May 16, 2012 by WCMC
From 7 pm until 11 pm the Assembly was “debating” SB 306, a bill that makes it more onerous for a woman to get an abortion, and assesses criminal penalties on abortion providers who cannot show documented proof that every abortion they perform was not coerced. See our separate story on that bill.
From 11pm until 11:30 the following bills were passed. Then the Assembly recessed for partisan caucuses until 3am.
Milwaukee Area Technical College supporters pour into the gallery hoping to see debate on the bill that would privatize their governing board.
SB 464 prevents the newly created Department of Security and Professional Services from requiring fingerprints as part of the licensing process for private detectives and private security guards, juvenile martial arts instructors, or applicants for other professional credentials in determining whether an applicant or credential holder has been charged with or convicted of a crime. Democrats questioned why Republicans would promote lowering professional standards.
SB 402 authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to waive any requirement of the laws relating to the discharge of pollutants into the waters of the state for research projects that evaluate “advanced
agricultural nutrient management tools.”
As the night wears on, Rep Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva) takes over the gavel from Speaker Pro Tem Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) as Rep Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc) looks on.
SB 409 is a major overhaul to the worker’s compensation law in terms of benefits, process and administration.
SB 422 increases the legal length limits for trucks. Registering against the bill, the United Transportation Union said, “This will divert rail traffic to highways, increase risk to the public, and accelerate infrastructure repairs.” Anti-mining activists note that this eases the way for the road transportation of massive strip mining equipment.
SB 429 regulates the sale of portable electronics insurance coverage.
SB 474 requires the Department of Health Services to create a “financial record matching program” for Medical Assistance applicants and recipients for whom asset verification is required. Financial institutions must share information with DHS about the bank balances of MA applicants. Just the latest skirmish in the war on poor people.
Wisconsin Citizens Media Cooperative 
Mad e me sick and angry, no matter the amendment, the vote was nearly always 60 yea 33 nay. All th Republicans looked fat and lazy too.
Rep. Endsley told me that the issues are all very simple, but the democrats try to make them seem more complicated to confuse people. I informed him that I found several of the issues to be very complicated. He really didn’t have a good answer to that.