Festivus

Today is Festivus.

From Festivus! - The website:

"Happy Festivus" is the traditional greeting of Festivus, a holiday featured in "The Strike" episode of Seinfeld which first aired on December 18, 1997. Since then, many people have been inspired by this zany, offbeat Seinfeld holiday and now celebrate Festivus as any other holiday.

According to the Seinfeld model, Festivus is celebrated each year on December 23rd. However many people celebrate it other times in December and even at other times throughout the year.

The slogan of Festivus is "A Festivus for the rest of us!" The usual holiday tradition of a tree is manifested in an unadorned aluminum pole, which is in direct contrast to normal holiday materialism. Those attending Festivus may also participate in the "Airing of Grievances" which is an opportunity to tell others how they have disappointed you in the past year, followed by a Festivus dinner, and then completed by the "Feats of Strength" where the head of the household must be pinned.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Festivus celebration without a magnificent Festivus pole.



Gov. Jim Doyle (left) poses with his Festivus pole.

Check out this site.

More Festivus pole photos here.


Look at the joy on the former Gov. Jim Doyle's face as he stood beside this majestic Festivus pole when he resided in the Governor's mansion. Priceless.

Here's the OFFICIAL FORM for Airing of Grievances.

Send one to a Leftist.

Personally, I don't like Festivus. It's too negative and whiny.

One of my grievances would be that Festivus includes the Airing of Grievances.

Marc Marotta R.I.P.

Very sad news.

From FOX6:

Well-known Milwaukee attorney and community leader Marc Marotta died Wednesday, April 8th.

According to the Medical Examiner’s report, Marotta died of a ruptured cerebral (berry) aneurysm.

52-year-old Marotta was pronounced dead at the Wisconsin Athletic Club on North Port Washington Road.

...Marotta was a partner and business lawyer with Foley & Lardner in Milwaukee. According to his biography on the Foley website, Marotta also served as chairman of the board of the BMO Harris Bradley Center as well as on the boards of Summerfest (Milwaukee World Festival) and Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee.

Marotta was a 1987 graduate of Harvard Law School and a 1984 graduate of Marquette University where he studied economics, political science and English. He was also a three-time academic All-American basketball player at Marquette.

Marotta was also involved in politics. He served as Secretary of the Department of Administration under former Governor Jim Doyle.

Marotta has a long list of accomplishments and has left a lasting impression on a community he loved. Marotta was raised in Pennsylvania and moved to Milwaukee in the 80s. He spent his life giving back and enriching the community.

Rest in peace.

Walker Rejects Kenosha Casino

Scott Walker is blaming Democrat Jim Doyle for his rejection of the proposed Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Kenosha.

Read Walker's press release on his decision:

Today, Governor Scott Walker informed the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) at the Department of Interior (DOI) of his non-concurrence with their determination on the proposed casino project.

“After a comprehensive review of the potential economic impact of the proposed Kenosha casino project, the risk to the state’s taxpayers is too great,” said Governor Walker. “Due to the compacts negotiated by Governor Doyle, the current cost to taxpayers of approving the proposed casino project is up to $100 million and the long-term economic hit to the state budget would be a potential loss of hundreds of millions of dollars.”

“We have had tremendous success in helping grow quality, family-supporting jobs in Kenosha, including the recent Amazon, InSinkErator, and Meijer Distribution Inc. expansions,” continued Governor Walker. “We remain committed to using state resources effectively to continue growing the economy and creating jobs in Kenosha and around the state.”

The federal Bureau of Indian Affairs took more than nine years to review the proposed casino project. For over a year, Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch conducted a comprehensive economic analysis of the potential impact of the proposed casino project. In an ideal scenario, jobs could have been created by the casino, the reality of Governor Doyle’s compacts with the tribes open the State of Wisconsin up to significant litigation risk, which would put state taxpayers on the hook for up to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Secretary Huebsch outlined the potential litigation risk in a recent memo to Governor Walker, which can be found here.

In a report to Governor Walker, Secretary Huebsch explained the outstanding issues facing the proposed casino, which could have a devastating impact on the state budget:

Although the Kenosha casino could result in these positive economic benefits, approval also comes with substantial and significant risks. Our analysis shows taxpayers could lose out on hundreds of millions of dollars of tribal revenue sharing payments as a result of the compact negotiated by Governor Jim Doyle. Due to the legal exposure created by the Doyle compacts, beyond just losing future revenue, approving the Kenosha casino could require taxpayers to pay FCPC [Forest County Potawatomi Community] hundreds of millions of dollars in refunds of previous payments made to the State. If the Kenosha casino is approved, there are a number of other issues that should be considered:

· the impact of possible expanded gaming in northern Illinois;

· the Menominee’s use of more than 220 acres that would likely be put in trust;

· the cost of litigation;

· the consequences of a delayed casino opening;

· the immediate and long-term impact on our state budget and consequently Wisconsin taxpayers; and,

· the cost of indemnifying FCPC.

The entire report from Secretary Huebsch can be found here.

Did Walker make the right decision?

While I respect his concern in terms of protecting Wisconsin taxpayers from the fallout from the Jim Doyle deals, it's very difficult to pass on this development and the thousands of jobs it would create.

Wisconsin State Senator Van Wanggaard issued this statement:

“While I respect the Governors decision to reject the Kenosha Casino, I believe this is the wrong choice for Kenosha, Racine and Wisconsin. This is especially true given the Menominee’s agreement to indemnify the state for lost revenue.

