thewheelerreport.com
Online supplement to The Wheeler Report
Published by: Wheeler Reports, Inc. - 111 W. Wilson St. #401 - Madison, WI 53703
December 2007
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Friday, December 28, 2007 |
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Legislators/Legislative Issues. Sen. Grothman, Rep. Gottlieb. Offer proposal to protect taxpayers from excessive costs during police and firefighter discipline process. Tomah Journal. Editorial: Will cigarette tax raise anticipated revenue? Racine Journal Times. Smokers shell out big bucks for butts. Appleton Post Crescent. Smokers pay the price. Lake County News-Sun (Illinois). Wisconsin's buck-a-pack (cigarette) tax hike wafts sweet-sour for (Illinois) cigarette vendors.
Education. Energy/Environment. |
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Thursday, December 27, 2007 |
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Legislators/Legislative Issues. Appleton Post Crescent. State soon may track sex offender's e-mail addresses. Appleton Post Crescent. Rep. Steve Wieckert column: Are there answers to the property tax? Portage Daily Register. School officials open to early start. Superior Daily Telegram. State must prune budgets: Doyle hopes to avoid layoffs. Sheboygan Press. Editorial: Vetoes strengthen cable TV bill. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Editorial: Competition for cable. Wisconsin State Journal. Editorial: Put the focus on job growth. Beloit Daily News. Editorial: Wisconsin should take this stand (partial birth abortion). The Capital Times. Op Ed: Marty Beil: Inmates use flawed "Doe" law as weapon against guards. Statewide. Lt. Governor. Filmgoers could soon see a lot of Wisconsin at the cinema. Business Journal of Greater Milwaukee. Wisconsin's population growth slows. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. State has deer in its headlights. State Agencies. DWD. November 2007 local unemployment rates. DATCP. Secretary Nilsestuen announces $1 million in 2008 grazing grants. Green Bay Press Gazette. Justice Department disciplined agents, crime lab workers. Rivertowns.net. Former Pierce County official ready to pioneer new state department. Eau Claire Leader Telegram. Veterans arriving at shelter. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Cost of Medicaid computer system doubles.
Health.
Education. Business. Congress/National Issues. |
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Wednesday, December 26, 2007 |
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Legislators/Legislative Issues. Supreme Court. 2002 Order in redistricting. 2007 report draft. Speaker Huebsch. Redistricting comments before Supreme Court.
Sen. Kedzie. Spreading holiday cheer - safely.
State Agencies.
Energy/Environment.
Business.
Health.
Politics. |
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Friday, December 21, 2007 |
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Legislators/Legislative Issues. Cable Competition Bill Governor. Signs competition bill (partial veto). Veto message. Text of vetoed bill. Wisconsin State Journal story. Reaction Sen. Miller. Citizen Action of Wisconsin. AT&T. TV4US. Sen. Robson. League of Wisconsin Municipalities. Sen. Vinehout. TDS Telecom. Rep. Hebl. Milwaukee Common Council President Hines. Cable Arbitration Bill. Appleton Post Crescent. Packers back NFL cable bill. Other. Speaker Huebsch. Redistricting comments before Supreme Court. Rep. Cullen. Post information on charitable donations. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin. Legislators urged to support the Women's Health and Safety Act. Wisconsin State Journal. State ban on 'partial-birth' abortion sought. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Editorial: When trust is gone, Beloit Daily News. Editorial: Avoiding the itch to boss us around (legislature).
State Agencies/Officials.
