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An Olympic loss

October 2, 2009 By

Dane County Exec. Kathleen FalkChicago loses its Olympic bid, but just being a finalist could still bring benefits to Wisconsin.

If Chicago had won the 2016 games, several cycling events would have been held around Madison. Even though the Windy City lost out to Rio de Janeiro, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk says the build-up was still exciting and has helped to put Wisconsin on the map for cycling. She says have an Olympic stamp of approval on cycling courses in Dane County could attract interest from around the world.

Former Olympian Bonnie Blair joined supporters in Madison to watch Friday’s announcement. She says Chicago being knocked out in the first round of voting was heartbreaking since it means the region won’t get a chance to experience the games first hand.

Blair says Chicago made a strong case for hosting the summer games and shouldn’t doubt the efforts put in to attracting the games.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 :58)

Filed Under: Recreation & Entertainment

Another gun buy bill

October 2, 2009 By

Another bill dealing with illegal guns is proposed at the Capitol. It’s an issue that’s gotten more attention since two Milwaukee police officers were shot this summer, with a gun that had changed hands for forty dollars. State Representative Jon Richards, a Milwaukee Democrat, says the bill creates a new penalty, for those who give or sell guns over to people who aren’t allowed to have guns.

“Someone goes in (to a gun store), buys a gun, has no intention of keeping the gun, and turns it over to someone who shouldn’t be using it, like someone who has a history of violent crimes,” explains Richard. That’s called a “straw purchase,” and it’s also the target of legislation from a Republican lawmaker, Representative Scott Gunderson, who has authored a bill to make such buys – currently only a misdemeanor – a felony.

“We’ve been talking to Representative Gunderson over the last few months, but what we’re talking about is something the police departments and the prosecutors definitely want. If we can work with Representative Gunderson, that would be great.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Politics & Government

Pushback on MPS takeover

October 2, 2009 By

Governor Jim Doyle and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett are finding little support, for a major changed in how the Milwaukee Public Schools would be governed. In fact, a coalition of some eighteen groups has coalesced around opposition to mayoral control of the state’s largest school district. Bob Peterson is an MPS teacher. member of the Educators’ Network for Social Justice, and a coalition convener who doesn’t think the city’s mayor need to take on the added responsibility.

“The fact of the matter is, there’s many issues that a mayor has to deal with; crime, economic development, the roads and so on,” says Peterson. “What we think this would mean is the schools would be second fiddle.” The Coalition to Stop the MPS Takeover is calling on Barrett to withdraw his proposal, which has attracted zero support among Milwaukee state lawmakers. Peterson says it’s not that MPS doesn’t have problems. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Education, Politics & Government

Longtime labor leader dies

October 2, 2009 By

One of the most well known and influential labor leaders in Southeast Wisconsin, in recent memory, has died. Rudy Kuzel was president of United Auto Workers Local 72 in Kenosha from 1984 to 96.

Kenosha Mayor Keith Bosman was a freshman alderman when Chrysler announced it would end car production in 1988, and remembers Kuzel as a strong and outspoken leader during a very emotional time.

AUDIO: Keith Bosman (MP3 :22)

Although the automaker ended up relocating 5,000 jobs, County Executive Jim Kreuser said that Kuzel was a major force in helping secure a closeout deal worth millions.

According to current Local president Glen Stark, Kuzel cared as much for the community as the thousands of workers he led at American Motors, which preceded Chrysler.

Rudy Kuzel was 73 when he died at a Racine hospice.

Janet Hoff-WRJN contributed to this report

Filed Under: Business, Human Interest, Labor

Future of public option

October 2, 2009 By

The future of public option, at least in the Senate, appears grim. The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday rejected two proposals that would have created a public option.

“I don’t think the public option is dead even though there is a decent chance it won’t be in the Senate bill,” said Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin), who is skeptical the government insurance alternative would be added when the measure hits the full chamber. Feingold is hopeful public option will be an integral part of health care when the House and Senate versions meet in conference committee. The Wisconsin Democrat told WIBA Thursday that without public option “it (health care reform) is close to not being worth it.”

House Member Steve Kagen (D-Appleton) is optimistic public option will be part of his chamber’s bill. Kagen, an allergist, joined a group of health care providers supporting health care reform. In Wednesday’s Organizing for America conference call, retired orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jan Sarnecki said red tape from insurance companies is driving up the cost of health care.  ”I don’t see how the legislation…will address the excessive administrative fees without the public option,” said Sarnecki.

But red tape, on behalf of government, is why a Milwaukee based think tank opposes the proposal. MacIver Institute President Brett Healy believes the private sector is better poised to handle health care efficiently not “bureaucrats.”

Healy said private insurers would not be able to fairly compete with rates as the public option would be subsidized and small businesses would likely switch to government insurance because it’s cheaper.

The free market researcher admitted lawmakers can help improve health care such as mandating transparency of medical procedures and prescription drugs, as well as creating a consistent tax structure for Health Savings Accounts.

The debate has also brought assertions of insurers denying coverage, risking the health of customers, in order to maximize profits.

“This is probably a much better area for government to have a role, to make sure the private sector or others, are not gaming the system,” said Healey who believes government could play a stronger consumer protection role.

Meanwhile the Senate Finance Committee, the final panel to consider the bill, will vote next week  after finishing work into the early hours of Friday.

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, Politics & Government