NEWS DESK

The unofficial blog of the Wisconsin Radio Network
About Me

Bob Hague is the news director of the Wisconsin Radio Network.

WRN Home Page

My Other Sites
 
Contributors
Tags
Get Updates

How about we call it the official state mid-life crisis purchase?

Their fall floor session complete, Wisconsin’s full time legislature has time to address serious issues, like whether or not we ought to become the first state in the nation to have an official motorcycle.      

Wisconsin already has a host of official state symbols: dance (Polka), beverage (milk, of course), insect (no, not the mosquito, the Honey Bee) and my personal favorite, soil (Antigo Silt Loam).

Now, in the wake of the successful adoption of a state tartan in 2008, comes legislation to adopt the Harley Davidson as  the official state motorcycle (SB 394). If the Harley is adopted, I predict Mercury as the state’s official outboard motor won’t be far behind. But wait, there’s more: a bill that would designate the bacterium Lactococcus lactis, essential in cheesemaking, as the official state microbe (AB 556).

Those of us who are lactose intolerant or who dislike motorcycles can always petition for our own symbols. Feel free to submit yours to your representative.          

Loading mentions Retweet
Posted 20 hours ago by Bob Hague 

Awkward ...

Event from today's Daybook at the Wheeler Report:

4:30 pm Milw. Co. Exec. Walker, Milw. Mayor Barrett light county/city Christmas tree. Red Arrow Park, 920 N. Water St., Milwaukee.

Loading mentions Retweet
Posted 2 days ago by Bob Hague 

Palin not pro-life enough?

Are Sarah Palin’s pro-life bona fides suspect? Palin, who was the featured speaker at a Wisconsin Right To Life fundraiser earlier this month, does not fare well at the hands of American Right To Life, which claims the former Alaska governor and GOP vice-presidential candidate holds views which are “shocking to the conscience.”  

Loading mentions Retweet
Posted 3 days ago by Bob Hague 

Some unplanned-for costs in Afghanistan?

WRN’s Jackie Johnson was among the reporters who spoke to Congressman Ron Kind, just back from a trip to Pakistan. Of course, everything having to do with U.S. efforts in Pakistan are directly related to what’s going on in Afghanistan, and here's something else to take into consideration, as D.C. considers what the next U.S. move ought to be there.  

It's the Corruption Perception Index from the organization Transparency International, which "measures the perceived level of public-sector corruption in 180 countries and territories around the world." 

And guess what? Afghanistan comes in at number 179, right between Myanmar and Somalia, which pretty much reinforces what’s already known about Afghanistan in general and the Karzai government in particular. Pakistan is tied for 139th place, along with Bangladesh, Belarus and the Philippines.       

The numbers we're hearing to send an additional 10,00 to 40,000 troops to Afghanistan are between $10-54 billion (yes, billion with a 'b') per year. Not sure whether that factors in bribes or not.   

 

Loading mentions Retweet
Posted 4 days ago by Bob Hague 

If the shoe fits

Is Green Bay a provincial backwater? Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton said the comments made about her by WTAQ on-air personality Jerry Bader made the city look that way. Bader’s remarks, characterized by one reporter as “salacious,” came just prior to Green Bay’s oh-so-classy welcome home for a certain football player.  It seems at least possible that many of the same folks who booed Brett Favre before a national television audience are the same ones strongly supporting Bader’s return to the air following his two week suspension. You stay classy, Green Bay.          

Loading mentions Retweet
Posted 5 days ago by Bob Hague 

Report claims 480,000 young Wisconsinites unable to serve in themilitary

Can this be possible? Up to 75% of the nation’s young people ineligible for military service for education, health or legal reasons?

While people in the peace movement might by happy to learn that many young people ages 17-24 are not considered likely candidates for the all volunteer military, the reasons that’s so don’t exactly fall under the category of good news.

According to a recent report from the Mission:Readiness organization, 75% of people in that age bracket would be rejected for military service because they fail to graduate high school, have a criminal record, or are physically unfit.

Wisconsin is actually doing a bit better than the national average, but Mission:Readiness reminds us that the state still has eleven percent of its students not graduating on time, 28% of 10-24 year olds is obese or overweight, and one of every 39 adults is in prison, on probation or parole.                  

Loading mentions Retweet
Posted 5 days ago by Bob Hague 

Tate statement on Barrett's candidacy

DPW Chair Mike Tate released the following statement regarding Mayor Tom Barrett’s decision to run for Governor of Wisconsin:

“The race for 2010 begins today – and Wisconsin Democrats are more than ready for it.