UW Madison. Five
finalists named for director of Administrative Legal Services. Health. Year Enders. Congress/National Issues. |
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Thursday, December 20, 2007 |
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Legislators/Legislative Issues. Rep. Strachota. GAAP deficit continues to grow - puts state on shaky ground. Sen. Taylor. Begins circulation of Sex Offender e-Disclosure Act. Sen. Lasee. Statement on Sen. Hansen's "Corporate Tax Accountability Act." Wisconsin State Journal story. Sen. Miller, Rep. Berceau. to introduce bill to repeal unconstitutional criminal abortion statute. Football 24.7 - Wisconsin. Green Bay Packers and NFL leaders take fight for their fans to state Capitol. Big Ten Network. Three top Wisconsin county executives call on cable companies to put the Big Ten Network on basic cable. Wisconsin State Journal. Editorial: "FAN" bill is out of bounds. The Capital Times. Editorial: Keep out of sports cable fray. Sheboygan Press. Editorial: Voters must end 'Frankenstein Veto.' Eau Claire Leader Telegram. Editorial: Campaign cash ties hands of high court justices. Wisconsin Radio Network. A plea deal for Jensen? The Capital Times. Editorial; Dave Zweifel: Budget bill would make dawdlers feel the pain. Wisconsin State Journal. Wisconsin lawmakers launch push for partial-birth abortion ban. Statewide. UW Survey Center. Badger Poll: Updated trends in public opinion among Wisconsinites. Wisconsin Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association. Family planning program to continue. Wisconsin State Journal. Disaster spending draws complaints. State Agencies/Officials. DOA. Wisconsin Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (247 pages). DOJ. Chetek equipment supplier pleads guilty to embezzling Superior city fire department funds. Dept. of Revenue. **REVISED** Property tax payment reminder. WisDOT. Frozen road declaration goes into effect December 24. WisDOT. New Freedom Program offers grants for Milwaukee area transportation alternatives. WisDOT. New Freedom Program offers grants for Madison area transportation alternatives. State Treasurer Sass. Names Stephanie Wilson as executive assistant. State Treasurer Sass. Op Ed; Eligibility deadline for EdVest. DWD. November unemployment rates. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story. DWD. Governor Doyle announces workers dislocated from WeldSource Alliance in Oshkosh to receive assistance. Office of Justice Assistance. National criminal justice leaders call for federal omnibus appropriation bill a threat to public safety. DNR. Outdoor Report for December 20th. Public Service Commission. Requires telecommunications providers in 715 and 920 area codes to further conserve phone numbers. Dept. of Veterans Affairs. Board seeking nominations for Veteran Lifetime Achievement Award. La Crosse Tribune. Doyle gives a "Grow Wisconsin" preview. Business. Wisconsin Bankers Association. Don't get scammed for the holidays - a consumer alert. Wisconsin Credit Union League. Study shows credit unions are still doing a great job of serving their members, communities. Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin. Commodity marketing course ends the roller coaster of risk management. Course outline. PRNewswire. Alliant Energy announces 2008 financial guidance and approval of increase in the expected annual common stock dividend. Wisconsin State Journal. GM to cut production at Janesville plant. Wausau Daily Herald. Paper-consumption decline leads to Wausau Paper plant closures. Education. Attorney General Van Hollen. Formal opinion: Open enrollment school district transfers may not be denied because of applicant's race. DPI letter requesting opinion. Van Hollen's response. La Crosse Tribune. Area schools rate among U.S. best. Schoolmatters.com list. Milwaukee Public Schools. Dozens of defibrillators donated by charitable group. Rep. Moore/Sen. Kohl. $1 million for Milwaukee after school programs included in FY08 federal budget. UW Stout. Building Commission approves additional funding for UW Stout science wing. Environment/Energy. |
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Wednesday, December 19, 2007 |
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Legislators/Legislative Issues. Corporate Taxes Sen. Hansen. Introduces Corporate Tax Accountability Act. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story. Institute for Wisconsin's Future. Report: Wisconsin's Revenue Gap - An analysis of Corporate Tax Avoidance. Wisconsin State Journal story. Reaction Sen. Fitzgerald. Proposal to raise taxes hurts consumers. Sen. Hansen. Response to Sen. Fitzgerald. Rep. Vos. Hansen tax disclosure bill to hurt businesses and jobs and Wisconsin. Sen. Jauch. Calls for corporate tax transparency. Rep. Strachota. Hansen tax disclosure legislation solves nothing but will cost jobs. Wisconsin Alliance of Cities. Executive Director Ed Huck on Corporate Accountability Act. Rep. Lasee. Weekly Notes (Merry Christmas). Rep. Black. Survey shows strong support for energy efficient transportation (constituent survey). Sen. Miller. Senate Natural Resources Committee advances four hunting bills and a brownfields bill. Sen. Breske. Get tough on those who hire illegal immigrants. Rep. Mason. Ready to crack down on toxic toys.
Football
24.7-Wisconsin. Committee hearing on FAN legislation set for
tomorrow. Agencies/Officials. Year's End.
