Murphy’s Law

Murphy’s Law: Why Jim Ryan Could Be In Trouble
Murphy’s Law

Why Jim Ryan Could Be In Trouble

Speaking as someone who predicted the one-two finish of Scott Walker and Jim Ryan, the big surprise of the county executive race was Tyrone Dumas' strong fourth place finish, just behind Tom Nardelli.

Murphy’s Law: Why Scott McCallum Is In Big Trouble
Murphy’s Law

Why Scott McCallum Is In Big Trouble

It was amusing to see the photo of Gov. McCallum that ran on the front page of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last week.

Murphy’s Law: Has the Teacher’s Union Taken Over the GOP?
Murphy’s Law

Has the Teacher’s Union Taken Over the GOP?

It was not long ago that the state teacher's union was the designated villain for Republicans.

Murphy’s Law: Why Gov. McCallum’s Spending Priorities Were Wrong
Murphy’s Law

Why Gov. McCallum’s Spending Priorities Were Wrong

As the legislature wrestles with the state budget deficit, there has been talk of cutting every level of government except the schools.

Murphy’s Law: Is Nardelli Qualified To Be County Executive?
Murphy’s Law

Is Nardelli Qualified To Be County Executive?

Nothing should surprise us about county government at this point, but it does seem odd that the two favorites in the race for county executive are Scott Walker and Tom Nardelli, neither of whom has a college degree.

Murphy’s Law: Is Scott Walker Qualified To Be County Exec?
Murphy’s Law

Is Scott Walker Qualified To Be County Exec?

Rep. Scott K. Walker (R-Wauwatosa) was the first candidate to announce for county executive, and is widely considered one of the front-runners for the position.

Murphy’s Law: Which County Board Members Only Work Part-Time?
Murphy’s Law

Which County Board Members Only Work Part-Time?

It was 9 a.m. on a Friday morning in late October of last year when I began calling county supervisors for a story in Milwaukee Magazine.

Murphy’s Law: Dobbert’s Folly: How His Errors Will Cost Taxpayers More
Murphy’s Law

Dobbert’s Folly: How His Errors Will Cost Taxpayers More

It was sometime in the winter of 1999/2000 that Gary Dobbert went to a conference on the West Coast where he learned about pension plans with a lump sum pay out.

Murphy’s Law: Why Ament Will Lose And How Taxpayers Will Suffer
Murphy’s Law

Why Ament Will Lose And How Taxpayers Will Suffer

Tom Ament's suit against the recall petitions will probably fail. That's the prediction of George Dunst, legal counsel for the state elections board.

Murphy’s Law: Can Falk And Thompson Play Spoilers in the Governor’s Race?
Murphy’s Law

Can Falk And Thompson Play Spoilers in the Governor’s Race?

I'm hard pressed to think of a more interesting state race than the upcoming campaign for governor.

Murphy’s Law: Is Ament’s Pension Deal Biased Against Blacks?
Murphy’s Law

Is Ament’s Pension Deal Biased Against Blacks?

In the wake of the pension controversy, County Executive F. Thomas Ament has attempted to woo the black community in hopes that strong support there might keep him in office.

Murphy’s Law: Ament’s Sweetheart Insurance Deal For An Old Crony
Murphy’s Law

Ament’s Sweetheart Insurance Deal For An Old Crony

Accusations about cronyism in the Ament administration just keep coming.