Wis Laws to Repeal

This page offers up an easy reference list of laws passed by the Republican state legislature and U.S. Congress that must be repealed and/or replaced once Democrats take the majority again.

The odd Republican tradition of dismantling laws passed from previous administrations, voted in by the people who mandated change, has not been answered by Democrats who have shied away from confrontation. The problem is, without a counter movement of repeal, the country continues to move further to the right. Enough said, it's time to check the list or add to it. Feel free in the comments section to add your own suggestions or laws missed.

1. Repeal Tort Reform

It looks like business just got rid of the uncertainty of getting sued.

The state Senate approved a bill Tuesday that would offer individuals and businesses more protection from lawsuits - a measure praised by the business community but condemned by advocates for the elderly and disabled as a shield for abusers. Sen. Julie Lassa said bill "makes Wisconsin softer on crime."

So if a company provided a product or service that harmed or killed someone, a person would have to prove that company meant to cause harm, intentionally, and not by accident. If they sold a bad product, but didn’t intend to harm or kill someone, no penalty.  "Raise the threshold for winning punitive damages in lawsuits so that plaintiffs would have to prove that defendants acted "with intent to cause injury to a particular person" or with a knowledge that their action would lead to that result.  The law would also ban a paper trail and eye witnesses to prove you were harmed: "Prevent reports required by state regulators, or statements from employees of a health care provider, from being used as evidence in civil and criminal actions."
UPDATE: Jan. 20th, 2011: Republicans sent Gov. Scott Walker a bill protecting businesses and others from lawsuits over Democratic protests that the measure would deprive the abused from getting justice.

2. Environmental destruction bills that can't be repealed, but maybe challenged in court. 

Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill Friday that would allow a developer to construct a retail center favored by the Green Bay Packers on a wetland near Lambeau Field.

Walker introduced the legislation in January at the request of the developer after planning had slowed for a Bass Pro Shops, or another retailer, for a store at Highway 41 and Lombardi Ave. in Ashwaubenon, a suburb of Green Bay. (Bass pulled out, refused to build on wetland.)

The measure drew objections from environmentalists but was applauded by the business community. Rep. Brett Hulsey (D-Madison.) said Walker signed the bill will little fanfare, arguing "he realized how bad a bill it was."

"You are taking away citizens' rights to challenge projects like these," he said.

Laws to Watch:

Two-Thirds Supermajority for Tax Increases (Special Session Assembly Bill 5) - Requires any increases in state sales, excise and income taxes be approved with a two-thirds supermajority in the Assembly and Senate. Under current law, it only takes a simple majority of legislators to pass tax increases.

3. Repeal 2/3rd Vote on increasing taxes: 

The Senate passed a bill that says a two-thirds vote in both houses of the Legislature would be needed to raise the state sales tax or income tax. But Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison) said the bill is not legally enforceable. "It's a useless piece of legislation," he said. "It's not worth the piece of paper it's written on." 

Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) said the bill was a starting point that "sends a very clear message" to voters and that legislators would not raise taxes. It now goes to Republican Gov. Scott Walker, who called for the measure. 

Future legislatures could roll the two-thirds requirement back to a simple majority.

4. Repeal  Public-Private Commerce Department:

Wisconsin Radio Network: The governor signs his seventh bill into law today. Governor Scott Walker signs legislation to overhaul the state Commerce Department into a public-private partnership whose focus will be on job creation.