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President’s speech draws mixed response

September 9, 2009 By

The reaction struck along party lines, following President Obama’s Wednesday night speech before a joint session of Congress.

U.S. Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) praised the President for delivering a power message on the need to continue working towards reform. The La Crosse Democrat also agreed with Obama’s statements that any plan approved by Congress must be able to support itself.

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) applauded the President for trying to “confront the lies being spread by those who oppose all efforts at reform.”

In a statement, Republican Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) said “The President delivered an articulate speech, but his plan fails to fix what’s broken, and instead breaks what’s working.

U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) agreed with Obama’s resolve to move forward with health care legislation, but added that it’s important to also address the “out-of-control health costs” affecting every American family.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:00)

Filed Under: Politics & Government

Health care, public option debate

September 9, 2009 By

The president addresses a joint session of Congress.

President Barack Obama talks about health care legislation, but the controversial public option plan is not expected to be the focus. Democrat Congressman Steve Kagen of Appleton hints about whether he would support a health care plan that excluded a public option.

“It really is important to define what the public option is going to look like. You know the devil is always in the details.”

Kagen says the goal of having a public option is to have a level playing field to guarantee transparency of medical pricing — promoting competition in the marketplace.

Republican Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner of Menomonee Falls offers his opinion on the President’s decision to address Congress.

“He decided to address Congress rather than addressing the American people from the Oval office and maybe that’s because his handlers have decided he has already lost the debate with the American people.”

Kagen says there’s still a lot of work to do. He’s focusing on fixing what is broken, improving on the good parts, and making sure it’s affordable for everyone.

Jackie Johnson report (1:27)

Filed Under: Health & Medicine

Neumann makes it official – again

September 9, 2009 By
Mark Neumann during Wednesday's on-line press conference

Mark Neumann during Wednesday's on-line press conference

Republican Mark Neumann has officially announced his campaign for governor. More than a month after announcing his candidacy after filing papers with the Elections Division of the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, Neumann conducted an on-line press conference with media from across the state.

The business owner and former Republican congressman says his principal goal as governor will be to attract and retain jobs for Wisconsin. “In order to attract jobs to the state of Wisconsin, we’re going to have to dramatically reduce taxes in the state, and we do that by controlling spending,” says Neumann, who also says he’d cap state government spending at one percent below the rate of inflation. “That would effectively cap how much money is being spent at the state level, and that would create surpluses that we could then use to return to the people in the form of tax cuts. When taxes go down, it’s more likely that businesses and jobs are going to locate here, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Neumann says he’ll also focus on improving K-through-12 public education in Wisconsin, and protecting the environment without harming the state’s business climate. “We need to have the best educated kids in the entire world, and we need to figure out how to reach our environmental goals and objectives, but do it in a way that creates jobs in the state of Wisconsin, instead of causing them to leave our state and our country.”

Neumann’s principal opponent for the Republican nomination is Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, someone Neumann notes has been a politician his entire adult life. “On the other hand, we offer the alternative of having successful political time in office . . . when I was in Congress,” says Neumann. “But also, the private sector job creating experience that we bring with us is something that I think the people of this state are going to look for.”

AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (:45 MP3)

Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With:

Working on suicide prevention

September 9, 2009 By

Rememberance quilt IMAGE: Bob HagueSuicide is a serious public health problem in Wisconsin. In 2006, suicide accounted for 72% of 919 violent deaths in the state. A new focus on suicide prevention aims to keep firearms and prescription medications away from those who may be at risk. Pat Derer is co-founder of HOPES – Helping Others Prevent and Educate About Suicide – and says it’s important to pay attention, and take action quickly.

“If you recognize signs in your loved one, and you know they’re going through some issues, you need to ask them if they’re thinking about suicide, and if they give you a ‘yes’ answer, you need to seek professional help right away,” Derer says.

Gail Scott is a registered nurse with Jefferson County, and says that’s how she was able to help her son P.J., who struggled with depression and had two suicide attempts. “I’m not saying that absolutely every suicide is preventable,” says Scott. “But I do think a lot of them are preventable.”

Derer says Wisconsin had 724 suicides last year, compared to 199 homicides, and the state’s suicide rate remains higher than the national average. Advocates say keeping firearms locked up, and limiting the amount of prescription drugs accessible in the home, can help prevent suicides, which are often impulsive acts.

Suicide Prevention Week is September 7 – 13.

AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (:65 MP3)

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, Human Interest

Packers will go 11-5 and win NFC North

September 9, 2009 By

Dom CapersAfter a 6-10 season in 2008, the Green Bay Packers immediately went to work in the off-season.  They canned their strength and conditioning program to start, getting a fresh change with new strength and conditioning coordinator Dave Redding.  It’s early, but Redding’s program seems to have made a big impact.

The Packers hired a new defensive coordinator in Dom Capers (pictured) and he’s surrounded by a number of new defensive coaches, including former Steelers and Panthers great Kevin Greene and former Carolina defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac, once a defensive assistant with the Packers.

The Packers special teams units were a mess last season and Shawn Slocum has taken over as the teams Special Teams Coordinator to fix that problem.

Throw in a couple of changes on the offensive line and a brand new attitude preaching physical toughness and the Packers are ready to open the season against the Chicago Bears on Sunday night.  [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sports, Titletown Report Tagged With: , ,
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