The Voter ID bill debated into the early hours of Wednesday morning ended the night without a final vote.
UPDATE: Voter ID fight ends without vote, delayed until Thursday
WKOW-TV 27
Category: State news
Senate Dems block Voter ID
Wisconsin Radio Network
A late night debate on a bill that requires voters to show photo identification ends with Senate Democrats delaying its passage. During debate, Senator Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) was among Democrats who expressed concerns about rural citizens not having access to a DMV to get a state issued ID. She says in some areas, the service centers are only open once a month.
Round 2 on tap at state Capitol
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Numbers from the state Department of Administration and the University of Wisconsin-Madison show how important the dues of public-employee union members are to those unions – dues Walker?s changes would dramatically cut, if not eliminate.
In one year, UW-Madison unionized workers and workers in agencies of state government controlled by the governor, paid $13.9 million in union dues, And, of that total, $8.2 million – or 59% – went to the Wisconsin State Employees Union.
Three decades of shrinking support for UW (Milwaukee News Buzz)
State support for the UW System now makes up less than a quarter of the system?s total spending, according to a new report from the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance. Decades ago, state dollars funded almost half of the university system?s needs, but today, the colleges are far more dependent on tuition and fees paid by students. Lawmakers are considering Gov. Scott Walker?s proposal to split off UW-Madison as a public authority.
Is the UWs New Badger Partnership good for business? (IBMadison.com)
Breakups are always hard, and UW-Madisons request for a split from the rest of the UW System through the proposed New Badger Partnership has evoked passions worthy of an epic love affair. Of course, in every breakup, friends are asked to take sides, and one might fairly ask whose side Madisons and Wisconsins business communities should be on.
Thousands gather at Capitol to ?keep the pressure on? Walker
Wisconsin State Journal
Thousands of protesters massed at the Capitol on Saturday in an effort to show that outrage over Gov. Scott Walker?s budget proposals is not dead, three months after he unveiled his plan to curtail collective bargaining rights for public workers.
Campus Connection: Compromise plan in works for UW-Madison split
Capital Times
Rep. Pat Strachota, R-West Bend, is working on a compromise proposal that could keep UW-Madison within the University of Wisconsin System — but would grant Wisconsin?s flagship institution its own board within the Board of Regents. The details of how such a body might be set up and operate, however, remain in the development stage.
Madison360: Barrett steps up, but for another shot at Walker?
“What I saw early this year (in Madison) was not our Wisconsin. You clearly had ideological forces trying to divide rather than bring us together.”
Another example of dividing people is Walker?s effort to try to split the “flagship university” from the rest of the system, a reference to the plan Walker developed with UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin to separate the UW-Madison campus from the rest of the UW System. Walker is acting more as a king than a governor, according to a Barrett speech line.
Campus Connection: UW student government ‘neutral’ on New Badger Partnership
Capital Times
The University of Wisconsin-Madison?s student government voted Saturday to stress it neither supports nor opposes Gov. Scott Walker?s proposal to grant Wisconsin?s flagship institution public authority status and break it away from the rest of the UW System.
The 18th session of the Associated Students of Madison?s Student Council passed a resolution which reads, in part, that it “remains neutral on the New Badger Partnership until the 18th session feels sufficient dialogue with (the) student body has been accomplished.”
Ted Voth Jr.: Don?t let Walker destroy the UW we love
Capital Times
Dear Editor: I did a Jericho march on Sunday ? seven times around the Capitol Square. Many UW-Madison graduates were out being photographed by their proud parents. I congratulated them, the grads and their parents. Also congratulated them on possibly being the last class to graduate from the UW. All but a very few of the grads knew exactly what I meant.
Harry Peterson: Proposed UW System split is bad for UW-Madison
Capital Times
….the chancellor is pushing a new argument, insisting that the only way to save UW-Madison from certain peril is to split from the UW System, creating an independent governing structure for the flagship campus. This is a major departure from the earlier argument, and many people think it is a bad idea ? both for UW-Madison and the other UW campuses.
I write as a longtime administrator at the UW-Madison and former chief of staff to Chancellor Donna Shalala. For eight of those years, I spent a great deal of time lobbying in the state Capitol for the university. I strongly agree that the restrictions on construction, hiring and budgeting should be changed. A separate governing board for the UW-Madison, however, would be harmful to my university.
