Content referencing State of Wisconsin - Page 6

All | Articles | Press Releases
Bike Czar: We’re Driving Less, Cycling More
Bike Czar

We’re Driving Less, Cycling More

Milwaukee ranked 2nd and Madison 3rd in national decline of driving, while biking rose 280%.

How Walker Worries About Polls

How Walker Worries About Polls

His book shows he frequently adjusts strategy based on poll results.

Common Core is Here to Stay

Common Core is Here to Stay

And the black helicopters are coming!

Murphy’s Law: Police Scam Artists
Murphy’s Law

Police Scam Artists

Why does the cop’s union protect officers who rip off taxpayers?

Walker’s Book is Very Revealing

Walker’s Book is Very Revealing

There are fascinating sections, including Walker giving staff a top ten list ridiculing public workers.

Walker’s Year Of Political Danger

Walker’s Year Of Political Danger

Weak poll results and tricky issues face the governor in the year before he runs.

Murphy’s Law: The Decline of Local Control
Murphy’s Law

The Decline of Local Control

Republicans favor local control. So why are they passing so many laws ending it?

Will Mary Burke Spend Big?

Will Mary Burke Spend Big?

Democrats hope she'll spend plenty of her personal wealth in the race against Scott Walker, but she's giving mixed signals.

Why Walker’s Job Strategy Has Failed

Why Walker’s Job Strategy Has Failed

He’s followed a much-touted strategy used by successful companies. Why hasn’t it worked?

Plenty of Horne: Jon Richards Will Run for Attorney General
Plenty of Horne

Jon Richards Will Run for Attorney General

Like Abe Lincoln, Richards has been practicing law all across the state in preparation for his run.

How Legislators Grab Big Pensions

How Legislators Grab Big Pensions

A move into higher-paying state jobs greatly increases their pensions.

Obamacare Haters Help People Sign Up

Obamacare Haters Help People Sign Up

State's Republican politicians who oppose law are helping enroll their constituents.

Walker Faces Tough Choice on Kenosha Casino

Walker Faces Tough Choice on Kenosha Casino

Any decision he makes will anger some, and could affect his potential run for president.

Wisconsin Ignores Climate Change

Wisconsin Ignores Climate Change

Republicans join Koch Brothers, opposing actions to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Murphy’s Law: The Debtor Governor
Murphy’s Law

The Debtor Governor

Figures from non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau figures show Walker’s debt level the worst since 1970.

How School Choice Got Expanded Statewide

How School Choice Got Expanded Statewide

Deal by GOP legislators and pushed by voucher lobbyists expanded it beyond Gov. Walker's proposal.

Republicans Back Anti-Gun Bill

Republicans Back Anti-Gun Bill

Mandatory three-year term for illegal gun possession has support of Flynn and Barrett. But will it pass?

How to Reelect Freshmen Legislators

How to Reelect Freshmen Legislators

Party leaders let them sponsor high-profile bills likely to win votes.

Which Governor is Best At Growing Jobs?

Which Governor is Best At Growing Jobs?

The truth is far more complicated than either party would claim.

The State’s Spin Machine

The State’s Spin Machine

Dept of Workforce Development spins job numbers to make Walker look good. Does it matter?

State Ban on Same Sex Marriages Could Hurt Economy

State Ban on Same Sex Marriages Could Hurt Economy

Gay couples and businesses looking to recruit gay employees may see an economic incentive to move out of state.

Gov. Walker’s Gender Gap

Gov. Walker’s Gender Gap

Men approve and women disapprove of him by large margins. Could that decide 2014 election?

Murphy’s Law: The Truth About State Taxes
Murphy’s Law

The Truth About State Taxes

They were never lower than under Jim Doyle, as new data shows.

Why is Anti-Abortion Lobby So Powerful?

Why is Anti-Abortion Lobby So Powerful?

Despite spending far less than groups like Planned Parenthood, Pro-Lifers keep winning legislative battles.