“Governor Doyle and his sweetheart compact with the Potawatomi have killed the largest private investment in Wisconsin history. This has cost the state over 1,600 jobs and a projected $1 billion in revenue. I will meet with my colleagues in the coming days to evaluate the situation and discuss what options we have to prevent this from occurring in the future.

“The good news is that the 21st Senate District is seeing an economic boom, and the area will continue to prosper even without a casino.”

I'm sure much will be said about Walker's presidential aspirations playing into this, that he buckled from pressure from social conservatives to reject the plan.

I don't think that's it, especially given that Walker's failure to deliver so many jobs to the state is a more pressing matter.

I believe that Walker understands his performance in Wisconsin is his possible ticket to the White House. Everything that happens here at home is a test. It would be a mistake for Walker to focus on how things will play nationally while ignoring the needs of the state.

Yes, Jim Doyle and the Democrats are still managing to screw Wisconsin taxpayers, but obstacles can be surmounted. You have to approach a problem with the conviction that a solution is possible, that there can be a way to achieve a goal.

Bottom line: This is a terrible loss for the state of Wisconsin, and there's plenty of blame to go around.

Festivus

Today is Festivus.

From Festivus - The website for the rest of us:

According to the "Seinfeld Orthodoxy," Festivus is December 23. However, in the real world, many people celebrate it at other times of year, some throwing Festivus parties for friends and others they choose to be with in early December before they have to go home and be with the people they don't want to be with, namely their families. There are prominent Festivi all times of year. But if one adheres to the word of the character Frank Costanza, Festivus is the 23rd.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Festivus celebration without a magnificent Festivus pole.



Gov. Jim Doyle (left) poses with his Festivus pole.

Check out this site.

More Festivus pole photos here.


Look at the joy on the former Gov. Jim Doyle's face as he stands beside this majestic Festivus pole when he resided in the Governor's mansion. Priceless.

The Festivus Airing of Grievances will probably be a passionate exercise for Doyle and his fellow Leftists this year. They are perpetually aggrieved.

Like everything else Festivus, the AOG has evolved some wild variations, but the core of it remains lashing into others and the world about how they have been disappointments. This usually brings participants into a circle of sorts in which each takes turns excoriating friends, enemies, relatives, acquaintances and strangers. When all who care to have taken a turn griping, there is no required hugging or making up.

Here's the OFFICIAL FORM for Airing of Grievances.

Send one to a Leftist.

Personally, I don't like Festivus. It's too negative and whiny.

One of my grievances would be that Festivus includes the Airing of Grievances.

Scott Walker's Success

In 2005, 2006 & 2007, no recession, no massive protests, no recalls, yet WI had a lower job growth rate & fewer jobs created than past 3 yrs

— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) September 6, 2014

Mary Burke: $12.5 Million Vacant Lot

Scott Walker: Jobs Creation

More jobs have been created in my 1st 3 years than there were net new jobs in 8 years under Gov. Doyle. (QCEW)

— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) June 19, 2014

This is the sort of thing the local Leftist media don't highlight - Scott Walker's success in office.

They distort and intentionally deceive the public (aka LIE) about Democrat and partisan hack John Chisholm's abusive "John Doe" investigation; but they don't share a simple yet extremely relevant fact regarding jobs.

Go figure.

More Murder in Milwaukee, 19 Shootings Since Friday

UPDATE: Make that at least 20 shootings since Friday.

Police said another fatal shooting occurred late Wednesday on Capitol Drive. The Journal Sentinel's online crime map indicates a shooting was reported at 10:44 p.m. near the intersection of W. Capitol Dr. and N. Sherman Blvd.

Police have not yet provided details on the second Wednesday shooting, and neither victim has been publicly identified.

______________________

Milwaukee is having a violent, deadly summer.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

An employee shot during a robbery Tuesday at a Family Dollar store on Milwaukee's south side was one of eight people wounded by gunfire in the city within 24 hours and one of 18 shot since Friday.

The shooting was reported at 3:30 p.m. at the store at 4331 W. Oklahoma Ave. A 44-year-old man suffered a life-threatening injury, according to Milwaukee police.

Details on the seven other shootings here.

Wednesday was deadly as well.

Another Milwaukee murder:

Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn has confirmed a fatal shooting in the 7600 block of 78th St. near Calumet on Wednesday, August 7th around 4:15 p.m. The victim is a 26-year-old man.

Initial investigation shows the incident started as a verbal argument that escalated to property damage and a physical fight. The shooting suspects left the area before returning and shooting the victim.

“Obviously it’s frustrating. The largest percentage of our homicides this summer have been arguments that, basically, went from words, to fists, to guns,” said Chief Flynn. “We’ve got a circumstance where there are people out here that are heavily armed, that engage in the confrontations with each other, that are willing to use firearms.”

This incident happened just hours after Chief Flynn and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett held a press conference addressing the rash of shootings Milwaukee has faced recently. Among the announcements made were $500,000 dedicated to police overtime.

...Mayor Barrett has asked to be notified each time there is a homicide in Milwaukee. The call for this incident was his 51st notification this year.

“We’ll figure it out and we’ll get to the bottom of it,” declared Chief Flynn.

Flynn and Barrett are not going to "figure it out," they're not going to "get to the bottom of it," if they both keep blaming state government and a lack of legislation for the violence.

The bloodshed in Milwaukee in June and July of 2006 was worse, when Jim Doyle was the governor. There was no Scott Walker state budget then.

I'm disappointed in Flynn. He's become a Barrett hack. He's abandoned the Broken Windows Theory and latched on to Barrett-style finger-pointing and passing the buck and impotence in terms of leadership.

