Economics
Farmers say Budget Damages Farm Research, Schools and Conservation Input – By State Senator Kathleen Vinehout
“It’s very important that we are here today,” the farmer from Independence told me. “In fact, it’s more important that we be here than anywhere else.” Here was in my Capitol office. Local farmers were visiting as part of Ag Day at the Capitol.
The weather that day was dry and warm. It was perfect for getting early spring chores done. Instead, these farmers drove hundreds of miles to meet with their legislators.
They were on a mission to change parts of the state budget that hurt rural communities. The first thing on their mind – in every group that ...
Divide and Conquer Works in Wisconsin
This week Wisconsin became a right to work state. This was a “given” when reactionary Republicans took control of state government.
Legislation to eliminate prevailing wages is next. These laws require public contractors to compete by having better management or efficiency, not just lower wages. This is another attack on unions and the public good.
Ironically, this week the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a campaign finance reform advocacy group, released figures on union contributions to Governor Walker. Unions representing engineers, police, firefighters, ...
“RIGHT TO WORK” – FOR LESS
The following is the text of a speech given by Fred Andrist at a press event against “Right to Work” on March 4, 2015, in Wausau, WI. Mr. Andrist was a teacher for 21 years, 15 of those in Rib Lake northwest of Wausau, a Public School Employees Union Rep for 18 years in Menomonie and Rhinelander, a former President of Statewide Staff Union for six years, a Proud Union Member for 33 years, and a member of the North Central Labor Coalition centered in Oneida County. Fred recently retired.
There is a lot to dislike about the “Right to Work” (RTW) for less. For ...
WILL LINCOLN’S AMERICA PERISH FROM THE EARTH?
By: Scott Erlenborn
Over 230 year ago America’s founding father’s brought forth upon this continent a new nation that was conceived in liberty and dedicated in blood; a government of the people, by the people and for the people that thus far has not perished from this Earth. Just as this noble experiment was put to the test during Abraham Lincoln’s tenure, it is now being put to the test by those that call themselves Lincoln’s Party. It is being put to the test by those who would seek to replace our great democracy with a corporate plutocracy, a government of ...
BUDGET PROPOSAL ELIMINATES LOCAL ASSESSMENT AND INCREASES COST WISCONSIN TOWNS ASSOCIATION “LOSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AND YOU WILL LOSE AMERICA”
The following talking points regarding proposals in Governor Scott Walker’s budget to remove local control of property assessment are reprinted from Wisconsin Towns Association Executive Director Mike Koles. Please visit the Wisconsin Towns Association website to learn more about how this proposal will not only be harmful and expensive for towns and counties, but also undermines local government and control.
Despite overwhelming opposition in 2009 under Governor Doyle, the Department of Revenue (DOR) is once again proposing an upheaval of the generally very ...
Economic Development $$$ Grow – Public Oversight Shrinks – By Senator Kathleen Vinehout
Senator Kathleen Vinehout
“I’ve heard about the cuts,” the Buffalo County man said. “But this budget spends more. Who’s getting more money?”
Folks are concerned about big cuts to the UW; cuts to local schools; scaling back of health programs for the disabled; public radio and TV losing state support.
But the new budget spends $3 billion more than the last. Where is that money going?
One place to look is the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Despite its name, WEDC is a part of state government; in fiscal year 2012-13 it receive...
Potential Impact on Environmental Education of the Proposed FY 2016 & 2017 Budget
Information provided by Jeremy Solin, Director (interim) of the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education at UWSP:
The infrastructure of environmental education in Wisconsin is in jeopardy. The proposed Wisconsin state budget affects the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education, the Department of Public Instruction Environmental Education Consultant position, and the Wisconsin Environmental Education Board.
Environmental education inspires people to pursue STEM-related careers in science, technology, environmental management, engineering, natural resources, ...
HOW DO WE FORGET?
How do we forget over two hundred years of the Wisconsin dream? How do we look at what our fathers and mothers bequeathed us, and throw it all away for the promise of more jobs, or less taxes? Are we so much less than previous generations that we can throw out any measure of the ideal we expect for our children and our children's children? I am asking these questions of my neighbors and fellow statesmen, because that is exactly what Scott Walker is asking us to do with his current budget proposal.
In one fiscal proposal the governor is asking us to dump the Wisconsin ...
WALKER’S SHALLOWNESS
A letter to the editor
Oh what a difference a week can make in the lives of people in the news. If you doubt me, check with newscaster Brian William, former Olympian athlete Chris Jenner, Or, closer to home, Gov. Scott Walker. At least Jenner wasn’t caught lying, but rather being honest.
The last week of January was good to Walker. His speech to conservative and reactionary Iowans went over well though, of course, he was preaching to the choir. But then came his February 1 interview with ABC’s Martha Raddatz, who quizzed him on foreign affairs matters, and his ...
WHAT’S IN IT FOR THEM?
The power of money in politics is on our minds these days, especially since the Koch brothers just announced that they will be spending almost a BILLION dollars on the 2016 election.
What’s in it for the Koch brothers? To bypass party politics altogether.
Why? To govern on their terms.
What would that mean? In 1980, David Koch ran for vice president on the Libertarian ticket. The party platform answers this question. Here are a few excerpts:
Repeal federal campaign finance laws, and abolish the Federal Election Commission.
Abolish Medicare and Medicaid....