Walker Spent Almost $1 Million on Outside Counsel

Walker Spent Almost $1 Million on Outside Counsel

He's now ending pact with Michael Best firm, which advised on Act 10 legislation.

More Jobs, Less Pay

More Jobs, Less Pay

Wisconsin sees the largest month-to-month gain in a decade but most are low-wage jobs.

House Confidential: Grant Langley’s Dour Ranch Home
House Confidential

Grant Langley’s Dour Ranch Home

It may be one of the dullest, most invisible homes in Milwaukee, and just barely.

Why We Trail America in Jobs Growth

Why We Trail America in Jobs Growth

In 21 of the last 23 months we have trailed the nation. Walker’s policies get much of the blame.

Seven Issues That Could Decide 2014 Election

Seven Issues That Could Decide 2014 Election

Wisconsin's choice for governor will depend on where voters stand on these issues.

Final Tally on State Budget

Final Tally on State Budget

The numbers show some surprising priorities, with spending on health care leading the way.

Who Will Run Against Walker?

Who Will Run Against Walker?

The list of possible candidates isn't long, as discussions at the state Democratic convention made clear.

Peter Barca for Governor?

Peter Barca for Governor?

Some Democratic insiders see Assembly minority leader Peter Barca as the best hope to run against Scott Walker.

Bike Czar: Wisconsin Declines in National Bike Rankings
Bike Czar

Wisconsin Declines in National Bike Rankings

Since 2010, we've dropped from 2nd most bike-friendly state to 8th place. State funding cuts are main reason.

Murphy’s Law: Bail Bond Bill Will Create Debtor’s Prisons
Murphy’s Law

Bail Bond Bill Will Create Debtor’s Prisons

Why are Republicans pushing a bill opposed almost unanimously by criminal justice professionals?

Murphy’s Law: The Not-So Fiscally Conservative Governor
Murphy’s Law

The Not-So Fiscally Conservative Governor

Scott Walker hasn’t solved the state’s longterm fiscal deficit. He may actually make it worse.

How Scott Walker Got Snookered

How Scott Walker Got Snookered

Excerpt from new book describes how Walker was fooled by a phone call from a blogger posing as conservative billionaire David Koch.

Why Experts Avoid Alarm on Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals

Why Experts Avoid Alarm on Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals

Experts avoid exposing themselves and their children to these chemicals but don't have enough evidence for public warnings.

DNR Doesn’t Test Wisconsin Waters for Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals

DNR Doesn’t Test Wisconsin Waters for Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals

State lags behind Minnesota in testing lakes & rivers for chemicals that hurt reproduction and could cause diabetes, cancer.

Bike Czar: Bicycle Lobbyists Hit the State Capitol
Bike Czar

Bicycle Lobbyists Hit the State Capitol

More than 100 advocates met with legislators and pushed for pro-bicycle policies. Will it have an impact?

Murphy’s Law: County Board Violates Its Own Law
Murphy’s Law

County Board Violates Its Own Law

Lobbyists have worked without board approval, which could be a cause for “discharge” of board chair Dimitrivjevic.

Act 10 Hits Jail Employees

Act 10 Hits Jail Employees

Counties across Wisconsin are slashing benefits for correctional employees, but some sheriffs say it's causing staffing problems.

Rent-To-Own Industry Wants Less Disclosure

Rent-To-Own Industry Wants Less Disclosure

Seeks to overturn law making it disclose interests rates. Industry supported Gov. Walker, who backs the change.

Thousands Could Lose Food Stamps Under Walker Proposal

Thousands Could Lose Food Stamps Under Walker Proposal

Job training requirements could mean more hunger in Milwaukee, advocate predicts.

Murphy’s Law: Democrats in Disarray
Murphy’s Law

Democrats in Disarray

The firing of its state spokesperson is just another sign the party has lost its way.

Wanted: A Wiser Prison Policy
Wanted

A Wiser Prison Policy

Alternatives to prison cost less and are more effective, as a new group lobbying the legislature contends.

