State News

                Officials of a Wisconsin school have censored a student's editorial column printed in the city paper and "sincerely" apologized for his words in support of natural mother-father adoptions. Both sides of the adoption issue were presented in separate articles, each written by students. But Shawano High School officials pulled the article written by a 15-year-old student who used scripture to support his argument. He wrote: "If one is a practicing Christian, Jesus states in the Bible that homosexuality is [a] detestable act and sin, which makes adopting wrong for homosexuals because you would be raising the child in a sin-filled environment."
                According to Steve Crampton of the Liberty Counsel , the school caved after it received a complaint from one homosexual in the community. And in a public statement,  the superintendent claimed the censored article created a "negative environment." "To give in to an overly-sensitive homosexual is not to set up the kind of rational and civil debate that I think the school was trying to do in the first place," the attorney contends. "What you're doing is setting a horrific example that he who screams loudest will get what he wants." So the Liberty Counsel vice president of legal affairs concludes that the school should apologize for its shameful censorship -- not for the student's article.

Walker Recall May Cost the State $9 million

                According to the Government Accountability Board, the proposed recall election for governor Scott Walker may end up costing Wisconsin more than they bargained for.  "The costs of reviewing the signatures, validating them and then holding a recall election would run to $841,000 for the state; $2.3 million for counties; and $5.8 million for local governments," claims the GAB.  Democrats would also like to recall Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, but if the recall election were held on the same day as Governor Walker's, it will not cost the state much extra funding.  Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) complained that the responsibility to validate signatures should fall on the Walker campaign instead of Wisconsin tax payers. "Gov. Walker has used the courts to dodge responsibility for signature challenges that have always been the responsibility of the candidates, foist costs unto taxpayers and is now hypocritically complaining about cost." stated Barca.

U.S. Rep Duffy Calls for Campaign Finance Reform

                U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy told the Wausau Daily Herald that he would support a constitutional amendment that limits corporate, union and political action committee spending.  Rep. Duffy said that the best way to reform campaign financing would be to eliminate all funds from special-interestgroups, corporations and unions.  "You can't say 'I want to take away this pot of money that supports this party, but I want to leave this pot intact,'" said Duffy, "All the pots have to go. I would absolutely support that."  The Democrats contend that Rep. Duffy would need to start by cleaning up his own campaign.  Mike Tate of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin sites a donation of $5,000 given to Duffy by conservative group Citizens United.  Tate contends that Duffy should return the donation and vow to no longer accept similar contributions in the future.

Study Exposes Errors in Same-Day Registration Voting

                Wisconsin Grand Sons of Liberty, a patriot organization, conducted a study on same-day voter registration in Milwaukee County that revealed that at least one-third of all applications contained errors.  The study reviewed 11,107 Election Day Registrations (EDR) from Milwaukee County in the April 5, 2011 election. Of those mistakes, 46% (1,721) were registrations that provided no proof of residency and 1,386 registrants indicated they were changing their address but provided no previous address, thus leaving an active voting registration at a different address.  This citizen directed audit of the Same-Day Registration shows how easy it is for voter fraud to occur.  The Milwaukee Police Department claims that doing away with the EDR would, "eliminate a large percentage of fraud or the appearance of fraudulent voting in any given election."

Wisconsin Public Employees Retire at Record Rates

                Due to the reforms of Governor Walker last year, massive amounts of public employees retired last year to get their retirement benefits while they still can.  The state pension fund received 18,780 retirement applications in 2011, compared to the average of about 10,500 in previous years.  Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie claims that this influx of retirements will not harm public services.  "The state has a highly skilled, dedicated and innovative workforce who serve their fellow citizens well," Werwie said.

Liberals Oppose Pick for State's Health Officer

                Liberals are crying foul against health department Secretary Dennis Smith's appointment of nurse Karen McKeown as the new state health officer.  McKeown was home schooled and is a fellow with the Heritage Foundation.  She received her nursing degree from an online course in Yale College and has been working as a nurse for ten years at the East Tyler Medical Center where she managed a 50-bed oncology ward.  A journalist from the Capitol Times contended that McKeown is inept for such a position because she did not have a degree in public health or the experience needed to manage her responsibilities.  Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate claims that she only received her appointments because of her conservative views. "The health of the people of Wisconsin and our emergency preparedness should not be put into the hands of a nurse from Texas with no experience and who got the job solely because she subscribes the a radical ideology that turns its back on sick people," said Tate.

Funeral Homes and Cemeteries Battle Over Repeal

                A seventy-year-old law that prohibits cemetery owners from operating funeral homes and vice versa is being challenged for a repeal.  The cemetery owners contend that a repeal of the law would offer more competition and help small cemeteries stay in operation.  Rep. Evan Wynn (R-Whitewater) agrees with the cemetery owners and has drafted a bill to repeal the cross-ownership ban. "I just truly believe in a free-market system where you should be able to have that competition in business," Wynn said. Funeral Home owners disagree.  Scott Peterson, executive director of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association, claims that a repeal would result in less competition. "A repeal would reduce competition, with combination cemetery-funeral homes dominating local markets," says Peterson, "The likely result would be national chains swooping in, buying lots of cemeteries and leaving consumers in an area with only one choice."

GAB Requests More Time to Review Signatures 

                The Government Accountability Board has requested 60 more days to review the petitions to recall Governor Scott Walker and Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch.  The GAB has the colossal task of scanning more than 150,000 recall petition pages for the Governor and 140,000 pages for the Lt. Governor. After the signatures are scanned, they are checked for errors and duplications.  An extension beyond the 60 days may also be requested.

Did the Pulaski High School Make a Pro-Union Stand?

                The high school band of Pulaski, Wisconsin, was honored with the position of marching in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.  The band started their march with the familiar "On Wisconsin" and then moved into a polka song known as "the Red Wing".  Unbeknownst to the band director, the traditional polka song was the melody chosen by 1940 folk singer Woody Guthrie to his song, "the Union Maid".  Liberals everywhere took this as a political stand against Governor Scott Walker and applauded the students and staff for making this "awesome statement".  District Superintendent Mel Lightner told media outlets that they were not making a political statement and that the song was to honor Pulaski's Polish heritage.  The band director says he has never heard of "the Union Maid" and chose the song to honor his grandmother.

