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Category: State news

Letter: Student involvement is key to taking Wisc. back

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Daily Cardinal

Last week, thousands gathered near the Capitol to celebrate as nearly two million signatures were delivered to the Government Accountability Board in the culmination of the effort to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, and three other state senators. Representing a stunning 46% of the 2010 electorate, the more than one million signatures submitted for the recall of Scott Walker announced loud and clear that Wisconsinites are ready to put their state back on track. Students at UW-Madison have been hurt badly by Walker?s policies, and they played an important part in the recall.

Voter IDs available Monday

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Daily Cardinal

In response to the new Wisconsin Voter ID law that requires voters to present valid state-issued photo identification at the polls, the Union South?s Wiscard office will distribute UW-Madison voter ID cards to those who present a valid Wiscard.

Campuses Ramp Up Student Voting Efforts

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U.S. News and World Report

Noted: On Monday, the Madison Student Vote Coalition in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin-Madison will roll out a campuswide program to issue new student ID cards that they then can use to register to vote. These new cards would be especially beneficial to out-of-state students without passports and no other alternative and acceptable identification.

Paul Soglin: Waxing America: WIAA Tournament in Madison in Jeopardy?

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The city of Madison and the University of Wisconsin are in a continuing partnership. UW Athletic Director Barry Alvarez needs to balance the university?s interests and its need to generate revenue with the Wisconsin Idea – reaching to the boundaries of the state. The UW serves the entire state of Wisconsin and these high school basketball players work for years to be able to earn the chance to play at the Kohl Center. State high school basketball tournaments were meant to be played on the hardwood floor of the major state university basketball team. This is an instance where the city and the university partnership to serve the state must take precedence.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained? New state-backed venture capital fund pushed

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Capital Times

The lack of investment dollars for new business ventures has long been an issue in Wisconsin. It has become even more pressing in a state that has lost jobs for the past five straight months while the nation as a whole has been adding them. Legislators from both sides of the political aisle are now pushing for some kind of taxpayer-backed venture capital fund that would invest in promising young companies in fields such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals or medical equipment. The hope is those investment dollars will help firms flourish, hire more employees, grow the tax base and improve the overall economic climate.

Conservative think tank states case for tying teacher pay to success of a school

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Capital Times

A conservative-leaning think tank issued a report this past week that proposes a Wisconsin teacher compensation system designed to give principals who oversee high-performing schools additional resources to reward educators in the building. The study from the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute (WPRI) — “A Modern Teacher Compensation System for Wisconsin” — is an interesting read, a timely topic and, of course, controversial. In fact, a UW-Madison researcher notes a similar system has already been tried in New York City and failed to produce positive results.

Adam Gamoran, a UW-Madison professor of sociology and educational policy studies, says that while research clearly shows some teachers are much more effective than others, what’s not so clear is which attributes these top educators share and whether or not it’s even possible to lead them to teaching more effectively with incentives. UW-Madison’s Allan Odden, a professor of educational leadership and policy analysis, is glad WPRI took the time to publish its report because he agrees the current structure is outdated.

Keep March madness in Madison

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Wisconsin State Journal

Everyone seems to be trying, so we?ll give some credit for that. But here?s our message to the WIAA and UW officials who are looking for options to keep the girls and boys state high school basketball tournaments in Madison: Try harder. Nothing against the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon, touted as a likely alternative site to the over-scheduled Kohl Center in Madison. No doubt the Resch is a fine facility, and the Green Bay area knows a little about hosting big events. But the high school basketball state championships belong in Madison.

Campus Connection: UW-Madison gym classes latest victim of state budget cuts

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Capital Times

UW-Madison?s School of Education is phasing out many of its popular one-credit physical education classes and suspending a master?s program for those who want to become school counselors in an effort to deal with state budget cuts. “There is this perception that the state can continue to make cuts and everything at the university will run just exactly like it was,” says UW-Madison Professor Bruce Wampold, who recently concluded his term as chair of the counseling psychology department, which houses the master?s program that?s being cut. “Well, it doesn?t work that way.”

