Budget, Courts and Chaos

How does a bill become a law? The answer to that is in the Wisconsin Blue Book and the stuff of fourth (I think this is when we all learned it) grade classrooms. But boy that lesson has been turned on its head in the past several weeks in Wisconsin! Now I'm not taking sides here, but the budget repair bill – has so many lawyers attached to it in the courts right now that one veteran reporter (not me) compared this week's hearing over a restraining order to "a five-headed hydra." [Definition of HYDRA:: a many-headed serpent in Greek mythology] So, court resumes tomorrow (with all the attorneys) to determine whether the judge will issue a "preliminary injunction" against the bill over an alleged violation of the opening meetings laws. That injunction is more lasting than the temporary restraining order (3rd) now in place. Oh, and the Supreme Court is also deciding whether to take the case (more lawyers). Stay tuned.

Here and Now

Another busy week in the world of news and public affairs! Governor Scott Walker delivered his State of the State address. We're looking to the Budget Address for more specifics on spending cuts that get at the state budget deficit.

This week on "Here & Now" we talk with U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan who has just released his spending cut plan as chair of the House Budget Committee. We hear from Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen about his reaction to a federal judge's ruling this week that invalidated the Obama health care law and we hear the opposing viewpoint.

Also, we continue our interviews with candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This week, we talk with Joel Winnig. Finally, our singing commentator, Peter Leidy, puts the Super Bowl to song. "Here & Now," Friday night at 7:30 p.m. on Wisconsin Public Television.

Governor Walker on "Here and Now"

This week on "Here & Now," we talk with Governor Scott Walker about his special session of the legislature where his bills designed to boost the business climate in Wisconsin are sailing through. We also interview U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy from Washington on the heels of his vote to repeal the healthcare reform law. And this week, we hear from a candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Marla Stephens, director of the appellate division for the state public defender's office.

I invite you to join me for "Here and Now" Friday at 7:30p on Wisconsin Public Television.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Decision

The Wisconsin Supreme Court today pulled the rug out from under a budget balancing move the legislature effected three years ago. The high court ruled that $200 million transferred from the medical malpractice fund was unconstitutional and that the money must be paid back. All three candidates for governor said they oppose "raids" on segregated funds. The Supreme Court ruling bars the state from future transfers from the medical malpractice fund but does not cover other funds.