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Lawmaker condemns condoms in budget

May 28, 2009 By

Democratic legislators are accused of promoting sexual promiscuity among teens. Looks like teenage boys from low income families in Wisconsin will soon be getting free condoms. Majority Democrats have approved that as part of the state budget bill they're working on. West Bend Republican Glenn Grothman says it sends a bad message. "The state, through Planned Parenthood, is trying to become the confidant of 16 year olds, and encouraging them to become sexually promiscuous," charges Grothman.

"Under normal circumstances, this is the parent's domain," continues Grothman. "It's not up to the state of Wisconsin to behind the parent's back, and give condoms or birth control pills to freshmen in high school."

 

The state has already been providing free birth control to 15 year old girls. "Obviously the message, if the state is encouraging Planned Parenthood to get in the schools and put 15 year old girls on the pill, or give condoms to 15 year old boys, is that you are expected to be sexually promiscuous once you get to high school." Girls from low income families have had the free birth control for several years, now males aged 15 to 44 would also be covered, if the measure makes it into the final state budget.

AUDIO: John Colbert reports (:35 MP3)

Filed Under: Politics & Government

Packers sign CB Williams

May 28, 2009 By

The Green Bay Packers have signed exclusive rights free agent cornerback Tramon Williams to a one-year contract.

Williams played in all 16 games last season, including 9 starts, in his second season in the league.  Williams established career highs last season in tackles (52), interceptions (5) and passes defensed (14).

 

Filed Under: Green Bay Packers

Worker injured at WPS plant

May 28, 2009 By

A employee at the Wisconsin Public Service Weston power plant near Wausau was injured Thursday morning. WPS says one of three coal mills at the Weston Power Plant Unit 2 over pressurized. "Explosion is not the correct word," says spokeswoman Kelly Zagrzebski. "We had an overpressurization of the equipment."

Zagrzebski says one worker suffered minor injuries, and was taken to a medical facility for treatment. The extent of the employee's injury is not known. Zagrzebski says crews are looking into what happened. Zagrzebski says the incident did not interrupt service to customers. The Weston power plant is located in Rothschild, just south of Wausau.

AUDIO: Matt Lehman reports (:30 MP3)

Filed Under: Human Interest

Police union backs hike on phone fees

May 28, 2009 By

The state's largest police union is applauding the Governor and legislative leaders' plan to raise cell phone 911 surcharges by $.75 a month. Jim Palmer, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association , says with a nearly a $7 billion state budget deficit and shared revenue cuts , "tough times require tough decisions." He says by redeploying the 911 money, policy makers will ensure the quality of public safety is not diminished and fire fighters and police officers do not lose their jobs.

Critics of the plan say it is essentially a tax increase that along with other fee increases, will cause Wisconsinites to fork over $100 million over the next two years.

The legislature's budget writing committee will take up a proposal as early as Thursday.

AUDIO: Brian Moon reports (MP3 :50)

Filed Under: Crime & Courts

Union overwhelmingly approves GM contract

May 28, 2009 By

The majority of local union workers voted to support the contract agreement between General Motors and UAW Local 95. Local 95 President Andy Richardson says it's a step in the right direction toward bringing a new product to Janesville's idle plant but doesn't want to give people “false hope.”

An overwhelming 84% of Local 95 members voted in favor of a new deal with the automaker. Richardson calls that the “silver lining” in an agreement that allows a limited amount of supplemental benefits. There are some employee placement language where people can be forced to move but the pension for retirees is unchanged. The union leader says if GM moves to bankruptcy he hopes the pensions remain untouched.

Richardson says it's been a roller coaster ride for GM workers in Janesville with a new challenge every day. He says now the union has to be patient and wait to see what happens next.

AUDIO: Andy Richardson (MP3 :26)

Filed Under: Business, Top Story
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