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• Feb 21, 2006 Jensen trial evidence will go back to 1988 Prosecutors will be able to present evidence that partisan political work was rampant in the Assembly Republican Caucus when former Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen, R-Waukesha, ran the operation as caucus director in 1988, Dane County Circuit Judge Steven Ebert ruled today. Ebert's ruling came...    more   
• Feb 21, 2006 Democrats hear from Lawton While looking at the future of the Democratic Party, Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton emphasized her goals of making the state a better place during the Jefferson/Dodge Democratic Party's 13th annual President's Day Dinner at Plattdeutscher Hall Sunday evening. Lawton, the first woman to...    more   
• Feb 21, 2006 Greater Wisconsin Campaign: Radio Campaign Urges Green to Open His Eyes to Scandals The Greater Wisconsin Committee, an issues advocacy group, has launched a statewide radio campaign asking Congressman Mark Green to open his eyes and take note of ethical scandals plaguing government in both Washington and Madison during his time in office. “The corruption and scandals, and...    more   
• Feb 20, 2006 Vote delays possible for primary Many have yet to register under new state election law Assuming voter turnout is reasonably high Tuesday, a new requirement for voter registration may cause a bit of a bottleneck at some area polling places. A new state law requires that all voters be registered and on a state database before they will be allowed to participate in any elections...    more   
• Feb 20, 2006 That’s entertainment, regardless of what Ethics Board says MADISON — Would you be “entertained” if you could gobble up about $30 worth of shrimp and beer for five bucks? My guess is you’d load up the family cruiser and head for the buffet line, even if it meant trampling a few people in the process. That’s clearly entertainment, and a good value to...    more   
• Feb 20, 2006 Editorial: Race should focus on local people But fundraisers in Washington show attention placed elsewhere Wisconsin's 2005-2006 Blue Book includes a map that clearly shows the 8th Congressional District stretching from Waupaca, Outagamie, Brown and Kewaunee counties north to the Wisconsin-Michigan border. So why are two candidates for the 8th District seat traveling to fundraisers in Washington,...    more   
• Feb 20, 2006 Doyle, Gard opt for voucher deal Following private negotiations regarding Milwaukee’s school-choice program cap, key state officials announced a controversial agreement last Friday. In the agreement that has spurred statewide debate, Gov. Jim Doyle and Assembly Speaker John Gard, R-Peshtigo, decided to introduce a bill this...    more   
• Feb 20, 2006 Editorial: How was the Iraq war 'sold'? Every member of Congress, no matter what their stance on the war in Iraq, should back U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich's Resolution of Inquiry demanding all documents pertaining to contracts that the U.S. government has signed with the intent to "sell" the war. Public relations companies such as the...    more   
• Feb 20, 2006 Feingold PAC getting support from some in Hollywood WASHINGTON - On the television show "The West Wing," Bradley Whitford plays the campaign manager for a fictional Democratic presidential candidate. In real life, Whitford is helping Sen. Russ Feingold build support for a potential presidential run. Whitford has contributed $2,000 to the...    more   
• Feb 20, 2006 Lautenschlager pushes lawmakers to address civil rights prosecution authority State Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager urged for public hearings on two bills to discuss granting the Department of Justice civil rights enforcement authority in a letter to state lawmakers Thursday. According to state Sen. Spencer Coggs, D-Milwaukee, both Senate Bill 274 and its companion...    more   
• Feb 20, 2006 Bush: America's Addiction To Oil National Security Problem MILWAUKEE -- President George W. Bush is in Milwaukee Monday to tout a package of energy initiatives he highlighted in last month's State of the Union address. Bush spoke at auto-parts supplier Johnson Controls in Milwaukee, where he highlighted a proposal that would expand research and...    more   
• Feb 20, 2006 Why no cheeseheads in the White House? BARABOO - Wisconsin produced a U.S. senator who founded Earth Day. And a governor who went on to hold a Cabinet post. And the leader of the progressive movement. Yet the Dairy State has never sent one of its own to the White House. Why is that? Does the rest of the country fear a cheesehead...    more   
• Feb 20, 2006 Kohl Campaign DVD Unveiled this Week U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., still without a major Republican opponent, is hosting three receptions this week to unveil what his campaign says is a Wisconsin first -- a campaign DVD mailed to more than 10,000 supporters. The events are set for tomorrow in Milwaukee and Wednesday in Wausau and...    more   
• Feb 19, 2006 Bush brings energy initiative to region He will tour, speak at Johnson Controls today President Bush will be in Milwaukee Monday morning to begin a two-day, three-state swing to promote his energy agenda. After a midmorning arrival at Mitchell International Airport, the president will tour the lithium-ion hybrid battery lab of Johnson Controls in Glendale before heading to...    more   
• Feb 19, 2006 President Bush Set To Visit Milwaukee President Bush is making a visit to Wisconsin. Mister Bush is expected to speak on the federal energy policy when he visits a Milwaukee-based car battery factory Monday. He will tour the Glendale Johnson Controls plant which is the world's leading producer of car batteries and Wisconsin's...    more   
• Feb 19, 2006 Editorial: A budget for the wrong war From the Journal Sentinel Responsible budget-making - especially a budget as important as the Defense Department's - necessarily requires difficult and painful decisions about what to leave in and what to forgo. But those who produced the Pentagon's budget for fiscal 2007 earlier this month failed this important test. Far...    more   
• Feb 19, 2006 Editorial: New name, old problem The Taxpayer Protection Act isn't much better than the Taxpayer Bill of Rights Like a laundry detergent that's advertised as "new and improved!" the failed Taxpayer Bill of Rights has been repackaged and given another name in the state Legislature. But when you open the Taxpayer Protection Act and take a close look at it, you'll see that it has the same basic flaws as...    more   
• Feb 19, 2006 Ethanol fueling nationwide debate Economic, environmental arguments for plant-based fuel meet consumer resistance Ethanol fueling nationwide debate MANITOWOC -- When Jim Kraemer needs to fill up his 1991 GMC Sonoma pickup after transporting car parts for Marv's Auto Sales & Service, he would rather use gasoline than E10, the 10 percent ethanol-blend fuel suitable for vehicles produced after 1980.    more   
• Feb 18, 2006 Stakes high in trial for Jensen Of all the defendants in the legislative caucus scandal, Rep. Scott Jensen has the most to lose - or win - by going to trial next week. Jensen, R-Waukesha, is the only lawmaker whose case will be resolved while he's still in office. If convicted of any of the three felony misconduct counts...    more   
• Feb 18, 2006 Editorial: Son of TABOR and honest debate From the Journal Sentinel Posted: Feb. 18, 2006 "Let the people decide" is the slogan being used by those pushing for the latest version of a taxpayer bill of rights in Wisconsin. Fair enough. But make sure they have all the facts at their disposal when they decide. And be sure to conduct a...    more   
• Feb 18, 2006 State may tackle catastrophic health care Potentially the most far reaching idea in Gov. Jim Doyle's "state of the state" message got the least attention. Though put forward in only the broadest of terms, his proposal for coverage of catastrophic health costs is a concept that could touch every resident in the state, directly or...    more   
• Feb 17, 2006 School voucher deal goes to the Legislature Teacher unions, some in GOP oppose compromise on cap Gov. Jim Doyle and state Assembly Speaker John Gard said Friday they wanted to push a deal raising the cap on Milwaukee's voucher program through the Legislature within the next two weeks, a deal that would bring some long-term stability to the city's precedent-setting and still-controversial...    more   
• Feb 17, 2006 Joel McNally: Let 8-year-olds lug their booster seats to the hunt It would never occur to me on his birthday to say, 'Nicky, now that you're 8, we should go out into the woods with guns and find some real animals and blow them away.'Even for the gun-addled, NRA-groveling politicians in Madison, the proposed legislation to arm 8-year-old children with...    more   
• Feb 17, 2006 Pheasants Only, They Hope Forget the little hunting mishap that's been in the news. Word from Waukesha County, Wis., is that GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker 's $500-a-head pheasant-hunt fundraiser is still on for tomorrow. "I just can't cancel an event that's had invitations out for three weeks," Walker...    more   
• Feb 17, 2006 Voter registration system still awry; elections approach HUDSON -- With primary elections fast approaching, an online computer system for statewide voter registration still isn't functioning properly, reported St. Croix County Clerk Cindy Campbell. She said 30 state elections team members have been disbursed around the state to work on problems. One...    more   
• Feb 17, 2006 Editorial: Government by invitation only It is always difficult to determine when you have "heard it all" about any topic. But it is pretty safe to say that the "heard it all" moment with regard to the decline of Wisconsin politics came when proponents of a move to amend the state constitution announced that a key hearing on the...    more   
• Feb 17, 2006 Gov. Doyle allocates more funding to combat meth crisis in Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle issued a dose of extra funding to fight methamphetamine abuse and its chilling effects in northwestern Wisconsin Thursday. According to a release, Assembly Bill 213 allocated a $250,000 grant to fight drug abuse in twelve northwestern Wisconsin counties and the St. Croix tribal...    more   
• Feb 16, 2006 Defining the Democratic Difference The Democratic Party hasn't changed much in the last 200 years, but it has allowed "the other guys" to change. That's the opinion of Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Joe Wineke, who shared his views with about 30 area residents and candidates in a discussion Wednesday at the Janesville...    more   
• Feb 10, 2006 Green says he didn't know of aides' work Madison - Like Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, U.S. Rep. Mark Green says he was not aware that legislative aides were campaigning on state time when he was in the Assembly in the 1990s. In court filings last week, state Supreme Court Justice David Prosser said campaigning on state...    more   
• Feb 10, 2006 Sympathizers raise nearly $6,000 to repay Army for missing item West Virginia Gazette West Virginia’s two U.S. senators asked top military leaders Tuesday to explain why 1st Lt. William “Eddie” Rebrook IV had to reimburse the U.S. Army $700 last week for body armor and other gear damaged after he was seriously wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq. More than...    more   
• Feb 10, 2006 U.S. Rep. Green: Urges EPA to Reject Lac du Flambeau Water Application Green says DNR officials should have sole responsibility for setting state’s water quality standards GREEN BAY – Citing the danger of creating a patchwork system of water regulations in Wisconsin, U.S. Rep. Mark Green (R-Green Bay) sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency...    more   
• Feb 10, 2006 Doyle, Obey criticize Bush's budget proposal Madison - Gov. Jim Doyle and U.S. Rep. Dave Obey (D-Wis.) on Thursday condemned President Bush's proposed 2007 federal budget, with Obey calling it a "disaster and a joke." The longest-serving member of Congress from Wisconsin and the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, Obey...    more   
• Feb 10, 2006 141 programs on Bush's cut list White House estimates it'll save $15 billion if proposals to kill or trim federal grants are approved by lawmakers. WASHINGTON -- Grants for safe and drug-free schools, vocational education and reading programs for jailed young people are among 141 federal programs President Bush wants to eliminate or cut significantly. Bush has proposed axing most of them before, only to see Congress save them. The Office of...    more   
• Feb 10, 2006 Dissenting Senate GOP and White House reach deal on Patriot Act WASHINGTON (AP) - Congress took a step toward renewing the stalled Patriot Act, reaching a deal between the White House and dissident Senate Republicans who wanted greater assurances that the post-Sept. 11 anti-terror act would not undermine personal liberties. Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H., a leader...    more   
• Feb 10, 2006 Green's current chief of staff also had a role in Assembly caucus scandal We may have done an injustice to Rep. Mark Green's staff by lavishing so much attention on Mark Graul, Green's former chief of staff and current campaign manager of his race for governor. We've neglected his current chief of staff, Chris Tuttle. But no longer. Graul, you may recall, is the one...    more   
• Feb 10, 2006 Milk-tax plan 'huge' for farmers President's proposal would cost local farmers $850,000 a year A three-cent tax on every hundred pounds of milk proposed earlier this week by President Bush would cost farmers in Clark, Marathon, Taylor and Wood counties about $850,000 a year, based on recent production figures. Clark and Marathon counties are the No. 1 and No. 2 producers of milk in the...    more   
• Feb 10, 2006 Doyle reassures military families Governor tells loved ones of trip to Middle East APPLETON - Gov. Jim Doyle chatted Wednesday with families of Fox Valley soldiers he met during his trip to the Middle East and south central Asia last month and they were grateful. Pete Schelafoe of Marquette, whose nephew Staff Sgt. Tim Cox serves with the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 2nd...    more   
• Feb 9, 2006 Bush calls for eliminating program for needy seniors WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush wants to eliminate a program that provides poor seniors with vegetables, peanut butter and other nutritious foods, proposing in his budget that recipients be moved to food stamps. Critics argue that the change will leave the seniors worse off than they are now....    more   
• Feb 9, 2006 Regents support Doyle tuition-gap plan Members of the UW Board of Regents on Thursday embraced the principles behind Gov. Jim Doyle's plan to make college more affordable for low- income students amid worries about its potential cost - estimated at $63 million by 2015 - and unresolved details. "This is going to be a tough, tough...    more   
• Feb 8, 2006 Some Democrats Are Sensing Missed Opportunities WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 — Democrats are heading into this year's elections in a position weaker than they had hoped for, party leaders say, stirring concern that they are letting pass an opportunity to exploit what they see as widespread Republican vulnerabilities. In interviews, senior Democrats...    more   
• Feb 8, 2006 Chvala fights to keep his law license Former Senate Majority Leader Chuck Chvala is not going away quietly. The tough-as-nails Madison Democrat, who has two felonies on his rap sheet, is fighting a move to strip him of his law license while regulators and the state Supreme Court decide whether he should be disbarred or his license...    more   
• Feb 8, 2006 State missed 2 critical deadlines set in election reform law Washington - With gubernatorial and congressional elections just nine months away, Wisconsin was one of four states that missed two key deadlines for complying with the federal Help America Vote Act. The 2002 election reform law set aside $3.1 billion to upgrade voting machines, create voter...    more   
• Feb 8, 2006 Racine City Council members reject Iraq referendum | How they voted RACINE — City Council members on Tuesday night rejected a proposal to place a referendum on its April ballot asking Racine residents to show support for pulling troops out of Iraq. Meeting as the Committee of the Whole, council members voted 8-4 against the proposal, which was offered by the...    more   
• Feb 8, 2006 Defining the Democratic difference Political campaigns are all about drawing distinctions, to give voters a reason to vote for one candidate over another. Too often, candidates forget that. People need a reason to vote for them. If they seem the same as the other candidate, why bother? The Democratic Party of Wisconsin has taken...    more   
• Feb 8, 2006 Dems Launch Campaign To Draw The Line Vs. Gop After years of being battered by Republicans as tax-and-spend liberals, state Democrats are reviving the old labor line, "Which side are you on?" State Democratic Party chairman Joe Wineke today began a series of appearances around the state touting the Democrats' "Three F's" campaign -- for...    more   
• Feb 8, 2006 John Edwards was right In the 2004 presidential campaign, Democratic Sen. John Edwards spoke of the danger that we are developing into "Two Americas, one rich and one poor, and he was right. Statistics from the Congressional Budget Office prove his case rather alarmingly: In 1992, the top 1 percent of households,...    more   
• Feb 7, 2006 Editorial: Just how deep does political corruption run? We were troubled by the revelation last week that current state Supreme Court Justice David Prosser is prepared to testify in Rep. Scott Jensen's political corruption trial that use of state employees for political campaigns was once politics as usual in Madison. Prosser, who was in the state...    more   
• Feb 7, 2006 WILL ORACLE CASH TERMINATE ANOTHER DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR'S CAMPAIGN? (Madison, WI)…Governor Jim Doyle should terminate donations from an out-of-state computer company according to the Executive Director of the Republican Party, Rick Wiley. The California-based Oracle Software Company donated to Doyle's campaign the day after it secured a $29-million, no-bid...    more   
• Feb 7, 2006 Why Jim Doyle Won't Raise $12 Million For a year or more, we've been told that Gov. Jim Doyle could raise as much as $12 million in campaign donations. The idea was that he’d have way too much money to lose his bid for re-election. I think we can stick a needle in that balloon. Doyle is unlikely to get anywhere near $12 million....    more   
• Feb 7, 2006 Time is now to debate health policy As we ponder the fault lines that will shape this year's midterm elections, one thing seems clear: With the possible exception of the war on terror, no issue resonates with voters more than health care -- the cost of care, access to care and the quality of care. A poll of 1,104 people released...    more   
• Feb 7, 2006 Bush, Feds Need to Fix Medicare Drug Plan I call them as I see them and was disappointed by President Bush's decision not to use his State Of The Union address to confront the widespread problems with the prescription drug plan, Medicare Part D. I commend the President for taking on this bold initiative to lower the cost of prescription...    more   
• Feb 7, 2006 Images: Fixing Medicare drug mess Please, just one more story on the Medicare Part D fiasco. It seems every time I pick up a newspaper or magazine there is yet another account of how bewildering this new "benefit" is to consumers, their families, the pharmacies and even the government. There are terrible tales of people being...    more   
• Feb 7, 2006 Letter for evolution gets support from clergy OSHKOSH, Wis. Michael Zimmerman believes the teachings of religion and evolution can comfortably coexist, and 10,000 clergy members agree. Zimmerman, dean of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's College of Letters and Science, says his point of view often got drowned out in the national...    more   
• Feb 7, 2006 Bush proposes dairy tax, cuts Farmers, advocates fear impact should budget be approved as is President Bush's budget proposes a new tax on dairy farmers, along with reductions to two dairy price support programs. The budget proposal, released Monday, calls for a 3 cent tax per hundredweight of milk, which translates to about $720 a year for an average-sized dairy farm. The tax would...    more   
• Feb 7, 2006 Wisconsin's Promising Bio-Refining Future Won't Run on Ethanol Alone MADISON- President Bush's declaration that America is addicted to oil was paired with a pitch to produce more alcohol fuel, such as ethanol, in the nation's grain belt. It's unclear whether Wisconsin can overcome a late start to become a leading ethanol producer, but the broader idea of using...    more   
• Feb 6, 2006 'Aggressive' tax collectors targeted, Bill seeks make state more friendly to business Legislation that proponents say would curtail the bullying of Wisconsin companies by state tax officials is being proposed by lawmakers. Identical bills sponsored by state Sen. Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) and state Rep. Pat Strachota (R-West Bend) were drafted in response to complaints by some...    more   
• Feb 6, 2006 State software system bid gets outside auditor Mindful of the fallout from the Adelman Travel contract, state Administration Secretary Stephen Bablitch has brought in former state auditor Dale Cattanach to oversee the selection process for a massive new information system the state wants to install. Bablitch brought Cattanach in as part of...    more   
• Feb 6, 2006 Editorial: Find alternatives to prison Milwaukee County leads the state in the rate at which it sends defendants to prison for low-level, non-violent, drug-related offenses. Does this county feature a bigger share of hanging judges than do other counties? Milwaukee County judges themselves don't see it that way. They told researchers...    more   
• Feb 6, 2006 Governor Doyle Calls Special Session of Legislature on Emergency Heating Assistance Governor Jim Doyle today called a Special Session of the Wisconsin Legislature for February 14, 2006 to take action on the $6 million emergency energy assistance package for working families that he announced in his State of the State Address. The bill would make families making up to $40,000...    more   
• Feb 6, 2006 Gonzales labels spying lawful President didn't need OK from courts, Congress, he says Washington - Facing sarcasm and indignation from Democrats and polite skepticism from some Republicans, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales doggedly defended the legality of the government's once-secret domestic surveillance program, telling senators Monday that President Bush had all the authority...    more   
• Feb 6, 2006 Editorial: Feingold pins Gonzales When the Senate Judiciary Committee begins the most important oversight hearing in recent congressional history this week, Wisconsin Democrat Russ Feingold will go after Attorney General Alberto Gonzales for what appears to be a deliberate deception of the committee and Congress.    more   
• Feb 4, 2006 Green's Vote Cost Boehner over $30,000 By Harris Kane XOFF FILES As you can see John Boehner has been good to Mark Green, giving him $31,280, and today Boehner got Green's vote to replace Tom Delay as Majority Leader. Based on the in-kind contributions to Green,Boehner has obviously done a number of fundraisers for Green...    more   
• Feb 4, 2006 Petri eyed for leadership role By Brian Tumulty Post-Crescent Washington bureau WASHINGTON — Rep. Tom Petri could be a beneficiary of Thursday's election of a new House Republican majority leader. The election of Rep. John Boehner of Ohio to the House GOP's No. 2 leadership post leaves vacant the chairmanship of the...    more   
• Feb 4, 2006 Georgia Thompson seeks dismissal of charge -By Gina Barton An attorney for Georgia Thompson, the Department of Administration official charged with two felonies for steering a state travel contract toward a company whose top executives donated $20,000 to Gov. Jim Doyle, is asking the court to throw out the charges. Thompson’s attorney,...    more   
• Feb 4, 2006 Support of student aid cut could hurt Green A vote Thursday to approve a plan that would cut nearly $12 billion in student aid funding could cost U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Green Bay, the Repubican gubernatorial ticket, according to a statement from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. A January poll by Strategic Vision, LLC, a nationally...    more   
• Feb 3, 2006 Doyle Plans To Sign Booster Seat Bill Although some state lawmakers are calling a new booster seat bill "an enforcement nightmare," Gov. Jim Doyle said that he plans to sign it into law. The Senate passed the measure, which requires booster seats for children up to age 8. The bill passed the Assembly in December. Currently, children...    more   
• Feb 3, 2006 Funeral protest bill sent to Doyle Wisconsin lawmakers moved swiftly Thursday to become the first state to ban protests at funerals in an effort aimed at stopping members of a Kansas church who have disrupted military services. The state Senate voted 33-0 Thursday to criminalize protests that take place within 500 feet of a...    more   
• Feb 3, 2006 Support of student aid cut could hurt Green A vote Thursday to approve a plan that would cut nearly $12 billion in student aid funding could cost U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Green Bay, the Repubican gubernatorial ticket, according to a statement from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. A January poll by Strategic Vision, LLC, a nationally...    more   
• Feb 3, 2006 Seniors Distressed Over Medicare Plan Senator Herb Kohl says the Medicare problems are more than just start up challenges. He voted against the plan in 2003 because in his view, helping the seniors was not the most important goal. Medicare Part D is not what seniors thought they were promised which was a simple drug benefit...    more   
• Feb 3, 2006 Dems block bill that would reign in A.G. Senate Democrats block a final vote, on a bill opposed by Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager. Democratic Minority Leader, Judy Robson of Beloit, says calling the legislation (SB 425)the "fairness in litigation act" doesn't disguise the fact that the bill would be unfair to consumers. She says...    more   
• Feb 3, 2006 Ex-prof seeks Schultz's senate seat The 2006 race for the Legislature has gotten off to an early start in southwestern Wisconsin. John Simonson of the town of Warwick in Iowa County announced Thursday night that he will oppose Senate Majority Leader Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center, next fall in the race for the seat in state Senate...    more   
• Feb 3, 2006 State Democrat receives threats following concealed carry vote State Rep. John Steinbrink, D-Pleasant Prairie, said his family has been receiving death threats over the phone following his decision to vote in favor of upholding Gov. Jim Doyle’s concealed carry veto Tuesday. When Senate Bill 403, the proposal that would allow for qualified Wisconsin...    more   
• Feb 3, 2006 Senate bill requires under-8 booster seat Although one legislator said it could create an enforcement nightmare, the state Senate approved a measure that would require most children in Wisconsin under age 8 to be strapped into booster seats in motor vehicles. The bill, which the Senate approved 23-10 Thursday after the Assembly passed it...    more   
• Feb 3, 2006 Berg: How to keep cash from corrupting Wisconsin politics One of my favorite movie lines comes from Disney's "101 Dalmatians." In the movie, Cruella de Vil rants at some doting subordinate who has disappointed her by not faithfully following some feckless demand. "What kind of a sycophant are you?" she barks. "What kind of a sycophant would you...    more   
• Feb 2, 2006 Family Care expansion makes sense While Gov. Jim Doyle and his administrators made the rounds in Rock County during Monday's "Capital for the Day" event, they touted the "Affordability Agenda" Doyle unveiled in his recent State of the State address. One initiative, expanding Family Care, is particularly intriguing. We question...    more   
• Feb 2, 2006 Governor Tells Of Scare During Afghanistan Trip Gov. Jim Doyle said that while he was on a flight in Afghanistan last week, the military transport plane was feared at one point to be under missile attack. Doyle said the plane was coming out of Kabul when the big C-130 suddenly took a hard turn and flares went off. He said sensors apparently...    more   
• Feb 2, 2006 Doyle returns $10,000 tied to company seeking state aid Gov. Jim Doyle has returned $10,000 in campaign donations that came from executives of a Manitowoc company three days after a state panel recommended the firm for a $1.1 million grant. Doyle last month returned $5,000 donations from Burger Boat Co. president David Ross and vice president James...    more   
• Feb 2, 2006 Medicare problems plague local seniors, pharmacies Citizens across Columbia and Marquette counties haven't been spared from the nationwide problems plaguing Medicare's new prescription drug benefit. Before the plan started Jan. 1, Medicare Part D was hailed as a major help for America's elderly who were struggling to pay for increasingly costly...    more   
• Feb 2, 2006 Governor's veto on concealed weapon law stands The state Assembly on Tuesday failed to override the governor's veto of a bill that would have ended the state's 133-year-old ban on concealed weapons. The Assembly's 64-34 vote means Wisconsin remains one of only four states that prohibit concealed weapons and marks a victory for Democratic Gov....    more   
• Feb 2, 2006 Doyle unveils aid plan Wisconsin elementary school students could begin working toward affording their college education starting in eighth grade, under a new plan Gov. Jim Doyle unveiled in his State of the State address Jan. 17. The plan, which Doyle has called the Wisconsin Covenant, would make it easier for...    more   
• Feb 2, 2006 Economic `sunshine' takes edge off winter Hurray, it's February. That's one less month of winter that we have to deal with. We don't know what promise the groundhog will have for us tomorrow, but for those watching Wisconsin's business and economic climate there have been a couple of signs of an early spring. The first bit of good news...    more   
• Feb 2, 2006 Feingold's campaign, PAC raised nearly $2 million Sen. Russ Feingold has raised a combined $1.9 million for his campaign and political action committee since the 2004 election, providing the Wisconsin Democrat with money to make political donations to others and travel as he contemplates a 2008 presidential run. Feingold's leadership PAC, the...    more   
• Feb 2, 2006 Russ Feingold: I am committed, serious about global warming, environment While I appreciate The Capital Times raising the important issue of global warming in its editorial of Jan. 30, I was a little surprised to read that I "need to get a lot more serious about global warming." I have a long record of supporting initiatives to address the problem of global warming....    more   
• Feb 2, 2006 Senator Feingold Raises Finances For Campaign Sen. Russ Feingold has raised a combined $1.9 million for his campaign and political action committee since the 2004 election, providing the Wisconsin Democrat with money to make political donations to others and travel as he contemplates a 2008 presidential run. Feingold's leadership PAC, the...    more   
• Feb 2, 2006 MILC Extension Bill Heads to President's Desk Four months after the Milk Income Loss Contract program expired, an effort to extend the dairy safety net program has finally squeezed through the legislative process. According to Wisconsin Congressman Mark Green and Senator Herb Kohl, MILC has successfully passed both the House and Senate as an...    more   
• Feb 2, 2006 Dems delay 'unfair' lawsuit bill opposed by AG Senate Democrats delayed action today on a Republican bill that Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager says would cripple her ability to protect the people of Wisconsin. Sen. Dave Zien, R-Eau Claire, the author of Senate Bill 425, said it is necessary to shield Wisconsin citizens and businesses from...    more   
• Feb 2, 2006 John Nichols: Baldwin demands Bush accountability U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin returned to Washington this week after an extended winter break during which she heard plenty of griping from Wisconsin voters about the lies, the misdeeds and the arrogance of the Bush administration. And Baldwin has responded to what she heard from groups such as the...    more   
• Feb 2, 2006 Candidates raise $2.9M for open seat The five candidates running for the open seat in Northeastern Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District raised a total of $2.9 million in 2005, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. The district is represented by U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Hobart, who is not seeking...    more   
• Feb 2, 2006 Feingold's campaign, PAC raised nearly $2 million Senator Russ Feingold has raised a combined one-point-nine (m) million dollars for his campaign and political action committee since the 2004 election. That is providing the Wisconsin Democrat with money to make political donations to others and travel as he contemplates a 2008 presidential run....    more   
• Feb 2, 2006 Doyle recounts missile scare during trip Days after he safely returned from the Middle East and Asia, Gov. Jim Doyle on Wednesday described a flight where for a time, his plane was feared to be under missile attack. During a flight in Afghanistan, the threat system on Doyle's military transport was activated and his pilot took evasive...    more   
• Feb 2, 2006 House barely passes cuts in entitlement The House on Wednesday narrowly approved a hard-fought, budget-cutting package that would save nearly $40 billion over five years by imposing substantial changes on programs from Medicaid and welfare to child support and student lending. With its presidential signature all but assured, the bill...    more   
• Feb 1, 2006 Reports show Doyle raised $4.2M for re-election bid Gov. Jim Doyle has twice as much money in the bank for his re-election campaign as his best-funded Republican rival, according to reports filed Tuesday. Doyle raised more than $1.1 million in the last six months of 2005, his campaign said in a report to the state Elections Board, giving the...    more   
• Feb 1, 2006 More Dishonesty from Bush in State of Union President Bush riddled his State of the Union speech with dishonest presentations, and he failed to adequately address the crucial issues facing this country. On Iraq, Bush said “we are winning” and we are on “a clear path to victory.” Saying so doesn’t make it so. The number of attacks against...    more   
• Feb 1, 2006 Kagen joins Kohl as self-funder Democratic Senator Herb Kohl dished out nearly four-point-seven (M) million dollars to his campaign last year. But he's not the only self-funding Wisconsin candidate this year. Steve Kagen is a Democrat running for the U-S House seat now held by Republican Representative Mark Green. According to...    more   
• Feb 1, 2006 AG asks governor to join Calpine bankruptcy case Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager asked the governor Tuesday for permission to hire outside attorneys to represent the state in a Calpine Corporation's bankruptcy proceedings. San Jose-based Calpine, which supplies electricity in 21 states and has steam and gas-fired plants nationwide, filed...    more   
• Feb 1, 2006 Kettle Foods announces expansion into Wisconsin Kettle Foods, an Oregon-based natural snack maker, has announced plans to build a plant in Beloit, which is expected to generate an economic impact of $18 million for the state in the first three years. The announcement was made Monday by Gov. Jim Doyle. The facility will have 70,000 square feet...    more   
• Feb 1, 2006 Doyle's campaign reports $4.2 million in the bank Gov. Jim Doyle has twice as much money in the bank for his re-election campaign as his best-funded Republican rival, according to reports filed Tuesday. Doyle raised more than $1.1 million in the last six months of 2005, his campaign said in a report to the state Elections Board, giving the...    more   
• Feb 1, 2006 Perceived missile threatened Doyle’s plane Days after he safely returned from the Middle East, Gov. Jim Doyle on Wednesday described a flight where for a time, his plane was feared to be under missile attack. During a flight in Afghanistan, the threat system on Doyle’s military transport deployed and his pilot took evasive action. “There...    more   
• Feb 1, 2006 WI's AG Concerned About Calpine Bankruptcy Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager asked the governor Tuesday for permission to hire outside attorneys to represent the state in a Calpine Corporation's bankruptcy proceedings. San Jose-based Calpine, which supplies electricity in 21 states and has steam and gas-fired plants nationwide, filed...    more   
• Feb 1, 2006 Veto override fails on weapons bill Republican legislators were disappointed and a bit defiant Tuesday after the Assembly's bid to override Gov. Jim Doyle's veto of a concealed weapons bill fell two votes short. An override would have made Wisconsin the 47th state to allow residents to carry concealed weapons. The Assembly passed...    more   
• Feb 1, 2006 Gun bill shot down Republican legislators were disappointed and a bit defiant Tuesday after the Assembly's bid to override Gov. Jim Doyle's veto of a concealed weapons bill fell two votes short. An override would have made Wisconsin the 47th state to allow residents to carry concealed weapons. The Assembly passed...    more   
• Feb 1, 2006 Concealed carry dead for now After the state Assembly failed to override Gov. Jim Doyle's veto of a concealed carry law Tuesday, area lawmakers said they are ready to move on. "This issue unfortunately has been and still is about politics," said state Rep. Tom Nelson, D-Kaukauna, who voted against the override. "We spent the...    more   
• Feb 1, 2006 State of Union speech response from state lawmakers Wisconsin representatives offered their reactions to Tuesday's State of the Union address by President Bush: Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Madison) - The president missed an opportunity to set a new course, especially with regard to open and honest government and the kitchen table concerns of Wisconsin...    more   
• Feb 1, 2006 Attorney general to speak to Green County Democrats Wisconsin Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager will speak to Green County Democrats and interested members of the public at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, at the Decatur Township Hall, Brodhead. Attorney General Lautenschlager, the first woman to hold this position, was elected in 2002. Her main focus...    more   
• Feb 1, 2006 Realtors favor AG over Falk in primary In a rare move, the Wisconsin Realtors Association has endorsed Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager in her primary bid against fellow Democrat and Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk. The endorsement marks the first time the group has endorsed a primary candidate for statewide office. The...    more   
• Jan 31, 2006 Assembly fails to override Gov's veto on concealed weapons bill The state Assembly failed today to override Gov. Jim Doyle's veto of bill that would have allowed Wisconsin residents to carry a concealed weapon with a permit in most cases. The vote was 64-34, two short of the two-thirds majority required. The Senate approved the override Thursday on 23-10...    more   
• Jan 31, 2006 Doyle says concealed carry bad for state Governor Doyle wants the state Assembly to know he thinks concealed carry is a bad idea. The Republican-controlled Assembly is poised today to try to override Doyle's veto of a bill that would end Wisconsin's 133-year-old ban on carrying hidden knives and guns. Doyle says during a news conference...    more   
• Jan 31, 2006 Kohl, Feingold vote against Alito Wisconsin's two Democratic senators voted against confirming Samuel Alito (ah-LEE'-toh) to the Supreme Court today. The conservative judge took only four votes from Democrats in the Senate. Just one Republican voted against him in the 58-to-42 vote approving his nomination. Senators Herb Kohl and...    more   
• Jan 31, 2006 Feingold has $1 million to explore presidential bid Sen. Russ Feingold had roughly $1 million in cash available at the end of 2005 that could be used for exploring a possible bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. Feingold met Monday with the editorial board of the influential New York Times after speaking the night before at Yeshiva...    more   
• Jan 31, 2006 Van Akkeren votes to uphold Doyle's concealed carry veto The state Assembly today failed to override the governor’s veto of a bill that would have ended the state’s 133-year-old ban on concealed weapons. The 64-34 vote means Wisconsin remains one of only four states that prohibit concealed weapons and marks a victory for Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle. Rep....    more   
• Jan 31, 2006 Assembly fails to override governor's concealed carry veto The state Assembly on Tuesday failed to override the governor's veto of a bill that would have ended the state's 133-year-old ban on concealed weapons. The Assembly's 64-34 vote means Wisconsin remains one of only four states that prohibit concealed weapons and marks a victory for Democratic Gov....    more   
• Jan 31, 2006 Concealed weapons veto override falls short The state Assembly today came up short in its attempt to override Gov. Jim Doyle’s veto of a measure that would have allowed residents to carry concealed weapons. The 64-to-34 vote was a boost to Doyle, who mustered enough support from fellow Democrats to fend off a veto override on the measure...    more...  
• Jan 31, 2006 Concealed carry override fails The state Assembly on Tuesday failed to override the governor’s veto of a bill that would have ended the state’s 133-year-old ban on concealed weapons. The 64-34 vote means Wisconsin remains one of only four states that prohibit concealed weapons and marks a victory for Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle....    more   
• Jan 31, 2006 Assembly Fails To Override Concealed Carry Bill Veto The state Assembly failed to muster enough votes on Tuesday to override Gov. Jim Doyle's veto of the concealed carry bill. The 64-34 vote means Wisconsin residents still won't be able to legally carry hidden guns and knives. The Assembly would have needed 66 votes to override the veto. Wisconsin...    more   
• Jan 31, 2006 $10 million keeps the trains rolling Gov. Jim Doyle announced Monday that five local communities are among the recipients of nearly $10 million in state aid for constructing freight rail-related facilities and upgrading freight railroad infrastructure. "A quality transportation system serves as the foundation of Wisconsin's...    more   
• Jan 31, 2006 Doyle, state officials tour Rock County After a trip through Afghanistan and Iraq, Gov. Jim Doyle was understandably whipped. But Doyle, who returned to U.S. soil late Sunday, whipped his Cabinet into shape Monday for a Rock County tour that was billed-and officially proclaimed several times throughout the day-as "Capital for the Day."...    more   
• Jan 31, 2006 Gov. Doyle announces urban forestry grants Gov. Jim Doyle announced today that 50 Wisconsin communities and nonprofit organizations will receive a share of $655,400 in Urban Forestry Grants in 2006 for community projects ranging from development of urban forestry plans and urban forest maintenance to staff training and creation of...    more   
• Jan 31, 2006 Theater director opposes gun bill It has been 21 years since the Wisconsin Legislature has overridden a governor's veto, but it may happen today. Gian Paul Morelli, executive director of the Capitol Civic Centre, hopes not. He said he doesn't want any pistol-packing patrons to bring guns into his performing arts venue in downtown...    more   
• Jan 31, 2006 Theater director opposes gun bill It has been 21 years since the Wisconsin Legislature has overridden a governor's veto, but it may happen today. Gian Paul Morelli, executive director of the Capitol Civic Centre, hopes not. He said he doesn't want any pistol-packing patrons to bring guns into his performing arts venue in downtown...    more   
• Jan 31, 2006 Dems: Gun bill flaws swung vote Two Democratic legislators who clinched the governor's veto on a concealed weapons carrying bill say they switched their votes because of problems with the bill. But Republicans accused them of bowing to "sickening" partisan pressure from the state's top Democrat. Rep. John Steinbrink, D-Pleasant...    more   
• Jan 30, 2006 Barrett, others speak out against concealed carry bill Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, two Democratic state legislators and the head of the organization which runs Summerfest all spoke out during the weekend against legislation that would legalize the carrying of concealed weapons in Wisconsin. Barrett said Sunday that, instead of opening up the way for...    more   
• Jan 30, 2006 State raises student aid The state Senate and Assembly both approved a bill last Thursday that would increase the maximum grant amount awarded to needy University of Wisconsin System students. In a unanimous vote by the Assembly and an affirmative voice vote by the Senate, legislators decided to pass AB 895 on to Gov....    more   
• Jan 30, 2006 Senate continues debate; heads toward filibuster vote Liberal Democrats in the Senate are making a last-ditch effort to block the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Samuel Alito. The resumption of debate came just a few hours before a key vote that both Republicans and Democrats say Alito will win. Edward Kennedy told his colleagues he fears Alito's...    more   
• Jan 30, 2006 Milw Mayor Speaks Out Against Concealed Carry Bill Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and two Democratic state legislators have spoken out against legislation that would allow people to carry concealed weapons in Wisconsin. Barrett said the Legislature should work to rid Wisconsin of illegal guns instead of opening up the way for people to carry...    more   
• Jan 30, 2006 Wisconsin Covenant seeks to motivate state’s youth UW System plans—two years in the making—to attract students from the lowest two economic qualities are coming to fruition, according to UW System Communications Director Doug Bradley. Gov. Doyle’s Wisconsin Covenant, announced during the 2006 State of the State Address, represents a joint effort...    more   
• Jan 30, 2006 Lt. Gov. urges gov’t reform, expresses doubt for future With corruption scandals tainting Wisconsin’s historically clean political reputation, academics and policy makers alike, including Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, addressed issues of campaign finance reform Saturday at the Fluno Center. Lawton spoke to members of the conference through her sharing of...    more   
• Jan 30, 2006 Democrats already taking aim at State of the Union proposals President Bush is still more than 24 hours away from delivering his State of the Union address, but Democrats are already reacting to the proposals and assertions it is likely to contain. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says the administration's blueprint for the coming year will do little to...    more   
• Jan 30, 2006 AP: Religious Groups Get One-Fourth Of AIDS Grant Money New groups are springing up to win a piece of President Bush's $15 billion AIDS program, with traditional players and religious groups joining forces to improve their chances in a competition that already has targeted nearly a quarter of its grants for faith-based organizations. The...    more   
• Jan 30, 2006 Beloit lands new snack factory Beloit's growing food manufacturing sector is gaining another ingredient. Kettle Foods announced today it will build a 70,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the Gateway Industrial Park to make potato chips. Oregon-based Kettle Foods produces hand-made, all-natural Kettle brand potato...    more   
• Jan 30, 2006 Rep. Richards: Mayor Barrett, Richards Warn Public of Hidden Weapons Threat at Summerfest, State Fair Park With the concealed carry vote looming, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Assembly Assistant Minority Leader Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee) issued a warning to the public regarding the potential threat of hidden weapons at Summerfest, State Fair Park and other outdoor venues under SB 403, the concealed...    more...  
• Jan 29, 2006 Doyle proposal puts kids first and solves voucher problem It is time to set the record straight about the Milwaukee school voucher program. More importantly, it is time to come to agreement on a sensible compromise package put forward by Gov. Jim Doyle to lift the cap while bringing basic accountability to the program. Anyone who knows the governor and...    more   
• Jan 29, 2006 Home heating aid on rise Warm January weather has saved the average Wisconsin Public Service customer $100 in home heating costs, but for low-income Sheboygan County residents like Jim Sauve of Elkhart Lake, the softened blow is still a painful one. The 53-year-old Sauve recently paid a $200 December heating bill that...    more   
• Jan 29, 2006 Madison weekly: Soldier surprise Gov. Jim Doyle joined three other governors in a surprise tour of the Middle East. Doyle visited with soldiers from the Appleton-based 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment in Kuwait and also made stops in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan. "As commander in chief of the Wisconsin National Guard, I...    more   
• Jan 29, 2006 Don't blow state 'surplus' Wisconsin will reap about $93 million more than expected in tax revenue this budget cycle, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau just announced. That's good news. It's a sign that the economy is improving and generating more income for citizens. But the $93 million is hardly a surplus and shouldn't be...    more   
• Jan 29, 2006 Senators Ask For Limits On Free Trips For Judges Three senators on Friday proposed new limits on expense-paid trips for federal judges and a system to let the public know about potential courthouse conflicts. Judges would be barred from taking free trips to seminars sponsored by special interests, although they could participate if their courts...    more   
• Jan 28, 2006 Travel case hit as partisan politics The head of the state Democratic Party claims the indictment of a state official on charges she steered a travel contract to one of Gov. Jim Doyle's campaign contributors is "nothing but partisan politics." In a statement released Friday, state party Chairman Joe Wineke said "a prosecutor with...    more   
• Jan 28, 2006 New Wisconsin license plates to raise money for women’s health Standing in line for new license plates at the DMV might finally pay off, at least for the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation. Gov. Jim Doyle will sign a bill to allow Wisconsin motorists to pay a little extra for special plates to support the foundation, said Melanie Fonder, a spokeswoman for...    more   
• Jan 28, 2006 Governor brings good news to Beloit Gov. Jim Doyle is expected to make a major economic development announcement in Beloit Monday when he comes to town for his “Capital for a Day” tour. Doyle's office confirmed the governor will share the good news at an 8 a.m. breakfast at La Casa Grande's banquet hall, 618 Fourth St. As Doyle...    more   
• Jan 28, 2006 Feingold will back filibuster attempt of Alito nomination Sen. Russ Feingold will support an attempt to use a filibuster to stop the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito to serve on the Supreme Court, although he expects the move to fail. "I kind of doubt it, but it would be a good thing if we could stop this," Feingold said in a telephone interview...    more   
• Jan 28, 2006 Democrats' radio address: Medicare program should be overhauled A California Democrat says corruption and incompetence ruled the day when the new Medicare prescription drug plan went into effect this year. In the Democrats' weekly radio address, Congressman Henry Waxman urged an overhaul of the drug plan. Waxman says America's seniors deserve honesty,...    more   
• Jan 28, 2006 Earl Gates column: 'Liberal,' 'conservative' misuse harms public conversation The words "liberal" and "conservative" once may have meant something useful in day-to-day political discourse. That's certainly no longer true. A conservative politician was one committed to as little change as possible and even that was to be done slowly and carefully. A liberal politician, on...    more   
• Jan 28, 2006 Baldwin addresses 21st Century issues One of the greatest challenges for legislators is making sure laws address 21st Century issues. U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, highlighted some of today's greatest challenges and threats during a legislative breakfast Friday at the Ramada Inn in South Beloit. During the event, sponsored by...    more   
• Jan 28, 2006 Senators propose restrictions on free trips for judges Three senators are proposing new limits on expense-paid trips for federal judges and a system to let the public know about potential courthouse conflicts. Democratic Senators Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, Patrick Leahy of Vermont and John Kerry of Massachusetts have proposed the limits. They want...    more   
• Jan 28, 2006 Doyle will revisit Adelman donations Gov. Jim Doyle left open the possibility Friday that he could return donations from two Adelman Travel executives who each gave the maximum $10,000 to his campaign. The Democratic governor's comments came just days after a state worker was indicted on allegations of fixing bid scores to steer a...    more   
• Jan 28, 2006 Doyle says wrongdoing not likely In his first remarks since a state official was charged with steering a travel contract to one of his political supporters, Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle said Friday he had no reason to believe any laws were broken. But he stopped short of endorsing his party chairman's characterization of the...    more   
• Jan 28, 2006 County gets $400K for trails Tom and Susan Van De Kreeke of Sheboygan each logged more than 1,000 miles on their bicycles last year and they're always looking for new trails in Sheboygan County. "The more they can do, the better," said Tom Van De Kreeke, 58. "Anything they can do for bike paths in the county would be...    more   
• Jan 28, 2006 County gets $400K for trails Tom and Susan Van De Kreeke of Sheboygan each logged more than 1,000 miles on their bicycles last year and they're always looking for new trails in Sheboygan County. "The more they can do, the better," said Tom Van De Kreeke, 58. "Anything they can do for bike paths in the county would be...    more   
• Jan 27, 2006 Democrats holding key on gun bill The state Senate Thursday overrode Gov. Jim Doyle's veto of a bill that would let Wisconsin residents pack pistols, clubs and knives in their pockets. The fate of the state's 133-year-old ban on concealed weapons now rests with the state Assembly, which plans its own override try on Tuesday. The...    more   
• Jan 27, 2006 Gov. Doyle stops in Pakistan during overseas trip to see troops Gov. Jim Doyle, visiting the Middle East this week to meet with Wisconsin troops, stopped in Pakistan Thursday to view damage caused by an October earthquake. Doyle's office said he visited troops working in the region following the earthquake that killed 87,000 people and left another 3.5...    more   
• Jan 27, 2006 Wisconsin must do something to halt ‘brain drain' “Should I stay or should I go?” It's not often that I can start a column with a song title from the British rock band The Clash, but that's the phrase many of Wisconsin's young adults and retirees are asking themselves these days. And reports of who's staying and going are somewhat troubling....    more   
• Jan 27, 2006 State's biotech industry: A spot on world stage? Gabriela Cezar left a great job at Pfizer Inc. and took a pay cut to join the faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "It's not like I didn't have the opportunity to go to the coasts," said Cezar, a 33-year-old, Brazilian-born scientist who uses stem cells to test drugs and study...    more   
• Jan 27, 2006 Kerry Steps Up Here, here, for John Kerry. Finally, a Democrat willing to take a principled and courageous stance against Alito, and to do what needs to be done: and that’s to filibuster. Though New York Times reporter David Kirkpatrick, in an ostensible news story, mocked Kerry for “hobnobbing” in Davos,...    more   
• Jan 27, 2006 Feingold Asks For Briefing On Spying Program U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., asked the White House on Friday to brief him on the Bush administration's secret surveillance program. Feingold has suggested the program violated U.S. law. Feingold said that he wants the briefing ahead of a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing scheduled for Feb....    more   
• Jan 27, 2006 Rob Zaleski: Milwaukee nursing home emphasizes 'home' In the spring of 2001, an elderly golf buddy of mine whose legs were giving out was forced to do something he'd been dreading for years: He sold his modest home on Madison's west side and moved into a basic, no-frills nursing home - which is all he could afford. When I visited him a few months...    more   
• Jan 27, 2006 $2.1 million grant for industrial park The Barron Industrial Park will have plenty of development money thanks to a $2.1 million federal grant. Barron sold the city's last industrial park lot that had sewer, water and road access this past summer to Lawrence Trucking, but the $2.1 million grant specifically alleviates that problem....    more   
• Jan 27, 2006 Doyle Visits Troops in Pakistan Governor Doyle continues his visit to the Middle East and south-central Asia. He was in Pakistan yesterday to see the damage left over from October’s earthquake. Doyle met with Wisconsin troops working to help victims of the quake that killed 87,000 people and left 3.5 million homeless. He says...    more   
• Jan 27, 2006 Doyle Stops In Pakistan During Overseas Trip Gov. Jim Doyle stopped in Pakistan on Thursday during a Middle East trip to meet with Wisconsin troops. The governor stopped to view damage caused by an October earthquake. Doyle's office said that he visited troops working in the region following the Oct. 8 earthquake that killed 87,000 people...    more   
• Jan 27, 2006 Feingold asks for briefing on spying program Sen. Russ Feingold asked the White House to brief him on the Bush administration's secret surveillance program Thursday. Feingold, D-Wis., has suggested the program violated U.S. law. Feingold, one of Congress' leading critics of the program, said he wanted the briefing ahead of a Senate...    more   
• Jan 26, 2006 Doyle visits guard troops in Pakistan Gov. Jim Doyle was in Pakistan today as part of his latest visit to Wisconsin National Guard troops in southwest Asia. Doyle visited members of the military providing relief to victims of the Oct. 8 earthquake that killed 87,000 and left millions homeless. He visited a refugee camp in the...    more   
• Jan 26, 2006 Cardinal View: Do not politicize serious indictment Attention Wisconsin: Perphaps media coverage has insinuated otherwise, but Gov. Jim Doyle was not indicted in a travel contract investigation this week. The revelation that state employee Georgia Thompson has been indicted for misapplication of state funds and fraud in her role as part of the...    more   
• Jan 26, 2006 Obey proposes public financing of campaigns Rep. David Obey wants to overhaul the way congressional campaigns are financed by asking taxpayers to voluntarily contribute to a national campaign fund when they pay their annual income tax bill. The contribution would increase the amount a taxpayer gives to the government, unlike the voluntary...    more   
• Jan 26, 2006 John Nichols: Feingold's vote on Alito significant Not to be lost in the reporting on Tuesday's Senate Judiciary Committee vote to endorse the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to serve on the Supreme Court is the fact that U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., has voted for the first time in his Senate career against a Supreme Court nominee. More than...    more   
• Jan 26, 2006 Kohl is quiet but effective senator Ryan Masse’s column last week on U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl was a mixture of both fact and fiction. Mr. Masse was correct when stating that Sen. Kohl refuses contributions from lobbyists; his integrity and complete independence from special interests allow him to judge every issue on the merits while...    more   
• Jan 26, 2006 Democrats urge outside counsel for Abramoff investigation Two Senate Democrats are calling for a special counsel to take over the investigation of the corruption scandal involving lobbyist Jack Abramoff (AY'-bruh-mahf). New York Senator Charles Schumer and Colorado's Ken Salazar wrote to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales that the change would give the...    more   
• Jan 26, 2006 Doyle finds no shortage of friends after ads This was the message that a group of prominent African-Americans from government, business, the clergy and the local NAACP wanted to send to Gov. Jim Doyle on Wednesday: We got your back. They were responding en masse to recent political ads in Milwaukee that compared Doyle's stance on lifting...    more   
• Jan 26, 2006 Baldwin slams Bush on domestic spying U.S. 2nd District Rep. Tammy Baldwin said Wednesday that President Bush is overstepping his authority by spying on Americans through federal wiretapping. The Democratic congresswoman from Madison, who was visiting St. Clare Hospital's new cancer center, said Congress needs to thoroughly...    more   
• Jan 26, 2006 Lawton wants increased college funding Wisconsin's lieutenant governor is encouraging the public to demand a greater investment in higher education. Barbara Lawton, a Democrat, is in Washington, D.C., today to give the keynote address to about 1,200 people at the Association of American Colleges and Universities' annual meeting. She...    more   
• Jan 26, 2006 $3 Million for Wisconsin's Fresh Start Program Wisconsin's Fresh Start Program is getting more than $3 million. It'll help what Governor Doyle calls a "win-win situation" for at-risk youths and their communities. Doyle announced yesterday that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will give the money to nine Fresh Start...    more   
• Jan 26, 2006 Wisconsin must do something to halt ‘brain drain’ “Should I stay or should I go?” It’s not often that I can start a column with a song title from the British rock band The Clash, but that’s the phrase many of Wisconsin’s young adults and retirees are asking themselves these days. And reports of who’s staying and going are somewhat troubling....    more   
• Jan 26, 2006 Spying - not all see eye to eye Taking some time after visiting St. Clare Hospital's new cancer center she helped gain federal funding for, U.S. 2nd District Rep. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, talked about her concerns regarding the recent federal wiretapping controversy Wednesday. President Bush defended his spying program...    more   
• Jan 26, 2006 Gov Doyle Stops In Pakistan Gov. Jim Doyle, visiting the Middle East this week to meet with Wisconsin troops, stopped in Pakistan Thursday to view damage caused by an October earthquake. Doyle's office said he visited troops working in the region following the earthquake that killed 87,000 people and left another 3.5...    more   
• Jan 26, 2006 Youth program Fresh Start gets $350K Portage-based human service agency Renewal Unlimited was recently awarded $359,171 to continue its community service programming in 2006, thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. "We are so pleased we got this grant, because it is really a competitive process,"...    more   
• Jan 26, 2006 Doyle proposes plan to increase college enrollment For resident undergraduate students, tuition increased by 6.9 percent in the fall of 2005 compared to fall of 2004, and it is expected to increase another 5 to 7 percent starting fall of 2006, Vice Chancellor for Business and Student Services Andy Soll said. In an attempt to help future students...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Editorial: Uphold veto on gun bill We have a number of problems with the Legislature's so-called concealed carry bill that Gov. Jim Doyle saw fit to once more veto last week. There's the provision that allows citizens who get concealed carry permits to carry not only guns, but also knives, billy clubs and electric shock weapons in...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Doyle Says Morale High Among Troops During Iraq Visit Gov. Jim Doyle on Wednesday is on the second day of his surprise visit to Iraq to visit Wisconsin troops. Doyle was in Kuwait and Baghdad on Tuesday, meeting with the nearly 2,000 Wisconsin National Guard members in those countries, WISC-TV reported. Doyle said on Tuesday that the troops that...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Wisconsin gets "biotech hotspot" designation from industry newsletter Wisconsin has earned another national mention as a "biotech hotspot," this time in e-mail newsletter FierceBiotech. In aggregate this kind of recognition raises the state's profile and is just what the biotech industry has been asking for. Joining Wisconsin on the list of five hotspots were...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Northside High ousted from voucher program The state has officially ordered Northside High School out of the city's voucher program. The order comes after a state hearing examiner decided that Northside should no longer continue to receive state funds. In her decision, the examiner wrote that a Northside student testified that class time...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 State leads neighbors in high-tech growth Growth in high-tech exports is happening faster in Wisconsin than in other Midwestern states, a report tracking the state's economic progress says. Of Wisconsin's $12.7 billion in total exports in 2004, about $2.6 billion, or nearly 21%, were high-tech products and services, according to the...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Barrett seeks shift in voucher funding Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett offered a new idea Tuesday that he said would allow expanded enrollment in the private school voucher program in the city without hurting Milwaukee property-tax payers and without increasing costs to school districts elsewhere in the state. At the heart of Barrett's...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Kohl, Feingold vote against Alito When Sen. Herb Kohl voted to confirm John Roberts as chief justice last year, he said, "I will vote my hopes and not my fears." When it came to Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, Kohl's fears outweighed his hopes. "I fear that a Justice Alito will narrow our rights, limit our freedoms and...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Doyle Says Morale High Among Troops During Iraq Visit Gov. Jim Doyle on Wednesday is on the second day of his surprise visit to Iraq to visit Wisconsin troops. Doyle was in Kuwait and Baghdad on Tuesday, meeting with the nearly 2,000 Wisconsin National Guard members in those countries, WISC-TV reported. Doyle said on Tuesday that the troops that...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Doyle, 3 governors meet troops, commanders in visit to Iraq Americans should not expect the war in Iraq to be wrapped up quickly as violence and instability will likely continue, a U.S. governor said Tuesday during a visit here with three other state governors, including Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle. But Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said the Sunni-led...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 EDITORIAL: Risking trust of the people U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, Wisconsin's maverick dark horse for president, summed it up pretty well: “If a trip is worth taking, members of Congress should be prepared to justify paying for it out of their office accounts.” Feingold, by the way, took no privately-funded trips last year. Neither did...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Kohl Calls for Increase Efforts in Monitoring Inspections U.S. Senator Herb Kohl is calling upon the U.S. Department of Justice to increase its efforts to prevent anti-competitive conditions in the livestock industry. In a letter to the Justice Department's Special Counsel for Agriculture, the Milwaukee Democrat urged a redoubling of efforts to prevent...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Sen. Clinton Blasts Bush on Eavesdropping Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton called President Bush's explanations for eavesdropping on domestic conversations without warrants "strange" and "far-fetched" Wednesday in blistering criticism ahead of the president's State of the Union address. "Obviously, I support tracking down terrorists. I think...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Poll Shows Americans Skeptical About Economy Some of the economic numbers may be looking up, but a lot of Americans aren't convinced. A new survey found that people to be generally skeptical about the economy and worried about the cost of gas, heating oil and health care. A lot of it seems to depend on political affiliation. More than half...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Doyle surprises state troops in Middle East Gov. Jim Doyle said he hopes to deliver messages to family members of soldiers he visited Tuesday from the Appleton-based 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry stationed in Kuwait after he returns next week from Iraq. In a surprise trip to the Iraqi war zone, Doyle, a Democrat, and a delegation of...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Doyle to bring back word on troops in Iraq Gov. Jim Doyle said Tuesday he hopes to return from a visit to the Middle East with messages from soldiers to their families in the Fox Cities. Doyle and a bipartisan delegation of governors made a surprise visit to Iraq and Kuwait as a part of a weeklong trip to check on their states' National...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Doyle visits Wis. Nat’l Guard in Iraq Gov. Jim Doyle paid a surprise visit to Wisconsin National Guard troops in Iraq Tuesday, praising the soldiers for “high morale, a very clear sense of mission and a very clear belief that it can be accomplished” in a teleconference Tuesday morning. Joined by Govs. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark., Rick...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Governor travels to Iraq, visits troops Surprising many at home and abroad, Gov. Jim Doyle revealed Tuesday that he is currently in Iraq visiting Wisconsin National Guard troops. The Wisconsin governor — along with Govs. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark.; Rick Perry, R-Tex.; Dave Freudenthal, D-Wyo. — departed Sunday at the invitation of the U.S....    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Doyle Visits Troops in Iraq Governor Jim Doyle is spending a few days visiting with Wisconsin soldiers in Iraq. Doyle says the troops seem to be in good spirits and are convinced they are on the right track. He will bring those positive messages to their families back home. Doyle didn't want to talk about the progress of...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Doyle turns up in Iraq, Kuwait to visit troops Traveling with three other governors, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle was in Baghdad on Tuesday to provide support to Wisconsin troops who are deployed in the region. The trip was quietly arranged by the U.S. State and Defense departments. "Some of the troops are being asked to do very difficult and...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Sen. Clinton Blasts Bush on Eavesdropping Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton called President Bush's explanations for eavesdropping on domestic conversations without warrants "strange" and "far-fetched" Wednesday in blistering criticism ahead of the president's State of the Union address. "Obviously, I support tracking down terrorists. I think...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Poll Shows Americans Skeptical About Economy Some of the economic numbers may be looking up, but a lot of Americans aren't convinced. A new survey found that people to be generally skeptical about the economy and worried about the cost of gas, heating oil and health care. A lot of it seems to depend on political affiliation. More than half...    more   
• Jan 25, 2006 Doyle, 3 governors meet troops, commanders in visit to Iraq Americans should not expect the war in Iraq to be wrapped up quickly as violence and instability will likely continue, a U.S. governor said Tuesday during a visit here with three other state governors, including Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle. But Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said the Sunni-led...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Doyle visits Iraq in support of troops Wisconsin National Guard troops serving in the Middle East have "high morale, a very clear sense of mission, and a very clear belief that it can be accomplished," Gov. Jim Doyle said in a teleconference from Baghdad today. Doyle, who arrived in Iraq this morning, said he was visiting the country...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Ag secretary testifies that bio-refineries are best opportunity for rural economic development In testimony before the Senate Agriculture Committee, Rod Nilsestuen, secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, said that ethanol bio-refineries are the key to opening a major new chapter in Wisconsin economic development. His remarks were part of a hearing held this week regarding...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Wisconsin Federation of Coops Likes Health Care Initiatives The Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives says it is encouraged by Governor Jim Doyle's emphasis on health care in his recent State of the State Address. WFC President Bill Oemichen said the governor's proposals could assist with his group's attempts to address health care issues in the state....    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Democrats fight for student priorities As a new semester begins, it is time for chalk to cover the sidewalks, quarter sheets to fill the classrooms and the familiar sounds of protests and rallies to echo across Library Mall. As students return to campus, various campaigns will be swinging into gear, and as always, the College...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Kohl, Feingold vote against Alito Wisconsin Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold voted Tuesday against Supreme Court hopeful Samuel Alito, arguing the nominee's views on abortion and executive power called into question his objectivity. All 10 Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted for Alito, while all eight Democrats...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Vogue picks Feingold as 'man of the moment' When a constituent at a listening session last November asked Sen. Russ Feingold to run for president, he told her about a fact-finding trip he'd taken to Iraq and Afghanistan with Hillary Clinton and John McCain. "When we landed, all the soldiers ran up to Senator McCain," said Feingold, "and...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Democrats to honor Fischer County Executive Dan Fischer will be honored at the Manitowoc County Democratic Party’s Winter Dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29 at Club Bil-Mar. Fischer will be saluted for nearly three decades of government service, including six years as a state representative, 18 years as...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 John Nichols: Sensenbrenner fails in his essential duty While Judge Sam Alito's testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee has confirmed that he is not one of their number, a dwindling cadre of public servants still takes seriously the dictates of the Constitution and the intents of it authors. There is no more serious dictate of the document and...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Editorial: Modest set of reforms Democrats in Congress deserve only a small measure of credit for the response they have offered to the bribery and political corruption scandals that are currently rocking Capitol Hill. Uncoupling campaign finance reform from ethics reform creates the ridiculous circumstance where Congress tells...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Update: Kohl & Feingold Vote Against Alito Feingold says he has "grave concerns" about how Alito would rule on cases involving the Bill of Rights during wartime. He says he fears Alito will continue his trend of deferring to the executive branch at the expense of individual rights. Kohl says confirming Alito is a "gamble with our...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Doyle makes a surprise visit to Iraq Wisconsin's governor is in the Middle East, but we don't know how long. Governor Jim Doyle announces a surprise visit to Iraq. He says his primary goal was to meet with Wisconsin troops and see how they're doing. As for locals, Doyle admits he's spent most of his time with the troops and...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Doyle meets with Wisconsin troops in Iraq Wisconsin's governor and three others are spending some time in the Middle East. During a conference call from Baghdad with Wisconsin reporters, Governor Jim Doyle talks about his surprise visit to Iraq. Doyle met up with some Wisconsin soldiers and says those troops are being asked to do...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Governor Pays Surprise Visit to Iraq Governor Jim Doyle is one of four governors who are making a surprise visit to Iraq. Doyle is visiting Wisconsin National Guard troops after being invited to make the trip by the Defense and State Departments. Doyle is part of the bi-partisan group that also includes Democratic Governor Dave...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Petition: Gun bill bad for business More than five dozen business owners and employees in small towns throughout Green and Dane counties have signed a petition against proposed legislation to legalize the carrying of concealed weapons. The Republican-led Senate Bill 403 was passed in amended form by the Senate and Assembly before...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Senators Feingold & Kohl Concerned Over Alito's Nomination Confirmation for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito is in the hands of the Senate despite Wisconsin's two senators voting against his nomination. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Alito's nomination Tuesday by a 10-to-8 vote, along party lines. Senator Feingold says he has "grave concerns"...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Kohl, Feingold vote against Alito As expected, Wisconsin's U.S. Senators reject Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. Democrats Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold, both members of the Judiciary Committee, voiced their objections to President Bush's nominee. Senator Kohl questioned Alito's commitment to a woman's right to privacy, as did...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Kohl, Feingold Vote Against Alito Nomination U.S. Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold, both D-Wis., voted against Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito during Tuesday's Senate Judiciary Committee vote. Kohl called a vote for the federal appeals court judge a "gamble" that he wasn't willing to make. The committee voted in favor of the nomination...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Doyle Makes Surprise Visit To Troops In Iraq Gov. Jim Doyle and three other US governors are in Iraq Tuesday on a surprise visit to troops, according to a spokeswoman of the Arkansas governor. Joining Doyle are Govs. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, Rick Perry of Texas, and Dave Freudenthal of Wyoming, said Huckabee spokeswoman Alice Stewart. She...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Doyle joins three other governors on surprise visit to troops in Iraq Governor Jim Doyle and three other U-S governors are in Iraq today on a surprise visit to troops, according to a spokeswoman of the Arkansas governor. Joining Doyle are Governors Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, Rick Perry of Texas, and Dave Freudenthal of Wyoming, says Huckabee spokeswoman Alice...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Herb Kohl To Vote Against Alito Sen. Herb Kohl said Tuesday he would vote against Samuel Alito, calling a vote for the Supreme Court nominee a "gamble" he wasn't willing to make. "I fear that a Justice Alito will narrow our rights, limit our freedoms and overturn decades of progress," said Kohl, D-Wis., in a statement before...    more   
• Jan 24, 2006 Kohl, Feingold vote against Alito Wisconsin Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold voted Tuesday against Supreme Court hopeful Samuel Alito, arguing the nominee's views on abortion and executive power called into question his objectivity. All 10 Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted for Alito, while all eight Democrats...    more   
• Jan 23, 2006 Pocan fights for progressive values Since his election to the State Assembly in 1998, Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, has been working as a key Democrat within the Legislature to promote Wisconsin’s progressive values. “I think my goal around here has been to see what I can do to help bring Wisconsin back to the progressive tradition...    more   
• Jan 23, 2006 Editorial: Some lessons from Ireland The Emerald Isle certainly has lessons to teach Wisconsin about economic development and the key role education plays in a healthy economy, as Gov. Jim Doyle, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Tim Sheehy, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, and other area leaders learned...    more   
• Jan 23, 2006 Halliburton: U.S. Troops Exposed To Contaminated Water Halliburton employees said they told the defense contractor that contaminated water was being used by U.S. troops and civilians at a U.S. military base in Iraq. But the employees said they couldn't get Halliburton to inform camp residents of the problem. The contaminated water came to light in...    more   
• Jan 23, 2006 Dave Zweifel: Gore said what needed to be said Al Gore, the man who the majority of American voters chose to be president in 2000, created one big stir last week with his Martin Luther King Jr. Day speech in which he called on the people to take back the Constitution. The buzz is still buzzing, including some calling for the former vice...    more   
• Jan 23, 2006 Bill would allow unionization at UW University of Wisconsin System professors, researchers and staff will have the right to unionize if a new Senate bill is approved. Senate Majority Leader Dale Schultz delivered the proposal to fellow legislators at a public hearing Wednesday. If passed, Senate Bill 452 would provide “all UW...    more   
• Jan 23, 2006 Feingold Unsure of Alito Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) says he's undecided on Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. He says he does not know if Alito would be as objective as he should be. Feingold and Senator Herb Kohl (D-Wisconsin) are both on the Judiciary Committee that will begin voting on Alito's nomination....    more   
• Jan 23, 2006 Documents: U-S troops and civilians faced contaminated water in Iraq Senate Democrats are holding a public inquiry into allegations that troops and civilians at a U-S military base in Iraq were exposed to contaminated water last year. The contractor in charge of water quality is Halliburton, which disputes the claims about water problems at Camp Junction City in...    more   
• Jan 22, 2006 Editorial: John Gard is DeLay's man U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay may have stepped down as House majority leader and as the kingpin of congressional Republicans. But before scandal forced DeLay out of the leadership of his party's legislative forces, he established a ruthless political operation that had as its goal the nomination and...    more   
• Jan 22, 2006 Editorial: Small price, big gain for state Is the Affordability Agenda affordable? That's the question Republicans had after it was the centerpiece of Gov. Jim Doyle's State of the State speech Tuesday night. Frankly, that's what The Post-Crescent editorial board was wondering about, too. Many of the proposals were noble, addressing the...    more   
• Jan 22, 2006 Who pays the tab for low benefits? Health care was a manageable expense in 1981 when Patti and Dave Lorbecki took over their Piggly Wiggly supermarket in Jefferson. Now the Lorbeckis, like small-business owners across the nation, struggle each year with double-digit increases in health insurance premiums for their full-time...    more   
• Jan 22, 2006 Poll: Most Find Medicare Program Puzzling Most people, particularly senior citizens, say they are having a hard time understanding the new Medicare prescription drug program, an AP-Ipsos poll found. The drug benefit requires people to choose from among dozens of competing private insurance plans. Along with senior citizens, those most...    more   
• Jan 22, 2006 US troops exposed to contaminated water in Iraq, Halliburton documents say Halliburton employees say they told the defense contractor that contaminated water was being used by U-S troops and civilians at a U-S military base in Iraq. But the employees say they couldn't get Halliburton to inform camp residents of the problem. The contaminated water came to light in...    more   
• Jan 22, 2006 Sons' trial doesn't make Marvin Pratt, Moore guilty The idea that innocent children must sometimes suffer for the sins of their fathers is a well-known concept, referenced in everything from Shakespeare to the Bible. Asking parents to suffer for the sins of their sons is a different thing altogether. But it's a familiar theme for Milwaukee lately...    more   
• Jan 22, 2006 Poll: Most Find Medicare Program Puzzling Most people, particularly senior citizens, say they are having a hard time understanding the new Medicare prescription drug program, an AP-Ipsos poll found. The drug benefit requires people to choose from among dozens of competing private insurance plans. Along with senior citizens, those most...    more   
• Jan 22, 2006 Poll: Most Find Medicare Program Puzzling Most people, particularly senior citizens, say they are having a hard time understanding the new Medicare prescription drug program, an AP-Ipsos poll found. The drug benefit requires people to choose from among dozens of competing private insurance plans. Along with senior citizens, those most...    more   
• Jan 22, 2006 Privacy, Medicare on minds of citizens at Feingold session Sheboygan County residents are worried about Big Brother. Bush administration wire-tapping, the Patriot Act and the terrorist watch list were among the topics discussed at U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold's listening session Saturday in Kohler. "This is how I do my job," Feingold told the more than 60...    more   
• Jan 22, 2006 Privacy, Medicare on minds of citizens at Feingold session Sheboygan County residents are worried about Big Brother. Bush administration wire-tapping, the Patriot Act and the terrorist watch list were among the topics discussed at U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold's listening session Saturday in Kohler. "This is how I do my job," Feingold told the more than 60...    more   
• Jan 22, 2006 Editorial: Wisconsin Covenant grand idea with big potential payoff Gov. Jim Doyle is not short of grand ideas. In his State of the State speech Tuesday, he introduced a program that would guarantee qualified students a package of financial aid and loans sufficient to fund a college education at one of the University of Wisconsin campuses. Wisconsin Covenant is...    more   
• Jan 21, 2006 Doyle: Funds provide heating aid Gov. Jim Doyle on Friday said new higher-than-expected state revenues should pay for increased heating assistance for Wisconsin families squeezed by energy costs. On Thursday, the state's Legislative Fiscal Bureau released figures that indicate revenues in the 2005-07 budget period will be $93...    more   
• Jan 21, 2006 Tax credit helps create 71 jobs Gov. Jim Doyle Friday unveiled a $250,000 tax credit package that will help J.J. Keller & Associates with its creation of 71 new positions. The jobs are related to a new Web-based product introduced by the large technical publishing firm, said Robert Keller, president and chief executive officer....    more   
• Jan 21, 2006 Doyle vetoes bill on concealed weapons Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed a bill Friday that would allow people to carry concealed weapons, saying it would make the state more dangerous. "The bill does not create a single job, help a single Wisconsin citizen afford health care or improve schools for a single Wisconsin child," Doyle said in a...    more   
