Capitol Connection, November 2024

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November 25, 2024

The ever-changing landscape of state government requires businesses across all industries to stay informed on the happenings in Madison. Welcome to the November 2024 issue of the Capitol Connection.

In this issue:


Election 2024: State Legislature

After the implementation of new legislative maps, months of campaigning, heated rhetoric, a barrage of unsolicited text messages, and lots of junk mail, the 2024 election has concluded.

After the votes were tallied:

  • Democrats gained 10 seats in the Wisconsin Assembly
  • Republicans maintain control of the chamber, 54-45
  • Assembly Speaker Robin Vos re-elected to lead Assembly GOP caucus
  • Democrats gained 4 seats in the Wisconsin Senate
  • Republicans maintain control of the chamber, 18-15
  • Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu re-elected to lead Senate GOP caucus
  • Senator Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma) elected Wisconsin Senate President
  • More than $75 million spent on competitive state legislative races


DNR Approves Enbridge ‘Line 5’ Permits

The Wisconsin DNR on November 14 approved individual wetland and waterway permits to Enbridge for the replacement and relocation of a segment of its Line 5 pipeline in Ashland and Iron counties.

Line 5 is a liquid petroleum pipeline and is “part of an extensive network of petroleum transport pipelines owned and operated by [Enbridge]. The existing line runs for 645 miles from Superior, Wisconsin to Sarnia, Ontario, including a 12-mile segment that passes through the Bad River Reservation of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.”

According to the DNR, Enbridge has proposed replacing about 20 miles of existing pipeline, with 41 miles of new pipeline routed entirely outside of the reservation’s border.

Environmental group Clean Wisconsin announced it is considering a legal challenge to the permits. The Bad River Band called the DNR’s decision a threat to the environment.

Proponents of the permits said the DNR’s issuance of the permits will help 280,000 families, farms, and businesses avoid problems accessing energy.

State Schools Superintendent to Propose Over $4 Billion Increase for K-12 Aids

Speaking at a press conference on November 11, State Superintendent Jill Underly announced her plans to request over $4 billion increase in state aid for Wisconsin’s public K-12 schools in the upcoming 2025-2027 state budget.

Taken directly from the DPI website, Dr. Underly’s plans include:

  • Help offset costs to districts in providing mandated special education services to students by increasing the special education reimbursement rate from about 32 percent to 75 percent in FY26 and to 90 percent in FY27 ($2B over the biennium) and restoring revenue limit indexing to inflation for the first time since 2009-10.
  • Provide sustainable funding to Wisconsin public schools by making per-pupil adjustments to revenue limits of $425 in FY26 and by $437.75 in FY27 ($1B over the biennium) and ensuring property tax increases due to this increase are limited to an average of 1.5 percent over the biennium.
  • Expand Per-Pupil Categorical Aid Program payments from $750 to $800 in FY26 and to $850 in FY27, with an additional 20% for students in poverty ($212M over the biennium).
  • Fund the Out-of-School-Time Grant Program with an emphasis on serving students as a means of reducing chronic absenteeism ($20M over the biennium).
  • Reimburse local education agencies for unaided costs of providing mandated special education services to children with disabilities in early childhood education (from age 3 until enrollment in first grade — $10 million over the biennium).

Wisconsin’s current budget surplus sits at approximately $3.5 billion. Following the election, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told reporters that his caucus’ priority will be returning those dollars to taxpayers, including a retirement tax cut.

Gov. Evers Announces Theme for Capitol Holiday Tree

Governor Tony Evers has announced “125 Years of Wisconsin’s State Parks” as the theme for the 2024 State Capitol Holiday Tree. The governor also invited states to contribute handmade ornaments celebrating how the park system reflects who Wisconsin is as a state.

“Next year, in 2025, we’ll be celebrating 125 years of Wisconsin’s state parks, so to kick off the celebration, I am excited to announce [the theme],” said Evers, adding, “Our state parks exemplify our state’s proud and rich history of conservation and protecting our natural resources.”

This year’s tree was donated by Rick Burke in Rhinelander and will be displayed in the Capitol rotunda throughout the holiday season.

DWD: Sixth Consecutive Month of Record-High Employment

According to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, the state achieved a new record high for employment during October 2024.

Wisconsin’s unemployment rate was 2.9 percent in October, which is 1.2 percent lower than the national rate of 4.1 percent.

The state’s labor force increased by 8,400 over the month, and 7,300 over the year. The number of people employed increased by 8,500 over the month and 23,900 over the year to a record-high of 3,068,000 employed.

National Apprenticeship Week: WI Sees All-Time Record-High Number of Apprentices

Governor Evers announced that Wisconsin’s Registered Apprenticeship Program has reached a record 17,089 enrolled apprentices – an all-time record.

The program pairs structured, on-the-job training with classroom instruction, allowing apprentices to be paid to “earn as they learn.” Wisconsin has been a national leader in apprenticeships since 1911, according to Gov. Evers’ office. It was the first state in the nation with a registered apprenticeship program and is unique among the 50 states in requiring employers to pay their apprentices for both time worked, and time spent in required classroom instruction.

Wisconsin has more than 200 apprenticeship occupations with over 2,600 employers.

“While traditional construction trades apprenticeships continue to be strong, emerging employment sectors and occupations, including healthcare, are building the depth of offerings and growing apprenticeship opportunities,” a press release from Gov. Evers’ office said.

In May, DWD also announced an all-time high of 9,932 youth apprentices enrolled during the 2023-2024 school year, with a record 6,671 employers participating.

QUESTIONS FOR OUR PUBLIC AFFAIRS TEAM?

If you have questions or would like more information regarding state regulations, programs, policies, or legislative proposals, please reach out to Ruder Ware’s Director of Public Affairs John Jacobson directly at [email protected].

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This document provides information of a general nature regarding legislative or other legal developments, and is based on the state of the law at the time of the original publication of this article. None of the information contained herein is intended as legal advice or opinion relative to specific matters, facts, situations, or issues, and additional facts and information or future developments may affect the subjects addressed. You should not act upon the information in this document without discussing your specific situation with legal counsel.

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