June 19, 2013

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Senate passes WEDC reform

June 19, 2013 By

The state Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed a reform bill for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the state’s jobs agency.  A recent, scathing audit found the 2-year-old private/public entity did not follow state laws.

The bill from Sen. Rob Cowles (R-Allouez) calls for annual financial audits, requires WEDC employees follow state ethics laws and calls for quantifiable performance measures for job creation programs.

The bill also sets term limits for members of the WEDC board–of which Governor Walker is chairman–while creating a lead director position on the board. “In the private sector you have a lead director that tends to run things when the chairman’s not there and it’s person who simple knows more than any other board member,” says Cowles.

The WEDC reform package now heads to the Assembly.

Filed Under: Economy, News, Politics & Government

Call to change student regent nominee process

June 14, 2013 By

The official student government of UW-Madison says a recent incident involving a student regent selection highlights the need for a change in state law. The Associated Students of Madison (ASM) is supporting a bill (SB 157) that would require the governor to only nominate student regents who are suggested by student-elected organizations. Current law only allows the governor to nominate these student vetted candidates.

Governor Walker this week rescinded his regent nomination of a UW-Platteville student after it was revealed the nominee had signed a recall petition against the governor.

Grace Bolt, ASM spokeswoman, says they’ve been working on regent selection reform for the past year. “Part of the reasoning behind this was because we’ve had issues with student regents in the past voting for things like tuition increases, where we feel the students of the UW System, in genera, would not be supportive of those things.”

In response to the Walker incident, ASM Chair David Gardner says the “overly politicized nature of the appointment process” has “plagued not only this administration but all previous administrations.”

Filed Under: Education, Legislature, News

Assembly teams up to support wrestling

June 13, 2013 By

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Rep. Kuglitsch and wrestlers (PHOTO: Jay Salvo)

Rep. Kuglitsch and wrestlers (PHOTO: Jay Salvo)

As the Olympics governing body considers whether to get rid of wrestling in the 2020 games, Wisconsin lawmakers unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday in support of keeping the sport in the Olympics. The Assembly also recognized a number of Wisconsin’s wrestling legends who were on hand.

Roughly half of U.S. states have passed such resolutions, actions applauded by 1972 gold medalist Ben Peterson, a native of Barron County. “I’m thinking here what the IOC (International Olympic Committee) would do with that many people and governing bodies saying, ‘hey this is a significant part of every one of these states and communities.”

Although the chances of the IOC retaining wrestling appear to be improving, the sport’s veterans agree the battle isn’t over. “We’re on our back right now; we gotta’ bridge off,” said 1984 silver medalist and former University of Wisconsin Head Coach Andy Rein.

Someone who is no stranger to the intersection of politics and wrestling is Lee Kemp who compared the IOC controversy to his experience as a member of the 1980 Olympic team that did not compete because of President Carter’s boycott of the games.

The 3-time world champion said youth wrestlers who are aspiring to be Olympian is akin to little leaguers dreaming of making it to Major League Baseball. “I can remember seeing Dan Gable win his gold medal in the Olympic Games. Even though I had just started wrestling that gave me a dream…without that I may have never wrestled.”

A River Falls native who has Olympic aspiration agrees with the need for Olympic wrestling heroes. University of Wisconsin Assistant Coach Trevor Branvold said growing up seeing Olympians from Wisconsin was a “huge factor” in his career. He said removal of the sport from the games would have a negative “trickle-down effect” not only at the international level but also down to the youth level.

The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Mike Kuglitsch, a former UW-Whitewater wrestler who, on the Assembly floor, gave a special thanks to his former coach Willie Myer who was also in attendance.

AUDIO: Brian Moon reports (2:00)

Filed Under: News, Politics & Government, Sports

Senate passes abortion bill amidst shouting

June 12, 2013 By

A short session in the state Senate this morning had fireworks but not the celebratory kind. The senators gathered to take up an abortion bill that had been blocked from final passage Tuesday by Democrats.

Following speeches by Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) and the bill’s author Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), Sen. President Mike Ellis (R-Neenah) immediately went to a vote; meanwhile, Democrats shouted for more debate on the measure.

Ellis shouted back while repeatedly slamming his gavel. “You’re interrupting a roll call and that will not be tolerated. Sit down!”

AUDIO: Ellis’ gavel and a few of his stern words

The legislation which requires an ultrasound prior to an abortion passed 17-15 on a party line vote with all Republicans in favor and all Democrats opposed. Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) was absent.

Afterword, Democrats accused Republicans of jamming through the bill with little discussion.  Sen. Jennifer Shilling (D-LaCrosse) told reporters the Senate majority engaged in “legislative bullying” to push through a bill that involves “medical bullying.”

The proposal now heads to the Assembly.

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, Legislature, News, Politics & Government

Assembly Dem asking Ellis to slow abortion bill’s fast track

June 11, 2013 By

A state lawmaker is calling on a fellow Fox Cities legislator to slow an abortion bill being fast tracked at the Capitol. One week after lawmakers introduced a bill to put more restrictions on getting an abortion, the Senate is scheduled to vote today on the proposal. Rep. Bernard Schaber (D-Appleton) is asking Senate President Mike Ellis to delay the vote.

The bill forces women to have an ultrasound before they undergo an abortion. It also requires doctors who perform the procedure to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles.

Planned Parenthood officials say the bill would force them to close their Grand Chute clinic, because physicians operating there can’t meet the admitting privileges requirement. If the Grand Chute provider closes, Milwaukee and Madison would have the only abortion clinics in Wisconsin.

WHBY’s Rick Schuh contributed to this report.

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, News, Politics & Government
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