Conservatively Speaking

Texas Road House, New Berlin, Today, 10% Off

Mary Lazich — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:09:24 GMT

Must present coupon available at this link:

http://wigmain.nationalmssociety.org/site/DocServer/TRH_Fundraiser_Invitation_7.9.pdf?docID=39355

The governor’s ideas for stimulus money raise a question

Mary Lazich — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:30:00 GMT

On Thursday, Governor Doyle asked legislative leaders to approve legislation that would allow the state to “fully implement” the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The legislation would include:

Dept of Commerce. Modify the Enterprize Zone Program to add job retention as an eligible certification criterion to establish a zone; require companies to make a significant capital investment; have either 0ver 500 employees or be an original equipment manufacturer with a significant Wisconsin supply chain; provide refundable tax credits for up to 7% of payroll; limit tax credit claiming to five years.
Public Service Commission. Permit counties, municipalities, villages and towns to provide loans for energy efficient improvements to residences. Provide for repayment via special charges on property tax bills.
Dept of Administration. Modify income eligibility levels for the Weatherization Assistance Program and the state’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to 60% of statewide median household income.
Dept of Workforce Development. Authorize unemployment insurance modernization changes in order to receive additional federal incentive funding available to states that reform UI eligibility rules to increase benefit coverage.
Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. Provide federal ARRA health insurance subsidies for individuals who have lost jobs at companies with fewer than 20 employees.
Dept of Natural Resources. Allow ARRA clean water and drinking water funds to be distributed as grants or loans at interest rates that may differ from the rates provided under current law; allow forgiveness of a portion of the principal amount of a loan.
Dept of Children and Families. Increase eligibility for community services block grant funding from125% to 200% of federal poverty level.
Office of Justice Assistance. Create a new federal appropriation for receipt of ARRA funding for Byrne and Justice Assistance Grant criminal justice programs.
Dept of Revenue. Exclude expenditures made related to ARRA funding from the Expenditure Restraint Program.
Dept of Public Instruction. Repeal the requirement DPI keep confidential any pupil records it receives from local school districts so that K-12 and post-secondary institutions can share data in support of education reform efforts.

That is an interesting list. The question I have is this:

How does any of this create sustaining jobs?

While you slept, the Grim Reaper strikes

Mary Lazich — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:37:23 GMT

Early this morning, while you were asleep, the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee, controlled by Democrats, was voting to increase your taxes.

The committee voted 11-5 to create a board that would have the power to impose a one percent sales tax in Milwaukee County. Sales tax revenue would fund transit, parks, and emergency medical services. Milwaukee County’s sales tax rate would, if this plan is approved by the full Legislature and Governor Doyle, increase to 6.6 percent.

The five members of the board that would set a one percent sales tax increase would not be elected by the voting public, and thus, would not have accountability for their actions. They would be appointed by the Milwaukee County Board chairman, the Milwaukee mayor and the governor.

The committee also voted 12-4 to establish a regional transit authority in Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties. A $16 car rental fee would fund the authority. The current fee is $2. The authority would operate a Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter link that more than likely will be very costly. The nine-member authority, again, would be un-elected. Members would be appointed by the chairmen of the Milwaukee County and Racine County boards, the Kenosha County executive, the mayors of Milwaukee, Kenosha and Racine; and the governor.

As the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports, “The structure would ensure that local officials with Democratic ties would get to make appointments to the board while those with Republican links would not. For instance, Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser, a former legislator, would get to make an appointment while Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker – a Republican running for governor next year – would not.”

The Joint Finance Committee also rejected the idea of a requirement that light rail could be built in Milwaukee County only if voters approved.

I oppose the creation of boards or authorities with appointed members having taxing power. This is taxation without representation. The power to tax should only come from elected representation.

Hang on to your wallets, there goes millions of dollars. I vehemently oppose these new taxes and Regional Authorities. Our taxes are high enough, and in our darkest hours while we were asleep, the Grim Reaper swiped our credit cards, big time.