Did State Pick the Wrong Bidder?

Did State Pick the Wrong Bidder?

Skyward rose to become the biggest student information system provider. But the Wisconsin business lost a state bid to a Minnesota company.

Norquist: How to Regulate Guns
Norquist

How to Regulate Guns

Liberals need to better understand firearms if they have any hope of passing regulations.

A Solution to Our Billion-Dollar Democracy

A Solution to Our Billion-Dollar Democracy

11 states support a constitutional amendment to overthrow Supreme Court decision allowing unrestrained campaign spending. What about Wisconsin?

The Secret Lobbyists

The Secret Lobbyists

Lobbyists must register to lobby the legislature but can work in secret to get the big money from government contracts. Why?

Murphy’s Law: Act 10 Could Still Be in Trouble
Murphy’s Law

Act 10 Could Still Be in Trouble

Federal appeals court decision looks shaky, and state lawyers made mistakes defending anti-union law.

Murphy’s Law: Robin Hood in Reverse
Murphy’s Law

Robin Hood in Reverse

Republicans’ tax plan assures that Wisconsin follows other states in the race to the bottom.

The Rising Cost of State’s Outside Contractors

The Rising Cost of State’s Outside Contractors

Wisconsin spent more on outside contractors than any year since 2004.

Murphy’s Law: Why We Need a Part-Time County Board
Murphy’s Law

Why We Need a Part-Time County Board

For 125 years, the board was part-time. Then Tom Ament and company nudged it up to full-time. Why?

Walker Will Veto Same-Day Registration Ban

Walker Will Veto Same-Day Registration Ban

Governor says if there is "any cost" to ending same-day voter registration, he will veto the bill.

A Call for Redistricting Reform

A Call for Redistricting Reform

Given the distorted election results, good government groups want to reform the process of redistricting.

Murphy’s Law: How State Aid to Cities Has Plummeted
Murphy’s Law

How State Aid to Cities Has Plummeted

Milwaukee is getting killed by declining shared revenue, violating a century-old state agreement.

Murphy’s Law: The Rise of Chris Larson
Murphy’s Law

The Rise of Chris Larson

Is he a young liberal heavyweight? Or a punching bag for Republicans?

Murphy’s Law: The Anti-Health Care Governor?
Murphy’s Law

The Anti-Health Care Governor?

Even as Scott Walker throws people off health care, he opposes federal programs that would increase coverage and lower costs.

Bike Czar: Death By Auto
Bike Czar

Death By Auto

Bicyclists are getting killed by negligent drivers. A proposed law could address the problem.

Murphy’s Law: Did Republicans Blow It?
Murphy’s Law

Did Republicans Blow It?

The court decision striking down collective bargaining law exposes obvious constitutional problems with it.

Murphy’s Law: Will State Screw Milwaukee?
Murphy’s Law

Will State Screw Milwaukee?

Expert condemns state for switching Milwaukee’s foster care funding to help other counties.

Murphy’s Law: Why Photo ID is Dead
Murphy’s Law

Why Photo ID is Dead

The Republican law will never become legal, because of Wisconsin’s unique constitution

Gateways: Our Downtown Hub
Gateways

Our Downtown Hub

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is much closer to the Downtown action than you might think. Part II of a series.

Murphy’s Law: Did the State Screw Talgo?
Murphy’s Law

Did the State Screw Talgo?

The train company's stunned CEO blasts Wisconsin for breaching its contract “like a Third World country.”

Murphy’s Law: Bob Donovan’s Shadowy Charity
Murphy’s Law

Bob Donovan’s Shadowy Charity

Operation Impact raises money to combat crime. But where are its records?

Wisconsin’s TIF policy needs changes

Wisconsin’s TIF policy needs changes

A couple years back, I authored a report for the Public Policy Forum about tax incremental financing (TIF), and warned that communities can use TIF too much, or too little.

