Wisconsin News and Sports
Concerned citizens rallied at the state Capitol Tuesday, to protest a U.S. Supreme Court decision that removes limits on corporate campaign spending.
The January decision by the high court struck down a decades-old law designed to limit the influence of big business and unions on elections. Mike McCabe of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign says that radical interpretation of the First Amendment must not be allowed to stand, because it allows public offices to be bought and sold. [Read more...]
State lawmakers have approved spending $810 million dollars in federal stimulus funding on Madison to Milwaukee high speed rail. Representative Mark Pocan (D-Madison) is a co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee. “I think it’s going to positive for not only this region, but for the entire state,” said Pocan. “It’s positive for our economy. And like the other $3.8 billion that we put to good use, that’s come from the federal government to help Wisconsin, this will do even more.” [Read more...]
The last time the University of Wisconsin raised football ticket prices was back in 2007. Badgers fans are expected to see a $3 per ticket increase for the 2010 season.
Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez sent a letter this week to UW football season ticket holders to discuss the proposed increase. That increase would take ticket prices from $39 to $42 per seat. There’s seven home games on the schedule next season, which would mean the cost to season ticket holders would be $21 extra, per seat for the entire season.
Based on 2009 pricing, after the UW figures in it’s $3 increase, five other schools still have higher per ticket costs, led by Ohio State at $63 each.
The Wisconsin Department of Athletics will meet on Feb. 19th (Friday) to discuss the recommendation with the UW Athletic Board.
In the age of sexting, parents respecting their kids’ privacy can only go so far, according to a police officer who educates parents and youths about activity on cell phones and the internet. Madison Police Sgt June Groehler says “our kids don’t have the media and digital literacy we assume they do.” She says young people who send nude pictures of themselves don’t realize potential consequences including legal troubles or damage to reputation.
Legislation which adjusts Wisconsin’s IRA and 401K limits to conform to federal law next year has advanced at the Capitol. Failure to pass the bill would mean Wisconsin will revert to the old limits from 2001, limiting taxpayers to contribute $2,000 to an IRA and $7,500 to a 401k (rather than the current $5,000 and $16,500) without being taxed and penalized. Wisconsin is the only state in the country whose IRA and 401K limits do not conform to federal law. The bill (AB-648) was approved Tuesday by the legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance on a 15-1 vote. [Read more...]
WRN Blog