Impartial Justice hearing today

May 27, 2009 – Two legislative committees will hold a joint public hearing at 2:00 p.m. today on Assembly Bill 65 and Senate Bill 40 – the Impartial Justice bill – in both Madison and Eau Claire.

The bill – long-supported by the State Bar of Wisconsin and sponsored by Representative Gordon Hintz and Senator Pat Kreitlow – would greatly increase public financing for Wisconsin Supreme Court campaigns. Immediate Past President Thomas Basting will testify for the bill on behalf of the State Bar.

The Madison location for the hearing is Room 411 South in the State Capitol. That location will be linked by videoconference with the Eau Claire location, which is Room 1132 of the Old Library (attached to McIntyre Library) at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Members of the public may attend and testify at either location. Members of the two legislative committees – the Assembly Committee on Elections and Campaign Reform and the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing – will also be in attendance at both locations.

Rotunda Report is a new newsletter, issued once every two weeks, from the State Bar of Wisconsin that highlights legislative, judicial and administrative developments that impact the legal profession and the justice system. It is produced by the Bar’s Government Relations Team and is distributed free to attorneys, public officials and others who help shape public policy in Wisconsin. We invite your suggestions to make the Rotunda Report more informative and useful and we encourage you to visit our website for the most current information about justice-related issues.

© 2009, State Bar of Wisconsin