Budget committee OKs driver's card for illegals

This is a prime example of something which should NOT be in the budget, and should be voted in a separate piece of legislation. And, then rejected as completly unacceptable.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Illegal immigrants in Wisconsin not eligible for driver's licenses instead could get driver's cards that would give them limited rights under action taken by a Democratic-controlled committee.

The cards could be used only to drive. Other rights given to driver's license holders, like using it to board an airplane, would not apply to those with just driver's cards.

To get a card, an immigrant would have to prove they have lived in the state for at least six months, provide proof of identity and not be eligible for a Social Security number.

Gov. Jim Doyle did not propose the cards in his original budget. It was added by the Democratic-controlled budget committee and approved on a partisan vote late Thursday night.

Highlights of state budget passed by committee

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Highlights of the two-year spending plan approved Friday by the Legislature's budget committee. It now heads to the state Assembly for consideration, which could take it up as soon as June 9. It must pass the Assembly and Senate in identical form, and be signed by Gov. Jim Doyle, before it becomes law.
TAXES AND FEES:
— No general sales or income tax increases.
— Creates a new tax on oil company revenues, along with a prohibition on them passing the tax along to customers at the pump.
— Increases cigarette taxes 75-cents per pack.
— Raises income taxes on households making more than $300,000 a year.
— Imposes up to a 75-cent fee per month on cell phone users that replaces a fee that expired in July.
— Diverts $20 million that was supposed to be returned to cell phone users in $5 checks to local governments to help pay for services and keep property taxes low.
— Raises boat registration fees 15 percent and creates a $15 nonresident boat sticker beginning in January 2010.
— Increases fees on solid waste disposal from $5.90 per ton to $13 per ton.
— Raises cost of background checks for handguns from $8 to $13.
— A new film incentive program, to replace the one Gov. Jim Doyle wanted to eliminate, would impose a $1.5 million annual cap on how much the state could offer over the next two years. After that, there would be no limit, but other changes attempt to more highly reward Wisconsin-based jobs and exclude from the benefit anyone making more than $250,000.
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT:
— Allows some felons to be released from prison earlier, among other reforms, designed to ease overcrowding, save money and better prepare inmates for life in the community.
— More criminals could have their records expunged. The possible age for expungement was raised from up to 21 to up to 25. And while only those convicted of misdemeanors are eligible currently, that would be expanded to cover some felonies, including drunken driving.
— Police could stop drivers for not wearing a seat belt. Currently, police can only issue a ticket for that offense if the driver is first pulled over for a different violation.
— Starting in 2011, every police department in the state would have to track the race of people they pull over to determine if racial profiling is occurring.
TRANSPORTATION:
— Sales taxes could increase up to 1 percent in Milwaukee County and a half-cent in Dane County to pay for commuter rail systems. The car rental tax in Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee counties could increase from $2 to $14 in those counties to help pay for the so-called KRM high-speed rail line connecting the three cities.
— Cars and trucks would continue to carry two license plates. The governor proposed moving to just one plate, with no sticker, but the committee rejected that.
— Illegal immigrants in Wisconsin not eligible for driver's licenses instead could get driver's cards that would allow them to drive, but could not be used as identification to get on an airplane. To get a card, an immigrant would have to prove they have lived in the state for at least six months, provide proof of identity and not be eligible for a Social Security Number.
EDUCATION:
— A 16-year-old state law that effectively places a cap on teacher pay increases would remain in place only until July 1, 2010. Gov. Jim Doyle and the state teachers union have long advocated for doing away with the so-called qualified economic offer. But Republicans in control in the Legislature blocked it. The law prohibits teachers' unions from going to arbitration as long as teachers are offered 3.8 percent in salary and benefit increases. Critics say the law has held down teacher salaries because most of the increase is eaten up by benefits.
— Part-time support staff would be able to qualify for the state retirement system at the same time as teachers. Currently, support staff including cafeteria workers and teacher aides, have to work 26 percent more hours than teacher to qualify.
— Illegal immigrants who graduate from Wisconsin high schools and have lived in the state three years could qualify for in-state tuition at Wisconsin universities and technical colleges.
— Nearly 20,000 faculty and academic staff in the University of Wisconsin System would be allowed to form unions. The budget allows more than two dozen separate collective bargaining units in the UW System of 13 four-year universities and 13 two-year colleges.
OTHER:
— Insurance companies would be required to cover autism and mental health disorders.
— Gay and lesbian couples who live together could form domestic partnerships and receive some of the same benefits as married couples, including jointly owning property, hospital visitation rights and inheriting one another's assets. Domestic partners of state employees could receive the same state retirement and health insurance benefits as spouses.
— Minimum car insurance requirements will increase. The minimum currently is $25,000 for injuries to each person in a car accident, with up to $50,000 in total coverage and $10,000 for property damage. The budget raises those minimum levels next year to $50,000, $100,000 and $15,000. They would increase again in both 2011 and 2012. After that, they would be adjusted every five years for inflation.
— Eliminates counter service at two dozen Department of Natural Resources field offices.
— Construction companies would have to pay the prevailing wage on any public works project costing $25,000 or more and any public-private venture over $100,000.
— Gives $46,000 to the Town of Wrightstown to pay for new recycling bins.

RIPON REFERENDUMS

Earlier this year, I posted a history of referendums in the Ripon Area School District. Utilizing date from the Department of Instruction, I have been able to update and clarify the votes since 1990:
APRIL 4, 1995
$2,000,000 - Passed 1,182-711 - To remodel the middle school cafeteria and build a new one, and a media center
JANUARY 14, 1997
$6,379,225 - Failed 957-974 - To build a new elementary school
$4,595,700 - Passed 1,032-899 - To finance additions, remodeling & equipping high school
SEPTEMBER 9, 1997
$6,530,000 - Passed 1,123-980 - To build Barlow Park Elementary
SEPTEMBER 10, 2002
$1,000,000 - Passed 990-355 - Hot water conversion and boiler replacement at the middle school as well as related asbestos abatement and professional fees
APRIL 4, 2006
$1,500,000 - Failed 910 910 - To replace and equip fine arts equipment, music instruments and uniforms, auditorium equipment and stage curtains, improve school facilities including artificial turf - BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School District of Ripon, Fond du Lac, Winnebago and Green Lake Counties, Wisconsin that there shall be issued pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of replacing and acquiring fine arts equipment, music instruments and uniforms, and auditorium equipment and stage curtains; and improving school facilities including installing, maintaining and replacing artificial turf at Ingalls Field and the gymnasium floor at Ripon High School.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2006
$925,000 - Passed 1,817-687 - To replace and acquire fine arts equipment, technical education equipment, auditorium equipment and furnishings and replace the high school gymnasium floor. - BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School District of Ripon, Fond du Lac, Winnegago and Green Lake Counties, Wisconsin that there shall be issued pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceeed $925,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of replacing and acquiring fine art equipment including musical instruments and uniforms, technical education equipment and auditorium equipment and furnishings; and replacing the gymnasium floor at Ripon High School.
$750,000 - Failed 1,129-1,357 - Paying the cost of installing artificial turf on Ingalls Field in partnership with Ripon College - BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School District of Ripon, Fond du Lac, Winnegabo and Green Lake Counties, Wisconsin that there shall be issued pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $750,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of installing artificial turf on Ingalls Field in partnership with Ripon College.
$250,000 - Passed 1,248-1,212 - Establish an endowment fund for future replacement of the playing surface at Ingalls Field - BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School District of Ripon, Fond du Lac, Winnebago and Green Lake Counties, Wisconsin that there shall be issued pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $250,000 for the public purpose of establishing an endowment fund for future replacement of the playing surface at Ingalls Field.
APRIL 7, 2009
$500,000 - Passed 1,372-616 Replace the high school boiler and repair roofs at the middle school and the high school - BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the Ripon Area School District, Fond du Lac, Winnebago and Green Lake Counties, Wisconsin that there shall be issued pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $500,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of repairs and replacements consisting of replacing the high school boiler and repairing roofs on various school buildings.
Ripon (4872) 2009-2010 $500,000, 2010-2011 $500,000, 2011-2012 $500,000, 2012-2013 $500,000, 2013-2014 $500,000, 2014-2015 $500,000 Total $3,000,000 - Passed 1,077-898 - Replacing textbooks, updating curriculum, updating technology, general maintenance, and replacing vehicles - BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the Ripon Area School District, Fond du Lac, Winnebago and Green Lake Counties, Wisconsin, that the revenues included in the School District budget for six years beginning with the 2009-2010 school year and ending with the 2014-2015 school year be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $500,000 a year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of replacing textbooks, updating curriculum, updating technology, performing maintenance and replacing vehicles.
2009-2010 $575,000, 2010-2011 $725,000, 2011-2012 $850,000 Total $2,150,000 - Failed 854-1,112 - To maintain classroom staff and related instructional expenses - BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the Ripon Area School District, Fond du Lac, Winnebago and Green Lake Counties, Wisconsin, that the revenues included in the School District Budget be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, for the 2009-2010 school year by $575,000; for the 2010-2011 school year by $725,000; and for the 2011-2012 school year by $850,000 for non-recurring purposes consisting of paying for classroom staff and related instructional expenses.

HEALTH INSURANCE 101: Bid it out, please

I would hope that someone in the Ripon School District, and the Ripon Education Association, would read these articles and consider the ramifications here in Ripon:

SOURCE: Beloit Daily News
Switch from Wisconsin Education Association to Dean or Mercy would save district money
A change of insurance providers for teachers in the School District of Beloit Turner could lead to them receiving what the Board of Education calls “substantial” raises.