Smoking ban update

Mary Lazich — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 22:30:00 GMT

A proposed statewide smoking ban, Assembly Bill 252 (AB 252) will get a public hearing next Wednesday in the Assembly Committee on Health and Healthcare Reform. The language of AB 252 is the same used by the governor in his proposed state budget.

A vote is being planned by the committee on May 8, 2009, and the bill could come to the Assembly floor on May 13, 2009.

The state Senate could act on the measure the same day.

I signed the No Climate Tax Pledge

Mary Lazich — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:15:00 GMT

Global warming legislation is moving along in the Democrat-controlled Congress. There is great concern the legislation will be used to include the largest tax increase in American history, the cap-and-trade energy tax.

The Heritage Foundation says, “The $1.9 trillion generated over eight years from a cap-and-trade bill would still be larger than the $1.5 trillion from NASA, the New Deal, and Hurricane Katrina.”

President Obama conceded last year in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle that under his plan, energy prices would “skyrocket.”

That is why I have signed the Americans for Prosperity No Climate Tax Pledge:

“I, ___________________________, pledge to the taxpayers of the State of _________________ and to the American people that I will oppose any legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in federal government revenue.”

I urge my conservative colleagues in state and federal government to join me in signing the No Climate Tax Pledge.

Rich states, poor states

Mary Lazich — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:42:00 GMT

Another economic report card, another horrible ranking for the state of Wisconsin.

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has released its 2009 edition of “Rich states, poor states” that ranks all 50 states on their economic policies and performance, and also forecasts the states best equipped to rebound from the rough economy.

Wisconsin has the tenth worst economic performance ranking, dropping 11 spots from last year, and ranks #27 for its economic outlook (A property tax burden ranking of #42).

A press release from ALEC about the report says, “(It) shows how the federal bailout of the states may simply encourage out-of-control spending by states, which is up 124 percent over the last 10 years, without requiring them to make the tough decisions needed to bring about financial stability.”

Co-author of the report and highly acclaimed economist Dr. Arthur B. Laffer said, “States cannot tax their way into prosperity.”

One of the report’s conclusions:

“As budget problems become more severe, states must utilize every cost-saving measure possible to avoid economically damaging tax hikes. Increasing taxes during the current downturn is a non-starter for states that wish to remain competitive. Instead, we hope states will use their current financial problems to put their fiscal houses in order and say no to profligate spending and irresponsible budget practices, which have caused many of the current difficulties.

As lawmakers return to session in 2009, many will be faced with a budget crisis. A handout from Washington, D.C., might seem to help in the short-term, but as many seem to overlook, dollars from Washington rarely come without costly strings attached. Furthermore, a federal bailout would do nothing to address the fundamental problem of a decade’s worth of state overspending. If anything good comes out of the budget problems in the states, maybe it will highlight the key to good budgeting: having the ability to say ‘no.’ Hopefully the next time we face an economic downturn, states will have policies in place to avoid another crisis of their own making.”

Here is the full report.

Federal cigarette tax increase: The impact on Wisconsin

Mary Lazich — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:05:00 GMT

On April 1, 2009, the federal cigarette tax increased from 39 cents to $1.01 per pack, resulting in an increase of $6.3 billion according to the Tax Foundation in Washington D.C.

Increased tax revenue will be used for the federal State Children's Health Insurance program. However, there will be a corresponding reduction in the amount of disposable income of residents across America. In Wisconsin, the increase in federal cigarette taxes will be $117,357,576.

Fewer cigarettes will be sold. Cigarette purchases will drop by about 10 percent.

The federal cigarette tax increase also impacts state and local government revenues. Revenue lost by state and local governments in Wisconsin resulting from the 62-cent federal cigarette t ax increase for Fiscal Year 2010 (July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010) will be $70,919,000.

Governor Doyle’s proposed 75-cent cigarette tax increase would only make matters worse. Under Doyle’s proposed state budget, the state cigarette tax would increase to $2.52 a pack, causing Wisconsin to jump from the 15th highest state tax to the third behind only New York ($2.75) and New Jersey ($2.58). Wisconsin’s total tax, combined with the federal tax increase that went into effect this month would be $3.53.

