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Brewing battle over beer tax

October 13, 2009 By

Proponents and opponents of a legislative proposal to increase Wisconsin’s beer tax for the first time in forty years are out in force at the Capitol today. Members of a coalition backing an increase in Wisconsin’s beer tax say the money is needed to fight alcohol abuse and drunk driving. “We have a problem in Wisconsin,” says Lisa Maroney with UW Health. “We lead the country in some, quite frankly, staggering statistics, and it’s time for us to move into the mainstream and to do something to address the problem.”

The AWARE coalition backs the legislation from Madison Democrat, state Representative Terese Berceau, which would raise the beer tax from two dollars to ten dollars a barrel. “I’ve been called a prude, that’s just in the last couple of days,” says Berceau, adding that she’s not a prude, she just thinks it would be a good idea to raise the beer tax, which hasn’t increased since 1969. More money is needed in Wisconsin, to battle alcohol abuse and drunk driving, according to Kathy Poi of the Wisconsin Nurses Association.  [Read more...]

Filed Under: Politics & Government

Dane Co. students to receive H1N1 vaccine

October 13, 2009 By

Dane County students will soon have the opportunity to receive the H1N1 vaccine at their schools. Public health officials have identified students as the first group that should be given priority to receive the vaccine after health care workers.

Now that the H1N1 vaccine has arrived in Wisconsin, that means 80,000 K-12 students in Dane County will begin receiving it. Public Health of Madison and Dane County will start the five week program on Monday. Students at Northside Elementary School in Middleton will be the first to get the shots, which are not mandatory.

WIBA’s Chandra Lynn submitted this report

Filed Under: Health & Medicine

A harrowing hike

October 13, 2009 By

It’s the stuff scary stories are made from this time of year: getting lost in the woods. It’s a non fiction tale for 61 year old Diana Haley of Middletonm, who got lost while hiking in Sauk County Saturday afternoon in the Baxter’s Hollow Preserve, north of Sauk City.

AUDIO: Diana Haley (:16 MP3)

Haley used her cell phone and caller her husband and police, who began an extensive search. Haley was finally finally found, cold but otherwise alright, more than sixteen hours later. Police were able to find her thanks to the cell phone’s GPS. She says at times during her ordeal, she wasn’t sure it was going to have a good ending. Haley says for the time being, she’ll limit her hiking to around the block.

WIBA’s Robin Colbert submitted this report

Filed Under: Human Interest

Punching a message of safety in ultimate fighting

October 13, 2009 By

A proposal to regulate mixed martial arts (MMA) will get public hearing at the capitol today. The measure, Senate Bill 290, calls for licensing and regulation of MMA fights a similar way boxing is handled in the state. Among the provisions include requiring fighters to show proof of medical insurance, judges meeting certain requirements to gain licenses, drug testing as well as a physician and ambulance being present at every match. A Madison based fight trainer says many MMA promotions are already taking these steps to ensure safety. Mark Plavcan, co-owner of Twisted Fitness Gym, admits however some smaller promoters have “cut corners” by not having medical staff on hand.

Plavcan is among a group, including promoters and physicians, pushing for regulation. He says in addition to providing safety for fighters, the law could be good for Wisconsin’s economy. Plavcan cites the state of Nevada which saw increased tax revenue after MMA was legalized.

The UFC, the most successful MMA promotion worldwide, is backing the bill in hopes of potentially holding an event in the Badger State.

Some people are concerned with ultimate fighting being too violent and would rather see no competitions being held.

The MMA regulation bill has been introduced by State Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) and State Representative Pedro Colon (D-Milwaukee).

AUDIO: Brian Moon reports (MP3 :72)

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, Legislature

Lawmaker broadens roadkill law

October 13, 2009 By

If you hit an animal while driving, you should be allowed to take it home with you.

Current law allows a motorist who hits a deer to take possession of the carcass. If that driver wants the dead animal, he must report the incident to local law enforcement, and will then be issued a tag at no cost. State Representative Ann Hraychuck’s legislation simply expands the law to include other animals.

“The legislation that I am proposing will allow a driver to call into law enforcement and report that they have struck a bear, a wild turkey, any other kind of wild animal on the road and request that they receive a tag to keep the animal.”

Assuming, of course, that the incident was accidental. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Politics & Government
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