Representatives from both parties met Wednesday for the third time since bargaining for the 2009-11 contracts began March 30.

“In some cases, these will be extra generous increases,” board Vice President Doug Clark said.

Turner Education Association President Shelly Crull-Hanke made clear the board is still offering a 3.8 percent salary and benefits package with a shift in dollars.

The board recommended the union switch from the Wisconsin Education Association’s insurance to a dual-choice option that would let teachers choose between Dean and Mercy.

The current provider’s rates are projected to grow next year by nearly 8 percent: $9,563 for a single plan and $21,660 for a family plan. The board pays 100 percent of teachers’ insurance premiums.

Dean’s rates would mean a drop in 21.5 percent while Mercy’s would mean a decline of about 26.5 percent.

Other districts - Brodhead, Evansville and Parkview - have already dropped the Wisconsin Education Association insurance. Superintendent Dennis McCarthy also noted the administrative and support staff employees plan to switch to the dual-choice option.

The union requested a copy of the proposed policies to compare the insurance plans.

“The TEA feels that there are still many unanswered questions and need to be more informed with the insurance change proposals,” Crull-Hanke said. “Until more information can be obtained, we cannot make a decision at this time.”

While the board remains firm in offering a total salary and benefits package increase of 3.8 percent for both years, McCarthy said, the rollover of insurance savings would go toward the salary schedule and mean even higher percent increases.

The more people who select Mercy “would mean more savings,” he said. “That would be more money in the salary schedule.”

The schedule assigns wages based on a teacher’s level of education and longevity with the district.

Under conservative projections, teachers would see a 7.062 percent per cell increase in year one and a 0.819 percent per cell increase in two. This would average to about 3.941 percent over the two years, McCarthy said.

He noted this is close to the union’s request of a 4 percent per cell increase.

As an example of how the raises would change salaries, Turner’s starting wage would increase from $32,677 to $34,985, and the top-end wage would grow from $59,739 to $63,958.

“That’s huge dollars,” McCarthy said. “That’s dollars those people haven’t seen.”

He acknowledged taxpayers will want to know how the district can justify such raises at a time when the unemployment rate is nearing 20 percent and the district is facing a projected $200,000 deficit next year.

“If you’re willing to change your insurance the answers are there,” he said. “We’re not talking one more dollar than we initially offered.”

Crull-Hanke stressed teachers’ families are affected by the recession, too.

“We’re all in that same boat,” she said.

If the union declines the board’s offer to change insurance providers, the board would recommend a 10 percent monthly co-payment of the premiums.

The union is waiting to set its next negotiation date until members have a chance to hear from insurance representatives and conduct a membership meeting to discuss their options, Crull-Hanke said.

The 2007-09 bargaining cycle lasted about six months. The contract increased the salary and benefits package by 4.39 percent for the first year and 4.2 percent for the second, which was up from the district’s initial offer of 3.8 percent.

SOURCE: Kenosha News
Consolidating insurance could generate savings for Wilmot High School
WILMOT — A savings of $321,784.71 can be realized if all Wilmot Union High School employees change to a comparable health and dental insurance plan offered by a different provider, the Board of Education learned Tuesday.

The information was gathered as part of a multi-district study spearheaded by Central High School Superintendent Scott Pierce. Wilmot Administrator Bill Heitman said the two companies who can provide matching policies have guaranteed their quotes through the end of the year to allow for the district to negotiate a change.

“It is just a tremendous savings,” Heitman said. “This is something we should really look at.”

Employees are classified into four categories at Wilmot: teaching staff, administrative and administrative secretary staff, non-certified staff and a non-certified staff group of recent hires that get 55 percent of its health insurance covered.

The unionized staff is currently getting health insurance through the Wisconsin Education Association Trust Fund. Delta Dental and the Wisconsin County Association Group Health Trust have provided a comparable policy based on the specification in a request for proposals sent out to 20 different insurance companies.

Heitman said the district can start with any size group of employees and should encourage participation. He said employees would see no impact in services.

If all employees switch to Delta Dental, the district would save $22,407.02. If all employees except those in the teachers’ association made the switch the savings would be $6,388.94. If all employees switch to the WCA trust for health insurance, the district would save $299,377.79. Minus the teachers, this savings drops to $87,339.47.

Heitman said the Wilmot Teachers Association has been provided with the information. It is also possible teachers could get better insurance — one with lower deductibles — and the district would still see more than a $200,000 savings. Also, the savings can be turned into a revenue source for teacher salary increases.

School Board president Nadine Slowinski asked if a history of policy increase rates was included. Heitman said administrative costs increase at a lower percentage under the WCA policy.

Heitman said a recommendation for action will most likely come before the board in June.

BUDGETING 101: Madison Style

Ok, we all know we face a $6.6 BILLION deficit, and that means some tough decisions have to be made, hopefully more decisions on ways to cut the amount of money the state takes in, keeping the money in our pockets. Unfortunately, it appears that is not the case, as we have come to witness another case of budgetary insanity in Madison.

First of all, when one has a budget deficit, one should NOT be increasing spending. Period. End of story. But that appears to be a forgotten rule for this committee:

MANDATES - School districts must provide transportation to pregnant students who live within two miles of school under the new budget. Wonderful! With all the pressures on local school budgets, we now have this new mandate to deal with. More examples of the nanny state gone wild in Wisconsin.

PORK - According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, which is usually pro-Democrat, the budget includes some questionable examples of partisan backscratching: Funding would be available for projects in million for the districts of key legislative Democrats, including: $6.6 million for the Bradley a Yahara River project in Dane County; $5 Center Sports and Entertainment Corp.; $4 million for planning a joint museum for the State Historical Society and Department of Veterans Affairs; $1.1 million for the AIDS Network and AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin; $500,000 for an environmental center in a park that borders Madison and Monona; $500,000 for the Oshkosh Opera House; $500,000 for Crosse; $250,000 for the Madison Children's Museum; Eco Park in La $50,000 for a consortium of seven Dane County schools; $50,000for the Chequamegon School District; and $37,200 for the City of Stanley in Chippewa County.

LANDFILL FEES - Under current law, cities and towns, including Ripon, have to pay $4.80 per ton of garbage we take to a landfill. The figure jumps to $5.90 per ton effective July 1. JFC Saturday to raise the fee to $13 per ton, even higher than the $10.29 per ton the Governor proposed. The money is supposed to be used, in part, to fund recycling programs, but, as Green Bay State Representative Karl Van Roy pointed out earlier this month, "According to the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, between 1991 and 2008, $107.5 million was transferred from the recycling fund to the state's general fund to pay for programs completely unrelated to recycling, even though it is supposed to be a protected segregated account...In his proposed 2009-11 budget, Doyle completely eliminates the Clean Sweep Grant Program, the Recycling Efficiency Incentive Grant Program, and the Waste Reduction and Recycling Demonstration Grant Program. These programs were all funded by the Recycling Fund and clearly relate to the goal of reducing waste in our landfills. Instead, Doyle takes the money from those programs, and uses it to pay for the creation of a new UW System Bioenergy Center. ($8M, $4M each year)"

FUNNY FUND TRANSFERS - Governor Doyle proposed the oil company tax as a way for oil companies to pay for road construction and repairs in the state. It passed, and it WILL be passed on to you. The estimated revenues from the assessment on gross revenues is $103.6 million in 2009-10 and $156.4 million in 2010-11. Unfortunately, the committee approved transferring $140 million from the Transportation Fund to help balance the General Fund.

These are just a snapshot of some of the great work done by the Joint Finance Committee.

Apparently, others are not happy with the way Joint Finance crafted the budget

It seems I am not the only one who thinks the way the Joint Finance Committee worked its budget magic the past week was wrong, NOT a conspiracy, just wrong:

SOURCE: MILWAUKEE JOURNAL-SENTINEL
Hiding out in Madison
For those who like to compare making laws to making sausage, we've got news for you: We really would like to see how it's made. But the Legislature exempts itself from the state Open Meetings Law to go into closed-door sessions, where the real business of the state is hashed out. The powerful Joint Finance Committee is notorious for this tactic.

On Wednesday, the budget-writing committee met for hours in private, never convening publicly. At 10 p.m., a co-chairman emerged to promise that the committee would reconvene in public at noon Thursday. It didn't. Such backroom deal-making is the enemy of accountability, and it has spawned an overstuffed document that squeezes many of the most controversial items into one package for a single vote with almost no public debate. How is this good government?

The committee is dominated 12-4 by the Democrats, who must bear responsibility for this fiasco. But the act of hiding from the public is nothing new. When Republicans controlled the Legislature, they were just as eager to do the work of the state away from the prying eyes of press and public. "If a majority of a local government body, a school board, a village board, met like this . . . they would be violating the state Open Meetings Law," said Peter D. Fox, executive director of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association.

There are a couple of new attempts to put an end to these secret societies. Rep. Cory Mason (D-Racine), a member of the Joint Finance Committee, along with colleagues Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah), Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh), Jeffrey Wood (I-Chippewa Falls) and Terese Berceau (D-Madison) have introduced Assembly Bill 143 to end the exemption that allows party caucuses to be held in secret. State Sen. Alan Lasee (R-De Pere) is the co-sponsor in the Senate. State Reps. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) and Rich Zipperer (R-Pewaukee) are authors of a bill that would require disclosure of who made motions or suggested earmarks during Joint Finance Committee meetings.

These are both good ideas. The Legislature should do its work - all of its work - in public. Let's see how they're stuffing this sausage and with what.

YOU NOW OWE $546,668 THANKS TO UNCLE SAM

SOURCE: USA TODAY
Taxpayers are on the hook for an extra $55,000 a household to cover rising federal commitments made just in the past year for retirement benefits, the national debt and other government promises, a USA TODAY analysis shows. The 12% rise in red ink in 2008 stems from an explosion of federal borrowing during the recession, plus an aging population driving up the costs of Medicare and Social Security.