Read more from the Tax Foundation.

State Budget Watch: Shortfall in transportation fund

Mary Lazich — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:33:00 GMT

The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) has issued a report on the condition of the state’s transportation fund. The LFB says the balance at the end of the biennium is $7.6 million, $24.7 million less than was estimated by Governor Doyle at the time he introduced his 2009-11 state budget proposal.

Factors affecting the decrease in the fund are projected reductions in collections from the gas tax, oil company profits tax and vehicle registration fees, and lower transportation fund investment earnings.

Read the LFB report.

Watch for Governor Doyle to use this new information to fuel his recent call for a three-cent increase in Wisconsin’s gas tax.

I repeat. Wisconsin’s gas tax is already one of the highest in the country. The Tax Foundation in Washington D.C. reports Wisconsin's gasoline tax is variable and stands at 32.9 cents per gallon, the nation's 8th highest.

We do not need an increase in the gas tax. Here is a thought. Maybe the governor should stop raiding the transportation fund and there would not be a need to discuss raising the gas tax.

The Wisconsin State Journal goes 1 for 3

Mary Lazich — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:02:00 GMT

The Wisconsin State Journal has editorialized in the past against Governor Doyle’s proposed tax on oil companies, and I have commended the newspaper for its stance. However, in their latest piece on funding transportation, Wisconsin State Journal editorial writers have taken two mighty swings and missed.

1) Calling it a short-term solution, they are embracing a three-cent increase in the state’s already too-high gas tax.

2) The editorial writers also submit that the gas tax as a funding mechanism is becoming obsolete. Their suggestion:

“Whether it's high-tech, no-stop toll roads, a tax based on miles traveled, local sales taxes or something else, lawmakers should be looking for a better financing model.”

Sorry, those are all bad ideas. Why must every solution focus on tax increases?

Here is the State Journal editorial.

State Budget Watch update: Your cell phone

Mary Lazich — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:35:44 GMT

Last month I blogged that Governor Doyle was about to raid another state fund. This time, he wants millions of dollars in cell phone rebates to be transferred to local governments.

The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee that is reviewing the governor’s proposed budget voted last week along party lines in support of the raid, 12 Democrats for, 4 Republicans opposed. Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee moved to return the balance of the 911 fund to wireless customers, and to replace funding for county and municipal aid with federal stimulus funding. The effort failed on party lines.

The Sheboygan Press editorialized against the raid, asking:

“Is there no fund safe from Gov. Jim Doyle's long arms?”

That is a great question.

State Budget Watch: Policy tucked in budget unfair to citizens

Mary Lazich — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:14:32 GMT

The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) recently discovered what it called non-fiscal policy items in Governor Doyle’s proposed 2009-11 state budget. A total of 80 such items was found.

All of those policy items should have been removed from budget negotiations and taken up as separate bills. However, the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee only removed 45.

This concerns Todd Berry, president of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX). He writes in a column:

“Many important statutory changes will be folded into the state's two-year budget where they will never be referred to legislative standing committees, never scrutinized through the hearing process; and in some cases, never even discussed. The governor's 2009-11 budget bill now before the Legislature's 16-member Joint Committee on Finance contains scores of changes that have little to do with state finances.”

You can read the rest of Berry’s column here.

Letting prisoners go will cost, not save the state

Mary Lazich — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:04:17 GMT

Suggestions to save the state over $2 billion and ease prison overcrowding involve locking up fewer criminals and releasing many from custody early. The Council of State Governments Justice Center has made a series of recommendations to the state Legislature. They include alternatives that result in reduced incarceration. That is a recipe for even greater costs and harm to society.

According to the Associated Press, the Council of State Governments Justice Center reports Wisconsin prisons are about 20 percent over capacity and that our prison population is expected to grow 21 percent in a decade, costing the state $2.5 billion. The Council of State Governments Justice Center claims its recommendations will hold the prison population level steady and save $2.3 billion.

