released by the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute recently shows that Wisconsin residents views on their state and political establishments have reached an all-time low. Learn more here. |
|
 The Local Land Use Planning and Zoning WisLine Series has been announced for 2008. Click here to learn more. |
|
|
|