That's the biggest leap in the long-term burden on taxpayers since a Medicare prescription drug benefit was added in 2003.

The latest increase raises federal obligations to a record $546,668 per household in 2008, according to the USA TODAY analysis. That's quadruple what the average U.S. household owes for all mortgages, car loans, credit cards and other debt combined.

"We have a huge implicit mortgage on every household in America — except, unlike a real mortgage, it's not backed up by a house," says David Walker, former U.S. comptroller general, the government's top auditor.

Bottom line: The government took on $6.8 trillion in new obligations in 2008, pushing the total owed to a record $63.8 trillion.

The numbers measure what's needed today — set aside in a lump sum, earning interest — to pay benefits that won't be covered by future taxes.

Congress can reduce or increase the burden by changing laws that determine taxes and benefits for programs such as Medicare and Social Security.

Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., says exploding debt has focused attention on the government's financial challenges. "More and more, people are worried about our fiscal future," he says.

Key federal obligations:

• Social Security. It will grow by 1 million to 2 million beneficiaries a year from 2008 through 2032, up from 500,000 a year in the 1990s, its actuaries say. Average benefit: $12,089 in 2008.

• Medicare. More than 1 million a year will enroll starting in 2011 when the first Baby Boomer turns 65. Average 2008 benefit: $11,018.

•Retirement programs. Congress has not set aside money to pay military and civil servant pensions or health care for retirees. These unfunded obligations have increased an average of $300 billion a year since 2003 and now stand at $5.3 trillion.

QEO APPEARS TO BE ON THE WAY OUT

Republicans fail in attempt to keep teacher cap - May 28, 2009
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A 16-year-old state law that effectively places a cap on teacher pay increases would remain in place for only one more year under the budget being finalized by a legislative committee.

Gov. Jim Doyle and the state’s biggest teachers union have long advocated for doing away with the so-called qualified economic offer. But Republicans in control in the Legislature blocked it.

This year Democrats are in power and Doyle again proposed doing away with it. Republicans and other supporters say it is needed to keep property taxes in check.

Under the budget being voted on Thursday by the Joint Finance Committee, the law would be repealed effective July 1, 2010.

If this passes, and the revenue caps remain in place, the problems we face in educational funding across the state will only get worse. If the QEO is abolished, along with revenue caps, you can be sure as the day is long that taxes will be heading up and quickly.

CITY OF RIPON BOARD OF REVIEW

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Ripon’s Board of Review will meet on Monday, June 29, 2009, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Ripon City Hall, located at 100 Jackson Street. If you want an objection to your property value heard on June 29th, you must file a completed objection form, which are available at Ripon City Hall during regular business hours. If you have any questions or want more information, please call Amy Zacharias of Action Appraisers & Consultants, Inc. at (920)766-7323, or e-mail her at amy@actionappraisersinc.com.

Please be advised of the following requirements to appear before the Board of Review and procedural requirements if appearing before the Board:

No person shall be allowed to appear before the Board of Review, to testify to the Board by telephone or contest the amount of any assessment of real or personal property if the person has refused a reasonable written request by certified mail of the Assessor to view such property.

After the first meeting of the Board of Review and before the Board’s final adjournment, no person who is scheduled to appear before the Board of Review may contact, or provide information to, a member of the Board about the person’s objection, except at a session of the Board.

No person may appear before the Board of Review, testify to the Board by telephone, or contest the amount of an assessment unless, at least 48 hours before the first meeting of the Board or at least 48 hours before the objection is heard, if the objection is allowed because the person has been granted a waiver of the 48-hour notice of an intent to file a written objection by appearing before the Board during the first two hours of the meeting and showing good cause for failure to meet the 48-hour notice requirement and files a written objection, that the person provides to the Clerk of the Board of Review notice as to whether the person will ask for removal of any Board member and, if so, which member will be removed and the person’s reasonable estimate of the length of time that the hearing will take.

When appearing before the Board, the person shall specify in writing, the person’s estimate of the value of the land and improvements that are the subject of the person’s objection and specify the information that the person used to arrive at that estimate.

No person may appear before the Board of Review, testify to the Board by telephone or object to a valuation; if that valuation was made by the Assessor or the Objector using the income method; unless the person supplies the Assessor all of the information about income and expenses, as specified in the manual under Section 73.03(2a), that the Assessor requests. The City of Ripon has an ordinance for the confidentiality of information about income and expenses that is provided to the Assessor under this paragraph which provides exemptions for persons using information in the discharge of duties imposed by law or of the duties of their office or by order of a court. The information that is provided under this paragraph, unless a court determined that it is inaccurate, is not subject to the right of inspection and copying under Section 19.35(i) of Wisconsin Statutes.

The Board shall hear upon oath, by telephone, all ill or disabled persons who present to the Board a letter from a physician, surgeon, or osteopath that confirms their illness or disability. No other persons may testify by telephone.

SELFRIDGE PARK SHELTER HOUSE CLOSED

From: City Hall

Due to ongoing issues with vandalism, I've authorized the Public Works Department to lock the shelter at Selfridge Park, until further notice. I will meet with the Police Chief and Public Works Director early next week to look at our options. Please direct anyone with questions or concerns to contact me. Thank you very much!

Steve Barg - City Administrator

WHEN IS A DEFICIT NOT AS BAD AS IT LOOKS

The Ripon Common Council tonight received the results of its 2008 audit. For the first time since I became mayor in 2003, we are dealing with a budget deficit. In years past, we had budget surpluses, which, based on a proposal I made back in 2004, we put 50 percent of into the equipment replacement fund, and the other 50 percent was spent on items which did not make the cut in the previous budget cycle or had come up since the budget was adopted (I.E. The Welcome to Ripon signs, extra gas funding, dugouts for the softball diamonds in Murray Park, etc.).

This year, the city's revenues came in around $100,000 below budget, and our expenses were $330,000 above the budgeted amounts, according to the auditor. But, what at first glance, appears to be a $430,000 deficit, is actually closer to $200,000, and it will be fixed without raising taxes.

First of all, the Public Works budget was up $100,000 in expenses, which was expected due to the worst winter in recent memory (2007-2008) and the flooding from last June, which resulted in massive amounts of overtime and repairs. Second, our investment income was considerably less than we expected. The city puts money away to earn interest (such as our reserve fund). When you are talking the difference between a 3 and 4 percent return on a $1000 CD, it is not a large amount. When you are talking about more than $1 million in savings, it does make a difference.

The real curveball in the way this deficit is figured comes to the equipment replacement fund. As I mentioned, we have been putting away parts of the past budget surpluses into the fund, which reached more than $340,000 last year. So, we applied the money to the purchase of a new fire truck and a new emergency government vehicle, totalling about $225,000. Unfortunately, it appears we spent the money without budgeting for it, either through increased taxes or a borrowing. In other words, pulling money from the piggy bank, rather than putting a charge on the credit card, resulted in our deficit looking larger than it is.

In the end, and we need to see some final numbers, the "actual" cash deficit comes in around $150-200,000. And how will we fix it? The easy answer is to raise taxes come this fall, but I won't go there. We have built up our reserve fund to more than $1.4 million, and it has been built up for times like this. Sadly, the state of Wisconsin should have been doing the same thing when it was running large surpluses under the Thompson Administration, but it did not, and we are paying the price today.

In other action tonight:

* Approved a street closure request for the west half of 100 block of Watson Street (June 10th). Boca Grande wants permission to close the west half of the 100 block of Watson Street from 4:00-10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10th for a customer appreciation day. There would be live music and events outside, but alcoholic beverages won’t be served or consumed.

* The Council tabled a proposal to adopt a policy setting requirements for the collection of brush at curbside. City staff is collecting a rising volume of brush at curbside, and staff feels a formal policy is needed. They recommended limiting free curbside pickup to 4’x 4’ x 8’ piles, with a fee for more brush, based on the amount, and that stumps, root balls, and twig/small stick won’t be taken at the curb.


* The Council approved a request to amend official City map to show a master plan street extending Windsor Road to Meade Street. The Council did table a proposal to approve names for streets by for the East Town Development, where Agnesian Health Care is building a new clinic. The developer wanted the street off Highway 23 to be called “Treasure Boulevard”, and the one coming in from Douglas Street to be named “Gold Street”.

* The Council agreed to scale back the size of the new downtown TIF to allow for it be officially certified by the state. This comes in response to an email earlier this week from the City Administrator explaining why the TIF could not be created:

"On May 14th, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue notified the City of Ripon in writing that the State was not able to certify creation of TIF District #8 (downtown), as the State concluded that total tax increments from our active TIF districts, plus the equalized value of property in the new district, exceeded the maximum of 12% of total equalized value of all property in the City allowed by Wisconsin Statutes. The City is currently pursuing the following two options. First, we are working with our State representatives to introduce special legislation to allow the district to be certified. Such legislation was approved by the State once before, and a bill is now going through the legislative process on behalf of a community in a similar situation. Also, we are immediately starting the process to create the district again, reducing total value of property in the new district, or making changes to existing districts, to ensure that the district will be certified. The expected timeframe to create the new district is approximately 60 days, and the City is committed to expediting the process to the greatest degree possible. While, at first glance, this would appear to be a negative for the city in terms of economic development, the bottom line is that a majority of our current TIF districts have been growing at a positive pace we did not anticipate. We have traditionally used conservative revenue and growth projections, but, in several cases, the actual growth in some districts have been far in excess of what any reasonable pre-creation assumptions would suggest."