The recommendations include putting limits on the time offenders can be out of prison on extended supervision and allowing courts to impose lesser sentences if inmates complete programs aimed to reduce danger to the public. The recommendations could be drafted as separate bills for the Legislature to consider. Governor Doyle has also proposed in his 2009-11 state budget the early release of thousands of felons and the elimination of parole for so-called nonviolent offenders.

Wisconsin cannot afford this open door policy for criminals.

Using FBI data and uniform crime reports, the Disaster Center has compiled Wisconsin crime rates. The number of violent crimes dropped from 13, 998 during 1997 to 11,548 during 2004. However, the number increased to 13,367 during 2005, 15, 783 during 2006, and 16,296 during 2007, the last year data is available.

Murders, property crimes, forcible rapes, aggravated assaults, burglaries, and larceny-thefts have all increased. The number of these kinds of crimes per 100,000 Wisconsin residents has also increased.

Why is the prison population growing? The Capital Times also examined the Council of State Governments Justice Center report, writing that, “A majority of inmates are incarcerated because they re-offend or violate the terms of their release. In 2007, 55 percent of prison inmates had violated terms of their parole, probation or extended supervision or were re-offenders who had committed a new crime.”

And we want to release more of them earlier?

Certainly, inmates inside prison cost the state. Do not forget all the costs of criminals to society.

The National Center for Victims of Crime also keeps crime statistics. The Center reports that crime is estimated to create $105 billion in medical expenses, lost earnings, and costs for victim services. Add in pain and suffering and a reduced quality of life, and the total estimated cost of crime comes to $450 billion annually.

Victims of violent crime and their families receive benefits and mental health counseling and there are huge medical expenses.

During the previous legislative session when I served on the state Senate’s Committee on Judiciary and Corrections, I witnessed first-hand the sentiment that Wisconsin should cut back on Corrections, open the cell doors and let more prisoners go. The same risky philosophy has carried over into the current legislative session.

I do not subscribe to the theory that we cannot afford corrections, especially with various categories of violent crime are increasing. Given our economic status, the situation could get worse. The truth is the state cannot afford not to put prisoners away.

State Budget Watch: The PECFA raid

Mary Lazich — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:54:00 GMT

The Sheboygan Press opens an editorial with this question:

“Is there no fund safe from Gov. Jim Doyle's long arms?”

The answer is no.

The raids on the transportation fund are well-documented. How about PECFA?

PECFA stands for the Petroleum Environmental Cleanup Fund Awards. The Wisconsin Department of Commerce says, “The PECFA program was created in response to enactment of federal regulations requiring release prevention from underground storage tanks and cleanup of existing contamination from those tanks. PECFA is a reimbursement program returning a portion of incurred remedial cleanup costs to owners of eligible petroleum product systems including home heating oil systems. Program funding is generated from a portion of a $0.02/gallon petroleum inspection fee.”

You know where this is going. PECFA is a pot of money that Governor Doyle has his sights set on for more pilfering.

The MacIver Institute reports PECFA has become a “slush fund” and the governor wants to siphon $25 million for general state purposes.

The legislature’s Joint Finance Committee that is reviewing the state budget will debate and vote on this raid.

UPDATE from wispolitics.com

NO swine flu cases in Wisconsin

Mary Lazich — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:15:00 GMT

That is the word from Wisconsin Emergency Management (This website keeps updating).

Meanwhile, Stateline reports on preparations being made in other states

We need more Boy Scouts

Mary Lazich — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:26:00 GMT

One of the most rewarding and gratifying duties I have as a state Senator is presenting special state plaques of recognition to young men achieving the honor of Eagle Scout.

I thoroughly enjoy the Eagle Scout ceremonies I attend. They are a wonderful testament to the caliber of fine young people.

The Boy Scouts of America is in need of support. That is why I was so pleased to see Rebecca Hagelin, the author of the new best seller, 30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family, write a column praising this terrific organization. Hagelin writes, in part:

“It's time someone stand up for the young men of this country. What the nation really needs are more Boy Scouts. And I mean that literally. Scouting doesn't just stop with words and pledges, it shows boys how to become men marked by these invaluable traits.”