They're literally blaming Governor Scott Walker for the mess in Milwaukee. They're saying lives are being lost because Walker is failing to act.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Walker spoke just a few hours after Barrett and Flynn held a news conference at City Hall asking the governor to act as soon as possible. Saying lives were being lost in the interim, Barrett called on the governor to call a special session. But Walker indicated that the Legislature was scheduled to return next month anyway and could take up the issue then.

Late Wednesday afternoon, Barrett also released a letter he and Flynn sent to Walker, asking for the state's help. In the letter, they said the violent incidents in the city are "extremely concerning, especially considering actions taken in the recent state budget which reduce state resources specifically targeted to reduce violence in Milwaukee."

This really ticks me off.

Violence is spreading throughout the city and Barrett and Flynn blame the state budget.

Blame the guns, inanimate objects. Blame Walker's budget. Blame a lack of legislation.

I'd like Barrett and Flynn to take some responsibility instead of playing politics to avoid accountability for their failures.

The city should be allocating its funds to make public safety a priority, not shaking down the state for cash. Money from the state won't address the judges employing the revolving door system. It won't address the citizens refusing to cooperate with police, making them accomplices of sorts to the thug culture.

...The entire police budget totaled $237.5 million this year, $1.3 million more than the year before.

Two years ago after a melee at the Wisconsin State Fair left 11 people hurt and resulted in 33 arrests, Walker ordered the Wisconsin State Patrol to assist police on the grounds. Asked if he was considering such a request to assist the Milwaukee Police Department this summer, Barrett said, "I'm not asking for that right now."

"We have men and women who can do the job," he said. "We need more boots on the ground."

Milwaukee needs leadership, not excuses.

Milwaukee desperately needs a new mayor.

Why You Should Care About the Wisconsin Recall

Of course, we here in Wisconsin care about the recall election.

So much is at stake. Will Tom Barrett take us back to the failed policies of Jim Doyle? Will Barrett be given the opportunity to do to Wisconsin what he's done to Milwaukee?

Perish the thought.

We know how important it is for our future to keep Governor Scott Walker in office. We know we can't let union thugs overturn the November 2010 election.

The election has national implications as well.

We can't shirk our duty to vote and do all we can to get every Walker supporter to vote.

We must keep Walker in office. Defeat is not an option.

Tom Barrett - Back to Doyle

The people of Wisconsin decided they did not want a third term of Jim Doyle.

In the 2010 election, we rejected Tom Barrett and elected Scott Walker to right the wrongs of the dark Doyle years.

Now that we've seen the progress made during Governor Walker's relatively short time in office, why would we want to go back to Jim Doyle's failed policies?

Tom Barrett has nothing to offer us, except the misery he presides over in Milwaukee.

Barrett 2012?

No thanks. No way.

Walker and Obama Fiddling in Madison

Obama is fiddling in Madison while failing in Washington.



This is a great ad.

Obama and his allies should stop bullying us here in Wisconsin. The thug tactics are backfiring.

We've seen how successful Scott Walker has been. We voted him into office to do what he's doing - get Wisconsin back on track, clean up the fiscal mess, repair the damage done during the disastrous Doyle years.

I support Scott Walker. I'll vote for him again on June 5th.

I don't support Obama. I WON'T vote for him, again. No way.

Richard Niess and Big Labor

Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess and Big Labor appear to have the same goal.

From the Chicago Tribune:

Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess' issued the permanent injunction, finding the law unconstitutional because it would abridge the right to vote. He wrote in his eight-page ruling that "voter fraud is no more poisonous to our democracy than voter suppression." Although the Legislature and Gov. Scott Walker have the power to enact laws regulating elections, they had exceeded their constitutional authority by eliminating the right to vote for certain eligible voters, he said.

A Dane County judge blocks the law just as the Scott Walker recall election gets into gear.

What a shocker!

Video, from FOX 6:



Richard Niess has allies.

From Politico:

Labor unions wounded by a GOP-led war on collective-bargaining rights are plotting their revenge.

Top labor leaders say they expect to spend more than ever on both state and federal contests this year. And if recent elections are any indicator, unions could drop more than $450 million, which they reportedly doled out in the 2008 election.

...Top labor operatives say they’re still mapping out their strategies for 2012 with state and local affiliates, but here’s an early look at states and races where some of the biggest unions are planning to strike:

Enemy No. 1: Scott Walker:

First up, labor groups have set their sights on the recall vote of Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker, who became a favorite target of unions nationwide for his efforts to roll back public employees’ collective-bargaining rights. Ousting Walker in the recall expected in May or June would be a major symbolic victory for labor groups, and a victory in the Badger State would give unions and their backers a big momentum boost heading into the fall elections.

Defeating Walker isn’t out of the question. A recent survey showed him locked in a virtual dead heat with his potential Democratic opponents.

Maybe defeating Walker isn't out of the question if Wisconsin voters are disenfranchised via fraud.

It's scary to know that the Leftists will do ANYTHING to overturn the 2010 election.

In spite of attempts by the likes of Richard Niess to allow Wisconsin to be a haven for stealing elections, I have faith in the people of my state.

The Dems/unions couldn't defeat Alberta Darling. They couldn't defeat David Prosser.

I don't think the decisive majority that elected Walker in 2010 is going to sit back and watch the Left destroy that democratic process.

Leftist extremist and union hack Kathleen Falk, on her own merits, cannot win a statewide election in Wisconsin.

WI Spends Millions for 202 Jobs: Walker Responds

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, naturally, will attempt to frame any story in a manner that reflects poorly on Governor Scott Walker.

It's what they do.