Why we love our Green Bay Packers

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Isthmus

UW-Madison Scandinavian Studies professor James Leary believes our sense of place in Wisconsin has a lot to do with it. “The root-for-the-home-team stance is a ubiquitous sports phenomenon,” says Leary. “So like fans everywhere, we love the Pack because they?re ours. But because we?re from Wisconsin we have a special relationship with our state and, by extension with our state?s team.”

State seeks new firm to run EdVest college savings program

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wisconsin is looking for a new firm to run its EdVest and Tomorrow?s Scholar college savings programs. Wells Fargo Funds Management, which inherited the duties after it purchased Strong Capital Management Inc. of Menomonee Falls in 2004, has told state officials it won?t rebid for the program.

Interim UW Chancellor Ward defends silence in Chadima case

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Wisconsin State Journal

Interim UW-Madison Chancellor David Ward is defending the university?s silence about an investigation involving a former top athletic official accused of misconduct. In a statement Wednesday, Ward said he understands the public has questions about what led to the investigation of John Chadima, who resigned as senior associate athletic director Friday, but he asked for patience as an independent panel reviews the matter. But not disclosing the nature of the allegations against Chadima allows for speculation, observers said.

State Lawmaker Weighs In On UW’s Chadima Inquiry

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WISC-TV 3

MADISON, Wis. — A state lawmaker is taking issue with the University of Wisconsin-Madison?s investigation into allegations of misconduct against the school?s former associate athletic director. The office of State Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, released a statement on Wednesday that called on interim UW Chancellor David Ward “to make immediate changes to the inquiry” of senior associate athletic director John Chadima, who resigned last Friday after the allegations surfaced.

Wis. prisoner accused of starting a fake university

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Madison.com

A lifelong con man imprisoned in Wisconsin is accused of starting a fake university from prison. The state Department of Justice charged 45-year-old Kenneth Shong with felony fraudulent writings in Winnebago County. According to the complaint, Shong was at the Oshkosh Correctional Institution in 2006 when he encouraged another inmate to enroll in “Carlingford University,” saying it granted degrees.

Walker unveils new council to prep students for college, jobs

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Wisconsin State Journal

Gov. Scott Walker announced Monday he is creating a new council to help better prepare students for college and careers. The move comes after Walker and the Legislature last year cut $71 million over two years from funding for Wisconsin?s technical colleges, whose primary mission is to train students for available jobs. Democrats and others criticized that cut and a $250 million reduction in funding for the University of Wisconsin System as harmful to worker training efforts.

Q&A with Kevin Reilly: ‘We’re going to do the best we can’

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Wisconsin State Journal

This story appeared first in the Sunday edition of the Wisconsin State Journal. UW System President Kevin Reilly said the state?s universities may need to cap enrollment if budget cuts continue, possibly jeopardizing a long-term plan to increase the number of UW graduates 30 percent by 2025.

“We don?t want to send a signal we?re going to do that and push students away from considering the university,” Reilly said. “On the other hand, if we feel we have to do that at some point to maintain the quality in the System, then I think we have to consider it.”

Walker unveils new council to prep students for college, jobs

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Wisconsin State Journal

Gov. Scott Walker announced Monday he is creating a new council to help better prepare students for college and careers. The move comes after Walker and the Legislature last year cut $71 million over two years from funding for Wisconsin?s technical colleges, whose primary mission is to train students for available jobs. Democrats and others criticized that cut and a $250 million reduction in funding for the University of Wisconsin System as harmful to worker training efforts.

On Campus: Who paid for Gov. Walker’s trip to the Rose Bowl?

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Wisconsin State Journal

Who paid for Gov. Scott Walker?s trip to southern California last weekend, where he mixed campaign fundraising with official Rose Bowl duties? UW-Madison listed Walker as part of its “official delegation” — which typically means the university pays for airfare and hotel stays. But in this case, his campaign paid for all his airfare and one night?s hotel stay, said Ciara Matthews, Walker?s campaign spokeswoman. Walker flew to California Thursday to attend political events. The campaign paid for his hotel stay Thursday night, Matthews said, and all costs up until 6:30 p.m. Friday when his official duties kicked in.