I agree wholeheartedly with all Hagelin has to say.

Public hearing on youth hunting legislation

Mary Lazich — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:41:00 GMT

The state Assembly’s Committee on Fish and Wildlife will hold a public hearing on Assembly Bill 222 (AB 222) that sets a minimum age for hunting and for possessing a firearm, and restrictions on hunting and on possessing a firearm while hunting. Here is an analysis of the AB 222 from the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau:

This bill makes various changes to the laws relating to restrictions on hunting and firearm possession and establishes a hunting mentorship program.

Accompaniment by parent or guardian

Under current law, a person who is the minimum hunting age but under the age of 16 may hunt or have a firearm in his or her possession or control if the person is accompanied by a parent or guardian and if he or she meets certain other requirements. This bill specifies that such a person may also hunt or have a firearm in his or her possession or control if the person is accompanied by an individual who is at least 18 years old and who has been designated by the person’s parent or guardian.

Mentorship program

Current law requires, with certain exceptions, that every person who obtains a hunting approval must have a certificate of accomplishment issued by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) indicating that he or she has successfully completed the hunter education program or bow hunter education program established by DNR. Current law also generally prohibits hunting and firearm possession by any person under the age of 12. For persons who are at least 12 years old, but under the age of 16, current law allows hunting and firearm possession but imposes certain restrictions that vary depending on the person’s age.

This bill creates a new exception to the general requirement that a person obtain a certificate of accomplishment in order to obtain a hunting approval. The bill also lowers the minimum hunting age from 12 years of age to ten years of age for persons who hunt under the hunting mentorship program established in this bill. The bill authorizes a person who is at least ten years of age to hunt without obtaining a certificate of accomplishment and to possess or control a firearm while hunting if the person has a valid hunting approval and is hunting with a qualified mentor.

Under the hunting mentorship program, to qualify as a mentor, a person must be 18 years of age or older and be the parent or guardian of the person for whom he or she is serving as a mentor or be authorized by the parent or guardian to serve as the mentor. The bill provides that at all times when serving as a mentor, the mentor must be within arm’s reach of the person for whom he or she is serving as a mentor, must have a current valid hunting approval, and must have obtained a certificate of accomplishment or be exempt from the requirement to obtain a certificate of accomplishment. The bill provides that a mentor may take only one person hunting at a time and specifies that a mentor and a person who is hunting with the mentor may jointly have only one firearm or crossbow while hunting.

Other provisions

Under current law, a person who is 12 years of age or older may possess or control a firearm and may hunt with a firearm or bow and arrow on that person’s land or on land owned by his or her family if no license is required and if the firing of firearms is permitted on that land. This bill allows such a person also to hunt with a crossbow on that land.

The bill also creates a new exception to the general restrictions that apply to firearm possession by persons who are under a specified age. The bill provides that those age restrictions do not apply to a person who uses a firearm in target practice if the person is accompanied by his or her parent or guardian or by a person who is at least 18 years of age who is designated by the parent or guardian.

The public hearing takes place Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at 1:00 PM in room 328 Northwest at the state Capitol in Madison.

I commend the Franklin Common Council and Franklin Police Chief Oliva

Mary Lazich — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:34:54 GMT

I agree wholeheartedly with the Franklin Common Council’s recent vote to oppose a provision in Governor Doyle’s proposed 2009-11 state budget that would impose new traffic- stop record- keeping responsibilities on local law enforcement departments in counties with populations of 125,000 or more starting in 2011.

The requirement is an unfunded sate mandate because data collected by authorities would have to go into a new software program and then submitted to the state Department of Justice. Police departments would have to pay for the new software.

This provision is one of 80 measures in the governor’s budget that was identified by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau as a non-fiscal policy item, and as such, should be removed from budget deliberations and reviewed as a separate piece of legislation. The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee that is now considering the state budget refused to do so.