Here's an attention-getting headline:

State spends millions for 202 new jobs

In case there's any confusion, Walker tweets:

Headline "State spends millions for 202 jobs", missed rest of sentence:, "under program approved by Gov Doyle."

Yes, it's what the Journal Sentinel does.

Al Marsh: Scott Walker Death Threat

UPDATE, January 25, 2012: Mark Belling reports that Al Marsh is, in fact, a city of Milwaukee employee, as stated on his Facebook page.

Belling says that Marsh has made some additional Facebook posts, including defending his "Scott Walker must die" threat as free speech.

He believes he has the right to threaten the life of Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin.

Truly sick and deranged.

Looking through Marsh's photos on Facebook is revealing.

His decision to post this is kind of scary:



Marsh also has a photo of the Capitol building in Madison from March 5, 2011, with the caption, "We arrive at the capital."

It's clear that Marsh dislikes Governor Walker enough to have made the trip to Madison to protest. He's an activist.

With a photo of the protest captioned "40,000 strong," Marsh comments: "This is how I spent my Saturday."

Another photo from March 5, in Madison: "The assault begins."

"Assault"? Marsh's choice of words suggests violence, not a peaceful protest.

Some of his other photos from the same day:

"Protest rally marchers."

"Fellow protesters in the capital."

Marsh isn't just a guy writing dumb stuff online. He's actively involved in the anti-Scott Walker movement.

I hope law enforcement is thoroughly investigating Marsh.

The guy really creeps me out.

"Scott Walker must die."

A stable person, at least 50 years old, doesn't post that.
_______________

Has Governor Scott Walker received yet another death threat on the Internet?

According to Mark Belling, an investigation is underway.

To date, online death threats against Scott Walker have been made with impunity.

Belling has posted the link to a screen shot of the "I Stand with Scott Walker" Facebook page showing a threatening post made by Facebook user "Al Marsh."

The individual writing from Marsh's account was very clear. The person wrote:

Scott Walker must die.

Short and sweet.

Who is Al Marsh?

He went to South Division High School, class of 1979, and lives in Milwaukee. He lists his present employers as "City of Milwaukee" and "Milwaukee World Festivals, Inc." as a security supervisor.



Did someone use Marsh's account to make the threatening post?

Did he write it?

It's possible Marsh is a victim in this situation.

It's also possible that he is responsible for writing "Scott Walker must die" on the "I Stand with Scott Walker" Facebook page.

If city of Milwaukee employee Marsh posted that threatening statement on Facebook, he should get more than a slap on the wrist. Such behavior is inexcusable. These threats against the Governor's life must stop. Why is this stuff tolerated and dismissed as harmless?

It's not harmless. Only a thug would write something like that.

We know with certainty that someone wrote the post, and that individual should be held accountable for threatening the life of Wisconsin's governor.

This is completely unacceptable.

I wonder how many online threats Jim Doyle received while in office as governor.

How many were ignored?

Scott Walker Recall Begins

This is obscene.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Paperwork to recall Gov. Scott Walker has been filed with state elections officials.

The state Government Accountability Board said the request was filed Friday, the first possible date of the recall. To succeed in forcing a recall election of the Republican governor, organizers must gather 540,000 signatures in 60 days.

The petition was filed by David Brandt of Muskego in Waukesha County and the "Close Friends to Recall Walker" committee. Brandt said in the government filing that he was registering a recall committee to "fulfill my friend's last request."

The state Democratic Party is starting its recall Walker effort on Nov. 15.

But since the petition has been filed now, Walker can immediately begin receiving unlimited political donations from supporters to use for certain specific spending.

A phone message left at Brandt's home was not immediately returned. No one with his name and address showed up in a database of state campaign contributors.

Graeme Zielinski, a spokesman for the state Democratic Party, questioned whether Brandt was a true opponent of Walker. He said that a Democratic Party voter database suggested that Brandt might lean Republican.

Political parties keep such databases of voters' party identification to help them target get out the vote efforts. Zielinski said the database used such information as whether a voter has voted in a Republican primary.

A spokeswoman for the state Republican Party had no immediate comment.

Blah, blah, blah.

Zielinski questions whether Brandt is a true opponent of Walker.

It doesn't matter.

The fact is the Democrats are going full speed ahead with their effort to recall Walker.

The taxpayer dollars that are being wasted because of these recall elections makes me sick.

All the outside money, the Big Labor influence, the whole mess really bugs me.

There is no such thing as being elected to a term in office in Wisconsin.

If you're a Leftist and a Republican or a conservative wins an election, the assumption is the election results are irrelevant.

Overturn the election.

The Democrats have many differences with Walker. They want to tax and spend and continue Jim Doyle's disastrous policies. They believe in entitlements which serve to enslave the people to the government.

Naturally, the Leftists don't like what Walker is doing, even though his policies are WORKING.

Just because they don't like Walker is no reason to drag the state through another recall election.

The people spoke on November 2, 2010, Election Day.

We elected Scott Walker, a Republican State Assembly and State Senate, a Republican majority in the Wisconsin U.S. House of Representatives delegation, and Ron Johnson, conservative Republican, to the U.S. Senate. (Yes, we fired the Leftist darling, Russ Feingold.)

Recall elections to undo that is an abuse of the system.

Wisconsin Recall Elections

Governor Scott Walker's policies are working in Wisconsin.

Madison—One month after the 2011-13 state budget was signed into law, tangible results from the reforms put in place by Governor Walker and the Legislature are being realized. According to media reports, local units of government and school districts have already saved more than $220 million, with millions more in potential savings not yet reported.