Merger with Pamida to let Shopko expand to smaller towns

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Wisconsin State Journal

Jerry O?Brien, executive director of the Kohl?s Center for Retailing Excellence at UW-Madison, believes the move to focus on smaller communities could be a boon for the Shopko brand and its customers.”To find new places right now with the growth that Target and Walmart have had is very challenging,” O?Brien said. “I think it?s really good for these towns. Some of these more outlying towns are not very well served. This will be fun to watch.”

Laptop City Hall: City Council urges state to give tuition break to children of undocumented workers

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Capital Times

The Madison City Council unanimously approved a resolution urging the state to once again allow children of undocumented workers in Wisconsin to qualify for in-state tuition to public colleges. It is highly doubtful the Council?s action Tuesday, one of its first decisions of 2012, will lead GOP state legislators to rethink their recent repeal of a short-lived law that had made Wisconsin one of 12 states to provide such reduced tuition to these students.

Five people to watch in 2012

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Wisconsin State Journal

Each year, the Wisconsin State Journal selects five newsmakers from the worlds of sports, business, politics and the arts who will be confronted with momentous decisions ? or asked to deliver on past promises ? in the coming year. Among those selected for 2012 are UW System President Kevin Reilly and Badger women’s basketball coach Bobbie Kelsey.

Ask the Weather Guys: What were the top Wisconsin weather events for 2011?

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Wisconsin State Journal

Each season in 2011 had a memorable weather event, some with negative impacts. There were two good snow storms in February. The Groundhog Day blizzard had wind gusts of up to 60 mph and snowfall depths ranging from 1 to 2 feet. That resulted in snow drifts of 6 to 10 feet. The second storm occurred on February 20-21 with snow accumulations between 8 and 15 inches. Freezing rain and sleet also fell across southern Wisconsin.

….During the year, 10 people were directly killed by weather events: one person from a blizzard, one from lightning, one from a tornado, one from non-tornadic thunderstorm winds, one from flooding and five during the July heat wave.

Wis. Recall Organizers To Stake Out Rose Bowl

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WISC-TV 3

MADISON, Wis.– Wisconsin residents won?t get a respite from recall mania at the Rose Bowl. Organizers of the drive to oust Republican Gov. Scott Walker from office plan to travel to Pasadena for Monday?s big game, which pits Wisconsin against Oregon. They plan to hold a rally before the game and solicit signatures from Wisconsin residents and students attending the game.

Campus Connection: UW-Madison’s 2011 year in review

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Capital Times

It was generally not a good year for public higher education in Wisconsin. In particular, 2011 was an especially frustrating period for many associated with UW-Madison. Wisconsin?s flagship institution of higher education lost its once-popular chancellor, Biddy Martin, to a highly regarded but small liberal arts college in Massachusetts following a political defeat at the state Capitol. The university, like all UW System institutions, is absorbing record-setting budget cuts as state leaders try to dig out of a budget hole without raising taxes. And UW-Madison?s highly regarded faculty and staff — again, like their counterparts across the state — not only learned they?d go another biennium without raises, but were forced to take a cut in take-home pay. Although few seem overly optimistic entering 2012, it can?t get any worse than this past year. Right?

This is what 2011 looks like: a year of politics, protests, sports triumphs and more

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Wisconsin State Journal

….At UW-Madison, it was bye, bye Biddy after Biddy Martin, the popular chancellor, abruptly announced in June she was bailing for the president?s job at Amherst College in Massachusetts. The move came after her push to split UW-Madison from the other 25 campuses in the system, rejected by lawmakers after an outcry from UW System leaders. For her temporary replacement, the university turned to David Ward, a familiar face on campus who previously served as UW-Madison chancellor from 1993 to 2000. Students showed they could still get their drunk on, gathering in April for the annual Mifflin Street block party and turning it into a crime scene: two stabbings, three sexual assaults, three substantial batteries, four strong-armed robberies and numerous reports of property damage, according to Madison police, who have joined Soglin in calls to end the annual event.