Whether the traffic stop data collection requirement remains in the budget or not, I join Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and police chiefs across the state in opposition.

I concur with the Franklin Common Council and Franklin Police Chief Rick Oliva that the provision could violate the constitutional rights of citizens and would be impractical.

I commend Chief Oliva for expressing his opposition to the Franklin Common Council, and I commend the Council members for their unified stance against this item in the governor’s proposed budget.

Wisconsin is monitoring swine flu outbreak

Mary Lazich — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:34:42 GMT

The Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs has issued the following release:

At approximately 11:30 a.m. today [Sunday, April 26] the U.S. Department of Homeland Security declared a public health emergency in response to recent Swine Influenza A (H1N1) outbreaks in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

State of Wisconsin officials, led by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), have been monitoring the situation since Friday and continue to observe this situation very closely. Guidance for health care and public health agencies has been distributed and surveillance for possible cases has been intensified.

At this time there are no reported cases in Wisconsin but officials will hold a press conference, Monday, 10 a.m. in the State Emergency Operation Centers, 2400 Wright St., and give an update of the situation and to advise the public on flu prevention.

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention has detailed information about the current status of the situation and prevention measures at:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/index.htm – a link can also be found at the Wisconsin DHS, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security websites.

To learn more about influenza, visit: http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/communicable/influenza/index.htm.

State Senate calendar for Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Mary Lazich — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:20:00 GMT

Here is the calendar for the state Senate floor session scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 11:00 a.m.:

First Order.               Call of Roll.

Second Order.           Chief clerk's entries.

Third Order.              Introduction, first reading and reference of proposals.

Fourth Order.            Report of committees.

Fifth Order.               Petitions and communications.

Sixth Order.               Referrals and receipt of committee reports concerning proposed administrative rules.

Seventh Order.          Advice and consent of the Senate.

Eighth Order.            Messages from the Assembly.

Ninth Order.              Special Orders.

Tenth Order.             Consideration of motions, resolutions, and joint resolutions not requiring a third reading.

QUESTION:        Shall the joint resolution be adopted?

Senate Joint Resolution 23. Relating to: the life and military service of Sergeant Daniel James Thompson.

Senate Joint Resolution 29. Relating to: the life and military service of Sergeant Clint A. Sikorski. By Senator Decker; cosponsored by Representative Seidel.

QUESTION:        Shall the joint resolution be concurred in?

Assembly Joint Resolution 42. Relating to: recognizing April 8 as Wellness Day in Wisconsin.

Assembly Joint Resolution 43. Relating to: proclaiming April 22, 2009, as Undergraduate Research Day and commending University of Wisconsin System students, faculty, and staff.

Assembly Joint Resolution 44. Relating to: declaring May 3 to May 9, 2009, to be Vasculitis Awareness Week.

Assembly Joint Resolution 46. Relating to: declaring May 2009 as Drug Court Month.

Assembly Joint Resolution 47. Relating to: the life and public service of John L. Merkt. By Representative J. Ott.

Eleventh Order.         Second reading and amendments of senate joint resolutions and senate bills.

QUESTION:        Shall the bill be ordered to a third reading?

Senate Bill 20. Relating to: authorizing the circuit court to order a person who engages in discrimination in employment to pay compensatory and punitive damages and a surcharge and making an appropriation.  (Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1, Ayes 3, Noes 2, passage as amended recommended by committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs, Ayes 3, Noes 2) Senate Substitute Amendment 1 pending

Senate Bill 29. Relating to: passing parked motor vehicles and opening motor vehicle doors on highways and providing a penalty. (Report passage recommended by committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources, Ayes 4, Noes 3) Senate Amendment 2 pending

Senate Bill 46. Relating to: arbitration and fair-share agreements during collective bargaining negotiations under the Municipal Employment Relations Act. (Report passage recommended by committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs, Ayes 3, Noes 2)

Senate Bill 91. Relating to: the use of cellular telephones and other devices while operating certain motor vehicles transporting children and providing a penalty. (Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1, Ayes 6, Noes 0, passage as amended recommended by committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources, Ayes 6, Noes 0)     Senate Amendment 1 pending