Any questions, email me, or comment away..............

TONIGHT'S SCHEDULE

6 PM - Plan Commission/City Council Joint Meeting to discuss the Highway 23 West Redevelopment Plan

730 PM - Regular Council meeting

Ripon’s Summer Concert Series Begins with Public School Concert

Ripon’s Summer Concert Series Begins with Public School Concert

Ripon’s Village Green Summer Concert Series returns for the seventeenth consecutive summer, beginning the season with a special performance by the Ripon Middle School and High School Jazz Bands.

RMS Jazz will kick-off the evening at 7:00 pm performing a variety of swing and contemporary jazz standards followed by a short performance by The Cantabile Singers. The High School jazz ensemble will complete the evening, performing an assortment of music ranging from swing, funk, and latin, to a few rock tunes. Some of the charts the band will play include "Bugle N' Boogie", "Samba Ti Kaye", "Poultry in Motion", "Sweet Home Chicago", "What a Wonderful World", and "Brown Eyed Girl". Throughout the evening, various band members will be featured as soloists.

The Village Green Concerts take place on Friday evenings from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in downtown Ripon through the end of August and are organized by Ripon Main Street, Inc. A variety of beverages are available and participants are encouraged to bring folding chairs or blankets to sit on. Please, no carry-ins because beverage sales help cover entertainment expenses. Free music isn’t really free.

Next week’s concert is Open Mic Night. Contact the Ripon Main Street office at 920-748-7466 if you are interested in performing.

A special Thank You goes out to those that have committed to sponsoring the music series. Let them know you appreciate the financial commitment they made to our community. Sponsors include the Diedrich Agency, Fat Bruce’s, Horicon Bank, M&I Bank, A&W Restaurant, Affinity Health System, Condon Oil, Miller Brewing, Piernot Dentistry, Ripon Commonwealth Press/Express, Chris Rauch D.D.S., Ripon College, Ripon Drug, Ripon Medical Center, Ripon Pickle Co., J.M. Smucker’s, Bluemkes, Ripon Window & Door, WRPN AM 1600, Yeomans - Endinger Chiropractic Center, Jane & Harland Hilke, Sue & Ron Silber, Ann Jurkowski, Derk & Paula Lesniak, and Holly & Ivy.

Enjoy an evening of entertainment in historic downtown Ripon and discover the charm of small town hospitality. Call the Ripon Main Street office at 920-748-7466 or visit www.downtownripon.com for more information.

A SAD WEEKEND FOR WISCONSIN...and wallets

Wisconsin voters, and taxpayers, took it on the chin this past weekend, as the Joint Finance Committee went on a spending and policy orgy of historic proportions. Released from the binds of minority rule, the Democrats are rampaging and pillaging across the legislative landscape, paying back their supporters and changing the fabric of the state. And the reason they can do this is because you and I are idiots. While we spent Memorial Day with our families and friends, they spent their holiday weekend with their "friends" in Madison, re-creating what Wisconsin will look like in the future.

A number of website have provided good coverage of the weekend's debacle, while others, like the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, seem fascinated with important issues like American Idol (I NEVER want to see a Wisconsin resident on there again). The MacIver Institute committed some flagrant acts of blog-journalism which we should be grateful for. With kudos to their coverage, let's recap one of the worst weekends in Wisconsin legislative history, with a keen eye toward the use of words like "cuts" and "savings:

Remember, the state has a deficit of $6.6 BILLION. This is assuming the next round of revenue numbers do not put us over the $7 BILLION mark.

Friday -- Omnibus motion to re-visit spending decisions made by the Finance Committee earlier in the budget process - The committee is off to a fast start this morning. Well, not actually morning - it is nearly 1 o'clock before they sit down at the table. What do you think is going on behind the scenes that they forget what time it is? No matter, we are going to roll up our sleeves, sharpen our pencils, and find a way to fix this additional $1.6 billion dollar deficit. $6.6 billion if you are a stickler for facts or accounting. They start with an omnibus motion to revisit some of the spending increases they already passed. Their logic is now that we know we are $1.6 billion more in the hole, we need to "modify" some of our spending decisions. I guess we will all just ignore the fact that these spending increases were passed when we were only $5 BILLION IN THE HOLE. Remember, first rule in politics, you can ignore facts if you create your own logic. Off we go...

- $138,000.00 in savings over two years from the Medigap Helpline. Oh wait, the "savings" is lapsed into the general fund for other spending. Not a cut.

- $3 million in savings from the increased spending on the film production tax credit was going to receive. Hold it. That is a reduction in the proposed increase, not a cut.

- $7 million from the increase to the Wisconsin Higher Education Grant earmarked for the UW. Again, not a cut. Shoot. Where was it again that they made all these cuts???

- $217,400.00 savings over two years from the Marquette Dental School and four other non-profit health care providers. Here we go, now we are making some progress. Wait a second, $218,000.00? I thought the new Doyle deficit hole was $1.6 BILLION? Maybe they forgot to put an extra couple of zeroes on the 218? Nope. It says $218,000.00. Well, according to my math, that is .014% of the $1.6 billion we need to make up. We have a ways to go.

- $2 million in savings from the unallocated vital records fee. Again, the "savings" is lapsed to the general fund for other spending. Not a cut. I could swear Governor Doyle said, "we must make deep cuts to state government spending" last week when he announced his plan to solve the growing budget deficit.

- $560,000.00 in savings from the Community Health Services Grants and AIDS Support Network. The money is lapsed to the general fund. How does that get us to $1.6 billion?

- $900,600.00 in savings over two years from the Poison Control Program, Foster Care Public Information Program, Maternal and Child Health Program and the Life Care Grants Program. Are these cuts or more lapses? I guess we will count them as cuts. So if we add this $900,600.00 "cut" to the $217,400.00 health care cut mentioned above, we get to $1.12 million in cuts or .07% of the $1.6 billion dollar Doyle deficit that we need to fix. We still have a long way to go.

Friday -- Approved $25,000.00 for a feasibility study - Looks like I spoke too fast. With a $6 billion dollar deficit staring us in the face, do we have the money, even if it is only $25,000, to spend on a study? Sen. Decker said it last week, "every state program will need to squeeze every nickel out of every dollar to make it through this budget crisis without destroying the safety net that many Wisconsin families will need in the coming months." I guess the Senators on the committee didn't read his press release. Even if the feasibility study shows we need a new state facility in Kenosha County (Gee, what are chances the government study says we need more government), we have no money to build it (see earlier item about a $6.6 BILLION DOLLAR STATE BUDGET DEFICIT)!

Friday -- Cut funding to Counties for District Attorneys - The committee votes with Governor Doyle to cut $1.3 million in general tax revenue funding for district attorneys. Finally, a cut! Wait, if the Counties decide to pay for these District Attorneys with local property tax dollars, that just drives my property taxes higher. At least the Finance Committee can say "we didn't raise your property taxes, your County Board did." Still, it counts as a "state cut." With this crew, this might be the best we get.

Friday -- Approved 50 new state-funded positions for indigent legal defense - Because the current fiscal situation is so dire, the committee votes to delay starting these positions until 2011. Now there is some common sense. Good old fashioned credit card spending. Buy now, pay later. Will only cost us $4.4 million next budget. We don't have to worry about that for another 2 whole years. That is an eternity in politics.

Friday -- Increased state spending on health insurance and retirement benefits by expanding eligibility to domestic partners of state employees - According to the non-partisan Fiscal Bureau, this motion will INCREASE state spending, when fully implemented, by $11 - $16 million dollars. This doesn't make sense. Senator Miller and Rep. Pocan stood shoulder to shoulder with Gov. Doyle on Thursday while he told the press with a straight face that this is the first state budget in over 1,000 years -- okay, the state hasn't been around quite that long -- to spend less gpr (the precious general purpose revenue) than the previous budget. How can that be if the committee continues to vote to increase spending? Earlier this spring, the MacIver Institute made public polling that showed 64% of Wisconsinites are opposed to this new benefit in these tough economic times. I'm sure the committee members remember and care about what their constituents think about this issue. Any self-serving politician would, correct? Instead of increasing our health care costs, shouldn't the state be looking for ways to save taxpayer dollars by asking state employees to pick up a greater share of their cadillac health insurance plans or switch to a more modestly-priced plan?

Friday -- The committee voted unanimously to support Gov. Doyle's $100 million base-budget cut to the UW and his 1% across the board cut to other UW appropriations - Finally, some spending cuts. A $100 million cut in general purpose revenue is 6.25% of what we need to fix the state's $1.6 billion problem. But wait, this is not a recently created budget motion to deal with the estimates that the deficit had grown by $1.6 billion this year. No, this motion was created way back when the old Doyle deficit stood at "only" $5 billion dollars? Gee, remember the good old days? So this cut actually amounts to only 1.5 % of the full Doyle $6.6 billion deficit. In addition to the $100 million reduction in the UW System's GPR general program operations appropriation, the committee voted with the Governor to reduce most of the UW System's non-federal appropriations by 1%. Most non-federal appropriations, not all? Fiscal crisis must not be that bad if we can exempt some programs. According to UW System staff, undergraduate tuition could increase by 5.5% in each year of the 2009-11 biennium to deal with this cut. I wonder if this is what Gov. Doyle was referring to when he said, "We have made responsible choices, ones that protect the middle class." I bet parents with a child at the UW might wonder which middle class Gov. Doyle is protecting. If the UW is jacking tuition over 10% over the next two years to make up for the lost state support, is that really a reduction in state spending or is it just a shift of the cost to students and their parents?