Chris Rickert: Guns vs. votes: You can?t shoot someone with a ballot
Wisconsin State Journal
Noted: Research by three UW-Madison professors on election fraud in Wisconsin
Sen. Kohl’s departure keeps spotlight on Wisconsin
Madison.com
Quoted: Charles Franklin, a founder of pollster.com and a University of Wisconsin political science professor.
Wis. Dems unveil job plan
Madison.com
Senate Democrats have unveiled a package of tax credits they say are designed to create jobs. Their plan includes 15 health and bioscience positions at the the University of Wisconsin-Madison?s Institutes for Discovery. The package has little chance of becoming law.
Wis. Dems unveil job plan (AP)
Chicago Tribune
Noted: They also want to create a venture capital investment fund, provide the University of Wisconsin-Madison?s Institutes for Discovery with 15 health and bioscience positions and fund 20 positions at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?s School of Freshwater Science and School of Public Health.
Letter: Make UW-Madison a separate entity (Herald Times Reporter)
Increasingly, government entities are required to run more like businesses. UW-Madison is no exception. To that end, the university seeks a New Badger Partnership with the state that allows it to search out efficiencies, recruit top talent and set priorities like any private company does. As Wisconsin?s major research university, UW-Madison requires a different way of doing business and should be established as a public authority.
Stoughton struggles to keep Norwegian heritage alive
Wisconsin State Journal
It?s easy to claim some Norwegian pride this weekend when up to 30,000 people flood Stoughton streets to sample lutefisk and admire rosemaling during the annual Syttende Mai celebration. But maintaining that heritage the other 51 weeks of the year has been difficult as fewer people in this city south of Madison identify with Norwegian ancestry and local Norwegian groups face declining and aging membership.
….Part of the challenge could be that young people with European ancestry are less likely than their parents or grandparents to immediately associate with their ethnicity – a trend Jim Leary, who teaches folklore and Scandinavian studies at UW-Madison, has noticed in his classroom over the last decade.
Chancellor: No concealed carry on UW campus
Capital Times
UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin is urging state lawmakers to exempt university property from any legislation allowing residents to legally carry concealed weapons.
“All grounds and facilities are already off-limits to the open carry law currently in effect,” Martin said in a news release Thursday. “It is a long-held tradition that no weapons should be allowed on campus.”
Aaron M. Brower: Why UW-Madison needs more flexibility
Capital Times
Granting public authority status to the University of Wisconsin-Madison would help us provide a better, richer and more valuable experience for our 29,000 undergraduate students. With public authority, we would offer more of the kinds of educational experiences that students ? and employers ? want us to provide.
Big union rally planned on Capitol Square on Saturday
Capital Times
Families in town for college graduation ceremonies this weekend can check out or join protests at the State Capitol, where a big “We Are Wisconsin” rally is set for Saturday afternoon. The Wisconsin AFL-CIO is calling on its union members to rally again against Gov. Scott Walker, the Republican-dominated Legislature and legislation drastically limiting collective bargaining for public workers.
UW-Madison Chancellor, campuses should be exempt for concealed weapons (WTAQ-AM, Sheboygan)
UW-Madison chancellor Biddy Martin says any law that allows concealed weapons in Wisconsin should exempt university property.
Gun advocates in Wisconsin make case for concealed carry (AP)
MADISON ? The time has finally come to let Wisconsin citizens carry concealed weapons, gun advocates told state lawmakers Thursday.
Battle over UW-system continues
Wisconsin Radio Network
The battle over the future of the University of Wisconsin System continues. UW-System leaders Wednesday sent an open letter to all state legislators calling for new leadership flexibility, as contained in their Wisconsin Idea Partnership.
Concealed carry bill gets a hearing
Wisconsin Radio Network
Concealed carry legislation was the subject of a public hearing at the Capitol on Thursday.
Concealed carry supporters turn out for public hearings
WKOW-TV 27
MADISON (WKOW) ? There are three proposals to allow people to carry a concealed weapon but even more opinions on how it should be done. That is why lawmakers held a public hearing on the topic Thursday.