Chris Rickert: $23.5 million of misplaced prevention

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Wisconsin State Journal

I have to admit, I?m a little disappointed in our new budget-conscious secretary of the state Department of Health Services. So, Dennis Smith is cool with cutting government health insurance coverage for the poor to save the state money, but when it comes to saving $23.5 million aimed at getting people to do what they already know they should do ? stop smoking, eat right and generally live more healthful lives ? he caves? A few months ago, Smith declined to write a letter supporting UW-Madison?s bid for the $23.5 million, five-year federal grant.

50 vets who served in Iraq, Afghanistan to get trip to Rose Bowl

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Wisconsin State Journal

Veterans groups are rounding up 50 service members who recently returned from Iraq or Afghanistan for a trip to the Rose Bowl. The Badger Trips travel agency is donating airfare, three nights lodging, transportation in California, and game tickets, the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs announced Wednesday. Participants will be chosen by Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, the Military Honor of the Purple Heart, AmVets, the Wisconsin National Guard and Vets for Vets. College Travel Experts is helping coordinate the trip.

In a town with vivid history of campus protests, where are the youthful 99%?

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Capital Times

It was the Monday afternoon of finals week on the UW-Madison campus, and Noah Phillips still had two reports to write and two exams to take before wrapping up his second semester as a Badger. After spending three weeks immersed in the Occupy Madison movement shortly after it organized on Oct. 7, the freshman from Washington, D.C., admitted he needed to “finish the year strong” after missing some quizzes and falling behind on his schoolwork. And yet, Phillips wasn?t hunkered down in his campus dorm room banging out the reports or trekking to a campus library for a marathon study session. He was in the state Capitol on Dec. 19 with a few hundred others to take part in the Solidarity Singalong, a vocal vigil that?s been held every weekday since March 11 to rail on Gov. Scott Walker and his anti-union legislation.

Campus Connection: Walker’s lapse plan another big blow to UW System

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Capital Times

Efforts by the University of Wisconsin System to have its disproportionate hit in state aid reconsidered have failed. On Friday, Gov. Scott Walker?s administration released its plan for cutting $123 million across state government by July, the Associated Press reports. This lapse — or one-time budget cut — was called for under the 2011-13 biennial budget passed earlier this year. And the UW System is absorbing the biggest hit, a whopping $46.1 million.

State gives green light to Memorial Union renovation

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The first phase of a $52 million renovation project at UW-Madison?s Memorial Union won approval from the State Building Commission, part of the Lakefront Gateway project that is expected to transform the campus waterfront on Lake Mendota. The commission OK?d about $82 million in projects last Wednesday for projects at campuses in the University of Wisconsin system, with the lion?s share of the projects planned at the Madison campus.

Federal health grants available for communities

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Wisconsin State Journal

Communities around Wisconsin can apply next month for a share of a $23.5 million federal grant that state officials initially opposed but that was eventually awarded to UW-Madison to prevent chronic diseases. The five-year grant, awarded in September, targets three efforts: smoke-free apartment complexes, access to exercise and fresh foods, and heart disease screening in underserved areas.

The grant will boost disease prevention programs around the state, said Tom Sieger, prevention coordinator for UW-Madison’s University Health Services.

Walker releases details of budget cuts; UW System to take biggest hit

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Wisconsin State Journal

The University of Wisconsin System will have to cut another $46.1 million over six months, on top of a previously approved $250 million two-year reduction, under a detailed budget-balancing plan Gov. Scott Walker?s administration released Friday. The new cut to UW was part of $213.2 million in additional reductions ordered to be made across state government. The amount in cuts was approved under the budget passed in June but not specified until Friday. Walker?s Department of Administration ordered agencies to make the cuts without layoffs, if possible.

Biz Beat: Jobs report notes high number of Wisconsin layoffs

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Capital Times

There are more mixed signals on the Wisconsin jobs scene. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Thursday released a report showing Wisconsin with the second-highest number of unemployment claims from mass layoff events in the nation last month. A “mass layoff” is any event affecting at least 50 workers, according to the BLS. Its mass layoff report for November estimated Wisconsin with 90 such events in the month, impacting 9,359 individuals.

“The tilt against manufacturing over the last few months is hitting Wisconsin pretty hard,” says Laura Dresser, a labor economist with the Center on Wisconsin Strategy, a UW-Madison think tank.