Governor Creates Amendment to Allow Interstate Meat Sales

                Governor Walker has authorized the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to alter administrative rule known as ATCP 55, to allow state inspected meat processors to sell across state lines. Currently only federally inspected plants are able to sell out of state, but soon the opportunity will be opened to state inspected plants. "These small state-inspected meat processors have a vital place in our heritage, and now we can help assure they are just as important to our future," the Governor said in making his announcement. "This new opportunity promises to increase their investments in personnel and capital, adding jobs and building the tax base in our state's rural areas."

State Property Taxes Rise Little in 2012

                Total statewide property taxes are up 0.3% in 2012, according to preliminary estimates from the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX). This is the smallest increase in 14 years and is due mostly to the 1% drop in the school levy. WISTAX also showed that municipal (city, village, and town) levies, which account for about 24% of the average tax bill, are expected to rise between 1.5% and 2.0%, below the average increase of the past five years (3.6%).   These reductions in tax raises are mostly the result of tightened state-imposed revenue limits.

Redistricting Causes Confusion

                Due to errors in Census results and inaccuracies in maps, many Wisconsinites are still not placed in the correct districts after Republicans redistricted several communities last year.  On top of these problems, changes were also made on the way voters are now being entered into the state system for registering them. These errors have placed residents in the wrong county and even in the wrong continent.  The Journal Sentinel reported on clerk saying, "We're not only changing and moving districts, we're changing the system beneath it. We had many, many voters who showed up (on the computer map) on the coast of Africa and we had to drag them back to the state of Wisconsin and put them where they belonged." Election officials are scrambling to resolve the problems before February 21, when the spring primaries will be held.

Kestrel Aircraft Corporation Coming to Superior

                Kestrel Aircraft Corporation will establish its manufacturing and headquarters in Superior, creating up to 600 new jobs. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Develop Authority worked to get Kestrel tax credits and small business loans.  Governor Walker is excited over the opportunities this provides for Wisconsin. "I am pleased with the aggressive package we have put forth in conjunction with strong local support to make this major job creation contribution to Superior," said Governor Walker. "This relocation will be a huge boost to the Superior-area economy."

Are Dairy Farms Recovering?

                Wisconsin continues to lose dairy farms every year.  Last year 681 dairy farmers left the business.  According to Ben Brancel, secretary of the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Wisconsin's dairy farmers are beginning to recover.  Brancel claims that exports are partly responsible for the increase.  He stated, "There are marketing opportunities that have never been there in the past," Brancel said.  As more developing nations become wealthier, their demand for meat and dairy rises with the advancement of the middle class. Milk prices were strong in 2011 but may decrease slightly in 2012.

Governor Signs Tax Enforcement Reform Bill

            Governor Walker has signed a bill that will change Wisconsin's tax enforcement procedures.  The new law will shift the burden of proof on the state Department of Revenue instead of the tax payer in cases of  alleged tax evasion.  Now taxpayers will finally be considered innocent until proven guilty.  Walker believes that the measure will help create jobs. The Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, a business lobbying group, helped in the bill's drafting.

WI Taxes Ninth Highest in the Nation

            According to the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, Wisconsin tax payers pay about 11% of their earnings in taxes.  Compared to the national average of 9.8%, Wisconsin tax payers pay significantly more in property taxes and personal income taxes than other states. These two taxes were 25 percent above the national norm in 2009.  Todd A. Berry, taxpayer alliance president, explains why these discrepancies exist, "Wisconsin has historically relied less on sales taxes and federal aid than other states, individual income and property taxes are used to a greater extent than in most states."

Walker Under Fire for Rejecting "Holiday Tree"

            The big, green evergreen decked in ornaments in the capitol building's rotunda has been called a holiday tree by politicians for the last twenty five years.  Governor Walker, however, is not cowering to the politically correct jargon and casually referred to the decoration as a Christmas tree.  Atheist groups, like the Freedom From Religion Foundation, are calling the governor's statement, "a slight and a snub to non-Christians."  Walker spokesman, Cullen Werwie, defended the statement, "It's a Christmas tree.  In all honesty, I don't know what more to say about it."

Concealed Carry Requirements Modified

            The Joint Administrative Rules panel rejected the recommendations of Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen to require four hours of training to obtain a concealed carry permit.  The motions passed 6-2 along party lines, with two Dem senators absent for the vote. Van Hollen claimed that his intention for requiring four hours of training was to make the law "workable." Due to the new ruling, the state Department of Justice said the agency no longer requires applicants to say how much training they received, just that they received some training. The applicant now has only to produce a letter from an instructor of a training course to satisfy the DOJ.  Wisconsin citizens have filed an estimated 28,078 concealed carry applications so far.

Appleton Votes for Homosexual Benefits

            The Appleton Common Council voted 10-6 to extend health and dental coverage to registered same-sex domestic partners of city employees. Other members of the council have been trying since September to delay or eliminate the proposal but were ultimately defeated.  The cutting of domestic partner benefits would have saved the city $100,000, but the significance of this decision is the precedence that it sets for the acceptance of homosexuality.  The same sex couples are required to register with the state's domestic partner registry in order to be eligible.  Wisconsin Family Action argues the registry violates Wisconsin's 2006 constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriage and civil unions and has filed a court case against the state. 

Lawsuits Against the State Can Be Filed Outside Madison

            Governor Walker signed a bill that allows lawsuits to be filed against the state anywhere in Wisconsin.  The former law mandated that all suits be filled in Dane county.  Appellants also will be permitted to choose the state appeals court that hears their arguments, however, the appeals court cannot be in the same court district that originally heard the case.

Cougar Sighted in Jackson County

            A trail camera has captured a photo of a young male cougar in the town of Pray in eastern Jackson County.  Another trail cam caught a photo of a cougar just 42 miles from this sighting in Mauston, Juneau County.  There have been eight cougar sightings in Wisconsin that have been confirmed by the DNR.  Three of the sightings are believed to be the same cougar.

Feds Refuse to Pay Medicaid Bill

            Governor Walker was expecting a $45 million reimbursement for systemic federal mistakes involving Medicaid.  Walker was depending on this money to help close the $220 million budget shortfall.  Now the Federal Government has sent a notice that these funds will not be reimbursed.  Now new cuts must be devised to accommodate the loss.  Medicaid is used by more than 1 million Wisconsin residents.

