May 16, 2012

You are here: Home / 2010 / February / Archives for 18th

Bill restores mutual assistance for tribal law enforcement

February 18, 2010 By

Proposed legislation would restore backup, for tribal police officers in Wisconsin. In late 2008, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen issued a formal opinion, that the state’s mutual assistance statute does not apply to tribal law enforcement agencies.

Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Chief Robert Brandenburg says the opinion caught his department by surprise, because they’d been working closely with DOJ. In the months since Van Hollen’s opinion, Brandenburg says his officers have had to jump through hoops to get backup from other departments. “If one of my officers calls for help, we can’t get help unless a Vilas County lieutenant authorizes it,” Brandenburg told the Assembly Criminal Justice committee. “It doesn’t make any sense.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Legislature

Dentists rethinking use of BPA-laden sealants

February 18, 2010 By

As Wisconsin looks to ban Bisphenol A from children’s drink cups, some dentists are concerned of the chemical’s use in plastic teeth sealants. BPA is believed to mimic estrogen in the human body.”That’s not something that you want to have children ingesting or eating,” says Dr. Tom Gelhaus, “Unfortunately these sealants that we’ve been putting in for years have BPA in them.”

Gelhaus says children with sealants, which are used to coat the top of the back teeth, are eight times less likely to get cavities than those without the protection. The Clark County dentist says he’s switched to a glass ionomer sealant that does the trick, with none of the risks associated with BPA.

Not all dentists have made the switch, and parents may want to ask their provider about sealants.

Meanwhile the Assembly Tuesday overwhelmingly approved banning BPA from use in drink containers used by kid’s three and younger. Previous Senate approval paves the way for Governor Jim Doyle’s signature, who is expected to approve the measure.

Paul Knoff-WCCN (:62)

bpasealva21210

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, Legislature Tagged With:

Worries over an NFL lock-out

February 18, 2010 By

The head of the state Assembly’s Labor Committee is raising concerns about labor strife in the NFL.

State Representative Chris Sinicki (D-Milwaukee) has written to Green Bay Packers President Mark Murphy, arguing against the possibility of NFL owners will locking out players in 2011 if a collective bargaining agreement isn’t reached. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Labor, Legislature Tagged With:

Senate urged to act quickly on payday loan bill

February 18, 2010 By

The Assembly Speaker is calling on the state Senate to avoid any delays on legislation regulating payday loan providers.

The Assembly approved legislation earlier this week that limits the size of loans and stops borrowers from taking out more than one at a time. The measure also bans auto title loans and the practice of “rolling over” the balance of a loan. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Legislature

Talking the future of tourism at the state capitol

February 18, 2010 By

The agency’s Secretary Kelli Trumble calls Wisconsin Tourism a “serious business.”

Travelers spend $13 billion in the state, making tourism Wisconsin’s third leading industry. During an informational hearing at the capitol, Trumble testifies how budget cuts won’t stop her determination to “keep the tourism machine running.” She says 310,000 people depend on tourism jobs in the state. But, Trumble says, the limited buying power of the approximate $8 million marketing dollars her agency has can’t compete with neighboring states.

Trumble says Wisconsin is about more than just leisure travel. It’s about sports travel; business travel; and meetings and convention. She says meetings and convention makes up 30% of the $13 billion of traveler spending. Trumble predicts 2009 economic impact numbers will show tourism spending is down. Various advocates of Wisconsin tourism testified in support of the industry, including hotels, restaurants and resorts.

The Senate Committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources held an informational hearing on Wednesday at the capitol. Committee Chair Jim Holperin (D-Conover) wanted to focus on initiatives to prepare for the next legislative session.

Jackie Johnson report 1:23

tourism1va021710

Filed Under: Politics & Government, Recreation & Entertainment Tagged With:
« Previous Page