Friday -- The committee voted to support Gov. Doyle's new money for the WI Institute for Discovery - Gov. Doyle proposed and Joint Finance agreed to spend $8.2 million in general tax revenues on a new program to fund the WI Institute for Discovery (WID). Not sure how we continue to create new government programs at a time when we are not only flat broke but up to our eyeballs in debt? These new positions at the Institute aren't exactly "entry level" jobs, either. Seven new faculty members will be hired at the WID in 2009-2010, with average salary and benefits packages of $164,000.00 each. And don't forget the 14 "support" staff that the faculty just couldn't live or work without. Salary and benefits for each of these support staff will average over $128,000.00. Where does a taxpayer sign up for a job like that?

Friday -- Increased state spending to support the Wisconsin Genomics Initiative within the UW System - The committee votes with Governor Doyle to spend $2 million of general purpose revenues on a new appropriation for the Wisconsin Genomics Initiative. Did we miss the media reports of a new fiscal estimate that shows the state with a surplus? We must have. Responsible politicians would never spend tax dollars on a new program during a time of deficit. Right?

Friday -- Adopted the Governor's recommendation to start a new School of Public Health and a new School of Freshwater Sciences at UW-Milwaukee - While no new state funds were appropriated for these schools, one still must wonder why, with a deficit of $6.6 billion dollars, is it a good idea to push off new commitments until the next budget using the state's credit card? Is that responsible budgeting?

Friday -- Allowed undocumented students to pay resident tuition - Holy cow, look at the time. Almost time to call it a day. Everyone wants to get to the fish fry. But before they go, the Joint Finance Committee voted once again to expand state spending in a time of financial crisis with a new benefit for undocumented students. They worked all the way to 5 o'clock (actually 4:30) and then decided they wanted to come back on Saturday bright and early to make progress on the deficit.

Saturday -- Department of Justice - Maybe the members just needed a good night's sleep and since it is noon before we start, I'm sure we will make some real progress on closing the $6.6 billion dollar deficit today. Here we go. Oops, right out of the box the Committee votes to overturn a spending cut. A $3,000.00 cut over two years to gaming law enforcement was apparently too much for members to stomach. $3,000? Really? This does not bode well for the rest of the day...

Saturday - Tripled the nonprofit fee for background checks - Next, the committee agrees with Governor Doyle to triple the fee for background checks. That doesn't sound like belt-tightening. Oh but, in this economy, non-profits are flush with cash. They can just take that added cost from programming that serves the poor or some other "nonessential" pot of money. Whew. I'm exhausted. The committee has been working for over an hour and needs a break. I wonder if any of them has a wet bar in their office that I can belly up to?

Saturday - Mandated wage levels for public and private construction projects - And we're back. Now we are going to make some real progress. I can feel it. Prevailing wage? What's that? State government artificially sets how much workers should get paid on a construction project? How will that help keep costs down? And this applies to county and local government projects? Well good. We can't trust duly elected local officials to negotiate the price of their own projects.

Saturday -- Doubled the garbage tax - Now comes DNR air, waste and contaminated land. Doesn't sound like an area with a lot of savings but given the direction the committee has been going the last twenty four hours, maybe the best we can hope for is to tread water. Guess not. Sen. Miller forwards a motion that doubles the garbage tax from $5.90 per ton to $13.00 per ton. Does that make us the highest in the nation? The lobbyists break out in a chant of "We're #1! We're #1!" The chair quickly gavels them back into obedience, I mean silence. According to the Fiscal Bureau, the new fee will cost municipalities $63 million. I'm sure Sen. Miller will help the locals out with more state aid to keep them whole. He doesn't? Well, I'm sure he will watch out for the "little guy," me the taxpayer, by stopping the municipalities from turning right around and passing this higher garbage tax onto my property tax bill, right? No? Will he at least ask the municipalities in a very stern voice, his "father knows best" voice, not to stick it to me with a higher garbage tax? Please? Which office had the bar?

Saturday -- Collective bargaining for home care providers - Not sure how this helps to get the state out of the $6.6 billion dollar hole, but, what the heck, the committee is on a roll. My father always told me not to confuse motion with progress. But again, my father never watched this group at work.

Saturday -- Fines for failure to dispense contraceptive drugs - I can see the headline in their legislative newsletter now, "I solved the state's $6.6 billion dollar deficit by...fining pharmacists who object to dispensing birth control $2,500.00." You would think this would be the one budget we would not have the Pro-life/Pro-choice fight we normally see. But you would be wrong.

1 - First of all, what happened to the concept of keeping policy out of the budget (in-state tutition for illegal immigrants, same sex benefits, fining pharmacists over contraceptive drugs. Forgotten, it appears
2 - As for the garbage tax, Representative Karl Van Roy has come out with an editorial pointing out the funds has been raided into oblivion by the Governor: "According to the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, between 1991 and 2008, $107.5 million was transferred from the recycling fund to the state's general fund to pay for programs completely unrelated to recycling, even though it is supposed to be a protected segregated account. In the current budget, an additional $31 million is expected to be transferred from this account to the general fund. [And how about this?] In his proposed 2009-11 budget, Doyle completely eliminates the Clean Sweep Grant Program, the Recycling Efficiency Incentive Grant Program, and the Waste Reduction and Recycling Demonstration Grant Program. These programs were all funded by the Recycling Fund and clearly relate to the goal of reducing waste in our landfills. Instead, Doyle takes the money from those programs, and uses it to pay for the creation of a new UW System Bioenergy Center. ($8M, $4M each year)"

All in all, a sad weekend for Wisconsin, and for our wallets.

WAUPUN ADMINISTRATOR RESIGNS

SOURCE: Fond du Lac Reporter

WAUPUN — City Administrator Gary Rogers — who has been publicly challenged by local critics — will be leaving the city of Waupun.

After serving the city for seven years, Rogers, 56, announced during a closed session Common Council meeting Tuesday evening that he will be heading back to Iowa, where he has agreed to take a city administrator position in the city of Hiawatha near the Cedar Rapids metro area.

"A lot of my decision was based on professional growth. However, some of it was personal," said Rogers, who leaves July 6.

The city administrator has been the target of a local group of citizens calling themselves the Citizens of Waupun for Leadership Change. The group, spearheaded by local businessman Dan Ganz, launched a recall effort earlier this month to oust Mayor Jodi Steger. Their beef with Steger is that she did not fire Rogers.

Ganz contends that Rogers has turned a deaf ear to the concerns of local citizens, especially the business community.

"The two goals of our group in this recall effort were to create an awareness of how city government has been operating and the removal of (Rogers)," said Ganz.

He said the continuation of the recall effort depends largely on how (Rogers') position will be filled.

"I want to get Mayor Steger's thoughts on what the succession plan is for the position and how citizens and the business community can get involved in that process so we can avoid some of the pitfalls we experienced during the first go-round," he said.

Steger said she was disheartened over the news of Rogers' departure, adding that the claims of critics have bordered on slanderous.

"People should look at the quality of work that he has done while he was here and what he was able to accomplish for the city. I think that is what has gone under the radar," Steger said.

Rogers was hired under the leadership of former Mayor Bob Reinap in 2002.

"This was the first time that we had full-time leadership at City Hall. Before that, there was no accountability for full-time staff. He provided the checks and balances to make sure taxpayers were getting their money's worth," Steger said.

In spite of allegations from his critics — including new alderman Matt Hickmann, whose campaign platform was to remove Rogers from office — Rogers maintains that his role is to implement the priorities of the City Council, including the renovation of the Safety Building, public library and municipal garage.

"I believe (Hickmann's) dissatisfaction with me stems from lack of understanding of what my role here is," Rogers said.

City officials have also been criticized for the perceived lack of communication between city hall and the public. Rogers agrees that open communication is important in government, noting that budget constraints forced both the school district and city to scrap filming council meetings on the Public Education and Government channel.

"The mayor writes a weekly column in the local shopper and two newspapers and radio stations carry stories about what's going on. But no matter how well you try, people will say that they don't get the paper or listen to the radio," Rogers said. "Should we stop trying? No. If people looked at our Web site right now they could find my report to City Council on there. Hopefully, the reports of all department heads will be online. We'd like to look at some pod casts but that all takes money."

Steger said that she and Council President Pete Kaczmarski will begin looking at the process to replace Rogers.

"The council has agreed to find an interim administrator under the guidance and direction of Gary Rogers," Steger said. "The city needs an experienced administrator, someone who knows how to bring people together and make things happen."

AND THIS HAS WHAT TO DO WITH OUR FISCAL CRISIS?

Did the Joint Finance Committee decide to hold their budget hearings this holiday weekend in order to underscore the importance of the state budget crisis and their concerns over getting the situation under control...or are they meeting under the disguise of the holiday weekend in order to promote and pass a liberal agenda of items, which should NOT be included in the state budget? When you see the first votes coming out of the committee, it appears painfully clear that the Doyle Administration and the Mark Pocan-Mark Miller leadership team on JFC are following the Rahm Emmanuel mantra of not letting a crisis go to waste:

* The JFC voted to extend domestic partner retirement and group insurance benefits to state employees despite the objections of Republican members. Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, moved to eliminate the provision, saying that while it "may be a good idea" this is the wrong time to expand state benefits to a new group. But Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, said the provision merely allows the state to catch up with other neighboring states who already offer the benefits, and that it gives "fairness to all state employees." Rep. Robin Vos, R-Caledonia, said the extension of the benefits to same-sex couples flies in the face of residents who "voted overwhelmingly" against gay marriage.
* A controversial measure to allow some undocumented students to avoid nonresident tuition rates at UW System and Wisconsin Technical College System schools was passed on a party-line vote. The provision allows for in-state tuition rates for people who graduated from a Wisconsin high school or received a GED from this state, have been in the state for three years after their first day of attending a Wisconsin school or prior to their receipt of the GED, and have filed to be a permanent resident. Rep. Colon said that the policy, which has been killed in previous budgets, always "incites a lot of imagination." But he said critics have their "heads in the sand" need to realize that immigrants are in Wisconsin, and their children need to be educated. But Rep. Vos said that with the current state fiscal situation, it isn't a good time to be providing a benefit to a new group, and he said that people who are here illegally shouldn't enjoy the same benefits that legal immigrants and law-abiding citizens enjoy.