Single Mother Sues Landlord for Refusing Rental

            Darlene Dovenberg of West Salem, Lacrosse County, was forced to pay $15,000 for refusing to rent her remote rural home to a single mother.  Dovenberg stated that the rental was remote and had poor cell phone reception and she worried about the would-be-tenant's safety.  The single woman complained to federal housing officials saying she was refused because she "didn't have a man to help shovel the snow."

WI Concealed Carry Permit Records Kept Confidential

            The Department of Justice will keep a database of those who are issued concealed carry permits but those records will not be available to the public or to law enforcement agencies.  Law enforcement officers can request information on whether an individual's permit is legitimate, or concerning whether false information was given on their application.  The DOJ will be releasing a report showing how many applications it has received and the number of permits revoked or denied.

Fall Primary Date Rescheduled

            In compliance with federal mandates, Governor Walker has changed next year's primary election date from September to August.  The change of dates will give more time for overseas military personal to send in their absentee ballots.  The bill also allows military absentee voters to receive their ballots through email.

Will Walker Get Recalled?

            Despite the loud and strong opposition to Governor Scott Walker, the polls show almost an even split between Walker supporters and haters.  The Wisconsin Policy Research Institute found among 605 Wisconsinites polled, 49% of them were in support of the governor and 47% thought that he should be recalled.  Even if the Democrats would succeed in gathering enough signatures to hold a recall election, there doesn't seem to be a Democratic candidate that could beat Walker.  "Voters aren't as angry with him as they were earlier in the year," noted Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling, "if Russ Feingold's really out of the mix there's not an obvious Democrat to pit against him."  Tom Barrett seems to be the next most favorable candidate.  Barrett trailed Walker by 2 points in the latest survey conducted by Public Policy Polling.  Other Democratic contenders trailed much further behind; Rep. Ron Kind 6 points behind, State Rep. Peter Barca 6 points, State Sen. Jon Erpenbach 7 points, Rep. Steve Kagen and Dane County Exec. Kathleen Falk both loosing by 8 points.

Wisconsin Abortion Numbers Declined in 2010

By Pro Life Wisconsin

            Today, the state of Wisconsin Department of Health Services released its annual report on induced abortions in Wisconsin. The total number of abortions in Wisconsin in 2010 was 7,825, down from 8,542 in 2009.
            "Pro-Life Wisconsin is working to see the end of abortion in Wisconsin, through the media, pro-life legislation, peaceful activism and prayerful witness," said Virginia Zignego communications director.
            "As we are in the midst of 40 Days for Life, this decrease in abortions is a real boost, and we thank God for the decrease," said Zignego. "Our increased presence in front of Wisconsin's abortion facilities, whether it's sidewalk counseling or 40 Days for Life, means that more women are celebrating the births of their children and getting the help they need. Our True to Life media campaign has focused on crisis pregnancy outreach throughout Wisconsin, emphasizing the humanity of the preborn."

            Of the 7,591 reported induced abortions among Wisconsin residents in 2010, 73 percent were surgical, 26 percent were chemically induced, and 0.7 percent were surgical procedures following a failed or incomplete chemically induced abortion. In 2009, these proportions were 72 percent, 27 percent, and 0.6 percent, respectively.

Repeal of State Margarine Ban?

            Lawmakers are debating over new legislation proposed by Rep. Dale Kooyenga, R-Brookfield that would repeal a decades old ban on serving margarine in public places.  Kooyenga argues that the free market should decide what restaurants and prisons serve instead of the government.  Other lawmakers contend that the ban helps Wisconsin dairy farmers and that this is "America's Dairyland". Brad Legreid, executive director of the Wisconsin Dairy Products Association, believes that such legislation is bound to fail and that a similar bill introduced in 1996 died in legislation. 

Resistance to Appleton's Same Sex Partner Benefits

            Appleton's Common Council voted on September 7^th to give city employees same sex couple benefits.  Now there is an outcry against the $100,000 measure with claims that the increase is an ill-timed and costly expansion of an already generous benefits plan for city employees.  An organization called Appleton Taxpayers United is considering plans to present the issue as a referendum for the general election next April. To accomplish this, they will need to collect nearly 4,000 signatures in 60 days.

Feds Order Milwaukee Ballots to be Available in Spanish

            In response to the 2010 census, the federal government is requiring the city of Milwaukee to provide voting information and ballots in Spanish to accommodate the growing Spanish speaking population.  According to the Voting Rights Act, cities are required to provide language assistance for voting when members of a single language minority group with limited English proficiency constitute more than 5% of the voting-age population or 10,000 voting-age citizens.   The census shows that Milwaukee's Hispanic population exceeds 100,000 people, which is a growth of about 44% since the last census.  Latinos currently make up 17.3% of the city's population.

University Policy Curbs Practice of "Double Dipping"

            The University of Wisconsin Madison is reviewing the employment of 447 workers that were re-hired after they had retired and received their pensions.  State law allows this practice, known as "double dipping", of employees to be re-hired after 30 days from retiring.  However, they can no longer receive benefits such as health insurance. UW-Madison's new policy, effective October 5, establishes that the appointment of a retired employee "generally cannot exceed one year."  They hope that the new policy will prevent the abuse of the system and allow other employees to move up in the administrative order.  Some officials criticize the policy saying it will discourage retired employees from coming back to teach a class or two after retirement, which is very cost effective to the University compared to paying fringe benefits to new employees.

DOJ Expects Flood of Concealed Carry Applications

            The state Department of Justice is expecting more than 100,000 applications for concealed carrying of firearms when the law comes into effect next month.  DOJ spokeswoman Dana Brueck commented, "Our surveys have shown an experience of other states that range from 1.5 percent to 13 percent of the population," she said. "This would put us between the range of 50,000 to more than 700,000."  When a similar law was passed in Michigan in 2001, about 64,000 people filed applications for concealed carry.  In 2010, around 91,000 Michigan residents applied.  Applicants in Wisconsin must be over 21 and receive training in a certified course.  Wisconsin's law gives the DOJ 45 days to process applications submitted between Nov. 1 and Dec. 1, and 21 days for applications received after Dec. 1.

