Governor Scott Walker said local unions aren’t willing to grant concessions on health care and pension contributions, contrary to claims by labor leaders. State union leaders have offered to meet the concessions Walker has requested – a five percent contribution to pensions, and an increase to twelve percent for health care premiums – but Walker said actions speak louder than words. “The actions of their local affiliate unions have shown in the past couple weeks that they have no interest in actually moving forward on that. If they did, they would put their money where their mouth is and they would offer up contracts that provide a five and a twelve percent contribution for pension and health care,” the governor said. [Read more...]
Senate stops short of voter ID passage
February 24, 2011 By
The Wisconsin Senate stopped short of a final vote Thursday on legislation which would require citizens show photo identification on order to exercise their right to vote in Wisconsin elections. Senator Joe Liebham said removing the fiscal aspect of the bill to allow a vote without Democrats present would have raised a constitutional issue – creating a poll tax. “In the bill is the requirement that you need to have an ID, and if we removed the fiscal aspect of providing free IDs it could have opened up that question of not allowing individuals to get free IDs, therefore creating a poll tax,” said the Sheboygan Republican. [Read more...]
Assembly continues marathon session
February 24, 2011 By
Assembly Democrats wear orange in solidarity for union workers (PHOTO: file)
Now into the third day of being on the floor, the state Assembly moves closer to passage of Governor Scott Walker’s budget repair bill. Gary Hebl (D-Sun Prairie) warns, be careful what you wish for. He says there are unintended consequences to the actions taken on the floor. Hebl says Walker won’t be governor forever.
“Remember, what you gave up to this governor will continue on to the next governor.” [Read more...]
It’s the biggest Birkie ever
February 24, 2011 By
The American Birkebeiner cross country ski race off today with takes place Saturday in Northwest Wisconsin. Despite the warm weather last week the ski trail is in beautiful condition, according to Sheri Morgan, American Birkebeiner media cordinator.
“Skiers in our office over the weekend said it was some of best skiing we’ve seen all winter, so that’s good news.”
NFL Combine gets underway today
February 24, 2011 By
320 players are in Indianapolis for the NFL’s annual scouting combine. NFL general managers, scouts and coaches are gathering to take a look at the talent pool through a series of medical exams, on-field workouts and interviews.
Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson and his scouting staff will be joined by Mike McCarthy and his coaching staff as they assess the talent pool.
Six Wisconsin Badgers will take part in the combine. John Clay, Lance Kendricks, Gabe Carimi, John Moffitt, Scott Tolzien and J.J. Watt are all on hand. Carimi and Watt are both projected as first round draft picks in the upcoming April Draft.
