Politics
Tony Zielinski to Run for Lieutenant Governor
Milwaukee Alderman Tony Zielinski will announce his candidacy for the position of Lieutenant Governor on Friday.
Aug 21st, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
8/18 – 8/24
Great outdoor concerts and exclusive engagements this week: the Glenn Miller Orchestra, bluegrass at Chill on the Hill, Concord Chamber Orchestra at Boerner Botanical Gardens, Lou Fanucchi and more.
Aug 17th, 2009 by Brian Jacobson
Politico.com says Doyle won’t run in 2010
Sources tell Politico.com that Dems are concerned about Jim Doyle's chances in 2010. Or maybe there's a federal appointment in his future. Brett Favre finally retired, maybe Doyle thinks his time has come too!
Aug 15th, 2009 by Ted Bobrow
The Property Tax Revolt of 2010
If you think the health care reform debate is devolving into an out-of-control shouting match, just wait.
Aug 10th, 2009 by Ted Bobrow
Health Care Reform Full Court Press
Barack Obama may not be much of a bowler and he didn't bring much heat at the All Star Game. But when it comes to basketball and policy, he got game. Think health care reform is in danger? I'd think again.
Jul 24th, 2009 by Ted Bobrow
Milwaukee County Pension Scandal Number 2?
Milwaukee County is going ahead with executing a plan for its pension system that involves borrowing money, investing it in the market, and hoping to earn a 2% profit. The plan has garnered support from County Executive Walker, the County Board, and the county's actuary consultant.
Jul 23rd, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
South Shore Listening Session Recap
Following the veto of Milwaukee County transit sales tax by Governor Doyle, Representative Christine Sinicki, Senate Jeff Plale, and Representative Jon Richards held a listening session at the South Shore Park Pavilion.
Jul 9th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
Ubiquitous Obama Adjusts to Evolving Media Universe
While media mavens struggle to figure out how to earn a buck selling the news, the tsunami of changes they face also presents enormous challenges for the folks who make the news. Way back in the last century, when a president wanted to make news he simply walked into the White House Rose Garden and whatever he said was quickly fed to the nation and world via the Associated Press, The New York Times, the major broadcast and cable television networks and a handful of other major media organizations. Occasionally, if the president wanted to speak directly to the public, he would deliver an address to the nation that the networks felt obligated to broadcast live during the post-dinner hours that were quaintly referred to as primetime. But that was then. These days, fewer and fewer people are getting their news from traditional sources. The preponderance of cable news networks, internet news options and the rapid growth of news on demand offered by cellphones and PDAs make it increasingly difficult for our political leaders, not to mention all the others who are competing for our attention, to get their messages out to their desired audiences. What this means is, well, actually we really don’t know yet what this all means. But it certainly means things are changing at an incredibly rapid pace and whatever worked yesterday is out of date before the ink dries on today’s newspapers. There’s a metaphor that has probably outlived its usefulness. Clearly, President Obama has his hands full trying to control the news cycle and get his message out while dealing with a recession, fighting two wars and otherwise running the country. You have to give the guy credit; just this last week or so he managed to announce the nomination of a new Supreme Court Justice, oversee the conditions for GM to declare bankruptcy, ensure that no less than five Congressional committees are moving forward with proposals to reform the nation’s health care system, all before heading off to the Middle East to deliver a speech intended to restart America’s relationship with the world’s Islamic population. Everyone seemed to agree that candidate Obama made remarkable use of the internet during the campaign. But doesn’t that seem a long, long time ago? During his first few months in office, President Obama experimented with a few innovations such as an internet public hearing and distributing his weekly address in video on YouTube. The White House’s efforts to get its message out can sometimes take your breath away. One minute you’ve got NBC News anchor Brian Williams following Obama around for a day winning the president a delicious, fat wet kiss for two nights on the network. Then The New York Times runs a story that gushes about how effectively All The President’s Men (let’s face it, they are mostly men) are working with Congress, especially on health care reform. And you couldn’t turn on a computer the last 24 hours or so without getting invited to […]
Jun 4th, 2009 by Ted Bobrow
Bronx Girl Makes Good
It’s going to be hard to demonize the girl from the Bronx projects. She went to Princeton and Yale Law, served as a prosecutor and corporate attorney, was appointed to the federal bench by the first President Bush and was elevated to the appeals court by President Clinton. Sonia Sotomayor has the kind of back story that lends itself to a delightful “Movie of the Week” portrayal.
May 26th, 2009 by Ted Bobrow
Smoke Free Compromise Expected to Pass
The good news is that the Wisconsin legislature is likely to pass a comprehensive bill to prohibit smoking in all workplaces in the state as soon as Wednesday. Yes, that includes all bars and restaurants. The bad news is that the law won’t take effect until July 5, 2010.