Education. Health. Energy/Environment. Politics/Elections. Business. |
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Tuesday, December 18, 2007 |
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Legislators/Legislative Issues. Rep. Kessler. Make Wisconsin's lightbulbs "green." Eau Claire Leader Telegram. University faculty, staff push for collective bargaining (SB-353) AFT Wisconsin. Overwhelming support for collective bargaining rights bill in Eau Claire.
Rep. Zipperer.
Public hearing held on Wisconsin Internet Tax Freedom Act.
Statewide. Business. Courts. |
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Monday, December 17, 2007 |
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Legislators/Legislative Issues. Reps. Nelson, Mason. Letter to Rep. Davis, chair of the Assembly Education Committee, requesting hearing on SB-299, school tax levy credit. Sen. Kreitlow. Legislative year in review and look ahead. Sen. Jauch, Rep. Mason. Lawmakers call for protection of Great Lakes water. Sen. Risser. Applauds New Jersey action to abolish death penalty. Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters. Notices of the week. Wisconsin State Journal. Editorial: Governor, remember what you said. (Frankenstein veto). Appleton Post Crescent. Madison Weekly. Wausau Daily Herald. Lawmaker showcases student art. Green Bay Press Gazette. Chief Justice Abrahamson speaks out about public financing for campaigns. Beloit Daily News. Editorial: Trust the voters, not the politicians. Tomah Journal. Editorial: School aid fix -- whose side is the Speaker on? Baraboo News Republic. Editorial: Hines' bill deserves support. Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter. Editorial: Voters will have chance to end abuse of veto power. Wisconsin Radio Network. Where should sex offenders live? Agencies/Officials.
Environment/Energy. Elections. Business. |
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Friday, December 14, 2007 |
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Legislators/Legislative Issues. Sen. Kedzie. Wisconsin's economy keeps moving forward. Sen. Lazich. Taxes go up, people move out. Sen. Risser. Applauds passage of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month resolution. Rep. Musser. Supports Safe Housing Act. Sen. Breske. Announces 2008 Senate Scholar Program. Sen. Vinehout. Hears collective bargaining issue on UW Eau Claire campus. Green Bay Press Gazette. Editorial: Leave special interests out of classrooms. Oshkosh Northwestern. Hintz only area lawmaker to vote against cable competition bill. Wausau Daily Herald. Democrats will push Healthy Wisconsin plan again. Wausau Daily Herald. Editorial: Senate to tear up school tax formula. Wisconsin Radio Network. Wieckert wants to remove marriage penalty for disabled. Ashland Daily Press. Editorial. Increased protection (domestic violence). The Capital Times. Cities taxed by fiscal caps. State Officials/Agencies. DNR, Dept of Corrections. Join forces for safer Wisconsin (Felons with guns). Wisconsin State Journal story. DOJ. Dane County court finds probable cause to commit Kevin Lindauer to treatment under Chapter 980. DWD. Meeting notices for week of December 17-21. DATCP. Last call for Johne's assessments, plans for participation next year. DATCP. Proposed changes to Wisconsin's animal health rules set for hearings in January. Statewide. US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform. Wisconsin rises to 10th best in state liability systems ranking study. Executive Summary. Wisconsin Policy Research Institute. Poll: Wisconsin residents very concerned about the growing costs of health care and prescription drugs. Wisconsin Association of Family and Children's Agencies. Wisconsin takes steps to support former foster youth (corrected release) Appleton Post Crescent. Editorial: Updated government Web sites serve citizens best. Wausau Daily Herald. Paper industry hit again (Domtar closing). Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Barrett wants better, but not wider, I-94. Education. Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools. Op Ed: Wisconsin children deserve more. DPI. Op Ed: Superintendent Burmaster: The arts are not a luxury, they are essential. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Web opening new classroom doors. Green Bay Press Gazette. Parents wait for fallout from online school ruling. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. UW-Milwaukee pumps up research efforts. The Capital Times. Editorial: UW shouldn't put fees on free speech. Healthcare. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Froedtert warns of rare brain illness risk. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Grafton hospital gets endorsement. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Health care reform tops wish list.