So far, we have expanded same-sex benefits, thanks to Mark Pocan, who is a gay member of the Legislature and despite the fact that Wisconsin voters said no to legalizing gay marriage, and helped the ILLEGAL residents of Wisconsin, thanks to Pedro Colon, who relies on a large Hispanic vote for his political future, and despite the fact the beneficiaries are ILLEGAL, and should be deported, NOT educated at the financial expense of Wisconsin taxpayers. Yep, the budget crisis sure seems to be high on the list of things to do this holiday weekend for the Joint Finance Committee...as soon as they get their personal and partisan projects and policies out of the way. It is days like this that I feel sorry for Ripon State Senator Luther Olsen, who is a minority member of the JFC, and has to sit there and watch this sad display of Madison at its worst. He would have been better off coming over to the Mayor's house for a brat and beer (before the beer tax goes up, of course).

BUDGET DEAL REACHED IN MADISON

SOURCE: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Gov. Jim Doyle and legislative leaders said Thursday state aid for local governments and public schools will be cut by 2.5 percent, and more than 1,400 state workers may have to be laid off, to fix the $1.6 billion drop in tax collections over the last three months.

"We have made responsible choices, ones that protect the middle class and have a lesser impact on our priorities, which are education and public safety," Doyle said at a Capitol press conference, where he was flanked by the co-chairs of the Legislature's budget-writing Joint Finance Committee, Sen. Mark Miller (D–Monona) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D–Madison).

Legislative leaders and aides to Doyle have been meeting privately for days, trying to figure out a way to fix the new shortfall that Doyle warned about two weeks ago. In February, Doyle recommended using federal stimulus funds and $1.7 billion in tax and fee increases to overcome a three-year deficit projected at that point to be $5 billion. That deficit has grown to $6.6 billion, because tax revenue has lagged far below projections.

Under the package, the $1.6 billion deficit would be eliminated by:

•Cuts to state agencies of 5 percent and reductions in aid to local governments and schools of 2.5 percent, for $669.7 million.
•State employee furloughs and rolling back a planned 2-percent raise for non-union state workers, $224 million.
•Adjusting what's paid to hospitals from a tax on their revenues, $165 million.
•Diverting a monthly charge approved by the Joint Finance Committee on phones and other devices used to call 911 to pay for police, fire and other emergency services, $100 million.
•Keeping health and child care tax credits at current levels and improving tax collections, $185.2 million.
•Refinancing debt to take advantage of low interest rates, $285 million.
Doyle warned that the cuts will be painful for both consumers and the state employees who provide services.

Earlier Thursday, Miller said the 16-member committee hopes to recommend a budget to the full Legislature by May 31 and will hold a two-day session to handle dozens of budget items.

The panel will meet Friday at 11 a.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m. to take votes on such items as aid to local governments and transportation and health care spending.

So let me get this straight...We got rid of the first deficit ($5 billion) with BORROWED federal stimulus money and $1.7 billion in increased taxes and fees. And, we are getting rid of this deficit ($1.6 billion) with cuts to local government and schools, another raid on segregated funds (hospital tax and cell phone tax) and refinancing debt? And you have faith in a plan from the same governor who has raided roughly $1.8 billion from segregated accounts as governor. What will we do if the economy continues to move in a lateral position, and revenue continues to come in below estimates?

Breaking News... Budget Deal Reached?

Breaking News... Budget Deal Reached?
By MacIver Institute on May 21, 2009 10:04 AM 0 Comments 0 TrackBacks
After days of secret negotiations outside of public view, it appears as if the Doyle Administration and the Democratic legislative leadership have reached a New Budget deal.

The co-Chairs of the Joint Finance Committee just announced hearings for tomorrow (scheduled start: 11am) and Saturday (scheduled start: 9am).

As is the case anytime the people's business is done outside of public view, rumors are rampant as to what is in the deal that was struck.

Will we see a doubling of the Cell Phone Tax? Will those funds be diverted from the 911 initiative and be sent to the general fund instead?

How much aid to local governments and school districts will be cut?

Will the new Hospital Tax be increased already? Will the State increase its skim from those funds?

Will this New Budget be rammed through in a series of omnibus motions? Or will it receive the same deliberate public scrutiny the Old Budget proposal had?

Compare the transparency of this Deal with what may have merely been a dog and pony show on the Old Budget.

As they say, the devil is in the details. But will the public have a chance to know the details before the Finance Committee votes...over the Memorial Day Weekend?

Stay tuned.

UPDATE: We are also hearing there may be a massive expansion of the state sales tax to cover services that currently are not subject to it. This would be a dramatic move and a huge tax increase. We'll keep you posted. There may be a press conference about the New Budget later this afternoon.

http://maciverinstitute.com/2009/05/breaking-news-budget-deal-reached.html

FROM THE WISCONSIN POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE:

The Slow Motion Hijacking
Filed under: Budget — Christian Schneider @ 10:23 am
The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee announced just minutes ago that they would be meeting on Friday and Saturday this weekend to pass a bill closing the state’s $6.6 billion deficit. Ashamed of what they will be passing out of committee and determined to have as little scrutiny of the package as possible, the committee has decided to meet on Memorial Day weekend to sneak through their as-yet unannounced budget plan.

Of course, the committee - headed by Democratic Assemblyman Mark Pocan and Democratic Senator Mark Miller - thinks people will taking advantage of the long weekend by camping, grilling weiners, and playing volleyball. So while getting legislators to come to work on a weekend is normally about as easy as getting a cat into a bathtub, they are all willing to show up for this disgraceful charade to make sure the public has as little information about their budget deal as possible.

Let’s quickly review the actions of this Joint Finance Committee:

•In the past, the committee traditionally removed all of the non-fiscal budget policy items identified by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau. This time, the co-chairs left in over 40 items that have nothing to do with state finance, but would increase, for instance, insurance premiums for drivers that have car insurance. In leaving these policy items in the budget, the committee members ensured there would be no public debate on their merits, as many of them may not be able to pass as separate legislation.
•In early May, several committee members locked themselves into a room for 12 hours while they pieced together a secret Regional Transportation Authority package - one that created new taxing authorities with the ability to raise the sales tax by double what Doyle had proposed, and that cut elected Republican elected officials out of the taxing boards, while allowing Democrats appointing authority. The committee members emerged at 2:00 in the morning and passed the package on a Friday morning, thereby avoiding news coverage of the secret deal.
•The forthcoming “Memorial Day Massacre.”
Of course, the public currently has no idea what’s in the package they’re going to pass on Saturday, and many of them won’t be paying very much attention. In essence, the committee is using a weekend honoring dead veterans as a shield to avoid scrutiny of their plan.

Just this week, we got a couple small peeks of what might be in the package - Wispolitics reported reduced aid to local governments, with property tax caps might be in the mix. Jason Stein at the Wisconsin State Journal uncovered a plan to issue federally subsidized bonds to plug the budget gap. But nobody will know what’s in the final budget until it has long since passed.

Of course, all the B.S. “good government” groups won’t say a peep about how the public is being shut out of the process, with all the back room dealing taking place. The state press corps probably won’t even realize that this whole charade is an attempt to keep as much information from them as possible, and whatever info they do get, it will be at the last possible moment. Then they can get back to covering Danny Gokey’s burgeoning career.

If Miller and Pocan ever look anyone in the eye again and say they’re for “open” and “honest” government, they should be laughed out of the Capitol.

Ripon School News Email Network

May 20, 2009

Staff Cut to Meet State Budget Limits
After the defeat of referendum question #3 by local voters, the Ripon Board of Education reluctantly cut 4 teacher and 3.5 support staff positions in order to meet the $335,000 deficit caused by the state’s revenue limits for schools. The recently vacated positions of media specialist, gifted/talented teacher, and family consumer education teacher will not be filled. Additionally, high school math, science, agriculture, and physical education classes are being cut. Elementary students will receive less classroom assistance with four fewer instructional aides. A course for English Language Learners (ELL) will be added at the middle school and a half-time aide position to provide assistance for ELL students at the high school was also added.

State Aid Reduction Slates 22 Teachers for Layoff Notification
Governor Doyle’s newest budget proposal to cut state aid to schools by 5% will result in a loss of approximately $650,000 to the District for 2009-10. The collective bargaining agreement with the Ripon Education Association contains a May 30 notification deadline for teacher layoffs for the following school year. Accordingly, the administration has developed a list of 22 teachers for precautionary layoff by the Board until the school funding issues are finalized by the state legislature at which time a local budget can be developed. Meetings are now taking place between the REA and the District to discuss changing the layoff notification deadline to June 30.

Pay Freeze for Support Staff
The Board has approved a 2009-10 pay freeze for the District’s support staff whose benefit levels will be maintained by the Board. Support staff without benefits will receive a minimal pay increase comparable to the rise in benefits. The total compensation package is a 2.34% increase. In addition to saving $70,000 annually by shifting health insurance providers, the support staff and administration both have pay freezes for 2009-10.

