February 12, 2012

You are here: Home / 2009 / September / Archives for 1st

Contribution disparity on DNR bill

September 1, 2009 By

It looks as if opponents to a change in how the state’s Department of Natural Resources secretary is picked have deep pockets. Mike McCabe with the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign says Governor Jim Doyle has received over $4 million in campaign contributions, from opponents of a bill to return selection of the DNR secretary to the Natural Resources Board, while backers of the measure have donated a little over $17,000.

“The people who like things exactly the way they are have given $241 for every dollar that people who support this change have given,” notes McCabe. Of that total, McCabe says more than two million dollars is from the construction and real estate industries

The Assembly Natural Resources Committee is scheduled to vote on the bill Wednesday. Governor Doyle, once a supporter of the idea, has recently reversed course and now favors keeping the DNR post as a cabinet level, gubernatorial appointee. “Now that the governor’s not running for reelection, that might embolden the legislature to actually attempt an override (of a Doyle veto), because they wouldn’t have to worry about embarrassing the governor,” says McCabe.

AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (:60 MP3)

Filed Under: Politics & Government

Cigarette tax hike a bittersweet victory

September 1, 2009 By

Cigarettes will cost more in Wisconsin starting today. The hike is bitter sweet for an anti-tobacco group. Rock County Youth2youth Director Debbie Fischer calls the tax increase a “positive” move in curbing smoking but has issue with tobacco control dollars being slashed 55-percent in the state budget. Tobacco control goes to prevention programs and helping people kick the habit.

At $2.52 a pack, Wisconsin’s cigarette tax is now the fifth-highest in the country, and the highest among its neighbors. Illinois has the lowest cigarette tax among neighboring states but Fischer doesn’t believe the price difference will prompt many people to drive there for cheaper smokes. She adds adult smokers ready to quit only buy a pack at a time while kid smokers, who are not as mobile, rely on local outlets.

Groups that represent gas stations and grocery stores say the tax hike will reduce their non-fuel sales by 25-to-40 percent. Also, cigarettes are not the only tobacco products going up today. The tax on chewing tobacco is now 100-percent of the wholesale price. Cigars, pipe tobacco, and other such products will have their tax jump from 50-percent to 71-percent of wholesale.

AUDIO: Brian Moon reports (MP3 :60)

Beth Wheelock-WCLO contributed to this report

Filed Under: Business, Politics & Government

Mercury meeting with union for “clarification”

September 1, 2009 By

A glimmer of hope as Mercury Marine issues a statement that it will meet with Midwest Territory representatives of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. The company issued a brief statement last night referring to uncertainty surrounding voting on proposed contract changes and said the two sides have agreed to meet to quote, “bring clarity to the communications regarding the unchanged “best and final” proposal.

Meanwhile frustration continued yesterday over a second vote being taken at the Machinists Lodge 1947 as a ballot box is removed and petitions for the vote are taken about four hours before voting was due to end. Re-vote organizer Fred Toth says their local union leaders fought hard to get the second vote. Toth says the union blamed the company for taking the proposal off the table. More than 500 union workers had voted prior to the removal of the ballot box.

AUDIO: Toth on company and union leadership (MP3 :15)

Contributed by Bob Nelson-KFIZ

Filed Under: Business, Economy

Obey phoning for health care reform

September 1, 2009 By

Congressman David Obey’s office said over 13-thousand people heard at least part of his health care forum on the telephone last night. The Wausau Democrat spent an hour with residents throughout his 20-county district in central and northern Wisconsin. And while critics accused of Obey of avoiding a hostile crowd like those seen at other forums, the lawmaker said the phone conference was the best way to reach folks from such a large area. And his office said it was arranged before the controversy erupted over the town hall gatherings.

A number of people had their say. A woman from Dorchester wanted to know how Congress would pay for a public health-care option – and a Medford man said he didn’t trust Washington to do the job right. Another caller worried that his company would drop health benefits, and force him and others into the public plan. Obey reminded the caller of a proposed eight-percent tax penalty for companies which do that.

He also urged people to learn as much as possible about the various proposals – find out what’s best for them and their families – and don’t oppose an idea just because it’s from the wrong side of the political aisle.

AUDIO: Dave Obey (MP3 :27)

Contributed by Mike Warren-WDLB

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, Politics & Government

Feds hang up on robo calls

September 1, 2009 By

The federal government disconnects robo calls.

Got robo calls? As of today, the FTC hangs up on telemarketers who make pre-recorded solicitations to individual consumers, regardless of whether they’ve signed up to any no call registry, unless the consumer has given written permission to receive such automated messages.

Several exceptions to the federal law include banks, telecommunications companies, politicians, charitable organizations, surveys, and debt collection. Also, folks will continue to get informational messages — such as delivery notifications, flight updates, or school cancellations. But Jon Leibowitz, Chairman of the FTC says “The bombardment of such prerecorded pitches, senseless solicitations, and malicious marketing is now illegal.”

Violators could be fined up to $16,000 per robo call. The new rule only outlaws calls to consumers, not businesses. To file a complaint, call 888-382-1222 or visit www.donotcall.gov

Jackie Johnson report (1:25 mp3)

Filed Under: Business, Miscellaneous
Next Page »