Governor Walker’s Pro-Sprawl Agenda

Governor Walker’s Pro-Sprawl Agenda

It was clear that the election of Scott Walker to the Governorship was going to negatively impact transit as well as other services in Milwaukee, but beyond the 'fiscal' matters the agenda he has laid out goes far behind what even we predicted.

History and Walker’s Jobs Claim

History and Walker’s Jobs Claim

On election night, Governor-elect Scott Walker promised Wisconsin 250,000 news jobs by the end of 2014. Critics claim the goal is unrealistic and his jobs plan as lacking and juvenile.

Obesity & Urbanism

Obesity & Urbanism

The obesity predicament in this country and particularly the state of Wisconsin came to light last week with a report that showed 26% of people in the state are considered obese. The fact that over one quarter of the people in the state are overweight leads to increased costs in many areas of society, most prominently health care.

An Urban Benefit to the Smoking Ban

An Urban Benefit to the Smoking Ban

The indoor smoking ban goes in to effect in Wisconsin on July 5th, 2010, and certainly there are strong arguments on both sides of this issue.

Exit Freeway, Get Drunk?

Exit Freeway, Get Drunk?

A driver pulls his Ford 150 off at an exit on I-94, and proceeds to cut across the parking lot of the newest sprawling mall development in Wisconsin. He then takes two spots in the Flingers parking lot, far enough from other cars to avoid door dings, but more importantly aimed perfectly for a quick exit. At Flingers he orders extreme fajitas, throws down a few bombs, be it the car bomb, Jaeger bomb, cherry bomb, and a couple that he's convinced the bartender just made up.

What Would Alderman Donovan Do?

What Would Alderman Donovan Do?

The 2010 City of Milwaukee budget faces a series of hurdles. There is the $50 million pension fund contribution, brought on because of the stock market crash. There is also the $33 million decline in property tax levy due to declining home values.

State Expands Investment in Freight Railroads

State Expands Investment in Freight Railroads

WisDOT and Governor Doyle announced a substantial rail investment yesterday, it wasn't the oft-discussed KRM commuter rail line, but instead a serious upgrade to the aging railroad infrastructure that Wisconsin's railroads and businesses depend on.

Drinking Problem? or Driving Culture?

Drinking Problem? or Driving Culture?

Fifth offense. Right now that's when a drunk driving conviction in Wisconsin becomes a felony. Lower it to the fourth, third, second, or first, because clearly the fifth offense is way too many, but there's more to the drunk driving problem than how many times someone has to be caught before it becomes a felony. Further, this problem isn't because some bartenders play a game of dice with customers, have a round with regulars, or have a drink at the end of the night.

Doyle’s Decision Could Send Ripples Through Milwaukee’s Political Landscape

Doyle’s Decision Could Send Ripples Through Milwaukee’s Political Landscape

Governor Doyle's announcement that he will not be seeking a third term could send ripples through Milwaukee's political landscape. The most commonly mentioned named Democratic Party members that may run for Governor include, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, State Sen. Jon Erpenbach, Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, and Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk.

Encourage More Bicyclists by Bringing the Idaho Stop Law to Wisconsin

Encourage More Bicyclists by Bringing the Idaho Stop Law to Wisconsin

An important part of building a more bicycle friendly city, and for that matter state, is to update Wisconsin's biking laws so that they in encourage more ridership instead of discouraging it. For example, in June 2009 Governor Doyle signed a new "anti-dooring" law that corrected existing regulation which required bicyclist to ride three feet away from parked cars. This law actually protected drivers who opened their doors into bike lanes or streets without looking which often resulted in injured bicyclists.

Governor Doyle, County Executive Walker, Some Explanation is Needed

Governor Doyle, County Executive Walker, Some Explanation is Needed

On Wednesday Governor Doyle announced plans to spend the first $300 million out of $550 million stimulus funds on 63 road construction and repair projects in 30 counties.

