Governor Doyle is responding to critics who say he’s to blame for the closure of a crumbling bridge that carries traffic through Milwaukee’s Zoo Interchange. Doyle said the funding he opposed had nothing to do with the condition of the road. He said the decision to begin work rebuilding the Zoo Interchange in 2016 was made before he became governor in 2003.
Doyle questions Race to the Top results
Governor Jim Doyle says Wisconsin’s second application for Race to the Top education funding will need some improvements.
A score sheet released by the US Department of Education this week put Wisconsin in the bottom half of states that applied for the first round of funding under the federal program. Governor Jim Doyle says he found some of the factors used to score the applications a “little unusual.” [Read more…]
Loan fund would help grow green economy
A $100-million loan fund would help to create jobs and grow the green economy.
It’s being called the Green to Gold bill. It would combine existing state resources with federal dollars to create a low-interest revolving loan fund for Wisconsin manufacturers. The fund would ensure that small and medium-sized manufacturers have the capital needed to achieve their goals for supporting a green economy.
“So this is really a win-win-win for Wisconsin. [Read more…]
Van Hollen’s request denied
The Governor and Legislative leaders are letting the Attorney General know there’s little chance the state will file a lawsuit challenging federal health care reforms.
Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen sent a letter Tuesday morning, requesting authorization for the state to file a lawsuit against the bill that was signed into law earlier this week. Van Hollen believes the bill is unconstitutional because it mandates individuals purchase insurance coverage. The Attorney General can only launch a legal battle if the Governor or Legislature requests the action. [Read more…]
Van Hollen seeks to challenge federal health reform
Wisconsin’s Attorney General is asking lawmakers and the Governor to let him file a legal challenge against the federal health care reform bill.
Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says state law prevents him from challenging the bill signed by President Obama this week, unless the Legislature or Governor Doyle authorizes him to do so. He’s making a formal request to take action in a letter sent today to leadership and the governor. [Read more…]
Walker sees too many questions on high speed rail
A Republican candidate for governor says there are a lot of unanswered questions about high speed rail. Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker asks who will ride the high speed line linking Milwaukee and Madison. “Right now, without one penny of taxpayer dollars, the Badger Bus already goes between Milwaukee and Madison,” Walker notes. [Read more…]
Making the case for homegrown energy (AUDIO)
An environmental group contends clean energy legislation will be a boon to farmers and homeowners. On the Capitol Square Wednesday, Clean Wisconsin staff scientist Peter Taglia talked up the potential benefits of renewable home grown energy. Taglia said farmers and homeowners could realize such benefits through incentives to install technology such as solar panels. [Read more…]
Sweet bill to be signed into law
Wisconsin honey producers will get new protections under a bill being signed into law today by Governor Doyle. The new law requires the state Ag Department to establish “honey standards,” and prohibits products from being labeled as Wisconsin honey if they fail to comply. State Representative Phil Garthwaite (D-Dickeyville) is the author of the measure.
Invasive barrier expert does not support canal closure
A UW-Sea Grant Institute fisheries specialist says the best way to stop Asian Carp from coming to Lake Michigan is to develop a complete ecological separation between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. Currently there exists an electric barrier between the two water bodies, designed to block invasive species.
Time running out for MPS mayoral control (AUDIO)
A proposal to place Milwaukee’s mayor in charge of the city’s public schools faces an uncertain future in the legislature, now that Wisconsin has failed to make the first cut for federal education dollars. Governor Jim Doyle proposed mayoral control and said it would be key to the state’s successful application for federal Race to the Top money. The governor blamed the failure to adopt mayoral control for the state’s failure to secure any of the first round funding, and urged lawmakers in the state Senate and Assembly to approve the change before the end of their session. [Read more…]