The state is also adding jobs. Between December 2007 and December 2010, Wisconsin lost over 153,600 private sector jobs. The state has netted over 39,000 new private sector jobs since the Governor called a special session to open Wisconsin for business. The state has seen 14,100 manufacturing jobs created since January. In June Wisconsin had a net job creation of 9,500 new jobs, including nearly 13,000 private sector jobs. Only four states created more private sector jobs than Wisconsin did in the last month.

Below is a sampling of local units of governments being able to balance their budget and improve services due to the reforms contained in the 2011-13 state budget and the budget repair bill:

Ashland School District

A health insurance provider switch saved Ashland School District nearly $378,000.

Reference: http://www.ashlandwi.com/articles/2011/07/18/news/doc4e24f08b80b26580859031.txt

Kimberly School District

The district saved $821,000 by dropping WEA Trust.

Reference: http://maciverinstitute.com/2011/07/wisconsin-school-districts-are-switching-health-care-providersplans-to-create-savings-in-2011/

Edgerton School District

The district will drop the union's current health insurance carrier, the WEA Trust. The district is gathering bids to change to a different health insurance provider, which Pauli said could save at least $500,000 over the next year.

Reference:

http://gazettextra.com/news/2011/mar/15/edgerton-reaches-teacher-contract/

Baraboo School District

The Baraboo School Board expects to save about $660,000 next year after deciding to change insurance providers Monday evening.

Reference: https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:24830.9327959424/rid:4f6670a3bc5ed1258448c884029069d8

Dodgeland School District

The Dodgeland School Board made the decision to change insurance companies.

Administrator Annette Thompson said the change will help the board deal with the expected $640,000 budget deficit from reduced state aid and expiration of some federal and AARA funds. The change in providers is expected to save the district $260,000 next year.

Reference: http://www.wiscnews.com/bdc/news/local/article_a5dddeb8-b412-11e0-949a-001cc4c03286.html

Elmbrook School District

The district originally had planned for $780,000 in savings through the health-care changes, but Brightman said the actual savings are estimated at $878,000. He said some of that money likely will be needed to pay for staffing - probably a half-time equivalent clerical position - to administer the new plan.

Reference: http://www.brookfieldnow.com/news/125863413.html

Mequon-Thiensville School District

Delta Dental's quotes also came in lower than those provided by WEA Trust. Beaudry said the district will save $49,000 in the 2011-12 budget cycle by switching to Delta Dental.

Reference: http://www.mequonnow.com/news/125861078.html

Marshfield School District

Marshfield will balance its budget despite the cuts. "Given the cost savings with health insurance and the turnover with staff and new hires, we will be able to preserve our programs and come up with a balanced budget," said Peg Geegan, the district's director of instruction who will assume the superintendent's position Aug. 1. The district will save $850,000 by switching health insurance carriers…

Reference: http://www.marshfieldnewsherald.com/article/20110706/MNH0101/107060599/State-aid-Marshfield-schools-down-2-4-million?odyssey=tabtopnewsimgFRONTPAGE

Fond du Lac School District

District leaders believe when school starts in the fall they'll be operating with a balanced budget. They say the savings under the bill will offset their 4.4 million dollar budget shortfall. Class sizes and programs will also remain in tact.

References:

http://www.nbc26.com/news/local/126364503.html and http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20110728/FON0101/110727143/FdL-School-District-expects-balanced-budget

City of Sheboygan and Sheboygan County

City of Sheboygan Mayor Bob Ryan and Sheboygan County Administrator Adam Payne said the collective bargaining reforms will provide enough savings to make up for the reductions in state aid. "We were able to lock in savings and certainty due to the discussions going on in Madison," Payne said.

Reference: http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20110629/SHE0101/306290007/Special-Report-s-new-world-public-employee-pay?odyssey=tabtopnewsimgSHE-News

Wauwatosa School District

The tax levy is projected to decrease, no programs will be cut, and class sizes won’t increase by any significant measure. School board member Phil Kroner: "When students come to school in the fall, they're going to see the same things, have the same teachers, and they're going to see new things as well.

Reference: http://wauwatosa.patch.com/articles/school-board-quietly-passes-budget-based-on-sacrifice

Manitowoc

Laid-off city workers may get their jobs back after the city moves forward with the wage and benefit reforms contained in the budget. And Overtime rules have changed saving the county $100,000.

References: http://www.htrnews.com/article/20110706/MAN0101/107060474/Some-laid-off-city-workers-rehired-month?odyssey=tabtopnewsimgFRONTPAGE and http://www.htrnews.com/article/20110720/MAN0101/107200527/Overtime-rules-changed-Manitowoc-County-employees?odyssey=tabtopnewsimgFRONTPAGE

Pittsville

They will see up to a 9% decrease in the school portion of their property tax levy. "It will be wonderful for our taxpayers, who have been extremely committed to our schools," School Board President Julie Strenn said, noting three years ago, voters approved a three-year revenue cap override that cost taxpayers an additional $175,000 each year… "This is the first year we have not needed to short-term borrow.”

Reference: http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/article/20110615/WRT0101/106150626/Pittsville-Schools-OK-preliminary-budget?odyssey=tabtopnewsimgFRONTPAGE

Neenah

Paul Hauffe, director of business services said, “administrators are poised to introduce a balanced budget in mid-July… We're very close right now, there's nothing monumental that we have to overcome."

Reference: http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110706/APC0902/107060619/Neenah-settles-teachers-amid-collective-bargaining-changes

Appleton Area School District

They will save $3.1 million just in health insurance costs alone due to competition among health insurance providers. Financial advisors for the school district said:

· Discussions at the state level over collective bargaining and budgeting issues have been beneficial to school districts from the rate perspective.