Milwaukee Street Car Debate Continues

            Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has received continuing opposition to his $64 million streetcar project.  Brett Healy, president of the John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy, a Madison-based free-market think tank, filed a petition with the Public Service Commission on behalf of Milwaukee taxpayers to ensure that they will not be responsible for the cost of moving utilities affected by the project. "The utility rate payers of Southeastern Wisconsin deserve to know whether or not they will be on the hook for costs associated with the construction of a two-mile train that serves a tiny fraction of citizens, businesses and tourists in a tiny fraction of the city of Milwaukee," says Healy.  The PSC estimated that the costs of relocating utilities will be $70 million.  Healy is asking for a judgment that will ensure that the city of Milwaukee be responsible for the costs accrued from the construction. 

Walker Pays Timber Industry to Reduce Harvests

            Governor Walker proudly announced his support of an initiative that will protect more than 10,000 acres of new land in Northwestern Wisconsin from being harvested as usual. The US Department of Agriculture vouched $2.5 million and another $2 million from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program purchased an easement from private landowners to reduce harvest and grant public recreational use for the forest.  This is the second part of a two-part deal, which included another 8,000 acres payed for in December 2010.  In total, the Wisconsin and Federal Governments have payed $3,659,900 to reduce the state's lumber production in favor of conservatism and potential tourism.

State Employees Cash in Sick Leave for Health Insurance

By The MacIver Institute

            State employees who retired between January and September converted more than $340 million of unused sick leave, which they can use to purchase post-retirement health care, the MacIver News Service has learned. For this investigation, MacIver examined data provided by the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF). Nearly 2,700 new retirees had an average of 1,716.65 sick hours banked, the equivalent of nearly 43 40-hour work weeks, each. For most State of Wisconsin employees, sick leave accrues at the rate of five hours every two weeks, to a maximum of 16.25 days a year. Unused sick leave hours accumulate from year to year and are converted at retirement to pay post-retirement health insurance premiums for the retiree and the eligible dependents.  Proponents of public employee compensation reform have repeatedly pointed to the difference between how the public and private sectors award fringe benefits to their employees. The new revelations underscore those differences.

Should Wisconsin Have Toll Highways?

            According to a study conducted by the Reason Foundation, a modest toll could finance the rebuilding and modernizing of  Wisconsin's entire rural interstate highways over the next thirty years.  The Wisconsin Policy research institute claims that Wisconsin is currently projected to have an ongoing $1 billion-per-year funding shortfall in its ability to meet the needs of the state highway system.   The study shows that the rural interstate highway developments will cost around $4.8 billion over the next thirty years while the cost of rebuilding urban freeways is estimated in present dollars to be $8.7 billion.  Tolling on the rural highways is projected to raise $5.2 billion dollars, which would be more than enough to cover construction costs. The proposed toll system implements new technology where cameras take video recordings of license plates then send the bill to the owner or drivers can pay cash at kiosks placed at gas stations or convenience stores. 

Wisconsin Labor Leaders Want Gov. Rusk Portrait Removed

By Bruce Walker - The New American

            Democrats in Wisconsin's State Assembly have asked for the removal of a portrait of Governor Jeremiah Rusk (left), who in 1886 ordered the state militia to keep peace during the Bay View Rolling Mill strike. Seven people were killed during that strike, and labor unions in Wisconsin have gotten their Democrat friends in the legislature to offer a resolution to take down Rusk's picture.

             The resolution, introduced on October 3 as Assembly Resolution 13, has nine cosponsor Democrats who are trying to link Governor Rusk's actions 125 years ago to present Governor Scott Walker's moves to limit what could be subject to collective bargaining for public-employees' unions. Representative Christine Sinicki insisted: "When Governor Walker proposed his collective bargaining bill, instead of going to the table and trying to negotiate something, he bypassed that whole process and called out the National Guard because he knew there was going to be trouble on this."

            Although in his political career in Wisconsin, Rusk was often involved in labor disputes, he actually gained national recognition as a supporter of striking railroad workers. After that Rusk did send the militia to preserve the peace in the Bay View Rolling Mill strike, but his explanation seems clear enough: "I seen my duty and I done it." Most histories of the man describe Rusk as colorful, respected, and serious. Gurda put it: "He was not just unrepentant, he was proud." He was also never charged with any offense, never impeached for any wrongdoing, and never found culpable except among those who, for understandable personal reasons, disliked what he did at Bay View Rolling Mill. 

Tea Party Rally in Sheboygan

            On September 3^rd, about 2,000 people rallied together in support of a constitutionally limited and fiscal responsibility.  Several guest speakers, including U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, encouraged the crowds and spoke of the need to defeat president Obama in the next election.  The rally's participants are excited over the recent success of the Republican party in the recall elections.  The large turnout for the event shows that the Tea Party is still alive and well.

Feds Seize Woman's Lemon Tree

            Waukesha resident Bridget Donovan had her lemon tree confiscated by federal agents because the plant nursery sold the tree to her three years ago in violation of a citrus quarantine.  According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the department of Agriculture sent Donovan a letter demanding possession of her tree. Donovan called the USDA for an explanation for why the government was so urgent to take her tree three years after she had purchased it.  When the agent insisted that the tree will be taken and destroyed, Donovan asked if they had a warrant to come into her home.  The agent replied, "If you are refusing to give up the tree, we will come to your house and quarantine the tree in the house."  She then threatened Donovan with fines.  The tree was taken. The nursery apologized and offered a replacement tree. 

Hackers Stole Credit Card Info from Resort Arcades

            Vacationland Vendors, Inc., a supplier of arcade equipment and vending machines to businesses, announced that hackers gained unauthorized access to credit card processing machines at the Wilderness Waterpark Resort in the Dells and Wilderness at the Smokies Resort in Sevierville.   It is estimated that 40,000 cards were exposed in the breach but only 20 people have been affected so far.  The breach occurred on March 22, 2011 and only the credit card processors in the arcades were affected.  Patrons who used a credit or debit card at one of the affected arcades from Dec. 12, 2008 to May 25, 2011 are advised to notify their credit card issuers and watch carefully for fraud.

Republican Leaders Plan to Avoid Social Issues

            Senate and Assembly leaders say that they plan to focus on the economy and job creation rather than issues like abortion and stem cell research this session.   "I don't think you're going to see anything too contentious brought to the floor. ... We're not going to lead with a bunch of social issues or anything." claims Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald.  A bill that would require that women first have an ultrasound, and hear the baby's heartbeat, before being allowed to have an abortion and another bill that would ban research using aborted baby parts will not be brought up until next year, if ever.  Even Governor Walker commented, "I have said repeatedly to lawmakers, I think we need to have a laser-like focus on the economy." It  seems the motto "It's the economy, stupid" is reigning among Wisconsin's Republicans today.

