Tuesday, May 21, 2013
For Republican lieutenant governor, the biggest battle isn't in the state Capitol - it's dealing with the every day challenges that come with being a parent.
About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains. Rebecca Kleefisch is the highest ranking woman in Wisconsin politics today, having been elected twice to the office of lieutenant governor. She is Gov. Scott Walker's point person business creation in the state and is a sought after speaker on conservative values. She has also battled colon cancer during her first run for office and is an advocate for early screenings, like the one that made her fight against the disease easier to overcome. But it is not the political campaign or the fight over cancer that …
Monday, April 29, 2013
Documentary "Citizen Koch" and book by Journal Sentinel reporters have differing takes on 2011 battle between unions and Gov. Scott Walker.
As the dust settles on the epic battles over union rights for public workers in Wisconsin, two new major works aim to put these events into perspective. The first is “Citizen Koch,” a documentary by award-winning filmmakers Carl Deal and Tia Lessin. It aired at the Sundance Film Festival in January and the Wisconsin Film Festival this month. The second is “More Than They Bargained For,” a book by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporters Jason Stein and Patrick Marley, published by the University of Wisconsin Press. Both recount how newly elected Gov. Scott Walker in February 2011 “dropped the bomb” (his words) regarding his plan to largely end the collective bargaining rights of most state and local public employees. “Citizen Koch” frames …
Saturday, April 27, 2013
An analysis shows the UW system sitting on nearly half a billion dollars in extra tuition. Officials say they need it for future projects.
The University of Wisconsin system is under fire from both parties in the state Legislature after a Legislative Fiscal Bureau report showed it had $650 million in reserve — including $414 million in tuition reserves — despite annual tuition increases of more than 5 percent. Gov. Scott Walker is now considering a change to the $181 million planned for the UW system in the biennial budget, and whispers of a tuition freeze imposed by the Legislature are percolating. But UW officials say the surplus — about 25 percent of the operating budget — is in line with recommended practices, according to Madison.com, and less than Minnesota and Illinois keep. And the College Board says Wisconsin’s public-school tuition is still lower than Midwestern …
Thursday, April 25, 2013
A lawsuit filed by unions representing Madison teachers and city of Milwaukee employees over the state's collective bargaining law may be headed to the State Supreme Court.
A state appeals court is urging the Wisconsin State Supreme Court to take on an Act 10 lawsuit filed by two unions, which challenged the constitutionality of the collective bargaining limitations Gov. Scot Walker imposed on almost all public unions in 2010. The Supreme Court could take the case without waiting for an Appeals Court decision, but whether is does so is at the high court's discretion. If the Supreme Court doesn’t take the case, then the Appeals Court would need to take it. A certification filed by a panel of three judges from the 4th District Court of Appeals, asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to take the case because “a number of public unions have filed suits against municipalities over Act 10 provisions, which have left …
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Speculation aside, Larry Sabato, a well-known political scientist lays out his argument for Gov. Scott Walker being a top-tier candidate for Republican nomination for president in 2016.
The signs that Gov. Scott Walker is laying the groundwork for a possible presidential run are clear, but still speculative. And that speculation may be intensifying as Larry Sabato, a well-known political scientist, has declared Walker a top-tier candidate for Republican nominee for president in 2016 — right up there with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. Walker is writing a book about his governorship, which may become a resume of sorts and is planning to address conservatives in Iowa at the invitation of Gov. Terry Branstad in May. He also was one of the key speakers at the Conservative Political Action Conference in March. And, according to Politico, “he wouldn’t commit to serving throughout a second four-…
Friday, April 19, 2013
Governor Scott Walker and state legislative leaders call for tuition freeze at the University of Wisconsin after hearing the unexpected news.
A recent financial review of the UW System found a $1 billion surplus, and state lawmakers are furious. According to a story on Wispolitics.com, a review by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau discovered the overage. UW officials told the bureau that a good chunk of that money comes from the federal government for specific purposes and another healthy slice is from gifts. Still, that leaves almost $650 million in university system coffers, some $414 million from tuition alone. GOP leaders in Madison — including Joint Finance Co-Chairs Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) — issued a statement shortly after they received the LFB's report, taking UW officials to task over what they said is "gross mismanagement of …
Monday, April 15, 2013
State Republican leaders held a press conference at Steelwind Industries to criticize federal taxes and highlight their work to decrease state taxes.
Republican leaders criticized federal tax increases and touted their efforts to lower the state tax burden at a press conference in Oak Creek on the last day people have to file taxes without an extension. Speaking at Steelwind Industries, 7550 S. 10th St., state GOP Vice Chairman Brian Schimming said the federal government should take a cue from Wisconsin in addressing tax issues. "The Legislature has set out a course here where they would address these issues head-on and not hide behind them," Schimming said. State lawmakers and Gov. Scott Walker are pushing for an income tax cut worth about $300 million, though how much savings the average person would see has been debated and remains to be seen. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald …
Monday, April 8, 2013
With the school district facing a deficit Assistant Superintendent for Finance Keith Brightman and School Board Treasurer Glen Allgaier expressed their concerns at the Joint Finance Committee hearing on the state budget.
Elmbrook School District representatives expressed their concerns to lawmakers for the need of long-term planning for public education, reported Brookfield NOW. Representatives, which included Assistant Superintendent for Finance Keith Brightman and School Board Treasurer Glen Allgaier, spoke at the Joint Finance Committee hearing on the state budget held Thursday at Greendale High School. The hearing was the first of four being held around the state to give residents the chance to have their say on Gov. Scott Walker’s 2013-15 budget. After the hearings, the committee will vote on any changes before sending their version on to the Assembly and Senate. Allgaier said he presented data that show how over the last decade funding for public …
Friday, April 5, 2013
A woman, who has lived with multiple sclerosis, asked lawmakers for additional funding so that people with disabilities have a better chance to live in a community rather than an institution.
A Brookfield woman who has lived with multiple sclerosis for the past 35 years asked lawmakers for additional funding for long-term health care and public transportation. Roxan Perez said that her condition has taken her from not walking at all to being institutionalized for periods of time, which is why budget cuts to long-term care and transit are a huge concern for her and her peers. Perez spoke at the Joint Finance Committee hearing on the state budget held Thursday at Greendale High School. The hearing was the first of four being held around the state to give residents the chance to have their say on Gov. Scott Walker’s 2013-15 budget. After the hearings, the committee will vote on any changes before sending their version on to the …
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Trace-A-Matic is a 2013 Business Friends of Education Winner, according to State Superintendent Tony Evers.
A Brookfield company already acknowledged by Gov. Scott Walker for its growth is now being recognized by State Superintendent Tony Evers for an educational partnership. Trace-A-Matic is receiving one of nine 2013 Business Friends of Education awards from the state. The awards “recognize projects that collaborate in educating students and providing critical career readiness skills,” according to a release. The company, which specializes in integrated precision machining, has developed partnerships with Elmbrook School District and Waukesha County Technical College, according to the announcement of the award. Bryan Orbst, the company’s human resources corporate recruiter, organizes and works at career fairs, speaks at the Manufacturing …
Walker
10:33 am on Wednesday, May 1, 2013
They are afraid to leave their bubble. more ›