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Republicans propose ban on fund raids

Published: January 10, 2011
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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A constitutional amendment that would prohibit the Wisconsin Legislature from raiding segregated state funds to pay other bills is being circulated by Republican lawmakers. Before the constitution could be amended the Legislature would have to pass it twice, over at least a two-year span, and then the public would have to [...]

Tough times test talk of less government

Published: September 24, 2010
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By Matt Pommer Anti-government, anti-tax rhetoric is dominating the political landscape with elections some six weeks away. That talk is being tested by very difficult times. In mid-September state health officials said $675 million more will be needed for state health programs in the next biennium. That‘s on top of the $2.7 billion gap facing [...]

Dissent delays wind council’s progress

By Paul Snyder Deadline pressure and 100 amendments are cracking the unity of the state‘s Wind Siting Council as it strives to agree on turbine placement standards. Even the definition of agreement is a point of contention among the 15 members. The state law that formed the council requires only that the panel make recommendations [...]

Veto power battle brews in Capitol

Published: June 18, 2010
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By Matt Pommer How much power should Wisconsin governors have? That’s always an important question, but it’s even more important during difficult economic times. One answer to that question is tied to veto power. In 1930, voters passed a constitutional amendment giving the governor the authority to veto — in part — any measure containing [...]

Protect and defend money for roadwork

Published: May 20, 2010
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By Tom Fetters

copy editor

State money for road construction and repairs is scarce enough even before lawmakers declare an emergency in another budget and provide a bailout by shifting transportation dollars.

Changes to ironworkers bill fail to sway opponents

By Paul Snyder State lawmakers Monday introduced an amendment to a bill requiring licensure of ironworkers in Wisconsin, but the changes are not enough to win over the bill’s opponents. “In my first read of it, it looks like they tried to meet concerns of some of the other labor unions,” said Mark Reihl, executive [...]

Clean Energy Jobs Act unknowns put lawmakers on edge

By Paul Snyder The mystery surrounding changes to the state’s Clean Energy Jobs Act is sowing distrust among lawmakers who fear new policy with no input. “I don’t have a major problem if the changes are based on what was talked about during public hearings, but I’m not convinced that’s what’s going to happen,” said [...]

Legislators introduce regional transit alternative

Published: March 3, 2010
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By Sean Ryan Lawmakers are trying to break the barriers facing the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail project by removing the need for Racine and Kenosha counties to approve new taxes. Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, said a regional transit authority amendment released Wednesday is intended to let Wisconsin apply for federal KRM construction money by 2011. The [...]

Letter to the editor: Health care reform should be fair to all

Published: February 12, 2010
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To the editor: I’ve followed the health reform debates and wonder what it will mean for my bottom line. I support the amendment by U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, and it would actually help me continue to provide health care to our employees. Under the Senate bill, small businesses with less than 50 employees are [...]

Madison might free up affordable-housing money (UPDATE)

By Paul Snyder Madison leaders are hung up on the strings to attach to a $4.1 million pot of city money for affordable-housing developers in the city. The city’s Housing Committee is reviewing a proposed amendment to the 2003 ordinance that created the affordable-housing trust budget and defined how the money would be spent. The [...]

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