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Nov. 17, 2009

Wisconsin Politics

Barrett-Walker race could set off political shuffle: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 16, 2009. Mayor makes his gubernatorial bid official.

Walker uses veto to revive spending cuts, privatization: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 16, 2009. He called his vetoes "surgical" and said they were designed to avoid a tax levy increase for next year.

Barrett says he’s healed, ready to run for governor: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 14, 2009. Injury, mayoral work delayed decision.

Candidates put area back on political map: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 14, 2009. It's the possible Barrett-Walker confrontation that gives the race a potential historic twist.

Economic Development

Factory production dips; wholesale inflation muted: Racine Journal Times, Nov. 17, 2009. Factory production declined in October, signaling that consumers and businesses remain cautious in their spending and suggesting a sluggish economic recovery.

Issue No. 1: Economy: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 16, 2009. With two area candidates in the race, it's likely Milwaukee issues won't be ignored. But topping any must-debate list must be helping Wisconsinites in this sour economy.

Local bills passed to support local business, save taxpayer dollars: Ashland Daily Press, Nov. 16, 2009. Proposals made by Jauch and Sherman signed into law by Doyle.

Bill aims to boost businesses: Stevens Point Journal, Nov. 15, 2009. A comprehensive job creation package drafted by two central Wisconsin legislators would provide a collective $2 million in grants to businesses that reopen shuttered manufacturing plants.

Oshkosh awaits Army contract review: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 15, 2009. As Oshkosh Corp. engages in one of the most impressive military-vehicle production efforts since World War II, questions remain about whether the company will keep a $3 billion contract to build trucks for the Army.

Study prompts questions for candidates (opinion): La Crosse Tribune, Nov. 13, 2009. Lumping Wisconsin in with California - hands down the state with the biggest problem on its hands - gave Wisconsin officials easy cover: "We're not really in that category." Yet.

Lawmakers say while budget woes persist, economy hopeful: Chippewa Herald, Nov. 13, 2009. Wisconsin’s Assembly Speaker and a local state representative are decidedly optimistic about the state’s prospects for recovery, despite the difficult economic times.

Gates praises Oshkosh Corp. workers' 'amazing display of industry': Oshkosh Northwestern, Nov. 13, 2009. Praised Oshkosh Corp. workers for their efforts to quickly produce and ship the next generation of armored troop trucks.

Recovery news feels premature (opinion): Wausau Daily Herald, Nov. 13, 2009. Just as we were starting to think we finally had turned a corner comes news that Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co. is laying off 334 workers.

Doyle signs bill extending Racine TIF district: Racine Journal Times, Nov. 12, 2009. The lawmakers say extending the life of the TIF district will boost job creation and redevelopment along Lake Michigan.

Fiscal tricks put Wis. in precarious spot (opinion): Monroe Times, Nov. 12, 2009. Fiscal management and economic development are likely to be, and must be, the top issues in the 2010 gubernatorial and legislative campaigns.

Wisconsin budget rated in worst 10: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 11, 2009. Think tank report sees trouble ahead for states.

Energy

Wisconsin Supreme Court denies Calumet County wind turbine review: Appleton Post-Crescent, Nov. 17, 2009. The state Supreme Court on Friday denied Calumet County's petition for review of an appeals court decision that invalidated the county's wind turbine rules. The ordinance dictated setbacks and maximum heights and sound levels for all turbine construction within its zoning jurisdiction.

Solar energy field remains strong in Wisconsin: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 16, 2009. Except for California and Texas, Wisconsin is the only state with two cities - Milwaukee and Madison - in the national Solar America Cities program.

Green building puts some in the red: The Daily Reporter, Nov. 13, 2009. Wisconsin Public Service Corp. is considering furloughs and layoffs to offset declining revenue yet still supports green construction that will cut into demand for the utility’s electricity.

Electric rates to amp up on Jan. 1: Business Week, Nov. 13, 2009. PSC approves increase short of utility's proposal.

We Energies to raise rates: Janesville Gazette, Nov. 13, 2009. The three-member state Public Service Commission approved a $90 million price increase that will raise bills for the typical customer by about $6 a month.

Reduced rate hike approved for We Energies: Milwaukee Business Journal, Nov. 12, 2009. We Energies has been cleared by state regulators to raise its electric rates by $90 million, less than half of what the Milwaukee utility requested.

PSC to rule on We Energies price increase plan: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 11, 2009.

Environment

Creating two-headed monster no solution (opinion): La Crosse Tribune, Nov. 17, 2009. It’s apparently time to start over - with another attempt at truly restoring that appointment authority to the citizen board.

Hearings on rules affecting shoreland properties are a moment to take a stand, opponents say: Wisconsin State Journal Nov. 16, 2009. The project, known as the Dane County Waterbody Classification Initiative, is intended to protect Dane County's waterways from the impacts of development.

Legislation would put end to burying garbage in backyards: Marshfield News Herald, Nov. 15, 2009. Updating rules would help environment.

DNR abandons attempt to regulate within 1,000 feet of lakes: The Lakeland Times, Nov. 13, 2009. No horizontal expansion allowed within 75-foot setback.

Education

New MPS plan limits mayor: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 17, 2009. Under Grigsby-Coggs proposal, School Board still would pick superintendent.

Outlook grim for schools: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 14, 2009. Reports chart growing economic ills for state schools.

Health

State group launches database to assess health care quality, costs: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 16, 2009. A 4-year-old collaborative effort to collect data from Wisconsin's insurers, hospitals, major employers and others has launched a database that can be used to analyze health systems' performance.

National health plan might mirror Wisconsin: Wausau Daily Herald, Nov. 15, 2009. Despite eligibility, 500,000 remain without coverage.

State Senator Judy Robson supports nursing survey: Janesville Gazette, Nov. 15, 2009. State Senator Judy Robson of Beloit says in an effort to paint a clearer picture of the current and future labor market in the profession, registered nurses in Wisconsin will be required to complete a confidential survey.

Transportation

Lawmaker seeks northern road money: The Daily Reporter, Nov. 16, 2009. A state lawmaker wants an unknown amount of leftover stimulus money for unspecified road projects in northern Wisconsin.

Other

Markup law gobbles discounts (opinion): Wisconsin State Journal, Nov. 16, 2009. Lawmakers should dump Wisconsin's minimum markup law so consumers can enjoy more discounts throughout the year.