February 23, 2012

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La Follette ponders governorship

February 23, 2012 By

Secretary of State Doug La Follette in his office on the Capitol Square (PHOTO: Jackie Johnson)

Longtime Secretary of State Doug La Follette is filing paperwork with the state’s elections agency. He wants to determine whether there is enough interest for him to campaign as a Democrat against Governor Scott Walker if there’s a recall election. “It’s quite important that we replace the current governor. He’s been very negative for Wisconsin … We need to make a change and if I’m the strongest candidate to do that then I would take it very seriously.”

La Follette says he doesn’t “need to be governor to make (his) life complete,” he’s running for the good of the state.

One Democratic Candidate, Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, is already endorsed by AFSCME, the state’s largest public employee union; and WEAC, the state’s largest teachers union. La Follette says he doesn’t need big money to win the race as long as people are excited for his candidacy. “I would run a typical Bill Proxmire, Doug La Follette, low-budget campaign.”

Falk had indicated she would not sign a budget that didn’t fully restore collective bargaining for public employees. La Follette says candidates should not make campaign promises they can’t keep.

The 71-year-old would like to see some polling that includes his name so he can gauge whether voters perceive him as electable. He’s been elected to statewide office during both Republican and Democratic governorships, which he says is a good indicator.

La Follette, who was first elected to his current office in 1974, is the only Democrat in a statewide office; he says that gives him at least some name recognition. “But I’ve been around a long time,” so he says people could find things to criticize. “I’m sure one of the first things will be how I spell my name,” he laughs, “I’ve got my birth certificate all ready to get out if I have to.”

In addition to Falk, current Senator Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) is seeking the Democratic nomination in a possible Democratic Primary Election. Senator Tim Cullen (D-Janesville) opted out of the race before he really got in, due to lack of funds.

The GAB is currently reviewing recall signatures to determine whether enough are valid to force a recall election against the governor.

La Follette said he’s going to stop by the Government Accountability Board (GAB) on his way to work Thursday morning to file the paperwork.

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 2:00

Filed Under: Elections, Featured Story, News, Politics & Government

Snow looks to be wet and slushy

February 23, 2012 By

Are we finally going to see a real snowstorm? Tod Pritchard with Wisconsin Emergency Management says a storm system is bearing down on the Badger state from the Dakotas, bringing with it the potential for three to five inches of wet, slushy snow, perhaps even more for Milwaukee. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for southern Wisconsin starting Thursday morning. The slow-moving system is expected to stay in place through Friday morning.

Pritchard notes, much of the state has been spoiled this winter. “When I’m taking my son to the zoo on a Sunday afternoon and we’re walking around in a light jacket, and it’s February in Wisconsin, you know there’s something wrong,” he says. You can call 511 or go to the web for the latest road conditions and weather updates.

Filed Under: News, Weather

Senate approves abortion requirements

February 22, 2012 By

The state Senate passes new rules governing abortion services in Wisconsin. The vote on the measure comes after Democrats delay action Tuesday with a procedural move. The bill prohibits so-called “webcam abortions,” and requires doctors perform physical exams prior to performing abortions. The author is New Berlin Republican Senator Mary Lazich. “To have a loophole in our law which allows a new technology – webcam abortions – to give women a lesser standard of care, to get s medication without having a physical, we should not be allowing that loophole in our law,” Lazich says.

Democrats pounce on Lazich’s assertion that the bill is about standards of care. “This is simply the jackboot of state government on the necks of individuals,” says Senator Jim Holperin of Eagle River. “Only big government against women,” charges Madison Democrat, Senator Fred Risser. “We do a lot of silly things here, but injecting ourselves into the relationship between a physician and a patient . . . is truly misguided,” says Minority Leader, Senator Mark Miller of Monona.

“You want to vote against young girls and women getting a physical, that’s what you’re doing with this vote,” says Lazich. The bill, (SB 306) which also requires doctors to make sure women are not being coerced, passed on a partisan 17-15 vote and now heads to the Assembly.

AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (1:05)   

Filed Under: Legislature, News

Walker numbers drop in Marquette poll

February 22, 2012 By

Governor Scott Walker’s approval rating is down from last month, in a new public opinion survey out today. Charles Franklin is the Director of the Marquette University Law School Poll. “We didn’t ask specifically why,” says Franklin. “Obviously there have been some developments over the last month, in the John Doe investigation … where we find 72 percent are aware of the John Doe proceedings. We also of course have a debate about jobs in the state.”

Walker’s approval rating fell from 50 percent in January to 46 percent. Unfavorable ratings also increased, from 45 to 48 percent. “That’s movement that’s just outside the margin of error of the poll, so I think it’s real movement,” says Franklin, adding that while the movement not good for Walker, it’s not “gigantic.”

The poll also found Democratic recall candidates Kathleen Falk and Kathleen Vinehout aren’t widely known. Falk saw her favorable rating increase from 19 to 22 percent, but Falk’s unfavorable rating is also up, from 25 to 28 percent. The survey found a lot of unknowns about Vinehout.

The poll also shows President Barack Obama leading all potential Republican candidates in Wisconsin. Obama leads former Senator Rick Santorum 51 percent to 40 percent and leads former governor Mitt Romney by 53 percent to 38 percent. In January, Obama’s lead over Romney was 48 percent to 40 percent. The president holds a 52 percent to 36 percent lead over Rep. Ron Paul and a 56 percent to 33 percent margin over former Speaker Newt Gingrich.

 John Colbert, WIBA

Filed Under: Elections, News, Politics & Government

Assembly adds texting to No Call list

February 22, 2012 By

Legislation adding text messaging to the state’s Do Not Call list is headed to the governor’s desk.

The state Assembly on Tuesday gave final approval to a bill that would make it illegal for telemarketers to send text messages to consumers on the state’s no call list. The measure passed on a voice vote.

The state’s popular No Call list is meant to help consumers avoid unwanted contact from businesses on their land line or cell phone. Supporters of the bill say it closes a loophole that still allows texting, which has been costly for many consumers who are on pay-per-text plans.

If Governor Walker signs the bill, companies could face fines of up to $100 for each violation.

Filed Under: Legislature, News
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