Constitution Allows Representatives to Live Outside Their District

            U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble has decided to take up residency in his former Sherwood home which is a few miles outside of the eighth district which he represents.  Ribble had been living in an apartment within the district but he decided to move back to his lakeside home after it failed to sell on the market.  Reid affirmed, "Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution states that Representatives must be residents of their states, but do not necessarily have to live within their districts. I said last year when asked from time to time about this issue that the Constitution doesn't care where I sleep at night - and with my schedule that's about all I'm doing at that house…sleeping."

Supreme Court Justice Tries to Open Deliberations to the Public

            Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson proposed that the Supreme Court deliberations be opened to the public as a method to increase civility between judges.  The other justices voted against the measure and only justice Abrahamson and Bradley  voted in favor of another measure that would open to the public discussions about which cases the court would accept.  The justices also rejected her proposal to bring in  an expert on workplace dynamics to work on collegiality between them.  All of these proposals follow the much publicized incident where justice Abrahamson accused justice Prosser of trying to strangle her during an argument over a court decision.

County Board Votes in Favor of Iron Mine

            The proposed iron ore mine in Ashland and Iron Counties was favored 15 to 5 in a vote on September 15^th.  Other members of the board proposed an anti-mining resolution which would create  an iron and steel recycling plant instead.  Now that the board has given their consent to the new mine, the matter will be taken up by legislators in Madison. 

Unions Decline Re-certification Elections

            The major public employee unions of Wisconsin decided not to pursue re-certification with the state.  According to governor Walker's union bargaining  law, unions must hold an election and get 51% of the vote of all the members of their bargaining unit to retain their official status.  Marty Beil, executive director of the 23,000-member Wisconsin State Employees Union said, "We looked at the law and we find the law at best an exercise in wasted resources."  Other smaller unions did file with the state to re-certify.  School districts do not have to re-certify until until Sept. 30, unless they have previous state contracts that will extend their certification until their contract runs out.  Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend), sees the decline of union power as a great victory.  "It means that in the future decisions will be made in the best interest of the public and the best state employees, but the radical employees or the under-performing employees will have much less say," explains Grothman.

Air Line Not Permitted to Quit Servicing Rhinelander

            Frontier Airlines is not making enough profit to continue their services to Rhinelander/Oneida County Airport but the DOT will not allow them to pull out.  Earlier this year, Delta stopped its service between Minneapolis and Rhinelander and now Frontier is the only Airline left.  A law created in the 1970's protecting municipalities states that another airline must replace Frontier before they are allowed to quit their service.  Federal money also came with the law that ensured that airlines would service these small airports.  Now that no one can make a profit, even with the subsidies, the airlines are going to have to eat the costs of their unwise contracts.

Federal Funding Hinders Department of Public Instruction

            A recent study by Dr. Frederick Hess and a group of scholars, titled State Education Agencies as Agents of Change, shows that the regulations and bureaucratic red tape that comes with federal funding is keeping the DPI from being effective.  The latest program called Race to the Top has brought more federal monies along with more regulations to Wisconsin.  The report says these organizations are "burdened by several factors, including overly bureaucratic structures, a lack of transparency to the public, and a primary focus on federal compliance rather than implementing innovative reform."  Wisconsin's school accountability design team echoed these sentiments saying that the program's(Race to the Top)  tight deadlines and rigid structure can handcuff state agencies in its implementation.

            The Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) is backing off its claims that council layoffs were directly due to Republican Governor Scott Walker. The union is being forced to lay off about 40 percent of its workforce because of a new law that ends compulsory unionism for public workers.
            "The public employees no longer will have their dues directly taken out of their checks, compliments of the state, and then deposited into their respective union," explains Julaine Appling of the Wisconsin Family Council. WEAC executive director Dan Burkhalter tempered his earlier accusation that the layoffs were a direct result of Governor Walker's "union-busting" bill, but Appling points out that it means the union will now have to actively campaign for new members.
            "WEAC is feeling the pinch on that," she notes. "Many of the teachers whose dues would normally automatically go into the coffers of WEAC are now not doing that." Before the new legislation went into effect, WEAC was collecting $23 million a year in dues, while union employees were paid an average annual salary of $95,000.

Wisconsin Rejects Federal Grant for WIC Program

            Dennis Smith, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, rejected a Federal grant of $8.9 million to upgrade the Wisconsin Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program that provides welfare to buy certain food staples for low-income women who are pregnant, nursing or who have children up to age 5. The grant would have been used to make swipe cards that would keep track of purchases and prevent fraud.  The Department of Agriculture has mandated that all states convert to the swipe card system by 2020.  The WIC program has 120,663 participants currently enrolled.

Immigrants Must Prove Citizenship Before Getting Welfare

            A new bill, assembly bill 222, is mandating that anyone applying for a public assistance program must provide a declaration and documentary evidence of citizenship or satisfactory immigration status.  Programs such as SeniorCare and Medical Assistance, including BadgerCare Plus already had such a requirement.  The programs affected by the bill include W-2, including the child care subsidy program known as Wisconsin Shares; SNAP (food stamps); the program that provides eligible persons with assistance in establishing the paternity of a child, establishing or modifying child support obligations, enforcing child support or maintenance (alimony) obligations, and locating persons who owe child support or children taken by parents in violation of court orders; the programs that provide state supplemental payments to persons receiving social security; the program that pays funeral, burial, and cemetery expenses for persons whose estates are insufficient to pay those expenses; and the disease aids program that provides assistance in paying the costs of certain medical treatments.

Tommy Thompson Makes Plans for Senate Race

            Former Governor Tommy Thompson has told friends he plans to run for the open Senate seat in Wisconsin, according to top Wisconsin sources.  The GOP had speculated that Paul Ryan would pursue the seat, but Ryan believes that he will have more influence by remaining in congress. According to independent polls, Thompson may not have the support of most conservatives.  former Republican Congressman Mark Neumann may also vie for the seat, although he has not announced his candidacy.  Thompson had run for president in 2008 but gave up after doing poorly in the Iowa straw poll.  He had also run for Senate in 2010 and bailed out also. Jeff Fitzgerald, brother of Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, may be the Democratic contender for the open seat or it may fall to Tammy Baldwin.

