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Bill would allow felons ‘on paper’ to vote

August 27, 2009 By

Should convicted felons ‘on paper’ – who’ve been released on probation or parole - be allowed to vote? State Representative Tamara Grigsby is author of legislation that would do that. Grigsby asked, “Why would we not want encourage public participation? Why would we not want to encourage people to exercise their right to vote?”

AUDIO: State Rep. Tamara Grigsby (:25 MP3)

Testifying in favor of the bill, Jimmy Davidson of Madison, who served thirteen years in Wisconsin prisons. “Jimmy Gene Davidson and other people similarly situated should not be apart from society, they should be a part of society,” said Davidson. “Voting makes me a part of society.”

Wisconsin barred convicted felons from voting in 1964, but Grigsby says there’s now a nationwide trend to restore the franchise to those who’ve served their time. Currently, felons released on probation and parole are not allowed to vote. Given the racial disparities among Wisconsin’s prison population, Grigsby said the disenfranchisement falls along racial lines. “Felony disenfranchisement laws are rooted in the Jim Crow era, and were intended to bar minorities from voting,”

Grigsby, a Milwaukee Democrat, told the Assembly Committee on Corrections and the Courts that it’s ironic, the type of responsible civic behavior which society encourages of ex-convicts is barred to them in the case of voting.

Filed Under: Crime & Courts

Tolzien gets the nod for the Badgers at QB

August 27, 2009 By

scott-tolzien-edit1Wisconsin Badger football coach Bret Bielema released his 2009 depth chart for the upcoming season today.  Junior Scott Tolzien (pictured) gets the starting nod at quarterback over redshirt freshman Curt Phillips.  Senior Dustin Sherer, who was at the top of the depth chart going into training camp, fell all the way to third.

AUDIO: Bret Bielema has no problem playing 2 QB’s :18

Junior Zach Brown won the tailback job over Racine native John Clay.  Weight has been an issue for Clay, who is listed at 248 lbs.  He’s still expected to get plenty of carries for the Badgers this season.

Wisconsin opens the 2009 season at home against Northern Illinois on September 5th.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: ,

No second vote for Mercury Marine workers

August 27, 2009 By

There won’t be a second vote by manufacturing employees at Mercury Marine on proposed contract changes.

That word from Machinists Local 1947 President Mark Zillges (Thursday) afternoon. Zillges said he couldn’t comment further and referred reporters to the District 10 office in Milwaukee for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and two union representatives there.

Russell Krings, who was out front during the negotiations with Mercury officials in Fond du Lac during the past several weeks said, “I’m not going to comment” and hung up the phone when contacted by KFIZ.

Another District 10 representative wasn’t available for comment.

Earlier in the day, union officials said in order to stage a second vote there would need to be substantial changes to the contract offer, which didn’t materialize during a meeting with Mercury President Mark Schwabero (SCHWAB-uh-roh) Tuesday.

Mercury’s “last, best, and final offer” is on the table through midnight Saturday. Efforts to keep the Mercury corporate headquarters in Fond du Lac continue.

AUDIO: Bob Nelson reports (MP3 1:03)

Contributed by KFIZ’s Bob Nelson.

Filed Under: Business

Mercury union researches second vote

August 27, 2009 By

The question on a lot of minds seems to be if Mercury Marine’s employees union will take a second vote on proposed contract changes. Machinist’s Local 1947 chief negotiator Dan Longsine says he’s researching whether the union can do that. A meeting with company president Mark Schwabero Tuesday failed to produce any changes in the proposal, which was voted down by union members last Sunday.

Usually the union needs changes to a contract if membership already voted on it before a second vote can be cast. Longsine says more than 70 percent of those voting Sunday turned down proposed concessions. However he says some members are having second thoughts and many are expecting a second vote. Schwabero says the company is forging ahead with plans to move manufacturing jobs to Stillwater, Oklahoma, but if union members approve the contract changes they would keep operations in Fond du Lac. The contract offer is good through midnight Saturday.

City officials forged an incentive package Wednesday night designed to keep Mercury Marine’s corporate headquarters in Fond du Lac, but still harbor hopes that manufacturing jobs will stay as well. City Council President Tim Lakin says residents he’s spoken with are disappointed that the union voted down the company’s proposed contract changes Sunday.

AUDIO: Tim Lakin (MP3 :15)

Veteran City Councilman Jim Nintzel says if Mercury leaves Fond du Lac it will have devastating financial impacts on taxes, water bills and more. The County Board will work on an incentive package tonight.

Contributed by Bob Nelson-KFIZ

Filed Under: Business, Economy

Kagen speaks to health reform backers

August 27, 2009 By

More than 400 people turned out for a rally in Northeast Wisconsin supporting health care reform. Congressman Steve Kagen compared the “public option” to having public and private schools, which he says works pretty well for the education system.

“I think Steve’s done a very good job in handling all the pressure and the controversies surrounding this matter,” said Jay Kopplin. Another person in attendance, Judy Vogel, said health care reform is “very important.”

The Appleton Democrat said supporters can’t miss this opportunity to create a competitive and transparent system. He said federal lawmakers are still doing some fine tuning to the proposal as the bill is written in “invisible ink right now.”

AUDIO: Steve Kagen (MP3 :15)

The AFL-CIO hosted the Thursday event on the UW-Green Bay campus.

Contributed by Mike Kemmeter-WHBY

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, Politics & Government
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