May 11th, 2009 by Ted Bobrow
The Sweet Spot of Political Speech
As a presidential candidate, Barack Obama was eloquent. He was inspirational, charismatic, a veritable rock star. Tens of thousands of people turned out to hear him speak at rallies here in the United States as well as abroad. Now he’s been reduced to reminding us to wash our hands and cover our mouths when we cough. Mario Cuomo famously said politicians campaign in poetry and govern in prose. But, truth be told, both are incredibly challenging and Obama has demonstrated, once again, that he gets it and is a master at political speech, both soaring and mundane. Then there’s Vice President Joe Biden. Joe the VP has a lot going for him but he has his Achilles heel. His tendency to speak off the cuff and stick his foot in his mouth is still getting him in trouble. Many of his diversions from approved language are humorous, trivial and occasionally truthful. While poking fun at Chief Justice Roberts’s flub following the inauguration was harmless, his claim that Obama would likely be tested during the first 100 days and the admission that the recovery plan had a less than 100 percent chance of succeeding were refreshingly honest. Yet when Biden went renegade on the Today show yesterday and claimed that he’d recommend his family stay away from confined spaces such as airplanes and subway cars, it was widely agreed that he had muddied the message of the day. White House officials were quick to clarify about what the vice president had “meant.” There is no reason for healthy people to restrict their normal activities, they said. Yet many local governments, including Milwaukee, are exercising caution by closing schools believed to be at risk of exposure. Biden deviated from the official talking points when he switched to the often tried and true perspective of parent. This can be an effective strategy to express empathy for the choices facing average voters and citizens. But Biden would have been wiser to use this strategy to bolster the party line rather than contradict it. For example, he could have said “As a father, I understand why many parents may be concerned about sending their kids to school or being anywhere in a crowd. But the risk of infection in most communities is incredibly small and we don’t see a need for changes in most normal behavior. “The take home message remains sensible steps such as routine hand washing are our best defense from infection though people with flu symptoms should stay home and not go to school or work.” So far, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Health Commissioner Bevan Baker are effectively walking this fine line. Mayor Barrett even employed the “father” card to explain why he was taking the step to close the schools. We look to our leaders for clear explanations for their actions as well as cool under pressure. During health emergencies, economic crises and other high-profile challenges, we want to know the essential facts that informed our government’s decisions as well […]
May 1st, 2009 by Ted Bobrow
You Can Help Save FILM WI Tax Incentives WED 4/29 – Thurs 4/30 @ 11am – CALL NOW!
Want your voice to be heard and do your part to help save the Film WI Tax Incentives? Call Your State Senator Today! This is a rare opportunity to help a filmmaker and call a State Senator in your underwear at the same time! Think about it. Its like Halley’s Comet. Read on and call ASAP! Cultural Alliance of Greater Milwaukee April 29, 2009 Forwarding this important information on behalf of Arts Wisconsin. Please CALL Joint Finance Committee members today to urge their support of the film industry tax incentives! The Joint Finance Committee will meet in Executive Session on Thursday, April 30, beginning at 11 am in Room 412 East of the State Capitol. The Committee will be considering and voting on the improved film industry tax incentives package put forth by Rep. Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee). TODAY IS THE DAY to ensure that funding for the incentives is included in the 2009-2011 state budget. You can help make this happen by taking action RIGHT NOW. If your legislator is a Joint Finance Committee member – the list is below – please CALL with this message: “I am a constituent of Sen. /Rep. Smith and I want him/her to support and vote for the improved film industry tax incentives proposal at the April 30 Joint Finance Committee Executive Session. His/her support will help create jobs in the district and across the state, and is greatly appreciated!” You can tell this message to the staff member who answers the phone; the staff member will ask for your name and address, to make sure you are a constituent. If each of the 16 members of the Committee receives 10 phone calls today, they will know that there is support in their district and statewide. Don’t delay! Call now! Legislative offices are usually open until 5 pm, but if you get the voicemail, you can leave a message. Make sure to include your name and address. More information is at http://capwiz.com/artsusa/wi/issues/alert/?alertid=12751846&type=ML&show_alert=1. If you have any questions, please contact Arts Wisconsin at 608 255 8316 akatz@artswisconsin.org. Joint Finance Committee Senate Members : Sen. Mark Miller, D-Monona, Co-Chair, 16th District Sen.Miller@legis.wisconsin.gov, (608) 266-9170 Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, 8th District, Sen.Darling@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 5830 Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, 30th District, Sen.Hansen@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 5670 Sen. Julie Lassa, D-Stevens Point, 24th District, Sen.Lassa@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 3123 Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine, 21st District, Sen.Lehman@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 1832 Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, 14th District, Sen.Olsen@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 0751 Sen. Judy Robson, D-Beloit, 15th District, Sen.Robson@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 2253 Sen.Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee, 4th District, Sen.Taylor@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 5810 Assembly members: Rep. Mark Pocan, D- Madison, 78th District, Co-Chair Rep.Pocan@legis.wisconsin.gov, (608) 266-8570 Rep. Pedro Colón, D-Milwaukee, 8th District, Rep.Colon@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 267 7669 Rep. Tamara Grigsby, D-Milwaukee, 18th District, Rep.Grigsby@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 0635 Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, 62nd District, Rep.Mason@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 0634 Rep. Phil Montgomery, R-Green Bay, 4th District, Rep.Montgomery@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 5840 Rep. Jennifer Shilling, D-LaCrosse, 95th District, Rep.Shilling@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 5780 Rep. Gary Sherman, D-Port Wing, 94th […]
Apr 29th, 2009 by Howie Goldklang