Energy/Environment. Milwaukee County Supervisors Weishan, Dimitrijevic, Jursik. Support for Great Lakes Compact gains momentum at County Board. Business. |
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Thursday, December 13, 2007 |
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Legislators/Legislative Issues. Sen. Taylor. Applauds Assembly action on compassionate care for rape victims bill. Sen. Taylor. Votes $9.3 million to counties. Wisconsin Family Action. Applauds passage of "Christmas Tree" resolution. Milw. County Exec. Walker, Board Chair Holloway. Thank Legislature for releasing crucial child support funding. Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association. Taxing Internet access is shortsighted. Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter. Obituary: Former legislator Dale Bolle. Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter. Op Ed; Ed Huck, Wisconsin Alliance of Cities: Time to index state shared revenues. Wisconsin State Journal. For both sides, emergency contraception fight continues. Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter. Guest Commentary: Ed Huck, WI Alliance of Cities: Time to index state shared revenues. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Prison officers rack up overtime. Baraboo News Republic. Bill banning fund transfers approved. The Capital Times. The Christmas holiday tree.
Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel. Editorial: Fire, still on payroll (Milwaukee police
pay).
State Agencies/Officials.
St. Paul Pioneer Press. Western Wisconsin; Dispute
shutters two VA clinics.
UW Madison. Two
finalists named for Environmental Institute post. Energy/Environment. Business. Congress/National Issues. |
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Wednesday, December 12, 2007 |
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Legislature/Legislative Issues. Oshkosh Northwestern. Assembly passes cable competition bill. Vote. Reaction Rep. Montgomery, Sen. Plale. Video Competition Act passes final legislative hurdle. TDS Telecom. Consumer choice a step closer with passage of Video Competition Act. TV4US. Statement on Assembly passage of Video competition Act. The Capital Times. Cable bill critics turn to gov.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Assembly passes contraception
bill.
Vote.
Sen. Carpenter.
Early Christmas present for Milwaukee property taxpayers (Senate passes
Milwaukee police pay bill).,
Wisconsin League
of Conservation Voters. Protection of recreational stamp fees
advances in Assembly.
Wisconsin State Journal. Voters to decide veto power. State
Agencies/Officials. Statewide Issues. Health. Education. Energy/Environment. Courts. Business. Local Issues/Officials. |
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Tuesday, December 11, 2007 |
| Weather. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Milwaukee Public Schools closed today ..... evening recreation and athletic activities canceled. Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. Parks Committee meeting postponed. Madison Mayor Cieslewicz. Winter weather update. The Capital Times. Storm hits, most area schools closed, except Madison's. National Weather Service. Special weather statement. WisDOT. December 11th is time to appreciate snowplow drivers. Legislators/Legislative Issues. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. State Senate backs veto amendment ("Frankenstein" veto). Senate Vote. Reaction Sen. Risser. Sen. Fitzgerald. Sen. Harsdorf.
Sen. Lassa.
Fiscal responsibility bill passes Senate (SB-86).
Lt. Gov. Lawton.
Calls on Assembly to pass compassionate care for rape victims. Education. Election/Politics. Congress/National Issues. |
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Monday, December 10, 2007 |
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Legislators/Legislative Issues. Sen. Lazich. Column: Wisconsin school taxes take a big jump. Sen. Kanavas. Urges swift action by NIH on expansion of national stem cell bank. Text of letter. Rep. Davis. Column: Protecting Wisconsin's innovative virtual schools. Sen. Roessler. Announces 2008 Senate Scholar Program. Sen. Coggs. Urges vote on original police pay bill. Sen. Robson. Calls for Assembly passage of "compassionate care."
Milwaukeerising.net.
(Formerly Milwaukee's Story Hill Neighborhood) Bill would limit
emergency powers to regulate guns.
Appleton Post Crescent. Editorial: Campaign finance on hold again.
Congress/National Issues.
Politics/Elections. |
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Friday, December 7, 2007 |
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Legislators/Legislative Issues. Sen. Miller. Final rights bill advances. Sen. Leibham. Capitol Connection: Assisting with law enforcement. Rep. Richards. Governor appoints Richards to Milwaukee River Revitalization Council. Planned Parenthood Advocates of WI. Vote on compassionate care for rape victims finally scheduled. Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Coalition. Vote officially scheduled for compassionate care.
Tomah Journal. Change in school aid distribution unlikely.
Education.
DPI. Four
organizations receive Prevention Partner awards.
Organizations.
Healthcare.
Elections/Politics.
Business.