Federal Stimulus Dollars Not Helpful
The District is receiving federal stimulus dollars, but those funds cannot be used to help with the current budget crisis. Substituting stimulus dollars for budget cuts is not permitted for school districts. The federal stimulus dollars can only be used for creating additional staff positions and paying for additional resources and training for special education and Title I (disadvantaged) programs. The U.S. Department of Education also warns schools who create new positions to avoid a “funding cliff” when the money is pulled away in two years.

Middle School Receives $360,000 Alternative Education Grant
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has awarded an Alternative Education Grant to Ripon Middle School. The $360,000 grant, spread over five years, will help fund the development of additional opportunities for RMS students by converting the small school-within-a-school (SWS) program into a larger Connections Alternative Program. Connections will use state-of-the-art technology and upgraded curriculum to assist struggling students.

RECALL EFFORT LAUNCHED AGAINST WAUPUN MAYOR

SOURCE: Fond du Lac Reporter

WAUPUN — A Waupun businessman spearheading a recall effort to oust Mayor Jodi Steger for not firing City Administrator Gary Rogers says his motives behind the attempt aren't personal. Spirits tavern owner Daniel Ganz told Waupun Common Council members Tuesday night that the larger issue behind the political maneuvering is to bring an awareness to citizens on how City Hall is being run.

"For the last few months, I have been bringing my concerns forward and been made to feel like an outcast," Ganz said. "Right now, we are at an exciting time in Waupun. We have a new Chamber of Commerce president who is going to pull the business community together and four new council members. But part of the old council is still here, and that's Gary (Rogers) and he needs to go. This council needs to know how urgent this is. There's important decisions to be made that are going to affect us for a long time."

Newly elected Alderman Dale Schmidt told Ganz that the recall effort was like a "slap in the face" to the newly seated council. "This is not the same council, and you need to give us an opportunity to do the work that you elected us to do," Schmidt said. "We haven't even heard the issues yet. Give us the opportunity to act on them."

Council vote required
Alderman Jim Van Buren told Ganz that the removal of the city administrator required a full council vote, not a sole directive by the mayor. "It seems like you're targeting the wrong person to fire the city administrator. We do have to follow policy and procedures or we could be looking at a very large wrongful termination suit or other legal action," VanBuren said.

During the 90-minute community participation session, several residents expressed concern about perceived lack of communication from City Hall, especially concerning details of the New Haven Development and multi-million dollar expansion and remodeling projects at the Safety Building, City Garage and Public Library.

"When the council talked about spending over $3 million on these building projects, there were very few people in the audience. But when the deer feeding ban issue came before the council, there were over 40 people here," VanBuren said. "I'm very sensitive to the fact that we need more participation (from the public), and we want to know what level of communication you want to achieve from us."

Mayor responds
In defense of Rogers, Steger read a prepared statement, outlining the progressive changes that have occurred under the direction of the city administrator over the past six years, including an annual savings of more than $800,000 to taxpayers in reduced city employee health insurance benefits, dispatch consolidation and out-sourced services. Steger also took issue with charges that she hasn't listened to constituents. Since elected to city office in 1997, first as an alderman and in 2004 as mayor, Steger said she has always valued citizen input.

"I've always been willing to listen to citizen concerns whether here at the office or at home," said the mayor. Steger also disputed Ganz's claim that the recall effort isn't personal in nature. "How much more personal can you get when you put your heart and soul into a job that you've been doing for a community that you love?" Steger said. "And to have a recall brought against me for something I can't even control — how can that not be personal?"

In order to bring a recall election against Steger, Ganz needs to collect at least 750 signatures of Waupun residents within 60 days. Steger requested that an unbiased third party be brought in to verify all signatures.

WLA student has swine flu

SOURCE: Fond du Lac Reporter

Swine flu has hit closer to home. A student at Winnebago Lutheran Academy who lives in Dodge County has been diagnosed with H1N1 influenza, also known as swine flu. It is the first case of swine flu confirmed in Dodge County. Laurie Lange, a nurse with the Dodge County Human Services and Health Department, said staff was notified late Tuesday afternoon by the Wisconsin Lab of Hygiene about the case. Following revised guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, WLA will not close. The Health Department is working with school staff today to alert students, parents and staff about what they should do if they become ill with influenza like illness. Principal Justin Gregorgius said parents were notified at chapel services held this morning. Last week a Ripon College student was diagnosed with the first case of swine flu in Fond du Lac County. Health officials said the case was mild and the student was already recovering.

FLU UPDATE

Ripon (WFRV) - Ripon College now has a confirmed case of the H1N1 flu, but the school does not expect to shut down. Officials at Ripon College say they were notified of the confirmed case by the Fond du Lac County Health Department Thursday evening, but decided that closing the campus was not necessary. School officials are urging all campus personnel who show signs of the flu to stay home, until the symptoms subside. The case is the only confirmed case of H1N1 in Fond du Lac County. So far, there have been 298 confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu in the state of Wisconsin.

Ripon College Student Confirmed with H1N1 Virus, Another Probable - WBAY-TV
Officials say a student at Ripon College contracted the H1N1 influenza virus. It's the first confirmed case of H1N1 in Fond du Lac County. The county health department was notified Thursday evening, according to Ripon College's web site. Authorities aren't saying if the student is a man or a woman. They say the student most likely contracted the virus in the Milwaukee or Minneapolis area.

Health officials also say that person was in contact with another student who has now tested probable for the virus. Both students are in isolation, and neither required hospitalization. The college will not close. Officials are working to alert students, faculty, and staff on the campus about what they should do if they start feeling sick.

"We're also looking for students to be monitoring their own health and watching for any signs or symptoms of H1N1 and reporting that to the... college student health services," Fond du Lac County health officer Diane Cappozzo said. College Health Services will be open more hours. So far, 87 people from the Fond du Lac area have been tested for the swine flu virus and 51 tests came back negative. Results of the 36 others are pending.

Late Friday afternoon, the state health department said the number of confirmed H1N1 cases in Wisconsin jumped to 298. The health department says the increase this week is due to more testing capability for H1N1 at the State Laboratory of Hygiene, Milwaukee Health Department, and Midwest Respiratory Virus Program in Milwaukee. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Wisconsin has more confirmed cases than any other state except Illinois.

Nationally, Friday morning the CDC was aware of 1,640 confirmed cases in 43 states.

DE PERE (WFRV) Saint Norbert College in De Pere is reporting its first confirmed cases of the H1N1 or Swine Flu virus. In a release posted on the college's website, officials say two students have tested positive for the virus. Officials say the students have been off campus since they underwent testing earlier this week. Saint Norbert officials say they have been in touch with those who were in contact with the students. They also say they are following the college's emergency response plan for such an incident. The college will remain open for now.

Important Prom Update from Ripon High School

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,
Today we were notified by the Fond du Lac Health department and Ripon College that there has been a documented case of a Ripon College student with the H1N1 virus (also known as “swine flu”). As many of you are aware, we are scheduled to have Prom at the Great Hall at Ripon College tomorrow evening. The Fond du Lac County Health Department has been in contact with us and has communicated the following:
· Prom may go on as scheduled. Healthy students are encouraged to attend.
· Students with influenza-like illness (ILI) should not attend. The signs are as follows:
1. A fever of 100.3 degrees Fahrenheit or greater.
2. Headache or aches and pains.
3. Respiratory signs or symptoms (cough or sore throat/congestion.)
Ripon College is having a press conference this afternoon, so you may see footage about the situation on the news tonight. As always, please rest assured that the appropriate departments and staff members are on top of the situation and are working with us in the best interests of the safety of our student body. Appropriate signs will be posted as recommended by the County Health Department. A copy of the sign is included on the back of this handout for your information. To review, Prom will go on as scheduled. The Grand March in the high school auditorium will also go on as scheduled. I would like to thank everyone with the Fond du Lac County Health Department and Ripon College for working with us on this issue. If you have any questions, please contact the Fond du Lac County Health Department at 1-800-547-3640 or 929-3085. Thank you for your cooperation and attention to this matter.
Sincerely, Mr. Tjernagel, Principal

H1N1 Influenza case confirmed on Ripon College campus

On Thursday evening, May 7, 2009, the Fond du Lac County Health Department was notified of a confirmed case of H1N1 influenza in a Ripon College student. To date, it is the first and only confirmed case in Fond du Lac county.

Based on CDC guidance dated May 5, 2009, the Fond du Lac County Health Department is not recommending school closure but is asking students staff and faculty to note the following:

1.Any student, faculty or staff with symptoms of H1N1 influenza, defined as a fever of over 100 degrees along with such symptoms as cough, sore throat, runny nose and or body aches needs to remain isolated in their dorm room, apartment or at home until at least seven days have elapsed since the first day of illness or until symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer.

2.Most individuals with H1N1 influenza experience mild symptoms comparable to the seasonal flu and do not need medical care. However, if you are experiencing severe influenza symptoms and need medical care, contact your health provider or College Health Services by telephone before seeking care so appropriate measures can be taken to limit exposure to others.

3.Students, faculty and staff are asked to monitor their health daily for influenza symptoms and isolate themselves as quickly as possible if symptoms develop.

4.Students, faculty and staff experiencing influenza symptoms should not participate in extracurricular activities including sports, school events, or other public gatherings.

5.Students, faculty and staff with no symptoms of illness can continue their normal activities and practice good handwashing with soap and water or hand sanitizers along with covering your mouth and nose during a cough or sneeze.

6.Students with H1N1 influenza symptoms must report their illness to College Health Services @ 920-748-8141, which will offer additional hours from 11-2 Saturday, May 9 and from 11-12 Sunday, May 10. Any necessary testing will be done at Ripon Medical Center.

