Related Articles - Page 4
In Defense of Goo Goos
Why we need the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and Wisconsin Taxpayer’s Alliance.
May 29th, 2013 by Bruce Murphy
Loading Up the Budget With Policy and Pork
In violation of his campaign promise, Walker's budget has 58 policy or non-monetary items and 15 pieces of pork.
May 15th, 2013 by Bill Lueders
Thousands Could Lose Food Stamps Under Walker Proposal
Job training requirements could mean more hunger in Milwaukee, advocate predicts.
Mar 18th, 2013 by Brendan O’Brien
What’s Stopping Tougher Drunk Driving Laws
The cost of enforcement has been estimated at $200 million annually, but some scoff at this figure.
Jan 18th, 2013 by Bill Lueders
Robin Hood in Reverse
Republicans’ tax plan assures that Wisconsin follows other states in the race to the bottom.
Jan 11th, 2013 by Bruce Murphy
KRM Line Left Out of Budget Compromise
Metra 403 Originally uploaded by jimfrazier The budget compromise was just approved by both sides of Wisconsin State Legislature, and will certainly be approved by Governor Jim Doyle later this week. In what ways did it affect Milwaukee? Money for the the KRM line, connecting Kenosha, Racine, and Milwaukee with a high-frequency rail line, was left out of the budget. This money would have been raised through a $15 car rental fee/tax increase and bonds. The director of the authority had this to say about it being left out of the budget… Ostby wouldn’t say the project would be dead if money were not included in the budget, but admitted some serious thinking would have to be done. “Honestly, I’ve just been so focused on getting it into the budget, that it’d just be time to regroup and rethink some things,” he said. “I suppose there is the potential for a referendum yet.” – Read more There was an increase in the amount of money available via bonds for railroad development though in other areas of the state. Oshkosh Northwestern reports… Plans for a passenger train between Milwaukee and Madison inched closer to reality. The budget increases bonding authority for the train’s development by $32 million, raising total bonding authority to $80 million. The state plans to seek federal funds to cover 80 percent of the project’s cost, with state bonds covering the remaining 20 percent, up to a total project cost of $400 million. No federal programs provide such funding, however, according to the state Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Read more The budget bill, however, actually reads… Under current law, DOT administers a Rail Passenger Route Development Program to, in part, fund capital costs related to Amtrak service extension routes or other rail service routes between Milwaukee and Madison and between Milwaukee and Green Bay. This bill expands the program to include routes between Chicago and Milwaukee and between Madison and La Crosse. The bill also increases general obligation bonding authority for the program from $50,000,000 to $82,000,000. Under current law, DOT may contract up to $44,500,000 in public debt for the acquisition and improvement of rail property. This bill increases the limit to $66,500,000. So that money could ultimately be used elsewhere. I’m happy that a compromise could be reached, however, it’s sad to see the KRM line get beat into the ground.
Oct 23rd, 2007 by Jeramey Jannene
How To Kill Ament’s Pension
Now that the mainstream media is having a feeding frenzy over the pension story I first broke back in October, Milwaukee County Executive F. Thomas Ament has gotten religion.
Jan 10th, 2002 by Bruce Murphy
Why Are Homeowners Subsidizing Cable TV?
Republican and Democrats can't agree on much, as they squabble over the state budget, but both parties seem to think that AOL Time Warner needs a tax break.
Jul 16th, 2001 by Bruce Murphy
Can the New State Superintendent Succeed?
Herbert Grover is not impressed with the credentials of Elizabeth Burmaster, the new State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Jul 2nd, 2001 by Bruce Murphy