Senate Bill 97. Relating to: authorizing temporary permits to practice dentistry or dental hygiene without compensation. (Report passage recommended by committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 126. Relating to: changes to and extension of the Environmental Results Program, extension of the Environmental Improvement Program and the length of a compliance schedule under that program, and reporting requirements for certain environmental programs. (Report passage recommended by committee on Environment, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 141. Relating to: requiring certain vehicles that transport children to and from a child care provider to have child safety alarms installed, granting rule-making authority, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and providing a penalty. (Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1, Ayes 5, Noes 0, adoption of Senate Amendment 2, Ayes 5, Noes 0, adoption of Senate Amendment 3, Ayes 5, Noes 0, passage as amended recommended by committee on Children and Families and Workforce Development, Ayes 5, Noes 0) Senate Amendments 1, 2 and 3 pending

Senate Bill 161. Relating to: administration of certain public assistance programs in Milwaukee County, removing county civil service protections from certain employees, required provisions in certain collective bargaining agreements under the Municipal Employment Relations Act, and making an appropriation. (Report passage recommended by committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs, Ayes 3, Noes 2)

Twelfth Order.          Second reading and amendments of assembly joint resolutions and assembly bills.

Thirteenth Order.     Third reading of joint resolutions and bills.

Fourteenth Order.     Motions may be offered.

Fifteenth Order.        Announcements, adjournment honors, and remarks under special privilege.

Sixteenth Order.        Adjournment.

I-94 NORTH-SOUTH update

Mary Lazich — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 20:20:35 GMT

Here is an update from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) for the I-94 NORTH-SOUTH freeway project:

Construction update April 27-May 3:
I-94 North-South Freeway Project update for Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties

All closures are weather-dependent and subject to change.
New long-term closures are BOLD.

MONDAY, APRIL 27

I-894 WB single lane closed between 35^th St. and 20^th St. 8 p.m.-5:30 a.m.
I-894 EB single lane closed at between 35^th St. and 20^th St. 9:30 p.m.-5:30 a.m.
Rawson Ave. EB single lane closed between 27^th St. to 6^th St. 9 a.m-3 p.m.
Howell Ave. NB double lane closures between Grange Ave. and Layton Ave. 7 p.m.- 6 a.m.
27^th St and Whitaker Ave. intersection median closed (no left turns) Until Late May

TUESDAY, APRIL 28

I-894 WB single lane closed between 35^th St. and 20^th St. 8 p.m.-5:30 a.m.
I-894 EB single lane closed between 35^th St. and 20^th St. 9:30 p.m.-5:30 a.m
Howell Ave. double lane closures between Grange Ave. and Layton Ave. 7 p.m.- 6 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29

I-894 WB single lane closed at 27^th St. 8 p.m.-5:30 a.m.
I-894 EB single lane closed at 27^th St. 9:30 p.m.-5:30 a.m
I-94 EB double lane closures at County G 9:30 p.m. – 5:30 a.m.
27^th St. and Layton Ave. intersection lane and median restrictions. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
I-94 WB shoulder closed at Drexel Ave.9 a.m.- 2p.m.
20^th St. NB and SB at I-894/I-43 lane restrictions. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Howell Ave. between Grange and Layton Ave. lane & median restrictions. Until Mid May

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

I-894 WB single lane closed between 35^th St. and 20^th St. 8 p.m.-5:30 a.m.
I-894 EB single lane closed between 35^th St. and 20^th St. 9:30 p.m.-5:30 a.m
I-94 WB double lane closures at County G. 9:30 p.m. – 5:30 a.m.
27^th St. and Layton Ave. intersection lane and median restrictions. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
20^th St. NB and SB at I-894/I-43 lane restrictions. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m

