State of Wisconsin

Content referencing State of Wisconsin - Page 19

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.

Apr 5th, 2011 by John Kovari

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.

Mar 15th, 2011 by Dave Reid

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.

Nov 11th, 2010 by John Kovari

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.

Aug 12th, 2010 by Matthew Trussoni

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.

Jun 1st, 2010 by Dave Reid

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.

Dec 11th, 2009 by Dave Reid

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.

Oct 7th, 2009 by Dave Reid

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.

Sep 25th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene

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.

Aug 30th, 2009 by Dave Reid

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.

Aug 19th, 2009 by Dave Reid

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.

Aug 6th, 2009 by Dave Reid

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.

Feb 14th, 2009 by Dave Reid

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.

Jan 24th, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene

Plenty of Horne

Breast Cancer House Picketed

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

Jun 8th, 2007 by Michael Horne

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.

Sep 7th, 2006 by Michael Horne

The Roundup

Buffett Tour on Hold

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

Jun 27th, 2005 by Michael Horne

The Roundup

Chest of Drawers Nets $1,808,000

Exclusive to milwaukeeworld.com

May 16th, 2005 by Michael Horne

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Jeff Stone Punk’d?

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

May 2nd, 2005 by Michael Horne

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When the Wealthy Serve

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

Feb 25th, 2005 by Michael Horne

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Riemer: “Ready to Run”

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

Feb 14th, 2005 by Michael Horne

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At it Again

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

Feb 7th, 2005 by Michael Horne

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First Lady’s Office

“Where is Jessica Doyle?”

Jan 31st, 2005 by Michael Horne

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City Image Logo to be Unveiled Soon

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

Jan 10th, 2005 by Michael Horne

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Kennedy Walks

Substantial Fine for Possession of Forged Artwork

Jan 3rd, 2005 by Michael Horne

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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 […]

Nov 15th, 2004 by Michael Horne

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