· It forced a lot of competition. I do think the landscape in the school marketplace has changed significantly over the last year that's put significant pressure on WEA Trust. Previously to this year, they didn't have a lot of competition. Historically, it's very difficult for other carriers to match them.

· The $3.1 million in savings for next school year is just in health insurance premium costs.

Reference: http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110622/APC0101/106220521/Appleton-schools-retains-WEA-Trust-insurance?odyssey=tabtopnewsimgAPC-News

Racine County

Inmates can do routine maintenance tasks so that county employees can spend more time working on projects that improve the community. CountyExecutive Jim Ladwig said inmates will be able to perform more tasks such as landscaping, painting, and shoveling sidewalks in the winter. “We have a win-win when we use the inmates,” Ladwig said. “It gives them a sense of value they are helping the community.” At the same time, he said it will help the county maintain property that has been neglected.

References: http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_97bd5d58-a243-11e0-b2f9-001cc4c002e0.html#ixzz1QfPqQxvR and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGn4zUXlbkE


Kaukauna School District

They will hire additional teachers, reduce projected class sizes from 26 to 23 students at the elementary level, 28 students to 26 students at the intermediate/middle level, and 31 students to 25 students at the high school level and set aside money for merit bonuses for good teachers. “Due to the law change the District’s projected operating budget has moved from a negative $400,000 to approximately a positive $1,500,000. Earmarked in the operating budget are $300,000 related to merit pay, a program being explored for all staff by the district for the 2011-2012 school year.”

References: http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110630/APC0101/106300455/Story-documents-Kaukauna-schools-project-1-5M-surplus?odyssey=navhead and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQQFWS6-8xE

Hartland-Lakeside School Board

They switched insurance providers and saved taxpayers $690,000.

Reference: http://www.jsonline.mobi/blogs/news/124823204.html?ua=blackberry&dc=smart&c=y

Yesterday, we learned that the Walker budget is working in Milwaukee, too. The dire predictions of impending doom were wrong. Yes, even Milwaukee will gain more than it will lose from the budget.

This is what democracy looks like in Wisconsin - very bright. It really is incredible.

The fruits of the November 2, 2010, election: Success!

It would be absolutely crazy to halt the tremendous progress that's being made in Wisconsin since Scott Walker and the Republicans were elected.

They inherited a multi-billion dollar mess from former Gov. Jim Doyle and the Democrats.

In seven months, they dug Wisconsin out of its fiscal hole and have set the path toward a dramatically brighter future for the people of the state.

They balanced the budget without raising taxes.

Why would anyone want to undo this?

The people of the state are counting on voters in districts with recall elections to vote for prosperity and fiscal health for Wisconsin.

We need you to vote.

Alberta Darling, District 8

Rob Cowles, District 2

Sheila Harsdorf, District 10

Luther Olsen, District 14

Randy Hopper, District 18

Dan Kapanke, District 32

Sheriff David Mahoney

Is Sheriff David Mahoney the right person to investigate the Wisconsin Supreme Court Choking case?

Short answer: NO.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney -- who is now investigating a claim Supreme Court Justice David Prosser put his hands around another justice’s neck during an argument earlier this month -- endorsed Prosser’s opponent in the recent race for Supreme Court.

The Democratic sheriff endorsed Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg in her challenge to Prosser in the April 5 election. Mahoney and Kloppenburg also use the same campaign manager, Melissa Mulliken, who has worked on many state and local campaigns.

Mahoney took over the investigation Monday at the request of Capitol Police Chief Charles Tubbs. Tubbs said he consulted with the court before turning over the investigation to Mahoney.

Media Trackers spells out the very real concerns about Mahoney's impartiality:

The need for an impartial investigator to look into allegations of a physical altercation between two Wisconsin Supreme Courtjustices is absolutely critical. Wisconsinites deserve to know the full truth about this matter, and parties that are guilty of misconduct should explain their actions. Following the announcement by Capitol Police that the investigation will now be handled by Dane County Sheriff David Mahoney, MediaTrackers expressed concern over the sheriff's impartiality in the situation.

"After looking into Sheriff Mahoney's record, we have substantial reservations about his qualification to lead his department in a thorough and impartial investigation of this matter," stated Brian Sikma, Communications Director for Media Trackers. "Notwithstanding his long record of service to the public through law enforcement, the very politically charged nature of this particular investigation could prevent the public from resting full confidence in Sheriff Mahoney's abilities."

Citing a list of political activities, official actions, and unguarded public statements from Mahoney, Sikma concluded, "Sheriff David Mahoney’s partisan background and public statements raise questions about his ability to lead an impartial investigation. The sheriff should either explain why these items are not going to factor into any bias in the investigation, or recuse himself from the role altogether."

The following is a record of Dane County Sheriff David Mahoney's political, professional and public actions and statements that are cause for concern when it comes to his handling of a political charged Supreme Court matter:

In 2008, Sheriff David Mahoney appeared in television ad endorsing Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, a well known personal and political rival of Justice David Prosser. Mahoney also gave Abrahamson’s 2008 re-election campaign $100 dollars.

In 2008, Sheriff Mahoney helped create a program –later determined to be illegal – to give tax payer dollars to jail inmates to subsidize their bail. Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said that the Sheriff’s office overstepped its authority with the program.

During the Budget Repair protests that occupied the Capitol, Mahoney refused to order Dane County Sheriff Deputies to enforce an order to keep the Capitol doors shut. Mahoney explained, “I refused to put deputy sheriffs in a position to be palace guards."

