The Wisconsin state Senate passed legislation enacting tougher penalties on drunk drivers in Wisconsin. The bill differed from a similar measure which the state Assembly passed in September, and while the Assembly failed to concur with the Senate bill Thursday night, leaders in that chamber pledged to move the issue forward.

Both bills would makes a fourth OWI offense a felony for some drivers with previous OWIs, criminalize first offense OWI if kids are in the vehicle, and expand use of ignition interlock devices and alcohol treatment for some offenders.

The Senate bill would have paid for all that with increases in the fees drunk drivers are assessed. The Senate earlier this week dropped a proposed increase in the state’s liquor tax which had been part of the bill.  “It moves that cost onto the people who are out there causing the problems,” Sullivan said Thursday. “It’s not a perfect bill, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.”

“From the start the Senate and the Assembly have been in agreement we must make drunken driving reform a priority,” said Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan in a statement released by his office. “We agree on most of the major steps needed to tackle this problem. But, this issue is too important to let the calendar dictate the timetable. We feel it’s critical to include treatment options and a stable funding source. We will sit down with the Senate in the coming days and work out the minor differences and are more than willing go into extraordinary session to get this important work done.”

Legislation providing for publicly funded campaigns for the Wisconsin state Supreme Court heads to the governor’s desk.

During Senate debate Thursday, State Senator Mike Ellis, a longtime advocate of campaign reform, announced he wasn’t happy with the bill, and would not be voting for it.

Ellis complained that the bill actually allows outside interests to spend more than the candidates, and does nothing to address so-called issue ads run by third parties. “This bill does not address the bogus, phony issue ads,” said Ellis.

“There are certainly things that he’s wanted to do with his own Ellis-Erpenbach campaign finance reform bill,” said Chippewa Falls Democrat Pat Kreitlow, chief Senate sponsor of the Impartial Justice Act. “I like a lot of elements in it, too, but we weren’t debating his bill.”

Governor Jim Doyle’s expected signature on the bill means that public financing will be available to candidates in the 2011 state Supreme Court election.

The one-time candidate for Vice President of the United States will speak at the Wisconsin State Fair Park Friday.

Former governor of Alaska Sarah Palin comes to Milwaukee, but with restrictions. No video or still cameras, no audio recording devices, no cell phones, no laptops, and no interviews. Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate says that’s “bizarre.”

“You know, for someone who claims to be a rogue and isn’t afraid of what other people think it really is sort of hypocritical to not let the media, the press cover your event.”

Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Reince Priebus says don’t blame the GOP for the limitations to Palin’s appearance. [Read more...]