UW Chancellor Urges Concealed Carry Exemption For Campus Property
WISC-TV 3
MADISON, Wis. — University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin is urging state lawmakers to exempt university property from any legislation allowing state residents to legally carry concealed weapons.
Hearing On Concealed Carry Gets Large Turnout
WISC-TV 3
MADISON, Wis. — At a packed public hearing at the state Capitol on Thursday, supporters and opponents weighed in on a bill all that would allow residents to carry concealed weapons.
UW-Madison wrong to call for system split
Wisconsin?s state universities need a new business model. It is mistaken to see the best first step as allowing UW-Madison to go it alone. [Letter to the editor from Robert L. Burns].
Campus Connection: Leaders of UW System, UW-Madison remain divided
Capital Times
Catching up on a couple higher education-related items …
** Leaders from across the University of Wisconsin System — at least those not affiliated with UW-Madison — continue to push hard for statutory changes which would allow all UW campuses some long-sought freedoms from state oversight.
** UW-Madison is closing in on hiring a new dean of its Law School.
** Song Jin, an associate professor in UW-Madison’s department of chemistry, was honored as a Scialog Fellow and awarded a $100,000 grant for “enabling solar energy conversion using rational and scalable growth of 1D nanomaterials made of inexpensive semiconductors.” According to a news release, these solar energy grants are designed to fund innovative research that can be quickly applied and developed by business and industry.
** It’s hard to believe it’s graduation time once again. Philanthropists John and Tashia Morgridge will deliver the charge to the graduates at UW-Madison’s four undergraduate commencement ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday at the Kohl Center.
GOP: $636M boost to Wis. Budget won’t help unions
Madison.com
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker refused Wednesday to back down from his plan to take away nearly all collective bargaining rights from most public workers and force them to pay more for benefits, despite news that the state?s budget is in better shape than previously expected. Walker pushed for the collective bargaining concessions as a way to help address the state?s projected $3.6 billion budget shortfall. But on Wednesday, a new economic forecast said the state will receive $636 million more in tax collections than expected when Walker unveiled his plan _ almost double what would be saved through forcing workers to pay more for health and insurance benefits. No matter the spin, the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau?s more positive economic forecast will almost certainly increase the pressure on Walker and the Legislature to rethink some of the most dramatic cuts in the governor?s budget. Those include $1 billion in cuts to schools and local governments, a $250 million cut to the University of Wisconsin System, and changes to the popular SeniorCare prescription drug program.
Wis. Assembly passes voter ID bill
Madison.com
The Wisconsin state Assembly passed a bill Wednesday requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls, a longtime priority of Republicans who finally have the power to enact the law this year. The Assembly passed the bill 60-35, despite objections from Democrats who argued the new photo ID requirement, along with other changes affecting voter registration and qualifications to vote, will create chaos and confusion at the polls. One addition allows students to use college IDs. At one point, the bill would have required the student?s address and date of birth to be on the cards. Those requirements were taken off after security concerns were raised by UW-Madison, because the cards also provide access to residence halls. Under the version passed Wednesday, the ID cards must include the student?s signature and expiration date no farther out than two years after the card was issued. University of Wisconsin IDs currently do not meet that criteria, meaning they would have to be redone to be used by students to vote.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker stands firm on unions despite $636M tax revenue increase (AP)
Green Bay Press-Gazette
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker refused Wednesday to back down from his plan to take away nearly all collective bargaining rights from most public workers and force them to pay more for benefits, despite news that the state?s budget is in better shape than previously expected.
Voter ID bill far from perfect (Herald Times Reporter)
A bill that requires Wisconsin voters to produce photo identification at the polls is almost certain to pass the Legislature.
UW-Madison could become independent school (WFRV-TV, Green Bay)
The battle over the future of UW-Madison continues. In his two year budget proposal, Gov. Scott Walker suggested breaking the university off from the current UW-System.
Assembly approves voter ID bill
Wisconsin Radio Network
After nearly seven hours of debate, the state Assembly on Wednesday night passed a controversial bill requiring voters to show a photo ID at the polls. State Representative Jeff Stone (R-Greendale) says it will help prevent fraud at the ballot box, and sets a hurdle 95-percent of voters can already overcome.