Lake Michigan Under Fire

Lake Michigan Under Fire

Our beloved Lake Michigan is in trouble.  In the last year alone “the small fish” that sustain the big salmon and trout had their numbers cut in half.  Thanks to a growing number of mussels that are able to live at deep depths and rob the water of energy (the plankton), the ecosystem is under fire. But fear not, Jim Doyle is coming to the rescue (how about that for a change).  The state of Wisconsin will spend $6 million to build an experimental ballast water treatment system for the state’s Great Lakes ports, most importantly Milwaukee.  As you hopefully know, most of the invasive species in Lake Michigan today enter through the discharged ballast water of ships.  Wisconsin and the United States have been slow to pass legislation regulating this discharging, which can be largely prevented by discharging the ballast water in the open ocean. This system will hopefully serve as the catalyst for a movement by all Great Lakes ports to finally do something about allowing ballast water to be discharged.

Plenty of Horne: Breast Cancer House Picketed
Plenty of Horne

Breast Cancer House Picketed

Workers say "House of Dreams" is "House of Unpaid Bills"

Sen Schultz: We Need Necro Laws Now!
Sen Schultz

We Need Necro Laws Now!

Schultz says he hopes to introduce a bill in the legislature next session to remedy this lacuna in Wisconsin jurisprudence.

The Roundup: Buffett Tour on Hold
The Roundup

Buffett Tour on Hold

“Spirit – The Seventh Fire” has been put on hiatus.

The Roundup: Chest of Drawers Nets $1,808,000
The Roundup

Chest of Drawers Nets $1,808,000

Exclusive to milwaukeeworld.com

The Roundup: Jeff Stone Punk’d?
The Roundup

Jeff Stone Punk’d?

Seems like somebody is messing around with Rep. Jeff Stone's campaign identity.

The Roundup: When the Wealthy Serve
The Roundup

When the Wealthy Serve

A Look at the Commerce Secretary’s Statement of Economic Interests

The Roundup: Riemer: “Ready to Run”
The Roundup

Riemer: “Ready to Run”

This terse note from Riemer almost sounds like a Bill Christofferson soundbite, which means it's a good one.

The Roundup: At it Again
The Roundup

At it Again

Alderman asked to make big money decision on 24 hour notice.

The Roundup: First Lady’s Office
The Roundup

First Lady’s Office

“Where is Jessica Doyle?”

The Roundup: City Image Logo to be Unveiled Soon
The Roundup

City Image Logo to be Unveiled Soon

The nonprofit Spirit of Milwaukee is undertaking an image rebranding for the community.

