| Retired Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin |
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Legislative Report October 2009 In a surprising move, Governor Jim Doyle announced he would not be seeking a third term as Governor in late July. There has been speculations in the past that Doyle would leave the Governorship for a position in the Obama administration. Doyle said at his announcement that he would stay on as governor until the end of his term, January 2011. This leaves a wide-open field in the Democratic primary. Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton has announced her intention to run for Governor. It was thought that the Rep. Ron Kind (D-La Crosse) would run, but he has announced he will not seek the Governorship in 2010. There is speculation that Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett will seek the Democratic nomination again. he has indicated he will make a decision by the end of October. Also taking a look at a possible run is the head of the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) Mark O'Connell. He is certainly not a household word among voters but is well know throughout the state among coutny officials. O'Connell has been with WCA for 20 years, serving the past 5 years as executive director. The major Republicans had already announced they were running for Governor: Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and former Rep. Mark Neumann. Other Republicans could enter the race now that there is no sitting Governor. The 2010 election is very crucial because reapportionment of state and congressional boundaries will be a major item for the 2011 legislative session. The fall session of the State Legislature began in carnest of Sept 15th and will continue until early November. In their first week alone several significant pieces of legislation were passed ranging from wind energy to electronic recycling. Drunk driving legislation psased the State Assembly but still has to be considered by the State Senate. Primary focus is on the question of how many DUI's should there be before a drunk driver is charged with a felony. The Assembly legislation sets it after four; it is now five. Some proponents want a felony charged after three violations. Once the fall session concludes on November 5th, the Legislature will not return until January 19,2010. |
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