Phone: (608)266-5660 (608) 267-6795
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November 11, 2009 Veterans Call for Repair of Trust FundMadison… Senator Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) and Representative Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca) introduced legislation that would prolong the solvency of the Veterans Trust Fund (VTF). The VTF was created in 1961 and is used to finance veteran’s mortgage loans, the assistance to needy veterans program, and numerous other veteran assistance related programs and services. “The veterans trust fund has provided essential services to our heroes for decades,” Fitzgerald said. “It is our solemn duty to our veterans to keep this fund in good standing.” Periodically, general fund expenditures have been used to keep the VTF solvent. As currently estimated, the trust fund will run a deficit beginning in fiscal year 2012. This bill would keep the VTF solvent by injecting $12.6 million from the general fund in each of the next three years. This is estimated to keep the VTF solvent until fiscal year 2016. “General fund dollars, which are really taxpayer dollars, are not easy to come by in the current economic downturn,” Petersen said. “However, the programs and services provided by the trust fund are part of the payment we make to our veterans in return for their honorable service to our nation.” Senator Scott Fitzgerald is the Senate Republican Leader and recently retired from the U.S. Army Reserve after 24 years with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Representative Kevin Petersen is the ranking Republican on the Assembly Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs and retired a Navy Commander in 2008. This bipartisan legislation is being introduced at the request of and with the overwhelming support of, the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, the American Legion, AMVETS, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, Wisconsin American GI Forum, Wisconsin Vietnam Vets, Dry Hootch, Gold Star Wives, Madison Veterans Council, Marine Corps League, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Officers Association of America, Navy Clubs of USA, Polish Legion of American Veterans, and The Retired Enlisted Association. November 6, 2009 Senate Passes Stiffer Drunk Driving LawsOn Thursday, the Wisconsin State Senate unanimously passed legislation strengthening the state’s drunk driving laws. Senate Bill 66 is a step in the right direction in reversing Wisconsin’s high rate of drunk driving and improving the safety on the state’s roadways. The bill makes the fourth OWI offense a felony instead of a misdemeanor and expands the use of Ignition Interlock Devices, requiring them for repeat offenders and for first OWI offenses with a BAC of .15 or higher. Vehicles equipped with ignition interlocks cannot be started until the driver blows into a Breathalyzer device, measuring that the driver has not consumed alcohol. Earlier versions of these devices were easily tampered with, but technology has evolved to make them far more reliable. SB 66 also creates a criminal misdemeanor for people who drive drunk with a child in the vehicle. The bill requires the Judicial Council to develop statewide sentencing guidelines for OWI offenses and includes more funding for alcohol abuse treatment. The costs of this legislation will be funded through an increase in penalties and fees. SB 66 increased the license reinstatement fee by $40 for offenders whose licenses are suspended or revoked due to an OWI offense. Offenders will also have to pay an additional criminal assessment fee, which the bill increases from $20 to $163. SB 66 will put more teeth into Wisconsin laws to help reduce drunk driving occurrences and the tragic loss of life at the hands of drunk drivers. This bill will make offenders more accountable for their actions and improve the safety on Wisconsin roadways. The Assembly passed a different version of the bill this fall and is expected to vote on the revised drunk driving changes in the upcoming months. If you have comments, questions or would like more information, please call me at (608) 266-5660, write to me at P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882, or visit my website: www.senatorfitzgerald.com November 3, 2009 GOP to Repeal Dems’ Auto Insurance Rate Hikes[Madison, Wisc….] After Wisconsin Democrats mandated some of the highest auto insurance coverage in the nation, Senators Scott Fitzgerald and Mike Ellis along with Representatives Jeff Fitzgerald and John Nygren unveiled a proposal to repeal the changes passed in the state budget bill. LRB 3758/2 reverts mandated insurance minimums to their previous levels, allows insurers to include anti-stacking provisions in policies, and eliminates the requirement that policies include underinsured motorist coverage. “Wisconsin Democrats passed these provisions as a pay back to their ambulance-chasing trial attorney friends,” said Senate Republican Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau). “As a result, insurance rates are skyrocketing around the state and families are left wondering how they are going to afford coverage.” Fitzgerald cited numerous examples of people around Wisconsin who contacted his office, concerned about their high auto insurance rates. “I’ve talked to one person whose auto insurance rate was increasing from $278 to $454 for six months of coverage. That amounts to a 63% increase,” said Fitzgerald. “Another woman called about the sharp spike in her motorcycle insurance for her and her husband’s Harleys. Their premium rose from $319 to $882 a year.” Sadly, Democrats who were responsible for passing the increased auto insurance mandates into law have been trying to blame the resulting price hikes on anybody but themselves. One recent example of this includes letters that Assembly Majority Leader Tom Nelson sent to his constituents, denying any part of the massive hikes that Wisconsin families are seeing in their auto insurance bills. “It is ridiculous for the Democrats to pretend that these new auto insurance mandates are not going to impact the cost of auto insurance. The Democrats’ increased mandates are forcing responsible car owners to purchase thousands of dollars of unneeded coverage or cause them to drop coverage altogether due to higher costs,” said Fitzgerald. “This legislation brings back some common sense to auto insurance coverage and removes an unnecessary burden on family budgets.” |
The Wisconsin Jobs Now Task Force held numerous roundtable discussions across the state with more than 150 employers. The Task Force provided a forum for employers to share their thoughts on the condition of Wisconsin’s business climate and suggest changes to strengthen it. |
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