Judge Temporarily Blocks Publication of Collective Bargaining Law

On Friday, March 18, Dane County Judge Maryann Sumi issued a temporary restraining order, halting the publication of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's collective bargaining law.

Judge Sumi commented in the hearing that it is likely that the conference committee violated Wisconsin open meeting laws, and that she saw no reason why the committee could not have given a twenty-four hour notice.

Although this ruling does not halt the publication altogther, it does slow the implementation of the law to allow the courts to thoroughly exam whether or not open meeting laws were violated.

Also, Gov. Walker recently announced the addition of two new projects to the states capitol budget for 2011-2013.

One of the two projects will provide $50 million in taxpayer supported bonding for the construction of a new Health and Human Performance building at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The other projects allocates funds to build a new facility for the UW-Madison School of Nursing.

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Rep. Dean Knudson (R-District 30)

• Rep. Knudson was one of a handful of politicians who sent a letter to both Minnesota and Wisconsin's congressional delegations, urging prompt action be taken on the Stillwater Lift Bridge. The 80-year-old bridge has been the source of tension for some time now, as it needs to be either repaired or replaced. Others who signed the letter include Wisconsin Rep. John Murtha and Erik Severson, and Sen. Harsdorf. The letter was also signed by Minnesota Sen. Ted Lillie and Ray Vandeveer and MN Rep. Kathy Lohmer and Matt Dean.
• Rep. Knudson has no committee meetings scheduled for the week.
• The Wisconsin Assembly will not reconvene until April 5.

Sen. Sheila Harsdorf (R-District 10)

• Sen. Harsdorf released a press statement in regards to her call for action on the Stillwater Lift Bridge. Sen. Harsdorf stated "The St. Croix River Crossing is a vital transportation link between Minnesota and Wisconsin and is in dire need of replacement. Further delays will only serve to increase construction costs, as well as escalating congestion and threatening public safety.  We stand ready to support this bi-partisan effort in Congress to allow a new bridge to be constructed."
• Sen. Harsdorf has no committee meetings scheduled for the week.
• The Wisconsin Senate is scheduled to meet again on April 5. The large topic of action in the next session will be Gov. Walker's biennial budget proposal.

Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI)

• On Monday, March 14, Rep. Kind reintroduced H.R. 1057, the Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids Act (FIT Kids Act), to congress. The legislation seeks to engage parents and the general public, by requiring school districts to report students physical activity. Specifically, the legislation would require all schools to report the amount of time spent in P.E. compared to the recommended national standard. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
• On Thursday, March 17, Rep. Kind voted against H.R. 1076, legislation seeking to strip National Public Radio of all federal funding. The bill passed with 228 ayes and 192 nayes; twelve representatives did not vote. This legislation now awaits action in the Senate.
• In his weekly YouTube video address, Rep. Kind discussed the need to reform agricultural policies as a means of reducing the Federal deficit.
• On March 16, Rep. Kind voted no against H.R. 861-NSP Termination Act. The bill seeks to terminate the Neighborhood Stabalization Program. The bill passed the House of Representatives with a 242-182 vote, with 8 representatives not voting. The bill now awaits action in the Senate.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI)

• On Thursday, March 17, Sen. Johnson voted in favor of  H.J. Res 48. The legislation aimed to extend the Federal government's budget for three more weeks in order to avoid a shutdown. A new budget must be passed by April 8.

Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI)

• On Thursday, March 17, Sen. Kohl voted in favor of  H.J. Res 48. The legislation aimed to extend the Federal government's budget for three more weeks in order to avoid a shutdown. A new budget must be passed by April 8.
• On Thursday, March 17, Sen. Kohl introduced S. 623- the Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2011. The legislation seeks to amend chapter 11 of title 28 in the United States Code, which would prohibit courts from shielding safety and health related issues from the general public as part of legal settlements. According to a press release by Sen. Kohl, the bill is a result of "dozens of cases in which hazards and threats to public health were not disclosed during court settlements and subsequently resulted in additional fatalities, serious injuries or illnesses.  These court-approved secrecy agreements even prevent government officials or consumer groups from learning about and protecting the public from defective and dangerous products." The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.