When touring the Capitol in during the occupation by pro-labor protesters in March, Mahoney was quoted in The Nation magazine as saying “I smile everyday at what I am seeing take place in this building."

When asked in an April 21, interview with liberal Madison talk-show host John “Sly” Sylvester about booing of the national anthem by counter-protesters at a Tea Party rally, Mahoney said “I’m quite confident that booing the national anthem never occurred.” But of course, the booing was caught on camera which makes it hard to deny.

From 2004-2006, Mahoney served as President of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association. As President of the state’s police union, Mahoney was quoted as saying it is a duty to “take care of those who take care of you,” and that “the job you save may be your own.” During Mahoney’s tenure as President, the WPPA endorsed Governor Jim Doyle for Governor and donated to eight Democratic campaigns and just three Republican campaigns.

Sheriff Mahoney was appointed to three separate commissions by Democrat Governor Jim Doyle between 2007 and 2008.

Without question, the appearance of Mahoney's impartiality exists.

He should recuse himself.

Maryann Sumi, Mark Levin, and 'Legal Anarchy'

On his radio program on Friday, Mark Levin delivered a terrific monologue about the Democrats in Wisconsin and Judge Maryann Sumi.

Listen to the podcast.

He begins his show talking about the "legal anarchy in Wisconsin" and Sumi's decision. Levin succinctly reviews what has happened the past few weeks and explains the current situation.

Transcript

MARK LEVIN: We have legal anarchy in the state of Wisconsin, legal anarchy because one, one despot in a black robe decided she wanted to go national and draw attention to herself as she drags the state of Wisconsin into anarchy.

Now let's take a step back and see what's taken place here because it can happen in your own state.

Yes, there was an election in November. You know, people are told for good government purposes, get out there and vote. Well, they did. They threw out the Democrats and they put in the Republicans. Republicans didn't hide their agenda. The Governor of Wisconsin, now, Scott Walker, among other things said, 'Look, we've got to pull back on these government unions and collective bargaining.'

And that message more than any other resonated with the people of Wisconsin, and they turned out and they voted. They elected him governor. He follows an extremely irresponsible Left-wing ideologue governor named Doyle, who was abusing the taxpayers at every turn, as were the Democrats in the State Legislature.

So, the people decided through a legitimate, state constitutional means to address this. So they did something they've rarely done in Wisconsin. They turned the whole state over to the Republicans.

Well, the unions weren't going to allow that, particularly the government unions. The Democrats weren't going to allow that, and the big media, well, they weren't going to allow it either.

So the Senate Democrats, now in the minority, they don't like the outcome of the election and neither do their bought and paid for union bosses. But they don't have the votes to stop the agenda that the people in Wisconsin just voted for. So what do they do? They use the rules of the Senate against the people - not against the Republicans, not against the Governor - against the people of Wisconsin. And they leave the state. They leave the state. They leave their responsibilities because they do not want to honor the electorate. They don't like the results and they figure they're going to do whatever they can to undermine them.

So what that means, you folks in Wisconsin who voted, is that a small cabal of Leftist hoodlums disenfranchised you, or attempted to.

Did Republican State Senators leave Wisconsin when the Democrats controlled it?

No.

Then, all over the country, public and private sector union bosses sent out e-mails, and faxes and phone calls. Everybody head to Madison. Make as much noise as you can. Bring your signs. Take vacation leave. Pretend you're sick. Take sick leave. If you're retired, come on over. We need your help. All the rabble-rousers showed up, and while you're at it, let's empty the colleges, too - Madison obviously known as a very Left-wing town. Bring the high school students. Bring your kids.

And so they poured into Madison. They poured into the Capitol building. And they were screaming and chanting, threatening people, bullying people, pushing around reporters, trying to block their cameras.

But they still lost. They still lost.

The vote was had, but they don't like the vote that occurred in the State Legislature. They don't like the vote that occurred in the State Senate. They don't like the fact that the Governor signed the bill that he said he would sign. So a Democrat operative, a former elected official in the Wisconsin Legislature, he forum shopped. He found one of their favorite liberal lowest court judges and sought a temporary restraining order.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, I don't believe that guy thought he would get a ruling favorable. That was a 'Hail Mary' but he threw it right to her, and this lovely lady - just look at her picture - this lovely lady, she caught it. She was thrilled to get it.

Now first of all, what this tells you, whether they lose elections, whether they lose votes in state legislatures, it doesn't matter. By hook or by crook, you are not allowed to effectively or successfully challenge the Left. You're just not. Whether it's the environment, whether it's health care, whether it's collective bargaining, you, ladies and gentlemen, are not allowed to reverse course. I don't care how much you pay in taxes, how miserable the health care system's going to be, I don't care how many illegal aliens are crossing into your town, it doesn't matter.

You have no say. Now you can go through the motions according to the Left, you can go through the motions and vote. And if the outcome is one that they like, they'll let it stand. But if it's an outcome they don't like, they're not going to let it stand. They're going to disenfranchise you in every way they know how.

If they can't get what they want by leaving town, they'll go to a liberal activist judge. And if they couldn't get what they wanted from her, well they'll go to the Secretary of State who will slow down the process of actually implementing the law so that the Left-wing locals can cut their deals with the government unions real fast before the law takes effect. If that doesn't work, well, they'll use the bureaucracy to punish you. This is what I mean - it's a soft tyranny. Absolutely a soft tyranny.

Levin dissects Sumi's ruling and explains Wisconsin law, going through the four elements required for a temporary restraining order. He clearly details the holes in Sumi's ruling.

