1.  Legislature passes Impartial Justice and Independent DNR Secretary bills

2.  Supreme Court hears challenge to marriage amendment; League sumitted an amicus brief

3.  UW-Madison reports that students are still involved in politics a year after the 2008 election

Yesterday the state Senate passed SB 40, the Impartial Justice bill which provides for public financing of Supreme Court elections.  The vote was 19-13 with one supporter absent and not voting.  Early this morning the Assembly concurred.  This is a key reform that the League has supported for years.  The bill now goes to Governor Doyle who has indicated he will sign it into law.  Thanks go to the many League members who contacted their senators and representatives about this important legislation. 

The state Senate on a 21-11 vote also concurred on AB 138, which returns authority to appoint the secretary of the DNR to the seven-member Natural Resources Board.  This League-supported bill now goes to Governor Doyle.  A spokesman for Doyle has said he does not know whether the Governor will sign the bill into law. 

The state Supreme Court this week heard arguments regarding a challenge by citizen Bill McConkey to the constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and civil unions.  The 2006 referendum asked voters two questions - whether the state should ban same-sex marriage and whether it should ban similar arrangements, such as civil unions.  Voters didn't have a chance to vote "no" to one part and "yes" to the other.  Attorney General Van Hollen's Office challenged McConkey's standing to raise the issue, because McConkey admitted he would have voted "no" on both parts.  The League submitted an amicus brief supporting McConkey's standing saying that voters have the right to be presented with clear and meaningful choices on the ballot. 

In a separate action, the Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit brought by the conservative group Wisconsin Family Action challenging the domestic partnership protections for same-sex couples and their families that were created as part of the biennial budget.

Finally, UW-Madison reports that students continue to be politically active a year after the Presidential election.  An innovative way they stay informed is through "speed debating." Check it out!

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