“Today, Mayor Tom Barrett told Wisconsin that he is set to move forward in leading the people of our state. We applaud his choice to step up to the plate. Mayor Barrett is more than a fighter for families in Milwaukee - he is a fighter for all of Wisconsin.

“In the year ahead, we look forward to the having a great public figure on the campaign trail with the record of a true reformist. He has shown his commitment to the people of Wisconsin by generating jobs for Milwaukee, expanding public safety, and prioritizing programs that help build stronger families. Mayor Barrett’s willingness to take on the establishment has proved his integrity as a dedicated leader, and these skills clearly reflect what the people of Wisconsin are looking for in their next governor.

“Our Republican counterparts are divided, but right now Wisconsin Democrats are united and strong. We are more than confident that Wisconsin will have an exceptional Democratic candidate on the ballot who can lead our state into the future.”

Loading mentions Retweet
Posted 5 days ago by Bob Hague 

RPW News Release brands Barrett as "Tom the Taxer"

From the Republican Party of Wisconsin:  

Having been dragged into the race for governor by Jim Doyle and the White House, Tom Barrett will have a hard time explaining the difference between his policies and those of the current, unpopular governor.

Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Reince Priebus said Mayor Barrett has his work cut out for him in convincing voters he won’t push for the same failed policies of the Doyle administration.

“Not everybody can boast a record that includes votes for both the largest tax hike in Wisconsin history as a legislator and the largest tax hike in American history as a Congressman, but that’s what Tom Barrett brings to the table,” said Priebus. “Higher Taxes, Fewer Jobs. Tom Barrett.”

Barrett has raised taxes and fees in every budget he’s introduced since becoming mayor, including this year’s 4.4% hike in the depths of a recession.

Not only will voters have cause for concern over Barrett’s record of higher taxes, but his actions suggest Barrett simply lacks the will to aggressively lead Wisconsin forward in tough economic times. Recent reports have suggested Barrett would prefer to work from Milwaukee much of the time if he were elected governor.

“Over the past several weeks, it’s become obvious to even the most objective observers that Mayor Barrett would rather stay in Milwaukee, and preferably not as governor,” Priebus said. “Wisconsin deserves a governor who wants to lead this state back to prosperity and is willing to do what it takes to get us there.”

 

 

Loading mentions Retweet
Posted 5 days ago by Bob Hague 

Doyle statement Barrett's candidacy for governor

Governor Jim Doyle released the following statement today on Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett’s announcement that he will run on the Democratic ticket for Governor: 

"Tom Barrett has demonstrated he is a strong leader for Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin.  He is well known and well liked throughout the state.  With a strong record of job creation in Milwaukee, he will be an outstanding governor focused on helping Wisconsin rebuild from the recession.  Mayor Barrett is a great champion for education and health care for Wisconsin citizens and will work hard for the people of Wisconsin."

 

-30-

Loading mentions Retweet
Posted 5 days ago by Bob Hague 

Walker campaign manager on Barrett entrance in governor's race

 

Scott Walker Campaign Manager Keith Gilkes Statement on Tom Barrett Entrance in the Wisconsin Governor’s Race 

Wauwatosa, Wis. – Keith Gilkes, campaign manager for Scott Walker’s campaign for governor, released the following statement upon news that Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has entered the race for governor of Wisconsin. 

"If you like the big spending, big taxing policies of Jim Doyle, then you'll love Mayor Tom Barrett," said Keith Gilkes, campaign manager for Scott Walker.  "Barrett, aka Tom the Taxer, has been for big spending and big taxes at every step of his career from his time in the State Senate where he voted for the largest tax increase in Wisconsin history, to Washington where he supported the biggest tax increase in American history, and now as mayor of Milwaukee where he has increased city taxes by tens of millions of dollars."

  • In 1991 as a state senator, Barrett voted for the biggest increase in Wisconsin history to hike taxes an additional $856 million.
  • In 1993 as a congressman, Barrett voted for the largest tax increase in federal history to hike taxes by $241 billion.
  • In congress, Barrett voted against almost every effort to relieve taxes, including efforts to reduce and repeal the marriage penalty and death tax.
  • Barrett has raised tax and fees in EVERY budget he’s presented since being elected mayor, including this year’s 4.4% hike to the property tax levy.

Gilkes continued, "Unlike Tom the Taxer, the eight budgets that Scott Walker presented have not raised the property tax levy and have reduced debt through creative solutions without cutting essential services, like firefighters and police officers.  If the Obama-Doyle administrations were looking for someone to maintain the status quo in Madison, then they sure found a willing foot soldier in Tom the Taxer."

###

 Paid for by Friends of Scott Walker, John Hiller, Treasurer.

Loading mentions Retweet
Posted 5 days ago by Bob Hague