State Treasurer Wants to Eliminate His Own Job

            In accordance with his campaign promise, State Treasurer Kurt Schuller is pushing for a constitutional amendment that will eliminate the State Treasurer and the Secretary of State.  The Treasurer claims that these offices have been stripped of their powers and are now administrative in nature, and need not be supervised by elected political partisans. He also says that the elimination of these offices would streamline the government and save tax payer money.  Estimated savings are over $1 million. The Treasurer and Secretary of State each earn $65,079 annually and both have fully staffed offices.  Longtime state Secretary of State Doug La Follette doesn't share the treasurer's views on the elimination of his office.

Unemployment Increased for July

            Despite the optimism over new job creation in Wisconsin, unemployment rose to 7.8% (up 0.2%) in July with an estimated loss of 8,200 jobs. "Wisconsin is not immune to the national economic slowdown this summer, and we are seeing the effects of the national economy in our July numbers," Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary Baumbach said. "The wild market fluctuations during the debt ceiling negotiations, the European debt crisis and other factors contributed to a great deal of uncertainty, which may very well have affected Wisconsin's job numbers given our state's ties to the national economy." Baumbach remains encouraged about Wisconsin's over all growth as several big expansions in south central Wisconsin are either hiring now or will be within the next few months including Mercy Hospital, Kettle Foods, and Stoughton Trailers.  Manufacturers and other employers are hiring. Job postings on www.JobCenterofWisconsin.com have exceeded 34,000.

Bill Proposed to Stop Research on Aborted Fetuses

            Republicans proposed a new bill on August 2^nd that would put an end to research using the bodies of murdered fetuses in the state of Wisconsin. The bill was signed by 51 Republican members of the Assembly. Andre Jacque, R-Bellevue says the bill is "an important safeguard to put in place for respecting human dignity. I think there are plenty of ethical ways to be able to conduct the sort of experiments they're looking to do without using fetal body parts from induced abortions."  Pro-life Wisconsin is in support of this bill. "We want to shut down this research," says director of legislation for Pro-Life Wisconsin, Matt Sande. "Look, it's bad enough that these unborn children are being slaughtered through surgical abortion. It's another thing then to desecrate their bodies by experimenting upon them. It's immoral and grotesque. These are human beings. They have dignity and they have ultimate worth in the eyes of God and should have worth in the eyes of humanity."

EPA Finds Fault with State Water Permit Program

            The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has found 75 "apparent omissions and deviations" from federal law in the state's water permit program. The Wisconsin program was designed in 1974 under the federal Clean Water Act and regulated pollution from factories, wastewater treatment plants, construction sites and other sources. The DNR is drafting regulations to comply with the EPA.  If the EPA is not satisfied, the federal government could take over the program or exert greater federal oversight.

Gov. Walker Signs Unemployment Extension

            Governor Walker signed Senate Bill 147 into law on Aug. 3^rd.  The law will grant an additional 13 weeks for an eligible recipient who has exhausted the regular and emergency unemployment benefits. "Earlier this year I asked for an unemployment benefit extension and today I am signing a bill that received bipartisan support," said Governor Walker. To pay for this extension, $88 million in federal funds will be taken from tax payers to encourage workers to further postpone finding a job.

Gov. Walker Approves Redistricting Maps

             The stamp of approval has been given to the controversial redistricting maps by Gov. Walker.  The governor signed new congressional and legislative redistricting maps on August 9^th, just hours before his time to do so would expire.  Walker's Press Secretary Cullen Werwie said, "The maps passed by the legislature meet the objective criteria laid out by the courts including communities of interest, fair minority representation, and compact, contiguous districts." Democrats are furious with the passing of the new districts, calling it a "partisan power grab". They also affirm that Gov. Walker chose the day of the recall elections to sign the bill in order to avert the public's attention from him. "It is now clear that Gov. Walker signed these redistricting maps into law in a manner intended to hide his actions with only one goal in mind: giving himself and his fellow Republicans a monopoly on power in our state and dodging accountability for their anti-middle-class extremism." claims Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca.

DNR Seeks to Delay Waterfront Zoning Law

            The state Department of Natural Resources is appealing to delay the implementation of a new waterfront development ordinance for two more years.  The regulations are scheduled to be implemented on Feb. 1 of 2012 and will set limits on the total amount of impervious surfaces - roofs, driveways and patios - for property owners within 300 feet of lakes and rivers, for new owners and for owners making major expansions to their properties. The DNR claims that the delay will aid  the phase-in of the law and give local governments more time to implement zoning laws.  The new requirements are widely unpopular, especially in northern Wisconsin where there have been complaints the rules went too far and will be difficult to implement.

Walker Changes Redistricting Process

            Governor Walker signed a bill on July 25^th that will change the state's redistricting process.  The new process allows the Legislature to draw new Congressional and Legislative District maps before local governments finish their work.  Any contesting to the district maps will be handled by a three-judge panel in the Supreme Court.  Walker did not indicate what he has decided concerning the new redistricting maps that are also sitting on his desk.

Raw Milk Illness at Raymond School Misrepresented

            According to investigation done by Assemblyman Don Pridemore, the incident of illnesses caused by consumption of raw milk at a school function has been misrepresented by the media to discredit the safety of drinking unpasteurized milk.  Pridemore's research shows that on June 3, 2011, unpasteurized (i.e. natural, raw) milk was distributed to a group of young students and adults at a Dairy Days school event at North Cape Elementary School in Raymond, Wisconsin.  One parent volunteered to bring raw milk to the event and the teachers felt that drinking raw milk would be a good educational experience for the students.  The parent obtained the milk from a relative's farm without the farmer's knowledge or consent.  The milk from this farm is not used or tested for human consumption in its natural state, nor is this farm certified organic.  Three days later, 16 out of the 45 participants became ill from Campylobacter jejuni bacteria that had contaminated the milk.   Campylobacter jejuni bacteria is caused by improper sanitation and is killed during the pasteurization process.  Farmers selling milk to conventional dairies are not careful to avoid such contamination.  Donating unpasteurized milk is not against current Wisconsin law and the parent that supplied the milk and the teachers will not be charged with any offense.  These events in no way prove the danger of  drinking sanitary raw milk intentionally produced for human consumption.