7.Any student concerned with the impact of their symptoms on their ability to take a final exam should contact Student Health Services and the Dean of Faculty for guidance. The determination of whether a student is healthy enough to take a final exam should not be made solely between a student and faculty member.

8.Faculty and staff with symptoms should report to their primary care providers.

More information of the H1N1 virus is available at www.cdc.gov/H1N1 and http://pandemic.wisconsin.gov/ or by calling 211 or the Fond du Lac County Health Department @ 920-929-3085 or 1-800-547-3640

SWINE FLU IN RIPON

City officials have been notified by the Fond du Lac County Health Department that the county's first case of swine flu has been confirmed. The patient is a Ripon College student. A press release will be issued later today, along with a news conference at 3 PM in the college's Great Hall to address the issues. We will continue to monitor this situation and work with county and college officials. I would like to STRESS that there is no reason for major concern at this time, but the following links are being provided for your information (Source: WRPN-AM):

http://www.news.wisc.edu/flu/ - Wisconsin is fortunate to have one of the top Swine Flu researchers in Dr. Christopher Olsen at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine. More information and links to national resources can be found on the UW’s website.

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ - Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a website with links and information for all the various strains of flu, and updates on the current worldwide situation with swine flu.

www.pandemic.wisconsin.gov - The Wisconsin Department of Health Services advises people to Stay Informed—Be Prepared. You can visit their website and do just that.

WISCONSIN'S BUDGET DISASTER: WHO IS TO BLAME?

So, the great game in Madison is over. After years of telling us that the budget could be and was balanced without raising taxes, our Governor has been caught, literally with his pants down, explaining that the Day of Fiscal Reckoning is coming sooner than later. A budget deficit that was projected at $5 billion in March has now ballooned to $6.5 billion for the 2009-2001 budget cycle, and we all need to cross our fingers that a continued erosion in the economy does not drive the deficit even higher.

It turns out that Governor Doyle and his fiscal advisors are no better than the Bernie Madoffs and Enrons of the world. Shifting money around works as long as money is coming in at a rate higher than what is going out. Unfortunately for Doyle, and us, the flow rate has reversed, and the Doyle Administration's policy of raiding existing state funds to provide the fuel for their program and spending increases has been exposed.

An April 30th letter from the Wisconsin Department of Administration to the Chief Clerks of the Assembly and Senate shows just how dire these raids have been. The report shows various funds are virtually insolvent due to these "transfers":
The Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund - After a $200 million transfer in 2007-2009 budget, the fund was nearly $77 million in the red at the end of March
Forestry Account of the Conservation Fund - It has been raided twice - $23 million in the 2003-2005 budget and $31.6 million in the following budget. It now faces a deficit of $18.8 million as of March 1.
In fact, the report shows deficits in a number of segregated funds, as of March: the General Fund ($485 million in the red), the Utility Public Benefits Fund ($2.1 million) and the Lottery Fund ($4 million). The main reason is that Doyle has signed budgets since 2003 which have raided more than $1.6 billion from segregated funds.

So where does the blame lie for this mess? Let's begin to line up the suspects for identification:
Governor Jim Doyle - Harry Truman had a saying that the buck stops with him. And, in the case of the Wisconsin budget crisis, the buck stops with our Governor. If his past is any indication, that buck came from a segregated fund. His previous claims of balancing the budgets, while ignoring warnings of structural deficits and failing revenue models, are now being exposed as hollow campaign literature intended to deceive the voting public.
Wisconsin Legislature - I am not making this a partisan issue. Republicans, like our very own State Representative, Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan), have voted for Doyle budgets in the past, and need to share equally in the blame. The GOP controlled the Legislature until the most recent state elections, and are just as liable for the mess we find ourselves in
Special Interests - Once again, I am not targeting one specific group. From the teacher' union to the public employees' union to the roadbuilders, all groups have been in a state of denial over the fact that our current tax-and-spending patterns cannot continue, and we are not going to grow ourselves out of this one.
You - Yes, you, and me, and everyone else who has continued to send politicians to Madison who are not capable of accepting basic accounting facts and making tough, potentially unpopular and politically damaging decisions on spending and taxing. Rather than realizing that you cannot send the same people back to Madison to work on a deficit when they played key roles in creating that deficit, we continue to hope that they will correct their mistakes, and our hopes are falling far short of reality.
The economy - This is the easiest thing to blame the deficit on, and Doyle will milk this cow to the point of dehydration. The fact is that our state revenue numbers are a clear reflection of the dismal state of the current economic climate, but it also begs the question - Unless you were expecting the greatest economic turnaround in history, how can you propose a budget with 10 percent more spending? That question needs to be answered, and soon, by our Governor.

The trickle-down effects of the state deficit will be felt here in Ripon. A possible 5 percent cut in state aid will result in deficit of as much as $50,000 for the city's 2010 budget. Now, I can do the easiest thing and raise taxes. A 2 percent increase will likely take care of that aid cut problem. Of course, you will likely be paying a bit more for the school system, since their aid also faces a reduction. And, other costs will be increasing as well across the budget. We can sit back and hope that our growth will cover the state aid cut, but that may be setting us up for even more problems come this fall when we craft the 2010 budget.

I am not prepared to say exactly what we will do with next year's budget. There are several months to go before we begin to tackle the issues, and the final budget deficit resolutions have many versions to go through. The Governor has proposed some "cuts", including furloughs and layoffs, but they do not come close to closing the gap. The main thing we can do, you and I, is to keep informed on all of the proposals, understand their impacts, ask tough questions, and demand thorough answers. And keep in mind, that the day of reckoning for the state is here, and the federal government's may not be far behind due to our recent borrowing and spending habits.

CITY COUNCIL SCHEDULE FOR MAY

The Council will meet with the Ripon Area School Board at 6:00 p.m. this Monday (May 11th) at City Hall, followed by our regular meeting at 7:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, May 27th, the Council will meet with the Plan Commission at 6:00 p.m., followed by our regular meeting at 7:30 p.m.

CITY OF RIPON OPEN HOUSES

Senior Center Open House May 16, 2009
The Ripon Senior Center in conjunction with Senior Center Week will be holding an open house at our new location in the City Building on Saturday, May 16, 2009 from 2:00 - 4:00 PM. Enter through the lower level entrance in the back of city hall off Jefferson Street . Entertainment. Refreshments. Hope to see you there!

Fire District and Ambulance Open House May 16, 2009

On Saturday, May 16, the Ripon Area Fire District and Ripon Guardian Ambulance will be hosting an open house in support of EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Week. This event will be held at the new fire station, 515 Aspen Street, just off of hwy 23, west of Union Street, right behind Baird GM.

The public is welcome to stop by the fire station between 9:00 AM and Noon to have an opportunity to look and learn about the many emergency services that are available to our community. Everyone will have the opportunity on this day to tour the new fire station, get an up close look at the district’s fire equipment, emergency vehicles, and chat with fire fighters and EMS personnel.

Oshkosh Truck Corporation and the Department of Natural Resources will be on site to display heavy unit vehicles. Other specialty units from around the area, including a Hazard Material Team, Hover Craft, Flight for Life Helicopter, Princeton Dive Team and Law Enforcement will also be present to show their equipment and have information material.

2009 SPRING CLEAN UP

The city of Ripon will open the compost site for a free one-time disposal of bulk items that do not fit in the regular garbage can. The city will not be picking up at curb side.

The compost site on Berlin Road will be open for this activity
Tuesday, May 26, 9 AM - 6 PM
Saturday, May 30, 9 AM - 3:30 PM
Tuesday, June 2, 9 AM - 6 PM
Saturday, June 6, 9 AM - 3:30 PM

The following rules apply:
. One load (pickup truck size) per household
. Must be able to prove city residency
. No recyclables (cardboards, papers, tin cans, glass bottles, #1&2 plastics
. No tires
. Nothing containing freon (refrigerators, air conditioners, dehumidifiers)
. No microwaves
. No computers, monitors, keyboards
. No hazardous wastes or paints
. No construction or demolition materials
Not sure what to do with the items the city can't take? Click on this link for companies who can help.

RUSHING THE SMOKING BAN, DEMOCRAT-STYLE

SOURCE: The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Madison - State Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Waunakee) has given the public barely 24 hours notice before holding a hearing on a bill to ban smoking that is suddenly racing through the Legislature.
The ban on smoking in workplaces, including restaurants and bars, stalled in recent years but is now on a fast track. The law requires public hearings to be announced at least 24 hours in advance, and often legislators announce them days or even weeks ahead of time. Erpenbach, who is chairman of the Senate Health Committee, posted a notice about the hearing on the smoking ban 24 hours and 35 minutes in advance. "Adhering to a 24-hour notice is absolutely ludicrous," said Peter Fox, executive director of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association, noting that people from northern Wisconsin would have almost no chance of attending the forum.

* First of all, I am opposed to the smoking ban. Tobacco remains legal, and, after hearing all the wonderful things we can fund with the additional tobacco revenue, we should actually be encouraging its use (NOTE: Tongue-in-cheek saracasm there folks)
* Why rush this? As the article noted, most hearings have considerable lead time before they are held. What has happened that has led Mr. Erpenbach to try and fast-track this legislation? It simply appears that he has come down with mandatitis, an illness where the prevailing party (and it can be Republicans as well), believe they can do just about anything because the people have given them the power to do so. This is similar to what happened to the federal stimulus bill, which was passed before many, if any, of our lawmakers had a chance to read it.
* I find Mr. Fox's comments interesting, but disingenuous. I also find it ludicrous that the WNA has resisted legislation to allow cities to post notices on the Internet, despite the fact we are in the 21st century, therefore requiring municipalities to rack up large bills with local newspapers to meet archaic and outdated posting requirements, but that is an argument for another day.