Town Counsel News
See what’s happening at Town Counsel Law & Litigation, LLC
How long do we have to respond to an open records request?
The law says that responses to record requests must be given “as soon as practicable and without delay.” Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4). This definition leaves much room for interpretation. Wisconsin Executive Order #189 requires that a response be made within ten working days...
read moreAre you wearing a mask right now?
Gov. Tony Evers has issued an emergency order requiring all individuals to wear face coverings when indoors and not in their home. The Order takes effect on August 1st and is set to expire September 28. There are few exceptions to the Order. An FAQ on the Order is...
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Transportation Utility Fees
Wisconsin’s rural roads are among the most deteriorated in the country. Municipalities statewide have struggled to find a long-term solution to road funding. One option gaining interest is the implementation of a transportation utility fee. This week, the League of...
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DOA Routes to Recovery: Local Government Aid Grants
On Wednesday, Governor Evers announced the "Routes to Recovery: Local Government Aid Grants." Grant eligibility is purportedly based on population and COVID related expenditures. To learn more, please visit the Department of Administration's website at:...
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Table of Current WI Executive and Emergency Orders
The Wisconsin Legislative Council has issued the following table which summarizes the current status of COVID-19 related executive and emergency orders. For example, while Safer at Home Order has expired, the temporary ban on evictions and foreclosures remains. Read...
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COVID-19 Local Emergency Declarations
In response to yesterday’s Wisconsin Supreme Court decision, county health officials across the state have acted to implement localized emergency orders. Many of these orders continue to place restrictions on travel, limit the reopening of non-essential businesses...
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Clarification on Confusion from the WI Attorney General
Below is a link to a message from the Wisconsin Attorney General on the impact of the Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision on Safer at Home restrictions. Click here to read: AG...
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What Now? WI-SC Overturns Safer At Home
The Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a 4-3 decision striking down Executive Order #28, which previously extended a ban on non-essential travel and required non-essential businesses to remain closed through May 26. The decision allows for the immediate reopening of...
read moreUpdate for our Municipal Clients on Safe at Home Order
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed an order this morning closing what state officials have determined are “non-essential businesses.” The Order will remain in effect until April 24, 2020, or until a superseding order is issued. Exempted from the mandatory closing...
read moreCheck out these other helpful resources:
Wisconsin Towns Association
Provides education, legal information, and grassroots legislative advocacy to empower and inspire members to lead in their communities.
League of Wisconsin Municipalities
The League was created to help Wisconsin cities and villages share ideas and learn from one another, to train and provide information to the people elected and appointed to govern those cities and villages, and to advocate on their behalf with the Wisconsin Legislature, Governor and state agencies.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Local Government Center
Helps local government officials build their capacity to govern.
Town Counsel Law & Litigation has provided links to (but not official endorsement of) these resources as they may be helpful to Wisconsin municipalities and their representatives.