$636 million windfall could help state budget
Wisconsin Radio Network
Wisconsin will get more revenue than previously estimated.
Walker responds to revenue projections
Wisconsin Radio Network
Governor Scott Walker says encouraging new state revenue projections don?t change the need for changes to collective bargaining. The state is projected to collect some $636 million dollars over the next two years, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau and state Revenue Department.
Voter ID bill passes Assembly; headed to Senate
WKOW-TV 27
After more than six hours of debate, the Wisconsin State Assembly passed a bill Wednesday requiring people to show certain forms of identification before voting. The bill will be brought up in the Senate next week.
New tax collection projection shows $636 million boost for Wis.
WKOW-TV 27
MADISON (WKOW) — New income projections released by the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau show the state should collect $636 million in tax revenue by the end of 2013.
State Budget Gets $636 Million Boost
WISC-TV 3
Wisconsin?s budget has gotten a $636 million boost over three years thanks to a new, improved tax collection projection.
Assembly Passes Voter ID Bill
WISC-TV 3
Republicans who control the Wisconsin state Assembly have passed a bill that will require voters show photo identification at the polls.
Revenue forecast improves; GOP says concessions still needed (AP)
Republican legislative leaders sought to dampen enthusiasm over an improved budget forecast Wednesday, saying the $636 million in additional tax revenue shouldn?t be used for new spending or to replace savings that would come from forced benefit concessions from state workers.
On Campus: University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor reaches out to 130,000 alumni by phone
Wisconsin State Journal
About 130,000 UW-Madison alumni in the state of Wisconsin got a recorded message from Chancellor Biddy Martin last night, inviting them to take part in a Tele-Town Hall. Paid for by the Wisconsin Alumni Association, alumni who stayed on the line could take part in a one-hour conversation with Martin about the budget proposal for public authority status for UW-Madison, known as the New Badger Partnership.
Madison360: Biddy Martin has right diagnosis but the wrong remedy
Capital Times
First, let?s pause to celebrate. Over the past two decades, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has come to deserve the descriptor ?world-class research institution,? one that attracts more than $1 billion per year in grants.
And let?s stipulate to this: Really smart people agree that to protect and extend UW?s top-tier stature, its chancellor and other campus leaders need to have operational flexibility to compete in the global arena. And, further, let?s agree that other UW System schools would benefit from freedoms scaled to their situations.
….Martin clearly believes in her cause, that only through her version of change can UW-Madison succeed as an international player, but it appears to be time to punt.
UW?s players should let bygones be bygones and hope that the university?s brain trust ? which aptly describes the intellect and energy on campus ? can reunite to effectively confront the grave threat posed by dwindling state financial support and Capitol meddling.
So let?s applaud Martin for placing the issue in the brightest of lights and then turn quickly to achieving greater flexibility not only for UW-Madison but for the entire system, keenly mindful that Madison is vastly different from other schools.
Quoted: Former UW-Madison chancellor John Wiley.
Plain Talk: Walker needs national economy to soar
Capital Times
Scott Walker promised to create 250,000 jobs during his four years as governor providing he makes it that far and so he?s got his staff trumpeting every small sign that he may be on his way to that goal. Trouble is, in his zealousness to pat himself on the back at every uptick in the economy, he?s making himself look foolish ? even more so than he?s already done in just four months in office.
Mentioned: Professor emeritus of economics Don Nichols
Robert L. Burns: UW-Madison wrong to call for system split (LaCrosse Tribune)
Attempts to break the University of Wisconsin-Madison from the UW-System are wrong in their central view. Wisconsin?s state universities need a new business model. It is mistaken to see the best first step as allowing UW-Madison to go it alone.
Voter ID rules would impact July 12 recall elections (AP)
Fond Du Lac Reporter
The latest version of a bill requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls cleared the Legislature?s budget-writing committee after undergoing more changes that Democrats said will only lead to chaos and confusion.
Assembly to take up Voter ID Wednesday
WKOW-TV 27
Wednesday, the Assembly will take up the controversial Voter ID bill.