Sen. Feingold. Statement on Intelligence Authorization
Conference Report. |
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Thursday, December 6, 2007 |
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Legislators/Legislative Issues. Rep. Hixson. Gift cards shouldn't expire on the 12th Day of Christmas. Sen. Kedzie. Gift cards may come with a hidden cost. Rep. Wieckert. Organ donation bill advances in Senate. Rep. Davis. Disagrees with court decision against virtual schools. Wisconsin Catholic Conference. Testimony supporting AB-544 (criminalizes human trafficking). AFSCME. Testimony supporting SB-108, teaching labor history to children in public schools. Wisconsin State AFL-CIO. Testimony supporting SB-108. Wisconsin State AFL-CIO. Testimony supporting SB-195, extending family and medical leave to school-related activities. NAPSAC. Wisconsin Olympian, Milwaukee County DA, endorse Child Victims Act. Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers. Family justice bill gains bi-partisan support. Oshkosh Northwestern. Local lawmakers don't think statewide smoking ban will happen. Racine Journal Times. Raise your hand if you're uninsured. Shawano Leader. Nelson presses bill to reform state budget process. Wisconsin Radio Network. Making locker rooms phone free.
Appleton Post Crescent. Editorial: Remember budget mess? Let's fix
it.
Officials/Agencies. Energy/Environment. Courts.
Congress/National Issues. |
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Wednesday, December 5, 2007 |
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Legislators/Legislative Issues. Sen. Coggs. Statement on police pay legislation. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story. Sen. Coggs. Day care van incidents spur Coggs' legislation. Sen. Hansen. Equal justice bill clears committee. Sen. Miller. Phosphorous ban advances. Rep. Black. Family leave bill attracts wide support. Sen. Ellis. Governor's support encouraging for campaign finance reform. Sen. Lehman. To introduce legislation requiring drivers have motor vehicle insurance. Sen. Taylor. Introduces legislation to protect students (transcripts). Rep. Wieckert. Bill seeks to remove barrier to marriage for disabled individuals. Sen. Roessler. Peeping Tom legislation heard in committee.
Wisconsin Catholic Conference. Testimony supporting SB-321 -
eligibility for state public defenders.
Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel. Court leaves deaf parents in the dark.
Energy/Environment. Congress/National Issues. |
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Tuesday, December 4, 2007 |
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Legislators/Legislative Issues. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Oh, Tannenbaum! Capitol tree debated. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Senate panel advances cop pay bill.
WI Coalition Against
Sexual Assault. Rape victim advocates look forward to Assembly vote
(Compassionate Care Bill).
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Editorial: Inaction not an
option (Great Lakes Water Compact).
DPI. Supt.
Burmaster to present Prevention Partner Recognition Awards.
Elections. |
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Monday, December 3, 2007 |
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Legislators/Legislative Issues. Governor. Urges lawmakers to pass autism, smoke free legislation before the end of the year. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story. Governor. Executive Order 227 - Outlines campaign finance reform issues to be considered during special session of the Legislature. RiverTowns.net story. Sen. Carpenter. December opportunities. Sen. Kanavas. Get your health care for nothing and your scripts for free. Rep. Berceau. Insurance companies should be stopped from new practice of using credit reports to raise rates of Wisconsin's safest drivers. Sen. Hansen, Rep. Richards. Announce bill to extend collective bargaining rights to academic faculty and staff. Rep. Berceau. Letter to cabinet secretaries regarding nano materials registry. Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. Governor calls special session on campaign finance reform. Appleton Post Crescent. Madison Weekly. (Mixed reaction to special session). Appleton Post Crescent. Budget gridlock may have caused passage of fewer bills. Sheboygan Press. Editorial: Toughen penalty for habitual drunken drivers. Wausau Daily Herald. Editorial: Sometimes lawmakers get it, sometime they don't. UW Eau Claire Daily Spectator. Bill would grant bargaining rights. Appleton Post Crescent. Editorial: 'Puppy lemon law' misses intended target. Wausau Daily Herald. Madison: Try doing something that helps taxpayers. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Bill for rape victims expected to pass. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Editorial: Stop infecting the lakes. Beloit Daily News. Editorial: The worst drunks? Throw away they key. The Capital Times. Editorial. Damaging Democracy, promoting Democracy. Statewide Issues. Green Bay Press Gazette. DNR official opposes use of ATVs on rec trail. Wausau Daily Herald. Mandates burden for children support agencies. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Wisconsin's failure to join pact lets non-resident drivers defy tickets. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. More visit state historic sites. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Study finds adult prison system puts youth at higher risk of future crime. Agencies. Environment. Courts. Elections. Congress/National Issues. |