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Sex ed bill gets Senate hearing

October 30, 2009 By

Legislation which requires consistency and accuracy when sex education is taught around the state received a public hearing at the Capitol on Thursday. Senate Education Committee member, Waunakee Democrat Jon Erpenbach, believes the measure is needed. “There is a real crisis in this state, when it comes to sexually transmitted diseases,” said Erpenbach. “So kids need to know about. I talk to my kids about it, but they need to hear it from someone other than me, and they need to hear it over and over again. That’s the only way they’re going to get this.”

AUDIO: Senator Jon Erpenbach (2:15 MP3)

There was plenty of opposition to the bill. Anne Franczyk of Milwaukee testified against the legislation. “The Bible says woe to those who lead little ones astray,” said Francyk. “It warns against teaching people into sexual immorality, and these comprehensive programs are in essence teaching kids how to engage in sexual immorality.” Franczyk said there’s too little focus on abstinence in the bill, which is known the Healthy Youth Act. One of the bill’s stated goals is a reduction in teen pregnancy and STDs, but Franzck said the legislation would undermine parental authority and local control. “It’s a very dangerous bill,” she said. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Education, Politics & Government

Liquor tax hike has been trashed

October 30, 2009 By

Wisconsin Senate Democrats have scrapped the idea of raising the state’s liquor tax to pay for a crackdown on drunk driving. Instead, they’re considering a higher fee to reinstate driver’s licenses after they’re suspended and revoked. A Senate committee endorsed a 50-cent tax hike on a bottle of booze. But Assembly leaders balked at the increase  and it’s held up action on several drunk driving measures the Assembly unanimously passed a few weeks ago.

The Joint Finance Committee delayed the package this week because of the disagreement over the liquor tax. The panel will take it up again on Tuesday this time with a higher license reinstatement fee.

Senate Democrat Jim Sullivan of Wauwatosa is not sure if all drivers would be subject to the increase, or just those convicted of OWI. Right now, it costs 60-dollars to reinstate a suspended or revoked license. Joe Volk of the Community Advocates group in Milwaukee said an increase would unfairly hurt the poor. Meanwhile, Sullivan says it will cost only half as much as expected to adopt the proposed drunk driving reforms. That’s because some people will avoid driving drunk so they won’t have to breathe into ignition interlocks to start their cars.

Among other things, the bill requires interlocks for all repeat offenders, and first-timers with blood alcohol levels of point-15 or higher. The bill also makes first-time OWI a criminal misdemeanor if kids are in the vehicle.

Filed Under: Legislature

Law extends insurance to young adults

October 30, 2009 By

Making insurance more affordable for twenty-somethings, the governor promotes a new law to help young adults get health insurance. Governor Jim Doyle says the new law, adopted as part of the state budget, will go into effect January 1st, although it hasn’t received a lot of attention. Health insurance policies will be required to cover the children of policyholders, up to age 27, regardless of whether or not the children are in school. Under previous practice, some insurers have allowed parents to keep children up to age 24 on their policies, if those children are enrolled in school.

Neither Doyle or state Insurance Commissioner Sean Dilweg could cite numbers on who many young adults might end up being covered, or what costs might be, although Dilweg expected that to be minimal. Young adults who are married won’t be eligible, and those who have their own or employee provided coverage would only be eligible if it’s cheaper to be under their parents’ plan. And, Doyle says there will be some additional tax liability for parents.

AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (:60 MP3)

Filed Under: Politics & Government

Tracking sex offenders online

October 30, 2009 By

Legislation approved by the state Assembly would require sex offenders to also register their online personas.

Current law requires convicted sex offenders to register their current address with the state. The Department of Correction can also require them to provide a picture or their fingerprints. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Legislature
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