Thursday March 11, 2010

Wisconsin Political News

Bill seeks to toughen online sex predator law

Online sex predators caught up in sting operations would face tougher penalties under a bill introduced by state Rep. Tony Staskunas (D-West Allis).

Thursday March 11, 2010 11:38PM | jsonline.com

Transit supporters push for RTA

Madison — A broad coalition of business, labor and community groups joined forces Thursday to press for a proposal to shore up Milwaukee County's struggling bus system with a new transit authority and a 0.5% sales tax.

Thursday March 11, 2010 9:30PM | jsonline.com

Doyle signs measures on breastfeeding, carbon monoxide detectors

Madison — Gov. Jim Doyle signed bills Wednesday requiring people to install carbon monoxide detectors in their homes and allowing women to breastfeed in public.

Wednesday March 10, 2010 11:48PM | jsonline.com

Walker touts frugality in first TV ad

In his first ad in the race for governor, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker tells voters he has returned part of his salary to taxpayers because of his belief in limited government.

Wednesday March 10, 2010 9:46PM | jsonline.com

Election 2010 Index - Fall

Wednesday March 10, 2010 12:54AM | jsonline.com

Election 2010 Index

Wednesday March 10, 2010 12:13AM | jsonline.com

Barrett's goal: to create jobs lost in the recession

Madison — Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett on Tuesday said the state should create 180,000 jobs over three years - fewer jobs than called for by one of his opponents in the governor`s race but a total Barrett envisions achieving at a faster rate. "I`d like to see us be able to re-establish the job loss we`ve had - the 180,000 job loss - I`d like to see us re-establish that withi ...

Tuesday March 9, 2010 7:02PM | jsonline.com

Doyle signs health care cost transparency measure

Patients will receive more information about the cost of their medical treatments, under a bill signed by Gov. Jim Doyle Tuesday. The law requires health-care providers to disclose the costs of the most common medical procedures. "Nowhere else are people asked to buy a product before they know what the price is," Doyle said in a statement. "This bill is a practical step forward that will help p ...

Tuesday March 9, 2010 5:50PM | jsonline.com

Doyle drops plan on school funding

Gov. Jim Doyle has quietly dropped a wide-ranging school funding reform proposal that he has been talking about for more than a year.

Tuesday March 9, 2010 5:27AM | jsonline.com

EPA official says agency will act soon on BPA

Responding to criticism that the Environmental Protection Agency delayed action on regulating the chemical bisphenol A, the agency is planning to "finalize an action plan on BPA in the very near future."

Tuesday March 9, 2010 5:02AM | jsonline.com

Feingold slaps at Thompson

Sen. Russ Feingold took aim at Republican Tommy Thompson on Monday, questioning in an e-mail to supporters why the former governor was getting so much encouragement from Washington insiders to run against him.

Tuesday March 9, 2010 4:22AM | jsonline.com

Gwen Moore joins chorus of PAC fund raising

Singing along to karaoke with Rep. Gwen Moore comes at a price: at least $250. The Milwaukee Democrat plans to host a "karaoke night" at the Capitol Hill haunt Banana Café as a fund-raiser for her political action committee. But a good voice alone won't get you in the door.

Sunday March 7, 2010 4:54AM | jsonline.com

Assembly passes Restroom Access Act for those with intestinal disorders

People in need of speedy relief would get it under the Restroom Access Act, passed this week by the Assembly. Those with severe bowel disorders could get state-approved cards that would let them use any retailer's bathroom, even if it's just for employees, under the legislation.

Saturday March 6, 2010 4:13AM | jsonline.com

Barrett touts city's economic development efforts over county's

In his most pointed comments to date in his race for governor, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett contrasted the city's help in turning around the Menomonee Valley with Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker's handling of the vacant county-owned Park East Corridor.

Friday March 5, 2010 5:54AM | jsonline.com

Ticket re-sale measure stalls in the Assembly

Madison — A bill that could limit where fans buy and sell tickets for Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers games stalled in the Assembly Thursday. The bill passed the Senate Tuesday but was tabled in the Assembly after it became clear lawmakers would amend it to make sure fans could still sell up to four tickets wherever they wanted. Rep. Mary Hubler (D-Rice Lake), who led the effort to ame ...

Friday March 5, 2010 12:45AM | jsonline.com

Obama takes political risk in push for health bill

In calling on lawmakers to vote "up or down" on a final health care bill in the next few weeks, President Obama is taking a huge gamble - that the American public will end up supporting the Democrats' health care initiatives and won't turn against the party in the upcoming midterm elections.

Thursday March 4, 2010 7:42AM | jsonline.com

Doyle signs measure restricting BPA's use

Gov. Jim Doyle signed a bill Wednesday banning BPA in baby bottles and sipping cups for children age 3 and under, making Wisconsin the third state to do so.

Wednesday March 3, 2010 9:47PM | jsonline.com

Wood admits to drunken driving while fighting to stay in the Assembly

Rep. Jeff Wood said he was guilty of drunken driving but not two charges of driving under the influence of drugs as he fended off an attempt Wednesday to expel him from the Assembly.

Wednesday March 3, 2010 4:51PM | jsonline.com

Senate passes bill requiring mental status check by gun dealers

Madison — The state Senate unanimously passed a bill Tuesday that would require gun dealers to check whether someone has been involuntarily committed for mental health reasons before selling them firearms. The move is meant to help prevent shootings like the one at Virginia Tech in 2007 that killed 32 students and teachers. Gun dealers currently have to conduct background checks through the st ...

Tuesday March 2, 2010 6:21PM | jsonline.com

Democrats look to reconciliation

As Democrats consider using a procedural move known as reconciliation to enact health care reform, liberals and conservatives alike are pressuring a number of Senate Democrats to stake out a clear position on whether they will agree to use the process.