WMC continues to lead the drive for broad liability reform in Wisconsin in the wake of three anti-business court rulings that have made Wisconsin a target for trial lawyers. 

In this fall floor period ending in November, the Legislature is expected to pass sweeping, WMC-backed reforms aimed at overturning the court’s rulings ending caps on non-economic damages in medical malpractice suits, expanding the “risk contribution” theory to allow more suits against manufacturers and making it easier to win a punitive damage award.

WMC is lobbying the Legislature and Governor Jim Doyle to support these needed reforms to protect our business climate and save jobs.  The GOP Legislature is likely to pass the bills. Doyle has not committed. 

Please call Governor Doyle at (608) 266-1212 and tell him: “Support liability reform to protect our business climate.”

Email Doyle today: Governor Jim Doyle

WMC Background: Wisconsin's Liability Crisis

WMC Staff Contact: John Metcalf

Resources
Judge Brennan Outlines Activist Court (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

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Wisconsin lawyers will be taking part in mass training to sue businesses and doctors in seminars sponsored by the Wisconsin Bar Association.  The legal group will be training the lawyers regarding the three major Supreme Court rulings expanding liability in the court’s last term.  Expect a flurry of litigation to follow.  Consult your legal and insurance advisors for more information.

Here’s a quote from the Wisconsin Bar’s brochure promoting the three-week series of training seminars:

“With decisions on punitive damages, medical malpractice caps, and liability the Wisconsin Supreme Court has thrown out the present malpractice caps, allowed for a broader wrongdoer definition in certain cases, and clarified the punitive damages standard. What do these cases hold and how can their holdings affect your personal injury clients? You’ll find out at Tort Reform in Wisconsin: Who pays… and How Much?”

Lawyer Lawsuit Training Schedule

WMC Staff Contact: John Metcalf

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WMC Chairman William Gehl next week will be asking WMC members to pledge corporate contributions to the WMC Job Defense Fund to promote liability reform.  WMC has already run newspaper and magazine ads on the court’s job-killing rulings, and is building editorial support for reform, including an editorial in The Wall Street Journal.  If you receive Mr. Gehl’s solicitation in the mail, please pledge immediately so we can plan our advertising campaign.

Gehl, chairman and CEO of Gehl Co.,  writes: “Tax cuts and regulation relief are meaningless if one trial lawyers armed with unprecedented legal theories can sure you out of business based on these recent court rulings . . . we must enact litigation reform in Wisconsin that will protect businesses.”

Fight Back! Give Today!
WMC AD: Hello trial lawyers, good-bye jobs!

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WMC attended a press conference with Senator Dave Zien (R-Eau Claire) this week to introduce the “Fairness in Litigation Act.”  Senator Zien’s bill will address a disturbing trend by Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager to use nuisance lawsuits to harass businesses.  WMC worked with Senator Zien to introduce the bill, and will support its passage in both houses of the legislature.  Lautenschlager recently sued a Wisconsin utility in federal court in New York using a nuisance theory. The case was dismissed.

“Fairness in Litigation Act”
WMC’s position paper supporting the bill

 
WMC Staff Contact: Scott Manley

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The labor and management negotiators on the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council have reached an agreement on a package of reforms, including a provision on excessive absenteeism and tardiness.  Under this provision, if an employee is absent without notice five or more times in a 12 month period, they can be discharged and denied benefits.  A similar provision applies to excessive absenteeism. 

The council also approved a 3.6 percent increase in the maximum weekly benefit for 2006, and a 4 percent increase in 2007.  Benefits had been frozen the previous four years.  WMC Vice President James A. Buchen serves as the lead management negotiator on the council. A complete analysis of the agreement will be provided in the next couple of weeks.  The agreed-on bill will be forwarded to the Legislature in the fall period.

 
WMC Staff Contact: John Metcalf

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A new report from the Department of Workforce Development projects a 30 percent increase in the number of Wisconsin healthcare jobs through 2012.  This is the first annual report from the agency on the healthcare workforce.  According to the report:

• Total jobs in Wisconsin are projected to increase 13.3 percent by 2012.
• Healthcare jobs in Wisconsin are projected to increase 30.3 percent by 2012.
• In particular, the need for registered nurses in Wisconsin is projected to be for 24,300 new and replacement workers by 2012.

Such an annual report is one component of Healthier Choices for Affordable Health Care, the market-based health care reform authored by WMC, the Wisconsin Hospital Association and the Wisconsin Association of Health Plans.

News Release: Wisconsin Health Care Workforce Annual Report Released
Report: Wisconsin Healthcare Workforce Annual Report (PDF file - 29 pages)
Health Care Workforce Website
Related Coverage: Medical alert: Health care job growth a mixed economic blessing: The Capitol Times

WMC Staff Contact: R.J. Pirlot

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WMC will again oppose the latest attempt by Rep. Spencer Black (D-Madison) to dramatically increase the tax that businesses are forced to pay when disposing of waste in landfills.  Rep. Black’s bill would hike the Garbage Tax from $3 per ton to $10 per ton – an increase of more than 200%.  Black claims the increase will reduce the amount of out-of-state waste coming to Wisconsin, despite the fact that a ten-fold increase in this tax four years ago failed to achieve that outcome.  Although an official fiscal impact has not been completed for this bill. Rep. Black estimates that the tax hike will raise an additional $48 million on the backs of businesses, of which $41 million would be paid by employers in Wisconsin.  WMC will oppose this legislation on the grounds that it will increase the cost of doing business in Wisconsin, and will not accomplish the stated goal of reducing out-of-state waste. 

WMC Staff Contact: Scott Manley

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 Additional Meetings >>
Government/University/Business Partnerships >>

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Civil Justice
Judge Brennan Outlines Activist Court Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Charles Sykes Describes Litigation Crisis WI Interest
Burke Pleads Guilty to One Felony, One Misdemeanor: source: wispolitics.com

Education
Doyle Wants to Increase Math and Science Requirements: source: nbc15.com

Environment
Expert praises state's environmental regulation reform: source: wisbusiness.com
Bill would tackle e-waste problem: The Capital Times
DNR leader signs regulatory pact: Appleton Post Crescent

Healthcare
SeniorCare's benefits at risk: New Medicare plan could boost drug prices for thousands: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Health care group picks new leader: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Medical alert: Health care job growth a mixed economic blessing: The Capitol Times

Taxes
City costs, taxes may take a hike: Appleton Post Crescent
County budget asks maximum tax levy boost: The Sheboygan Press
Kelso: Brown County budget holds line on taxes: Green Bay Press-Gazette
Two bills offer break from gas tax: Wausau Daily Herald

Utilities
WPS asks for higher rate hike: Appleton Post Crescent
Economy Gets Another Inflation Warning: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Miscellaneous
Georgia-Pacific to cut 400-plus jobs at Green Bay mill: Green Bay Press-Gazette

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