Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Democratic representatives from the area will holding a listening session Monday about Gov. Scott Walker's proposed 2013-2015 budget.
Area residents are invited to a listening session Monday with Democratic representatives at Gateway Technical College about Gov. Scott Walker's proposed 2013-2015 budget. Representatives Peter Barca, D-Kenosha; Cory Mason, D-Racine; and Tod Ohnstad, D-Kenosha with state Sen. Bob Wirch, D-Somers, will host event. In a written release from Mason's office, residents are enouraged to bring questions and concerns. "All members of the press and the public are encouraged to attend and share their views on the state budget," the statement reads. The session runs from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Gateway Technical College Racine campus in the Great Lakes Room, 1001 Main Street.
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Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Walker focused on job creation, mining, transforming education, and infrastructure, but what did you think of his speech? And if you missed it, we've got the whole transcript.
Gov. Scott Walker gave his budget address tonight at the state capitol, which focused on job creation, workforce development, transforming education, government reform and investing in infrastructure. He stressed the need for the passage of a mining bill, making Medicaid into more of a safety net, allocating more money for deer management, and tying K-12 school funding with their performance. Here are some of the highlights from Walker's speech: "Bottom line—I want more freedom and prosperity for all. Improving the economy is my number one priority. Over the past two years, we lowered our overall tax burden, we streamlined the regulatory process—so what we do enforce is about common sense and not government red tape—and we put limits on …
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Plan would exempt public safety bargaining units.
Gov. Scott Walker wants to freeze wages for state public employees for two years, according to a story by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. State administrators unveiled the plan to state lawmakers today in the Joint Committee on Employee Relations. In a letter from Gregory L. Gracz, director of JCOER, to all state employees, stated that "very little was changing from the former collective bargaining agreements..." The proposal comes on the heels of Walker imposing collective bargaining restrictions on most state public union workers, and requiring them to pay 5.8 percent of their wages into the state's pension and pay more of their insurance premiums. Read the full story by clicking on the link.
Members of pro-labor groups and area citizens attended the meeting to discuss their job challenges with state Democratic Legislators: Sen. Bob Wirch, of Kenosha, Rep. Peter Barca, of Kenosha, Rep. Corey Mason, of Racine, and Rep. Rob Turner.
Want to read more about this topic? "Like" this article by pressing the "like" button above this story. If we get 10 or more "likes," we'll know to write a follow-up story. Ron Thomas, Secretary of Racine County AFL/CIO Labor Council, rattled off a series of percentages that perplexed a room full of people attending a "jobs hearing" held at the Roma Lodge Monday night. The numbers, he said, are the percentage of children in poverty in 17 Racine Unified Schools. A few people in the room let out a gasp. "We need to stand up and say, 'Enough is enough,'" Thomas said. Members of pro-labor groups and area citizens attended the meeting to discuss their concerns with state Democratic Legislators: Sen. Bob Wirch, of Kenosha, Rep. Peter Barca, of …
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Even though no formal negotiations have taken place, the 2012 draft budget eludes to the possible request.
Gov. Scott Walker may have exempted the fire and police unions from having to pay into their retirement budgets, but the draft budget for the Village assumes they'll pay. And if they don't, the Village may face an even larger financial hole as they put together their final 2012 budget. So as the Village Board sifts through the numbers, a deficit looms. This year, the $12.6 million 2012 draft budget lays out a $311,283 deficit. However, that’s assuming that the police and fire unions both agree to contribute 5.8 percent of their salaries to the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS). Even though Gov. Scott Walker and GOP Legislators chose to exempt police and fire union employees from having to pay into the WRS in the context of the state budget…
Friday, September 30, 2011
Not surprisingly, revenues and aid coming into the village are down, but preliminary discussions are focused on less road paving. And the housing market isn't helping.
UPDATE: Caledonia Fire Department Chief Dick Roeder is asking the board to replace a person who retired. The department will likely exceed $180,000 in overtime this year. To hire a new person would cost $67,000 in salary and benefits and would replace a person making $103,000 with salary andbenefits. However, Roeder wasn't sure how much overtime would be reduced by hiring another person. Police Chief Toby Schey also requested two new hires for the village. The department was 34 members in 2010, but is now at 29. To hire a police officer would cost $76,000 for salary and benefits. No word on whether those personnel requests would be approved. UPDATE: The budget discussion will continue at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3 at the East Side Community …
Sunday, August 21, 2011
The price of political control has a price tag of over $700,000.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Annual questionnaire answered by 1,500 constituents
Many Republican policy positions are inline with the constituent wishes in Racine County, according to an annual survey issued by State Rep. Robin Vos. Survey results, released by Vos on Thursday, were highlighted by an overwhelming amount of 63rd Assembly District respondents that said they were in favor of cutting state spending (70 precent) and property tax freeze (77 percent). "The results were very in line with our legislative agenda from our spring session," Vos said in his newsletter that contained the survey results. The survey was completed by 1,500 constituents. The methodology of the survey was not disclosed. "One of the most important aspects of my job is to listen and respond to my constituents," Vos said in a statement. "…
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Still, with less revenue, the Village will need to find ways to adjust their spending or raise taxes.
Want to learn more about this topic? "Like" us on the Facebook button below. If we get more than five likes, we'll know to do a follow-up. Now that the state budget is law, the Village staff is sorting through how the state budget cuts will affect the Village's bottomline. And the general consensus is: it’s not as bad as they thought, but it’s still bad. Initially Village officials said they would be losing 50 percent of their state shared revenue, 15 percent of their highway money and all recycling dollars. Tom Lebak, the Village Administrator, said highway aids were originally expected to decrease by $137,406, but they learned the decrease would be $91,604. In 2011, the Village is expected to receive about $1 million in Highway Aid. …
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
School Board Discusses “Voucher Tax” Impact
Want to read more about this issue? "Like" the story with the Facebook button above. If we get 10 likes, we'll know to write a follow-up story. The Racine Unified School District Board of Education on Monday learned that it might have legal options for resolving a state school funding mechanism that has significantly reduced the amount of money it receives in state education aid. But, district officials aren’t ready to pursue a lawsuit against the state of Wisconsin. Instead, board members spent more than 90 minutes reviewing expected aid reductions that are in the 2011-13 state budget approved last week by the Legislature. The budget bill is awaiting Gov. Scott Walker’s signature. David Hazen, RUSD’s chief financial officer, and Marc Duff…
C. Sanders
10:46 pm on Thursday, April 11, 2013
I like Obama's budget better: Separate vacations from Mooshell Another 8 trillion in added debt Savings totaling 85billions starting four years after Odumbo leaves office P more ›