President Barack Obama’s White House jobs summit generally excluded small business groups. Bill Smith is state director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, and he says while the president has recognized the need for jobs creation, it’s disappointing that small business groups were not at the summit. “Given the fact that small business actually is the job creator, it’s created two thirds of the net new jobs in the United States over the last 35 years, so it seems just a bit of an oversight not to have the small business community at the table,” says Smith. [Read more...]
Using Wall Street to fix main street
December 4, 2009 By
Congressman Steve Kagen (D-Appleton) is involved with a bill that would add a fee to Wall Street trades. A transfer fee of .25 percent would be tacked onto transactions done by speculators. He believes it’s a chance for financial groups to return the favor of being bailed out by tax payers. Kagen says the revenue generated from these “socially useless trades” would be used to pay down the national debt and reinvest into America’s infrastructure.
The fee would be exempt for non-profits, people with pensions and 401K funds, and for the first $100,000 of trading.
The Wisconsin Republican Party criticizes the proposal saying it will increase the cost of credit; dampen hopes of economic recovery as jobs leave; and cause diminishing returns on investments like 401K retirement savings. The GOP claims House Democrats are divided on the issue.
Brian Moon reports (:62)
Asian carp found in canal
December 4, 2009 By
Proof that a destructive fish is close to the Great Lakes. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reports that a bighead Asian carp was found in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal just above the Lockport Lock and Dam, in the wake of a massive effort to poison fish in the canal. It’s the first physical specimen that has been found in the canal since testing earlier this year suggested the presence of Asian carp in the area, which is just a few miles from Lake Michigan. [Read more...]
Decker wants DNR deer managers fired
December 4, 2009 By
In the wake of a slow deer hunting season, the leader of the State Senate is calling for the jobs of the deer management team at the DNR. Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker (D-Weston) says the agency overestimated the size of the herd.
Sen. Decker (:22)
Decker says he’s talked to a lot of people who didn’t see any deer this year. Hunters harvested about 196,000 deer during the nine-day gun season, which is the lowest total since 1982. The Senate leader says the DNR keeps coming up with “wacky excuses” for why the season wasn’t successful.
The agency blamed cold winters the past two years, and wet-and-warm conditions this fall while Decker blamed programs like Earn-a-Buck, which required hunters to shoot does before they could get bucks. The program was scrapped earlier this year amid pressure from angry hunters.
DNR Secretary Matt Frank is rejecting Decker’s call for mass firings saying he knows hunters are frustrated, but firing the staff is not constructive.
Ed Harvey of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress says replacing deer managers with “green horns” is not the answer. He believes the agency should improve the way it estimates the population so it’s not overstating it. Harvey says the public should be more involved in setting deer population goals and Earn-a-Buck should never come back.
Mike Kemmeter-WHBY contributed to this report
MKE schools to consider providing condoms
December 4, 2009 By
Milwaukee Public Schools may join a handful of districts nationwide that hand out condoms to kids. A proposal involves kids going to their school nurse for the contraception, who would provide brochures and be open to dialogue about sexual activity. Kathleen Murphy, MPS Health Coordinator, says it is evident more kids are having unprotected sex.
Kathleen Murphy (:18)
Sally Ladky, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Abstinence Coaltion, isn’t completely sold on the numbers.
Sally Ladky (:19)
Milwaukee children already have free access to this form of contraception. A program sponsored by the city health department, “No Condom, No Way,” distributes them in youth friendly venues such as clothing and record stores. Both Ladky and Murphy agree it’s essential to have to have proper education or counseling available from the health professional for kids requesting condoms.
However Ladky says “don’t tie the hands” of nurses when it comes to letting them determine if the student properly understands the physical consequences of sexual activity including STD’s, pregnancy, as well as legal consequences of having sex with a minor. She calls it “an opportunity” for nurses to address these issues with students and adds condoms may also be requested by someone who is an abusive situation.
Murphy notes federal and state law provides confidentiality to minors accessing these contraception services but that also involves health workers be required to report an evidence of abuse. She says the nurse would provide an open door for students to ask questions.
Details of the proposal have not been completely finalized. The School Board’s Innovation/School Reform Committee will take up the issue at its meeting on Tuesday where public comments will be accepted.