Wisconsin's Job Increase is Not Half of Nation's Jobs

             The latest Labor Department statistics shows that Wisconsin added 9,500 net jobs last month.  Much of the focus since the jobs numbers were announced has been on comparing Wisconsin's net gain to that of the entire country -- 18,000 net jobs added. Walker had made a statement to the press that has Democrats jumping all over him. "It's incredibly important to put that in perspective," Walker said. "To have 9,500 net new jobs in the state at a time when the country saw just 18,000 net new jobs all across the country is incredibly good news, and it's driven by the rebirth of tourism in the state." Later that week, Walker said it was never his intention to draw a direct line between the Wisconsin total and the national total.  "We made it very clear at our announcement that (our number) was not half of all the jobs out there, though it is an interesting parallel," he told the Wausau Daily Herald.  Massachusetts created 10,400 new jobs, more than half of the new jobs created nationally. Minnesota created 13,200 jobs, or 73% of the jobs created nationally. California added 28,800 jobs in June, or 160% of the jobs created nationally.  The national number is the net aggregate of all fifty states and the District of Columbia. Some states did well and other states continued to lose jobs. 

Wisconsin Recall Election Update

            Democratic Sen. Dave Hansen easily won the recall election against Republican David VanderLeest on July 19^th.  Hansen had been subjected to a recall for his action of fleeing the state with 11 colleagues to prevent Governor Walker's budget bill from being voted on.  Hansen won with 66 percent of the vote.  Meanwhile, the recall elections for six republicans will be held on Aug. 9^th.  In district 2, Robert Cowles R will face Nancy Nusbaum D.  In district 8, Alberta Darling R faces Sandra Pasch D.  In district 10, Sheila Harsdorf D faces Shelly Moore D.  In district 14, Luther Olson R faces challenger Fred Clark D.  In district 18, Randy Hopper R faces Jessica King D.  Finally, in district 32, Dan Kapanke R faces Jennifer Shilling D.  Another recall election will be held on August 16^th for Democrats in district 12 and 22.  For district 12, Jim Holperin D (incumbent) faces Kim Simac R.  In district 22, Robert Wirch D faces Jonathon Steitz R. If the GOP fails to win 4 of the six elections, they could lose control of the senate. 

By Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow

            Based on a new law, Pro-Life Wisconsin wants to be assured that the medical facility at the University of Wisconsin is not collaborating with the nation's largest abortion provider.  The training hospital has been paying for doctor candidates to be coached by Planned Parenthood to do abortions, but a new state law prohibits that practice. So Virginia Zignego tells OneNewsNow her organization is communicating with the state's top lawyer.  "Pro-Life Wisconsin submitted a request to the Wisconsin attorney general, asking him to confirm the illegality of UW's collaboration with Planned Parenthood," she explains.

            The university has been operating under contract with abortion provider, but she points out that the law stands above any contractual obligations.  "UW does not need to be sending its residents to Planned Parenthood," the pro-lifer contends. "Abortion training is not necessary for OB-GYN students to receive accreditation."  Since state funds can no longer be used for abortion, Pro-Life Wisconsin also wants the attorney general to notify the University of Wisconsin that training residents to abort unborn children must stop before the upcoming fall semester begins.

Walker Mandates Photo ID for Voting

            Governor Scott Walker signed legislation on May 25^th that requires a photo ID for Wisconsin residents to cast their vote.  Supporters of the law claim that it will cut down on voter fraud while opponents contend that it is unnecessary and will discourage people from voting.  The next voting session is scheduled for July 23^th.  Voters that show up without a photo ID will be given fliers explaining the new law that will require Ids by 2012.  Included as acceptable photo Ids are:  A current valid drivers license, a military ID, a passport, a DOT issued photo ID, an Indian tribe ID, or naturalization papers.  Other states that require photo IDs for voting are Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, and South Carolina.

Bill to Ban Obamacare Abortion Coverage 

            On May 25^th the senate Public Health Committee held a hearing on SB 92, a bill that would prevent insurers within the subsidized networks to offer abortion coverage in Wisconsin. According to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), qualified health insurance plans offering abortions are allowed to participate in Wisconsin's healthcare exchange.  SB 92 will allow Wisconsin to opt out of such coverage.  "The citizens of Wisconsin must not be placed in the position of subsidizing abortion coverage in the health care exchanges mandated by PPACA," says Susan Armacost of Wisconsin Right to Life.  "The state can take preventative action on this regard now by enacting Senate Bill 92."

The Bill to Pay Bills

            Representatives Warren Petryk and Tom Larson introduced a bill that will take an unexpected surplus of $636 million through tax collections and pay off some of the state's debt. The Joint Finance Committee unanimously passed the bill which will pay off $235 million to the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund that was illegally transferred to another account by former governor Doyle and also prevent delays in school aid payments. According to Cullen Werwie, spokesman for Gov. Scott Walker, the State Budget Office estimates the bill would save between $50 million and $70 million in interest payments. These measures could greatly benefit paying down Wisconsin's $3.6 billion deficit. Governor walker praises the bill, "I commend the Joint Finance Committee for its commitment to fiscal responsibility," said Governor Walker. "This is another important step to getting the state's fiscal house in order and protecting Wisconsin's taxpayers. Like any family in Wisconsin, our priority is paying off our bills. We took office facing hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid bills, now thanks to the JFC we are well on our way to paying them off."

Judge Voids Collective Bargaining Reform

             Dane County Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi struck down the collective bargaining reform bill, Act 10, saying that the lawmakers failed to provide proper public notice of a Conference Committee meeting thus violating the open meetings law. The May 26 ruling voided the bill that judge Sumi had placed a temporary hold on on March 18^th. The next day the Department of Justice asked the Supreme Court to overturn Sumi's decision saying she exceeded her authority in issuing the ruling. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on whether or not to take the case on June 6^th. Republicans may move to pass identical provisions as a part of the biennial budget this month while waiting for an appeal. If Act 10 is not upheld by the courts, they may pass it again.