Stephanie Lee Swartz: Splitting off UW would benefit the entire state (LaCrosse Tribune)
Together, Wisconsin?s public universities, two-year colleges, technical schools and private institutions produce a highly educated workforce. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is proud to be a part of this collaboration and shared legacy of excellence.
Amended voter ID bill would take effect before recall elections
Wisconsin State Journal
Voters taking part in the upcoming recall elections would need photo identification, if the latest version of the controversial voter ID bill becomes law. The Legislature?s Joint Finance Committee passed an amended version of the photo ID bill Monday, removing a provision that required student IDs to carry correct addresses and moving up the date of implementation to immediately after the bill passes. The original bill required student IDs to carry a current address, birth date, signature and expiration date. Currently, no college or university ID used in the state, including from UW-Madison, meets those criteria.
John Roberts: UW-Madison is different, not elitist
Wisconsin State Journal
We are competing against research organizations and universities throughout the world for top researchers, students and research dollars. UW-Madison competes for and wins over $1 billion in research funds per year. This reflects the significant difference in the mission of UW-Madison and UW-Oshkosh. This is not elitism. The campuses are not better or worse than the other, just different. These different missions drive the need for a different set of operating rules.
Momentum building for state wolf hunt
Wisconsin State Journal
Quoted: Adrian Treves, a researcher with UW-Madison who surveys public opinion on wolves.
Hands on Wisconsin: Badger ball and chain
Wisconsin State Journal
I can?t resist an opportunity to draw Bucky, and I thought the ball and chain was a good metaphor for the relationship between the UW-Madison and the UW-System.
Bill requiring photo ID at polls passes committee
Madison.com
The latest version of a bill requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls cleared the Legislature?s budget-writing committee on Monday after undergoing more changes that Democrats said will only lead to chaos and confusion. The measure could clear the Legislature as soon as Wednesday. The version passed Monday would allow college IDs, but would not require them to include a student?s birth date or address. The expiration date would have to be no more than two years after the date the ID was issued. UW-Madison lobbyist Don Nelson said the latest version was an improvement.
UW School of Nursing gets unexpected $1 million donation in connection with Badgers’ spring game
Wisconsin State Journal
The University of Wisconsin athletic department contributed about $50,000 to the School of Nursing building project with funds generated from ticket sales at the spring football game. School of Nursing dean Katharyn May believes a $1 million donation received about three weeks prior to the spring game probably would not have happened without the affiliation with the football program. Fans were charged $5 for admission to the spring game, which had been free in past years. The official crowd was a disappointing 11,169, though UW athletic director Barry Alvarez remains committed to using the game as a fundraiser for campus projects. Proceeds from next year?s game will go to the Human Ecology department.
Momentum building for state wolf hunt
Wisconsin State Journal
(This story first appeared in the Sunday edition of the Wisconsin State Journal.)
With the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the verge of removing the gray wolf from endangered status, more calls are being heard in Wisconsin for a hunting season on the once rare animal.
Adrian Treves, a researcher with UW-Madison who surveys public opinion on wolves, said his work shows growing concern about the number of wolves and their presence in populated areas.
“There is a dramatic increase in the number of people who have heard or seen wolves on their lands,” Treves said. “That’s feeding their fears.”
Republicans seek Oshkosh professor?s emails (Milwaukee News Buzz)
The state Republican Party is requesting emails from a UW-Oshkosh professor who encouraged students to sign a recall petition seeking to remove State Sen. Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) from office.
State panel approves voter ID bill (AP)
Appleton Post-Crescent
The latest version of a bill requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls cleared the Legislature?s budget-writing committee on Monday after undergoing more changes that Democrats said will only lead to chaos and confusion.
Crain: Separation proposal hurts UW schools
Green Bay Press-Gazette
In this time of intense political discussion in our state, one issue of significant concern is the proposal to separate the University of Wisconsin-Madison from the 25 other campuses in the UW System. As someone who cares deeply about education in our community and our state, I cannot support a plan that I believe positions our flagship university to compete with UW-Green Bay and other UW campuses for scarce resources.
Changes to voter ID proposal; passes JFC
WKOW-TV 27
The voter ID bill, which would require you to show a photo ID at the polls, passed the final hurdle to reach the full legislature.