May 22, 2012

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Explaining newfound surplus

May 11, 2012 By

Explaining the state’s newfound budget surplus. Dale Knapp with the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance says the state has gone from deficit to surplus before. “Last year the Fiscal Bureau put out revenue estimates in January, February, and then in May when they did their re-estimates, tax revenues were bumped up by five, six million dollars,” said Knapp.

In February, it was projected Wisconsin would end the biennium in 2013 with a deficit of $143 million dollars, but this week improved revenue collections show Wisconsin now has a projected surplus of over $154 million when the biennium ends next June. “These again are not big re-estimates, but it puts us back into surplus, and that’s just a function of the fact that we’re carrying very slim deficits, and so we’re moving from one side of the ledger to the other.” 

The Walker administration credits the increase with growth in personal income, job creation, and increased employment.  DOA Secretary Mike Huebsch says lower than expected tax refunds and debt refinancing also helped the state save additional money.

Filed Under: Budget, News, Politics & Government

Impact of Obama statement limited

May 10, 2012 By

Wisconsin advocates for and against gay marriage sound off on President Obama’s support for it. It’s really not a change of direction for Obama so much as acknowledgment of what he obviously believes, said Julaine Appling of Wisconsin Family Action, which opposes gay marriage. “This president has a track record of implementing aspects of his agenda at the federal level, such as a repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ and some of the other 39 things he’s down to advance a homosexual agenda,” said Appling.

Advocating for same-sex unions is Katie Belanger of FAIR Wisconsin. “He’s already been very proactive about this issue, so from a policy standpoint, I don’t really see a major change from what he’s been doing,” she said.

Obama on Wednesday came out with his personal support for gay marriage – although he said the issue ought to be left up to the states. “We’ll see if he holds to letting the states handle it,” said Appling, noting North Carolina’s recent vote on a defense of marriage measure. “Either way, he is supportive of full recognition and respect for gay and lesbian couples,” said Belanger.

Filed Under: Children & Families, News, Politics & Government

Dems want hearings on waste case

May 10, 2012 By

Rep. Brett Hulsey PHOTO: WRN

Governor Scott Walker is commenting on allegations that Department of Natural Resources administrators intervened on behalf of a business, while Democrats are calling for a legislative hearing. The governor was asked on Wednesday about report in the Wisconsin State Journal regarding Herr Environmental. The firm spread human waste on farm fields at three hundred percent over the legal limit – but the DNR did not refer the violation to the Department of Justice.

“The bottom line is this case is very similar to cases that have been handled in the past,” Walker told reporters. “I think the timing is political. If it was different, I would view it differently, but it’s no different than it’s been handled many times in the past.”

The paper reported that political appointees at the agency intervened on behalf of Herr, which received minimal fines. Not enough, said state Representative Bret Hulsey. “It’s a little like the State Patrol saying, when they stop a chronic drunk driver, saying “oh, we’ll just get you some counseling, instead of just writing you a ticket” When you have someone who’s a chronic polluter like Herr Environmental, you shouldn’t give them a slap at the wrist.”

The waste spreading took place on fields near properties with forty private drinking water wells. Hulsey and several Democratic colleagues want the legislature’s environmental committees to hold a hearing on the matter.

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, News, Politics & Government

Dems all together now

May 9, 2012 By

There was a show of Democratic unity at Tom Barrett’s house in Milwaukee on Wednesday. Kathleen Falk, who finished second to Barrett in Tuesday’s Democratic primary says she’s ready to do whatever is necessary to see the Milwaukee mayor elected governor. “Our goal for the last fifteen months has been that we recall Scott Walker in 28 days,” said Falk. “Together we are going to do that.”

“It’s time to move forward united, and we are going to win in a very short time, ” said state Senator Kathleen Vinehout. “It’s all about votes. It’s about getting people to the polls.”

“Our motto is Foward, and this man is going to take us forward,” said Secretary of State Doug La Follette. Barrett says the show of unity is crucial – if he didn’t have the support of the other Democrats, it would be a problem. “But we are all together. We are united. We all understand what is at statk here,” he said.

Filed Under: Elections, News, Politics & Government

Recall primaries are today

May 8, 2012 By

Voters in Wisconsin go the polls for recall primaries today. The marquee race is between four Democrats vying for a chance to challenge Republican Governor Scott Walker in the June recall. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is the frontrunner according to most polling, but he faces strong challenge from former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk. Secretary of State Doug La Follette and state Senator Kathleen Vinehout are both expected to poll in the single digits.

Walker faces a challenge of sorts as well: Arthur Kohl-Riggs, a persistent protestor and Capitol gadfly, is on the Republican ballot.

Madison firefighter Mahlon Mitchell and Milwaukee private investigator Ira Robins are the Democrats seeking to run against Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch.

There are also Democratic primaries in four state Senate districts. As in the Democratic primaries for governor and lieutenant governor, there are Republicans running as ‘placeholder’ candidates, in order to give the GOP senators more time to campaign.

In the 13th District, Lori Compas, who organized the recall against Republican state Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, is on the ballot with placeholder Gary Ellerman. In the 21st District, former state Senator John Lehman, who’s hoping to take back the seat he lost to Senator Van Waangard, is on the ballot with Tamra Varebrook . In the 23rd District of GOP Senator Terry Moulton former state Representative Kristen Dexter is on the ballot with placeholder James Engel. And in the 29th District where GOP state Senator Pam Galloway resigned, state Representative Donna Seidel is on the ballot with Jim Buckley.

Recall ballot (PDF)

Filed Under: Elections, News, Politics & Government
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