Wisconsin Recall Elections

               Several recall elections are set for July 12^th, including Sen. Dan Kapanke, Sens. Randy Hopper and Luther Olsen of Ripon. Democratic Senators Sens. Jim Holperin of Conover, Robert Wirch of Pleasant Prairie and Dave Hansen of Green Bay have also been considered for recall. A Dane county judge has delayed certifying recall petitions against Democrats Dave Hansen of Green Bay, Jim Holperin of Conover and Bob Wirch of Kenosha. Because of this delay, the elections will be held a week apart which sparked cries of partisanship from Republicans. "This is an example of a supposedly neutral government agency acting in a blatantly partisan manner to further the objectives of a particular political party," said Dan Hunt, who led the effort to recall Sen. Bob Wirch (D-Pleasant Prairie). If the GOP fails to win 4 of the six elections, they could lose control of the senate. With a Democratic controlled senate, the union reform law could be repealed.

Wisconsin Case Should've Had Different Judge

By Chris Woodward - OneNewsNow

               A legal expert who has been watching the court battle over Wisconsin's collective bargaining law says it was not only wrong for the judge to void the measure, but she should have excused herself from the case. Hans von Spakovsky, senior legal fellow at The Heritage Foundation, thinks Judge Maryann Sumi should have withdrawn herself because her son was an organizer for one of the big unions in Wisconsin that protested the legislation backed by Governor Scott Walker and other Republican lawmakers. "Even worse, the day before she issued her decision, she actually hired lawyers who filed a brief on her behalf in this very same case, which is being considered by the Supreme Court of Wisconsin," he explains. "I have never heard of a judge hiring lawyers to file a brief [to make] arguments in a case."

               Judge Sumi ruled against the law last week, saying Republicans violated Wisconsin's open meetings law -- but Spakovsky disagrees. "If you read her opinion, she ignores the fact that there is a specific exemption for the kind of bill that was passed," he notes. "She basically said that they didn't give a 24-hour notice of a legislative meeting. But the meeting was for a conference committee, and the Senate actually has a rule that says that there doesn't have to be any notice of proceedings for a conference committee." The legal fellow adds that the state's statute also says legislative rules have precedence in terms of conflict. The issue is now headed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court for a hearing in early June. That judicial body will then decide whether to hear the case.

Wisconsin Man Charged With Plotting to Kill an Abortion Doctor

              Ralph Lang, 63, of Marshfield was arrested in Madison for reckless endangerment when his handgun accidentally discharged at his motel room. Lang told the police that he had planned to use the gun to shoot the abortion doctor at the Madison Planned Parenthood because the doctor was "killing babies". Officers found a US map in Lang's motel room with other abortion clinics marked out as well as pro-life literature. Lang is being charged with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances, which is punishable with one year in prison and up to a $100,000 fine.

Governor Walker Opposes Domestic Partnership Law

           Governor Walker told a judge that he finds the Domestic Partnership Law enacted in 2009 to be unconstitutional because of Wisconsin's state ban on gay marriage. Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen agrees with the governor saying that the law mimics marriage and is therefore unconstitutional. Former governor Jim Doyle backed the registry as a means to give homosexual couples legal rights such as the right to visit each other in hospitals, make end-of-life decisions and inherit each other's property. According to Governor Walker's attorney, Brian Hagedorn, upholding Governor Doyle's defense of the law would be contrary to justice. "If the governor determines that defending a law would be contrary to the state's constitution, he cannot order the defense of the law because of his oath to support the Wisconsin Constitution."

State Recall Elections Update

          A group organized to recall Sen. Julie Lassa of Stevens Point failed to raise enough signatures by their deadline of May 16^th. Other recalls have succeeded in collecting the required signatures and are possibly facing recalls. Included in this list are Robert Cowles (R. - Green Bay), Alberta Darling (R. - River Hills), Dave Hansen (D. - Green Bay), Sheila Harsdorf (R. - River Falls), Jim Holperin (D. - Conover), Randy Hopper (R. - Fond du Lac), Dan Kapanke (R. - La Crosse), Luther Olsen (R. - Ripon), Robert Wirch (D. - Pleasant Prairie). Recall elections, if any, are expected to occur on July 12^th.

Congressman Ryan Wants Old People and Children to DIE!

         According to a recent radio ad, Elkhorn priest Thomas Kelly claims that Congressman Ryan has abandoned his pro-life commitment by attacking medicare and medicaid, thus endangering the lives of those who rely on these welfare programs. "The budget he authored and Republicans in Congress recently passed abandons those pro-life principles by depriving vulnerable children, seniors and families of healthcare and economic support they need to put food on the table during hard times," says Kelly. Richard Cizik, President of the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good, affirms Ryan's homicidal desires saying, "Being consistently pro-life requires more than caring for the unborn, it requires following the Biblical call to care for the poor and the downtrodden. If our leaders ignore the needs of the poor or favor the rich at their expense, they reject pro-life values. It's that simple." Apparently, the more socialist you are, the more you are committed to the pro-life cause. According to this logic, America is more pro-life now than it has ever been in its entire history.

Senate Bans "Earn a Buck" for Hunters

        The Wisconsin Senate passed a bill that would overturn the unpopular "earn a buck" system that requires hunters to shoot an antler-less deer before they can shoot an antlered one. However, the state may still impose the antler-less requirement for the second deer. The bill also prohibits gun hunts before the traditional November season. The bill will next face the assembly.

Wisconsin Budget Cuts Include Defunding Planned Parenthood

        Governor Walker is being true to his campaign promises to take away tax payer money from the leading abortion provider, Planned Parenthood. Walker told Wisconsin Right to Life that he was "trying to defund Planned Parenthood and make sure they didn't have any money, not just for abortion, but any money for anything." Walker plans to overturn the 2009 "contraceptive equity" law that requires health insurance plans in the state that cover prescription drugs to include contraceptives. The Governor is also planning to eliminate the Title V Maternal and Child Health program which gives family planning services to those who are too poor to afford health insurance. The elimination of this program would save Wisconsin $1.9 million annually and would take away an extra $4 million (after federal and local support is dropped) from health care facilities around the state. Planned Parenthood receives about a fourth of these funds.

Drone Aircraft Training Facility in Wisconsin

        Plans for creating a drone aircraft training facility at Volk Field Air National Guard Base in central Wisconsin are being opposed 37 different organizations across the state. The facility would be used to test the Shadow, or surveillance, unmanned drone aircraft. The organizations opposed to the facility fear that the drones would be used to spy on American citizens. "While the Shadow 200's payload is a camera, it is used to put innocent people under surveillance and to identify targets for the armed Predator drones being used in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as Yemen and Gaza," states the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice.