Skip to main content

Category: State news

Carp poison plan has some up in arms

Wisconsin State Journal

Jim Olson can remember fishing in Lake Wingra as a boy with his father and the excitement of catching even the smallest crappie. They are among his fondest memories.

Dick Lathrop, a lakes researcher with the DNR and the UW-Madison limnology department, said the experiment is a unique opportunity.

Editorial: Pocan takes a leading role

Capital Times

State Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, is the most aggressive progressive in the Legislature. He is also emerging as one of the Assembly members who may be best positioned to open a real debate about the corruption of the political and governing processes of the state.

New state network to aid startup firms

Capital Times

The state Department of Commerce will spend $5 million over the next five years to set up and run a statewide network aimed at spawning more small businesses in Wisconsin, Gov. Jim Doyle announced.

Doyle said the program, authorized by legislation he signed earlier this year, will serve more than 10,000 people and contribute more than $500 million to the state’s economy in its first year.

Mentor commissions biotech facility here

Capital Times

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Mentor Corp. announced that it has begun operating its new manufacturing facility at 535 Science Drive in University Research Park.
The plant was designed specifically for the production of products utilizing the botulinum toxin technology that Mentor licensed from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation last December.

Doyle promotes business growth

Badger Herald

Budding entrepreneurs take note: Gov. Jim Doyle wants to help you start your own business � and in the process, provide a boost to Wisconsin�s economy.

Mayor to keep pushing for streetcars

Wisconsin State Journal

Mayor Dave Cieslewicz wants to press ahead with his idea for city streetcars regardless of other regional rail proposals.

Members of the Transport 2020 – a joint committee formed by both the Madison City Council and Dane County Board with representatives from the city, county, state Department of Transportation and UW-Madison – expressed concern about considering commuter rail and streetcars separately.

Help give children the tools to succeed in school

Wisconsin State Journal

A modest effort to get young children ready for school could pay big educational dividends in future years – but the program’s success depends on you.

Children in a Madison kindergarten program for 4- year-olds, for example, made substantial literacy gains during the pilot project’s first year, UW-Madison researchers say.

Yes, Madison is research ‘epicenter,’ but other parts of state can play a role, too

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Gov. Jim Doyle put on a game face of major league proportions when he rolled out Wisconsin’s response to California’s approval of $3 billion in state funds for a decade of stem cell research. He did what he had to do to keep Wisconsin in the forefront of bioscience. California’s initiative will be hard for a smaller state to match, especially one with a major deficit.

A list of Thank Yous (WSJ-11/25/04)

Mike M. Knetter, Dean, UW-Madison School of business: “I’m thankful for the 34,000 loyal alumni of our business chool and the many other friends of the school (who) helped us achieve our mission.”
Carle E. Gulbrandsen, manager director, Wisconsin Alumni Reserch Foundation: “I’m thankful that our mission of taking (UW-Msn) inventions to the marketplace has generated real exicitement at the university, in the Madison community and with our partners at the state and federal government.”

Anarchists face the law: Felony charges are filed

Capital Times

A pair of self-proclaimed anarchists who allegedly went on a rampage Oct. 3, damaging and stealing from government-owned cars and those they thought belonged to the rich, were charged Wednesday with seven counts of felony criminal damage to property and one of felony theft. They are alleged to have caused almost $20,000 worth of damage to 43 cars, including some 22 state, federal or university-owned vehicles.

Stem-cell question may land on ballot (Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Tribune

Days after state legislators voted down a largely symbolic measure supporting privately funded stem-cell research, politicians and medical leaders Tuesday announced plans to ask those same lawmakers to support an even broader initiative to publicly fund the promising but controversial medical research.

Stem-Cell Industry, Research Evolving (ABC News)

ABCNEWS.com

Nov. 23, 2004 ââ?¬â?Ã? Much has been made of President Bush’s 2001 executive order limiting the use of federal funds for human embryonic stem-cell research. With Bush now slated for another four years in office, researchers and stem-cell supporters are seeking private investment to drive the science and the industry forward.

Tom Still: Doyle�s proposal is about more than keeping pace with California (Wisc. Technology Network)

Wisconsin Technology Network

It was inevitable that Governor Jim Doyle’s proposal to build a $375 million interdisciplinary research center on the UW-Madison campus would be characterized as a ââ?¬Å?responseââ?¬Â to California, where voters passed a $3 billion, 10-year initiative to fund human embryonic stem cell research.

Editorial: Budget debates are not a game

Capital Times

When the Wisconsin Historical Society responded to Gov. Jim Doyle’s demand for a 10 percent budget cut by voting to close the society’s popular museum across from the Capitol, state budget director Dave Schmiedicke accused the board of acting irresponsibly.

“It does appear to be a scare tactic,” griped Schmiedicke. “We’re really expecting a more responsible process.” But it is Schmiedicke, not the Historical Society board, who is acting irresponsibly.

Farm living is the life for her

Daily Cardinal

Six trays rest on six tables in a room that resembles any other biology lab. Six cow reproductive tracts lie in each tray, surrounded by a mixture of formaldehyde and iodine. Students hover over each tray, poking and prodding the tract in order to guess the stage of pregnancy of each calf. Shrieks and peals of laughter pierce the air.

UW System, industry strive to expand, keep work force in state

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Kevin Reilly, the new president of the University of Wisconsin System, cites an 80% retention rate in the state for UW graduates but acknowledges that an even better track record is needed. The university system has embarked on pilot programs to pull back students who failed to graduate and get them to a diploma. It also is working to increase the percentage of freshmen who graduate.

Editorial: Remaining the leader (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

When it comes to biotechnology, Wisconsin isn�t a wannabe, it�s a leader. It doesn�t need to catch up; it needs to keep up. And the only way to do that is to dramatically step up the investment in biomedical research. Gov. Jim Doyle realizes that one of the surest ways to spur economic, high-tech development in Wisconsin is to continue to bank on biotechnology.

Stem-cell proposal makes some bristle

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Concerned that economic policy will trump moral concerns in the state’s push to stay at the forefront of stem-cell research, opponents of research using human embryos are lining up to fight the use of public money to fund such exploration. Details of Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle’s $750 million plan for a biotechnology research institute on the UW-Madison campus won’t emerge until he submits his budget to the Legislature in January. But voices in and out of the Legislature are saying that any inclusion of embryonic stem cells in the plan could scuttle its chances.

Be thankful, Wisconsin

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wisconsin has excellent schools, technical colleges and public and private colleges and universities. The state has two nationally ranked medical schools, now well-endowed with more than $600 million from the Blue Cross conversion. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the country�s leading research universities. However, Wisconsin lags in transferring technology to the private sector, says Thomas Hefty, co-chair of the Governor�s Economic Growth Council.

Health costs worsen state’s budget dilemma

Capital Times

The Doyle administration is vowing to balance the next state budget “by trimming the fat and making our government more efficient.” That promise from Administration Secretary Marc Marotta came as state agencies made it official Friday: The state is facing a $1.6 billion general fund problem in the next two-year budget.

Deer herd needs culling

Wisconsin State Journal

All of Wisconsin should wish good luck to the 600,000 deer hunters expected to participate in Wisconsin’s nine-day gun hunting season. A successful hunt would be a welcome step toward reducing the state’s deer population.

State faces $1.6 billion shortfall

Badger Herald

The state�s budget picture became clearer Friday with the release of economic figures from the state Department of Administration.

Wisconsin will face a $1.6 billion shortfall in the next fiscal biennium, half of the state�s $3.2 billion deficit from two years ago. The report credits strong economic growth and cost saving measures for the steep reduction in the deficit from the last biennium.

TABOR problems, merits discussed at open forum (Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter)

While an audience of about 150 appeared to be generally sympathetic to UW-Madison economist Andrew Reschovskyââ?¬â?¢s contentions that constitutional revenue limits would result in public service cutbacks, a weakened public education system, and lack of flexibility to meet changing economic needs, there were contrary perspectives expressed by two members of a ââ?¬Å?response panel.ââ?¬Â

Forward looking: Ex-Badger steps up for state biz development

Capital Times

Gov. Jim Doyle’s new point man on attracting businesses to Wisconsin has no formal background in biotechnology or stem cell research. But with sales stints at two major corporations, followed by 13 years in the front office of the Milwaukee Brewers, Eugene “Pepi” Randolph brings plenty of real world experience to his new position as president of Forward Wisconsin.