FRIDAY, MAY 1

I-94 WB fully closed at the Airport Spur. 8:30 p.m.-9:30 a.m.
I-94 EB fully closed at Layton Ave. 8:30 p.m.-9:30 a.m.
Mitchell Interchange connector ramp from I-894 EB to I-94 EB/SB. 8:30 p.m.-9:30 a.m.
I-94 WB single lane closed at Rawson Ave. 8 p.m. – 9:30 a.m.
I-894 WB single lane closed at 27^th St. 11 p.m. – 8 a.m.
I-894 EB single lane closed at 27^th St. 11 p.m. – 8 a.m.
College Ave. on-ramp to I-94 WB closed. 7:30 p.m.-9:30 a.m.
Rawson Ave. on-ramp to I-94 WB closed. 7:30 p.m.-9:30 a.m.
Airport Spur (WIS 119) WB on-ramps at WIS 38 closed. 7:30 p.m.-9:30 a.m.
Layton Ave. on-ramp to I-94 EB closed. 8 p.m. –9:30 a.m.
Airport Spur (WIS 119) WB closed. 7:30 p.m.-9:30 a.m.
I-94 EB / WB single lane closures at County G. 9:30 p.m. – 8 a.m.
27^th St. and Layton Ave. intersection lane and median restrictions. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

SATURDAY, MAY 2

I-94 WB fully closed at the Airport Spur. 8:30 p.m.-9:30 a.m.
I-94 EB fully closed at Layton Ave.8:30 p.m.-9:30 a.m.
Mitchell Interchange connector ramp from I-894 EB to I-94 EB/SB. 8:30 p.m.-9:30 a.m.
I-94 WB single lane closed at Rawson Ave. 8 p.m. – 9:30 a.m.
I-894 WB single lane closed at 27^th St. 11 p.m. – 8 a.m.
I-894 EB single lane closed at 27^th St. 11 p.m. – 8 a.m.
College Ave. on-ramp to I-94 WB closed. 7:30 p.m.-9:30 a.m.
Rawson Ave. on-ramp to I-94 WB closed. 7:30 p.m.-9:30 a.m.
Airport Spur (WIS 119) WB on-ramps at WIS 38 closed. 7:30 p.m.-9:30 a.m.
Layton Ave. on-ramp to I-94 EB closed. 8 p.m. –9:30 a.m.
Airport Spur (WIS 119) WB closed. 7:30 p.m.-9:30 a.m.

SUNDAY, MAY 3

Only long-term closures in effect.

LONG TERM CLOSURES IN MILWAUKEE COUNTY

I-894/I-43 WB exit ramp to 27^th Street. Until Late July
27^th St entrance ramp to I-894/I-43 EB. Until Late July
27^th St NB entrance loop ramp to I-894 WB. Until Late July
I-894/I-43 WB right lane closure between Mitchell Interchange and 27^th St Until Late July
Single lane closures on NB and SB 27^th Street between Layton Ave. and Bottsford Ave - both directions of traffic will run on the 27^th St. SB bridge over I-894 (two lanes in each direction) Until Late July
Full closure of College Ave from 15th St. to 20th St. Until November
Full closure of Grange Ave from 15^th St. to 20^th St .Until November
Single Lane Closures of Howell Ave. NB & SB from Grange Ave. to Layton Ave. Until June
Single Lane Closures of Howell Ave. NB & SB from Layton Ave. to Howard Ave. Until June
Median Closure at Bolivar & 27th St. Intersection. Until June
Median Closure at Whitaker Ave & 27^th St Intersection. Until June
Lane Closure of 27^th Street NB from Bottsford Ave to Bolivar Ave. Until Mid May
Rawson Ave. Single Lane Closure at 13^th St. Until Mid May
Rawson Ave. EB/WB single Lane Closures at Howell Ave. Until May
27^th St and Whitaker Ave. intersection median closed (no left turns) Until Late May
Howell Ave. between Grange and Layton Ave. lane & median restrictions. Until Mid May

LONG TERM CLOSURES IN KENOSHA COUNTY

I-94 WB exit ramp to WIS 158. Until Late June
WIS 158 entrance ramp to I-94 WB. Until Late June
East Frontage Rd at WIS 158. Until Late June