The Roundup: Kennedy Walks
The Roundup

Kennedy Walks

Substantial Fine for Possession of Forged Artwork

The Roundup: More OIC – George Connections
The Roundup

More OIC – George Connections

Although the Gary George – OIC-GM connections are well documented, particularly those that have led to the convictions of George, Mark Sostarich and Carl Gee, recently-released audit information and other source documents indicate that perhaps the OIC-George connection needs to be further investigated. Nobody is accusing anybody of wrongdoing, but perhaps investigators should dig a little deeper into the dealings of George and those connected with him, if only to remove any hint of suspicion from settling on the mantle of the innocent. Take, for instance, the relationship between Todd Robert Murphy, OIC-GM and Gary George. Murphy was recently relieved of his Public Relations contract with OIC-GM, and was replaced by Martin Schreiber and Associates. The recent audit of the OIC-GM accounts indicated that payments made by OIC-GM to TRM Marketing Consultants, Murphy’s firm, were “unallowable expenses,” according to Paul Steiber of the State of Wisconsin. His review included two months during which Murphy received $4,000 per month from OIC-GM. Was this a “cushy consulting job,” as Leon Todd has suggested? Todd said the Murphy-planted cover story about OIC-GM that appeared in the Shepherd Express (and, interestingly, in newspapers in the African-American community) was “not enough” to save him his job. According to the audit, OIC-GM was not authorized to hire a public relations consultant with W2 funds. The Ethics Board did not have a complete accounting of the amount of money Murphy’s firm was paid over the years. The board was investigating “direct” payments, and Murphy’s were considered “indirect.” According to John Becker of the Ethics Board, the payments to Todd Robert Murphy’s firm “were not something we focused on.” Nor has the board “seen any checks,” from OIC-GM to Murphy, he said. One wonders if the State of Wisconsin Ethics Board should have done a better job reviewing its own documents, for the Statements of Economic Interests filed by George for the years 1999-2001 show that George received more than $1,000 per year from Murphy’s firm. It would be interesting to know how much exactly per year Murphy sent to George, and what he got in exchange. George also reported receiving funds from Petrie and Stocking, the firm that employed Mark Sostarich, who gave George kickbacks from OIC funds. George also received money from Coleman & Williams, Ltd., an accounting firm. Coleman & Williams also received money from OIC – to conduct an audit of the OIC books. Isn’t it odd that an accounting firm that received money from OIC-GM would also, coincidentally, be sending more than $1,000 per year to George, who was systematically swindling OIC-GM out of money, with the connivance of Carl Gee, the group’s director, and Mark Sostarich, the Petrie and Stocking lawyer? Bill Coleman, of the accounting firm, said the relationship was quite innocent, and that he had hired Gary George to do unspecified legal work for his firm. Since many aspects of attorney-client relationships are privileged, we’ll have to take his word for it. Still, workers at the Ethics Board, the United […]

The Roundup: Mequon Turns Voter Away
The Roundup

Mequon Turns Voter Away

The City of Mequon told a local man who tried to register and vote at City Hall last week that he was “too late.”

The Roundup: Feds Stop Funding School, Library Internet and Phone Service
The Roundup

Feds Stop Funding School, Library Internet and Phone Service

Two months ago, the federal grants stopped.

The Roundup: Dem Challenge for Panzer Seat
The Roundup

Dem Challenge for Panzer Seat

The disarray of the Republican 20th Senate District has convinced the Democratic Party to field a write-in candidate for primary.

The Roundup: Primary Feud
The Roundup

Primary Feud

Kohlenberg & Kennedy Stir it Up

The Roundup: Morales V Darling Race Set
The Roundup

Morales V Darling Race Set

Milwaukee School Board member Jennifer Morales has decided to challenge Alberta Darling and her hold on the 8th Senate District Seat.

The Roundup: Liz Cheney to Open Bush-Cheney Office Here
The Roundup

Liz Cheney to Open Bush-Cheney Office Here

If you are over by Mayfair Monday, you can drop by the grand opening of the Bush–Cheney’04 Wisconsin Headquarters, 2222 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa.  The opening is open to the press, and Liz Cheney will be available for interviews. The event is at noon and features such other dignitaries as Rep. Leah Vukmir, Rep. Mark Honadel, Rep. Curt Gielow, and County Executive Scott Walker. If you are in the neighborhood and would like to do something other than that, then get to the corner of Hwy. 100 and W. North Avenue where Wisconsin Citizen Action hosts a “Bash Bush” event at 11:30 a.m. Gary George Law License Suspended If you never got around to hiring Gary George as a lawyer like the Warshafsky Law Firm did, you’re “temporarily” out of luck. The disgraced former state senator’s license was temporarily suspended April 1st by an order of Cornelia G. Clark the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, dated March 8, 2004.. Clark acted on a motion from the Office of Lawyer Regulation “seeking the temporary suspension of the license of Attorney Gary R. George to practice law in Wisconsin. … The basis for this motion is Attorney George’s January 22, 2004 guilty plea in United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, to one count of conspiracy.” It is not common for lawyers to plead guilty to felony charges – they usually put up a fight, and a law license won’t be of much use where Gary’s going – namely, federal prison. For one thing, the competition would be intense. Paul Henningsen’s already got most of the business locked up by now, one would imagine. Along with George’s demise we lose another annoyance – we shall no longer see or hear Gary George advertisements for the Warshafsky Law Firm. George taped his advertisements in August, 2000, back when the century was new and George’s integrity was unblemished. (We were a simpler people then.) Back then I asked the law firm about the ads. “Are they designed to help George in his reelection campaign?” The Warshafsky spokesperson replied, “It has no connection to the campaign. He just brings us a lot of business.” Election Night Approaches We are down to the final hours in our Mayoral election, with the result said to be a tossup. Much will be dependent on voter turnout, which itself can depend on things like the weather. The primary election had the added allure of a presidential primary to possibly juice the vote. On the other hand, it is possible that the lack of a republican presidential race kept Milwaukee republicans at home in February, and that they will come out to vote Tuesday, if there are enough of them to count. Then we have the white people for Pratt, and the black people for Barrett contingency. I should imagine they exist in roughly the same, small numbers. Among them – former candidates Frank Cumberbatch and Leon Todd have endorsed Barrett. Sandy Folaron and Vince Bobot have […]