Wisconsin braces for deficit

Badger Herald

Per Gov. Jim Doyle�s request, state agencies submitted their 10 percent reduced budget plans to the Department of Administration earlier this week. Due to the state�s projected $1.5 billion deficit, Doyle requested state departments look for ways to reduce costs.

Doyle blasts UW budget

Badger Herald

The University of Wisconsin System�s 10 percent budget cut proposal is finding few friends at the state Capitol.

In a rare display of unity with Gov. Jim Doyle, Republicans blasted the plan Thursday for its lack of administrative cuts, saying students are being asked to pick up a disproportionately large tab for the system�s budget woes.

Gender pay gap in state ‘appalling’

Capital Times

Wisconsin women fall far short of men when it comes to pay equity, and that’s not sitting well with people who took notice of a report out this week mapping the gap. Louise Root-Robbins, UW System coordinator for the status of women and director of the Sloan Project for academic career advancement, and Joe Soss, an associate professor of political science at UW-Madison, are quoted.

Gov aims to keep stem cell edge

Capital Times

Gov. Jim Doyle is ready to take on California to defend Wisconsin’s crown as king of the stem cell states. About two weeks after California voters approved a $3 billion, 10-year referendum for stem cell research, Doyle responded by putting together a comprehensive package to showcase and build on Wisconsin’s investment in biotechnology.

A Big Boost For Biotechnology Research At The UW

WIBA Newsradio

In a public-private partnership…Governor Doyle says biotechnology research in the state…including stem cell research…will get a nearly $750 million boost. Standing alongside UW scientists…Doyle unveiled plans for a $375 millionÃ? facility on the UW campus.

Upcoming UW System budget faces possible 10 percent cut

Daily Cardinal

The UW System Board of Regents submitted plans Monday for a possible 10 percent cut in state funding for the UW System at Gov. Jim Doyle’s request.

In August, the Board of Regents voted unanimously for their 2005-’07 biennium budget request, but a 10 percent cut would injure what many are calling “the heart and soul” of the UW System-its faculty and quality of education.

Gov. unveils $375m stem-cell initiative

Daily Cardinal

Gov. Jim Doyle announced Wisconsin’s plan to invest in biotechnology and health science industries Tuesday at the Genetics/Biotechnology center on Henry Mall. With recent major contributions toward research in California, the governor, along with UW-Madison Chancellor John Wiley, emphasized the need to intensify Wisconsin’s own biomedical findings.

Budget cuts may slice enrollment

Badger Herald

The University of Wisconsin System could face a $28 million budget cut next fall, triggering enrollment reductions of an estimated 1,650 full-time students. The cut would also mean the university could afford fewer staff members and would lose $14.6 in tuition revenue, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.

Governor blasts UW budget cuts

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Gov. Jim Doyle on Wednesday sharply criticized the University of Wisconsin System, saying officials there had not offered realistic options for trimming administrative costs during a recent budget exercise and that he himself might have to find places to cut.

Governor unveils plan for biotech

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Gov. Jim Doyle announced plans Wednesday for a $375 million institute for stem cell and other biomedical research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The institute is part of a nearly $750 million plan to bolster the state’s position in the growing biotech field.

1,500 jobs on chopping block as state agencies submit cuts

State agencies have proposed eliminating at least 1,500 jobs to comply with Gov. Jim Doyle’s order to showhow they can cut costs, a plan they warn would curtail state services. Some departments enclosed letters with their plans asking the governor to spare the jobs. (11/17/04 Capital Times print edition)

Stem cell boost: Doyle calls for $375M research institute

Capital Times

Gov. Jim Doyle today announced a $375 million research institute for the UW-Madison campus to help the state compete in the field of stem cell research. The proposal will need to be approved by the Legislature as part of the state budget…. The governor is also asking the Legislature to invest $1.5 million in Alzheimer’s disease research.

Agencies offer cuts of $150 million

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

State agencies have given Gov. Jim Doyle blueprints for cutting more than $150 million and at least 1,400 jobs over two years, but some officials complain that those moves would cripple their agencies.