Levin goes on:

LEVIN: Now in addition to everything I've just said, we have death threats, death threats against legitimately elected public officials. Death threats - and barely a word is said, barely a concern is raised.

I'm glad Levin spent so much time on Friday discussing Sumi and the Wisconsin case, the thuggery of the Left.

A national audience needs to know what the Democrats, the unions, and Judge Sumi are doing - attempting to disenfranchise millions of Wisconsinites as they wage war against taxpayers and the middle class.

Doug La Follette Delays Bill

UPDATE, June 15, 2011: Doug La Follette: 'I will publish' the law on June 28
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UPDATE, March 18, 2011: La Follette's legal representation challenged
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UPDATE, March 14, 2011: Wisconsin unions rush to get deals in place

School boards and local governments across Wisconsin are rushing to reach agreements with unions before a new law takes effect that will remove their ability to collectively bargain over nearly all issues other than minimal salary increases.

Secretary of State Doug La Follette said Monday he decided to delay publication of the law until the latest day possible, March 25, to give those local governments as much time as possible to reach agreements. The law doesn't take effect until the day after La Follette publishes it.

Gov. Scott Walker had asked La Follette to publish the law on Monday, but the Democratic secretary of state, who called the new law the biggest change in labor management history in 50 years, said he didn't see any emergency that warranted him doing that.

La Follette said he heard from many schools, cities and counties urging him to delay enactment of the law as long as possible.

...The Wisconsin Association of School Boards is telling districts to be cautious about approving contracts that will make it more difficult for them to handle the cuts in aid Walker is seeking. The association had estimated earlier this month that up to a fourth of the state's 424 districts have approved new contract extensions since Walker unveiled the bill on Feb. 11.

La Follette is doing the unions' bidding. The unions pull the strings.
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UPDATE, March 14, 2011: La Follette: Collective bargaining bill will be law March 25

"It's the best thing for the state of Wisconsin," La Follette said.

No, it's not.

It's clear that Democrats like La Follette care about unions, special interest groups, more than they care about Wisconsin taxpayers and the state's fiscal health.
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Wisconsin DEMOCRAT Secretary of State Doug La Follette has made it official. He's going to drag his feet on the budget repair bill.

Although Governor Scott Walker officially signed the bill into law around 9:30 on Friday morning, he held a ceremonial signing and press conference on Friday afternoon.

Video here.

Transcript

GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER: We just had a ceremonial signing. I officially signed Act 11 into law, excuse me, Act 10 into law this morning at approximately 9:30. That measure was taken over to the Secretary of State's office. He has signed it, and we're awaiting publication of that, which routinely, when requested, is done in the next working day. He has up to 10 working days to do it, but routinely in the past it has been done upon request within one working day. And it is our hope that tradition in state government will continue.

Naturally, La Follette does not intend to uphold tradition.

From the Wisconsin State Journal:

State senators left the state for three weeks. Assembly members forced a marathon, 61-hour debate in their chamber. Now, Secretary of State Doug La Follette will join the list of Democrats delaying Gov. Scott Walker's controversial bill to limit collective bargaining for public employees.

Walker signed the bill early Friday, but it doesn't take effect until the secretary of state publishes the proposal, and La Follette said he would not publish the law until March 25 to allow time for legal challenges to move through the courts. Laws don't take effect until one day after they are published with the Legislative Reference Bureau.

...La Follette, a Democrat, said in an interview that it's normal procedure to publish laws 10 business days after the governor signs them, although he said it is sometimes necessary speed up the process.

"The governor wants to publish this on Monday, but that seems a mad rush to conclusion when there are so many questions," La Follette said. "This is one of the biggest changes in Wisconsin I can remember, and I've been around for 30 years."

From the Duluth News Tribune:

The law can’t take effect until Secretary of State Doug La Follette, a Democrat who opposes the law, sends official notice to the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison to publish the language, the Associated Press reported.

Did La Follete ever deny a request from Jim Doyle?

Did he ever wait to publish a law in the past when there were "so many questions"?

The fact is La Follette is obstructing, just like his Democrat cohorts.

I'm concerned about what will happen on March 25, after the 10 business day window has passed.

I don't trust him. The Democrats have shown they can't be trusted to perform the duties they were elected to do.

I hope someone is monitoring La Follette's moves. Maybe he'll make a run for the border before the end of the day on March 25. It's what Dems do.

Will Obama's political machine or the union bosses put La Follette up in a hotel for a couple of months or a couple of years if necessary?

I wonder if La Follette is already booked to appear on MSNBC the night of March 25.

Does that seem outlandish?

At one time in Wisconsin, it would seem utterly goofy to suggest such a scenario.

Not anymore.

Walker Signs Budget Repair Bill

Where have all the protesters gone, long time passing?

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Gov. Scott Walker signed his bill Friday repealing most collective bargaining by public employee unions, dealing a blow to the labor movement that turned out massive demonstrations in an effort to kill the proposal.

The Leftist Milwaukee Journal Sentinel clearly is experiencing the agony of defeat.

Why? Why not see this as a giant step forward for Wisconsin and the middle class taxpayers?

This is a victory for Wisconsin workers.

The Left has tried to frame this issue as an assault on the middle class and workers.

Note to the Left: Most middle class workers aren't members of public employee unions. Most Wisconsinites aren't members of public employee unions.

Scott Walker is looking out for workers. He's holding the line on taxes. He's trying to bring more jobs to Wisconsin. He's trying to undo the damage done during the eight years of Jim Doyle's reign and Democrat control.

Governor Walker should be praised, not vilified and denigrated.