State Building Commission approves projects

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WKOW-TV 27

MADISON (WKOW) — The State Building Commission approved several projects on Wednesday. They include renovation of Dairy Science facilities at UW-Madison….”The projects approved today represent important investments in our state,” Governor Walker said Wednesday. “I am pleased that the Building Commission was able come together to work in a bipartisan fashion.”

Board eyes investigation of 10 doctors who signed questionable sick notes

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Wisconsin State Journal

The state Medical Examining Board is looking into investigating at least 10 doctors not previously disciplined for writing sick notes the Madison School District considered fraudulent. The review, which started Monday, was triggered by a State Journal article Saturday, said Greg Gasper, spokesman for the state Department of Safety and Professional Services.

….The UW School of Medicine and Public Health reviewed 22 doctors said to have been involved in writing questionable sick notes and disciplined at least a dozen of them. The university hasn’t released the specific actions, saying the process isn’t complete.

Sen. Mary Lazich: Self-funded UW athletics a boon for economy

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Capital Times

The UW athletic department is self-funded. The athletic department operating budget does not receive state aid. During the 2010-2011 academic year, the athletic department revenues were $81.7 million. The largest chunk, $27.3 million, was ticket sales, and its share of Big Ten Conference revenue was $23.3 million. Other revenue is derived from private and corporate gifts, $13.8 million, and concessions, $6.8 million. The athletic department?s revenue covers salaries, operating expenses, and athlete scholarships.During recent years, returns on investments have been twofold. UW teams have been very successful on the field. On-field success leads to more merchandise sales, more paid attendance, and more television and postseason revenue. Businesses throughout the state, including bars, restaurants and clothing stores, benefit from UW athletics.

According to an April 2011 study by NorthStar Economics Inc., the UW athletic department has a total economic impact of nearly $1 billion on the state of Wisconsin. The NorthStar study revealed 8,853 jobs were created and supported, and nearly $53 million of tax revenue was generated by the athletic department.The last line of a popular song played at UW sports games is, ?When you say Wisconsin, you?ve said it all.? The self-funded athletic department might not literally do it all; however, it has a significant impact on the state?s economy, without costing taxpayers a dime.

Expanded alcohol sale hours won’t apply in Madison, police say

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Capital Times

A new Wisconsin law expanding the hours alcohol can be sold by retailers won?t apply in the city of Madison, according to the Madison Police Department. That?s because municipal ordinances can be more restrictive than the state law, according to the language in 2011 Wisconsin Act 97, which amends the state statutes regarding how many hours in a day a business can sell alcohol.

Biz Beat: Walker’s budget cuts are costing state private jobs, report warns

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Capital Times

A liberal-leaning Milwaukee think tank is out with a new report blaming state budget program cuts and public worker paycheck reductions for exacerbating Wisconsin?s job struggles. The report from the Institute for Wisconsin?s Future says the reduction in take-home pay for tens of thousands of public employees is now hurting the private sector, as are the drastic state budget cuts for K-12 education. Steve Deller, an economics professor at UW-Madison, says that reducing spending during a deep recession can often make things worse, as this blog chart suggests.

“Economic modeling shows that the extreme cuts to state and local programs cost thousands of jobs and put Wisconsin in a weak position to create jobs,” says Deller, who appeared at the Capitol on Tuesday with Norman and Rep. Brett Hulsey, D-Madison, to introduce the IWF report.

Campus Connection: Walker order requires UW employees to report child abuse or neglect

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Capital Times

Gov. Scott Walker signed an executive order Monday requiring all University of Wisconsin System employees to report instances of child abuse or neglect to the police or a local child protective services agency. Many in the state — including healthcare workers, K-12 teachers and child-care providers — already have mandatory reporting requirements, and Monday?s action extends those mandates to those who work within the UW System.

On Campus: Fewer instructors and courses because of budget cuts, UW official says

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Wisconsin State Journal

University of Wisconsin System campuses may have fewer instructors and course offerings under a proposed one-time state budget cut of $65.8 million over two years, according to UW System President Kevin Reilly. Reilly wrote a letter last week to Brian Hayes, state budget director, outlining how the University of Wisconsin System would manage the cuts that Gov. Scott Walker?s administration unveiled in October.