The Roundup: The Last of Kerry as a Free Man?
The Roundup

The Last of Kerry as a Free Man?

Last Monday February 16th – Presidents Day – John Kerry, in Milwaukee, made what might have been one of his final appearances as a “free” man. By Friday, home in Boston, Kerry had asked for and received Secret Service protection. The protection, which will last through the election should he become the nominee, and for his lifetime should he become president, will contrast greatly with the free-and-easy access enjoyed by the crowd of perhaps 400 who gathered to see the Massachusetts senator at the Italian Community Center. The event was billed as a rally and was held the day before the Wisconsin primary. As mentioned here last week, the Kerry campaign printed up thousands of leaflets for the event, hastily writing in “and Ted Kennedy,” by hand when it appeared the other Massachusetts senator would be joining him there. The closest Kennedy came to the ICC, though, was in this lame joke by candidate Kerry: “Massachusetts is a Wampanoag Indian term meaning ‘Land of Many Kennedys,’” Kerry said at the beginning of his remarks. He spoke from a raised platform in the center of the ICC east ballroom. Arrayed on three walls of the room were risers filled with local politicians, and a lot of union workers. The crowd had been placed there about an hour before Kerry’s 7:30 speech, and was kept entertained by a band playing rousing, funky music. Among those on the risers: Senator Jeff Plale, Patti Keating Kahn (Mrs. Hon. Chuck Kahn), Marlene Johnson-Odom, Vel Phillips and Supervisor Willie Johnson. Ald. Ryan Schroeder was also there representing his constituents, back in whatever city he’s from. Tom Barrett worked the room, wearing a neat tie with pink triangles. “You either get it, or you don’t,” he said about his gay cravat. Vince Bobot, then still an opponent, went up and shaked Barrett’s hand, the way politicians do with their rivals. Matt Flynn worked the room, as did County Executive candidate David Riemer. Other notables included Angelo Cataldo, who is still operating his pizza bus, along with Jim and Joanne Klisch, having a look around. No Nuts, Crackpots – Or Secret Service Access to the room was simple: you just showed up and waited for the doors to open, and then waited some more for the candidate. No metal detectors, no guys with sunglasses, no hassle. This will change considerably with the candidate’s secret service protection. The good news: there were no nuts or crackpots in the audience, just democrats. Not everybody in the room was a Kerry supporter. Michael Retzer, the controller of W. G. Strohwig Tool & Die, Inc. came down from Industrial Road, in Richfield, to hand out cards from “Save American Manufacturing,” a “national organization concerned about the loss of all areas of manufacturing and services to non-domestic sources that is causing a rapid decline in the economic condition of the United States.” Business owners are having second thoughts about NAFTA, it seems. He handed out a list of John Kerry’s top contributors, including […]

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: 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 The Legislature Giving Free Money To Fat Cat Investors?
Murphy’s Law

Is The Legislature Giving Free Money To Fat Cat Investors?

Glenn Grothman is not a happy camper.

<< See Newer - See Older >>