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Ed Thompson making state Senate bid

October 28, 2009 By

Former candidate for governor, Ed Thompson is making a bid for the legislature. Saying he’s fed up with new taxes and spending, the longtime Libertarian is launching a campaign for the state Senate, and drawing inspiration from the most libertarian of national Republican politicians. “I’m a Ron Paul Republican,” says Thompson. “I think the people who know who Dr. Ron Paul is will understand that quite clearly.”

AUDIO: Ed Thompson (:13 MP3)

So how would that brand of Paulite Republicanism play out if Thompson were in the Senate? Again, he says it’s all about the taxing and spending. “Don’t come to me with any new programs, unless you plan on eliminating one of the old ones,” says the Tomah mayor. “There’s just not the revenue to do it, and to think that we can fund something new, it’s ridiculous.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Politics & Government

H1N1 claims more lives in Wisconsin

October 28, 2009 By

The Department of Health Services says four people died in Wisconsin over the past week, after they became ill with the H1N1 virus.

Those deaths occurred in Eau Claire, Milwaukee, and Oconto Counties.

The virus has now claimed 14 lives in Wisconsin since this past spring, with five of those occurring since September First. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Health & Medicine

Young people may carry burden in health reform

October 28, 2009 By

An insurance company’s study of Senate health care reform claims it would lead to higher rates for young customers and small businesses. Brad Fluegel, VP, Chief Strategy and External Affairs Officer for WellPoint says the research is based off of the anticipated merging of the Senate Labor and Finance Committees’ proposals. It crunches numbers in 14 states, like Wisconsin, where Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield operates.

 AUDIO: Brad Fluegel (MP3 :69)

The insurer supports the requirement that all Americans carry some type of health coverage, language that is in all committee approved bills in Congress. The idea is to encourage routine care rather than allow health problems to worsen, thus causing more expensive procedures. However Fluegel says the Senate version would discourage young people from carrying insurance because it would be too costly.

Wellpoint also supports the mandate that insurance companies cover despite pre-existing conditions.

Scott Mulhauser, a senior adviser on the Senate Finance Committee, was critical of the research saying it ignores key elements in the bill. He told the Wall Street Journal, “This is akin to the tobacco companies commissioning another study claiming nicotine isn’t addictive and cigarettes don’t cause cancer.”

Filed Under: Business, Health & Medicine, Labor, Politics & Government

Packers vs. Vikings! Let the hype begin

October 28, 2009 By

Everywhere I turn, somebody seems to have an opinion as to how Packers fans should respond when Brett Favre steps onto Lambeau Field for the first time as a member of the visiting team.  Internet polls asking whether Favre should be cheered or booed.  I hope this silly argument isn’t going to last all week.

For the record, I think fans should do to Favre what they do to any other opposing quarterback.  If you boo Jay Cutler, then you should boo Brett Favre.  There’s plenty of time to celebrate Favre’s many great years in Green Bay, and his lengthy career. 

Favre is now playing for the enemy.  He’s trying to do one thing and that’s beat the Green Bay Packers.  If you are a Packers fan, you can’t possibly think cheering Favre does any good.  The Packers are trying to beat the Vikings and win the NFC North.  They need every ounce of support you can muster.  Be loud, yell at the opponent, make it impossible for Favre to communicate verbally with his teammates while at the line of scrimmage. 

And if you are really torn between not wanting to cheer or boo, then do nothing.  Don’t cheer or boo.  Be silent.  You can show your disapproval without booing the quarterback you grew up cheering for.

For those of you entrenched so deep in the Favre camp, just remember this.  Ultimately, your job as a fan is to do whatever is necessary and within the legal limit, to help your team win.  Don’t lose sight of the fact that your real job is to be the 12th man.  You could be the difference between a win and a loss on Sunday.

Filed Under: Sports, Titletown Report Tagged With: ,

Rolling back auto insurance rate hike

October 28, 2009 By
A Neenah lawmaker wants to repeal recent changes to the state’s auto insurance laws. Senator Mike Ellis says provisions in the state budget required minimum amounts of coverage for all drivers in Wisconsin and they’re driving up insurance rates. The Republican lawmaker says for some people, insurance costs are climbing by as much as 40 percent.

 

AUDIO: Mike Ellis (MP3 :20)

Ellis says his office is receiving more phone calls and letters on the car insurance changes right now than any other issue. He claims majority Democrats have taken Wisconsin from one of the least expensive states for auto insurance, to one of the most expensive.

Assembly Democratic Majority Leader Tom Nelson made waves earlier this month when he told an angry constituent it’s not the Legislature’s fault that premiums are rising. He later blamed the insurers’ desire for profits.

Andy Franken of the Wisconsin Insurance Alliance says Nelson is flat out wrong and it’s simple economics that when a person has to buy more of something, it will cost more.

Ellis says anyone who claims that the auto insurance companies are driving the increase are either misleading the public or, “they’re so dumb they don’t belong in the legislature.”

When Governor Doyle proposed the higher insurance levels in February, he said legal disputes involved more money than they should in car injuries and deaths. That’s because the current minimum insurance levels had not been changed in almost three decades.

Mike Kemmeter-WHBY contributed to this report

Filed Under: Legislature, Transportation
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