• Jan 21, 2006 America needs honest leadership, Reid says in broadcast Democrats are urging President Bush to reform politics in Washington and end his party's "pattern of deceit." Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid says Republicans enjoy "absolute power" in Washington, and that power has led to corruption throughout the party. In the weekly Democratic address,...    more   
• Jan 21, 2006 Local Democrats want Bush out The Democratic Party of Walworth County has called for the immediate impeachment of President George W. Bush. Thirty members at a party meeting Thursday cited five reasons why the President should be removed from office. According to a release from the party, the reasons are because Bush: Invaded...    more   
• Jan 21, 2006 Wisconsin Governor vetoes concealed carry bill Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed a bill Friday that would let people carry hidden guns and knives, setting up a political battle that could test party loyalty as lawmakers try to override the veto. Doyle, a Democrat, said the bill endangers public safety by letting people carry guns in shopping...    more   
• Jan 21, 2006 First lady promotes governor’s higher education initiatives Wisconsin’s first lady thinks it should be easier to attend a state university if you are a high-achieving student. That’s the idea behind the Wisconsin Covenant, an initiative proposed earlier this week in Gov. Jim Doyle’s State of the State address that would help the state’s students continue...    more   
• Jan 21, 2006 Lawton in Beloit, touts Doyle's plans Getting a college degree may be a ticket into the 21st Century. Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton shared what the state is doing to help kids obtain that ticket during a discussion held at McNeel Middle School, 1524 Frederick St. During a question and answer session with students on Friday...    more   
• Jan 20, 2006 Doyle Says He will Veto Concealed Gun Law Gov. Jim Doyle said he planned to veto a GOP-authored bill that would let Wisconsin residents carry concealed guns and knives Friday. Doyle, a Democrat, said he planned to veto the bill when he returned to Madison early Friday evening from trips around the state. Wisconsin is one of four states...    more   
• Jan 20, 2006 Benefits from future stem-cell research may win public over Once a universally-divisive topic, public and political sentiment against stem-cell research may slowly be eroding, according to state politicians and recent local and national political developments. Gov. Jim Doyle’s State of the State speech highlighted stem-cell research as a vital component...    more   
• Jan 20, 2006 State to end up $93M ahead for 2006-07 The latest report on Wisconsin's financial health shows the state ending its two-year budget next year ahead by about $93 million. But with a $75 million deficit looming in the state's health care program for the poor, elderly and disabled, Republican lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle...    more   
• Jan 20, 2006 High Heating Bills Leave Residents In The Cold Gov. Jim Doyle is pushing a plan to help more Wisconsinites cover their heating costs this winter. He wants $6 million added to a fund helping people like Lottie Truman cover heating bills. The seamstress runs her shop out of her living room, and said she can't make it without the state's help....    more   
• Jan 20, 2006 Gov. Doyle Meets With Feds About Medicare Problems U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt met with Gov. Jim Doyle on Friday to offer assurances that the federal government is working to fix problems that states have experienced with new prescription-drug coverage under Medicare. The federal government took on the responsibility...    more   
• Jan 20, 2006 Lawton: Health, education will top agenda Health and education are at the top of the list of key items for Wisconsin's future, according to Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton. Lawton, in Rhinelander Wednesday as part of a statewide tour to discuss Tuesday's State of the State address by Gov. Jim Doyle, said he laid out some very effective...    more   
• Jan 20, 2006 Business climate, manufacturing strong in state, Burke says In his State of the State address Tuesday night, Gov. Jim Doyle announced plans to fund a new initiative to help Wisconsin manufacturers. On Wednesday, Wisconsin Department of Commerce Secretary Mary Burke visited The Jor-Mac Co. Inc. in Grafton to discuss the initiative. Before her presentation,...    more   
• Jan 20, 2006 Drivers sing praises of vehicles' 'flex fuel' Little Chute's Tammy Darnick is sold on using ethanol to fuel her minivan. "It's cheaper and it runs in my gas tank," Darnick, who figures she drives between 35 miles and 50 miles a day, said Thursday after filling up at Kwik Trip, 3721 W. College Ave. "It also seems to burn better than regular...    more   
• Jan 20, 2006 State official touts biotech industry Rachel Chizek, a 21-year-old biochemistry major at Lakeland College, wants to work with DNA when she graduates in 2007, but is worried she'll have to leave Wisconsin to do that. But according to Michael Morgan, Wisconsin secretary of revenue, the state aims to create new jobs in the...    more   
• Jan 20, 2006 Wal-Mart warned on health care Wal-Mart was on the defensive after Gov. Jim Doyle warned the mega retail chain to stop relying on state aid to pay its employees' health care costs. In his annual State of the State address Tuesday night, Doyle targeted the largest private employer in America when he said, "I want to make this...    more   
• Jan 20, 2006 State Senate OKs nursing home bill The state Senate unanimously approved a bill authored by Sen. Joe Leibham, R-Sheboygan, and Rep. Dan LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, to provide more state funding for county- and municipal- owned and operated health- care facilities. Assembly Bill 802, which still requires Gov. Jim Doyle's signature to...    more   
• Jan 20, 2006 Assembly veto override fails After a largely party-line vote Thursday, the Wisconsin State Assembly ultimately upheld Gov. Jim Doyle’s veto of medical malpractice caps. If overridden, the legislation — called Assembly Bill 766 — would have limited the maximum amount of non-economic damages that can be awarded in cases of...    more   
• Jan 20, 2006 Assembly Democrats unveil agenda to help middle class Key state Assembly Democrats announced their 2006 “On Wisconsin Agenda” Thursday, outlining a number of legislative reform goals aimed toward helping the middle class. “We have 20 days left, and I think we need to focus on those issues that are kitchen-table issues that deal with everybody across...    more   
• Jan 20, 2006 State expects extra tax income A report released Thursday says the state's rebounding economy will generate an additional $93 million in tax collections by mid-2007 - money that legislators say they might have to use to cover a rising deficit in health care costs. "We have to pay our bills," said Rep. Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah),...    more   
• Jan 20, 2006 Doyle's Malpractice Veto Stands Dr. Meetul Shah doesn't like what he's been reading and hearing from other doctors in Wisconsin. "When I moved here, 2 weeks before I started practice, the supreme court overturned the malpractice caps." Dr. Shah moved to Stoughton from the west coast last summer, in part, because of the state's...    more   
• Jan 20, 2006 Health care tops agenda for Assembly Democrats State Assembly Democrats revealed their “On Wisconsin Agenda” in a press conference held at the Capitol Thursday to promote issues they say did not receive enough legislative attention. State Rep. Jim Kreuser, D-Kenosha, said Democrats “will work hard to return the focus to the kitchen-table...    more   
• Jan 20, 2006 Congressional race attracts early attention In Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District, the horses are on the track and some of bets are on the table — nearly eight months in advance of the primary. The district, represented by Republicans for all but a single term in the past quarter-century, is viewed by no one as a lock this time around....    more   
• Jan 19, 2006 Dems hype home heat help Assembly Democrats want to turn up the heat, on the issue of home heating assistance. In his state of the state address, Governor Jim Doyle proposed six million additional dollars in home heating assistance. Representative John Lehman of Racine urged action on that proposal. Republicans have...    more   
• Jan 19, 2006 Military Families Honored, Surprised by Governor's Recognition The wife of a Fond du Lac soldier honored by Governor Jim Doyle during Tuesday night's State of the State address says she had no idea that was going to happen. Toward the end of his speech, the governor showed live video of a group of Wisconsin National Guard members stationed in Kuwait. They...    more   
• Jan 19, 2006 Doyle focuses on middle class in speech According to Gov. Jim Doyle's State of the State Address, the state government will turn its focus to the working, middle-class families of Wisconsin in the coming year. Speaking from Madison on Tuesday evening, the governor presented his "affordability agenda," which will aid in providing health...    more   
• Jan 19, 2006 Editorial: State bails out Washington on Medicare drug problems As dysfunctional as state government can be, it still frequently works better than the federal government. The new Medicare Part D prescription drug plan for senior and disabled citizens is the latest example. Because of problems that are occurring, the state is nobly coming to the rescue. Since...    more   
• Jan 19, 2006 Doyle right that state is better off Gov. Jim Doyle's State of the State speech Tuesday night was a grab bag of relatively benign yet popular proposals designed to help him win re-election this fall. Doyle occasionally inspired, as with his forceful support of stem-cell research. He's right that politics should not stand in the way...    more   
• Jan 19, 2006 Editorial: Program deserves expansion It's not often that a governor has the political luxury of suggesting the expansion of a government program to serve more senior citizens and at the same time save money doing it. But that's exactly what the Legislature will be able to accomplish by going along with Gov. Jim Doyle's proposal in...    more   
• Jan 19, 2006 Kagen lobbies for D.C. backing Steve Kagen met Wednesday with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and a national postal workers union seeking support for his campaign in Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District. The meetings marked the second day of a three-day Washington trip by the 56-year-old physician from...    more   
• Jan 19, 2006 Former EPA Republicans: Get it together, Bush The U.S. is failing to take the lead in confronting global warming, a "dishonest" and "self-destructive" approach that only worsens the problem, say former federal environmental chiefs. "We need leadership, and I don't think we're getting it," Russell Train said Wednesday at an Environmental...    more   
• Jan 19, 2006 Kagen seeks support for Congress bid Steve Kagen met Wednesday with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and a national postal workers union seeking support for his campaign in Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District. The meetings marked the second day of a three-day Washington trip by the 56-year-old physician from...    more   
• Jan 19, 2006 Assembly Dems call for efforts on health care Assembly Democrats roll out their agenda for 2006, with health care the number one priority. With just 20 days left in the legislative session, Minority Leader Jim Krueser used a Capitol press conference to call for consideration of Governor Jim Doyle's "affordability agenda," including the...    more   
• Jan 19, 2006 Doyle Proposes Heating Costs Relief Plan Governor Doyle wants to give needy families another six million dollars to help pay their heating bills. But, he hasn't said how he'd come up with that money, and Republican lawmakers are questioning whether Doyle is sincere or just politically grandstanding. Doyle announced the plan Tuesday...    more   
• Jan 19, 2006 Jessica Doyle touts governor's college pledge proposal Zak Sprenger is only in seventh grade, but he has considered where he wants to go after he graduates from Lincoln High School in 2011. After hearing first lady Jessica Doyle talk to about 40 Washington Junior High School students Wednesday about Gov. Jim Doyle's plan to keep students in Wisconsin...    more   
• Jan 19, 2006 Governor’s new agenda at forefront of 2006 address Amid party friends and political foes, Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle delivered his 2006 State of the State address at the State Capitol Tuesday, officially unveiling an “affordability agenda” intended to keep Wisconsin moving forward. Doyle — who is up for reelection this year — spoke of the...    more   
• Jan 19, 2006 Doyle puts Family Care in spotlight La Crosse County’s pilot Family Care program could go regional if Gov. Jim Doyle gets his way. “Years ago, Gov. (Tommy) Thompson — and many of you in this room — started a great pilot program called Family Care, which gives people the ability to move off the waiting list and out of the nursing...    more   
• Jan 19, 2006 Extending global reach The state intends to spend about $400,000 over the next year to help smaller businesses improve their manufacturing techniques so they can compete in a global economy, Mary P. Burke, Wisconsin secretary of commerce, said Wednesday. The money will be used to help about 100 companies bring in...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Dems: We can run on Doyle's agenda With one speech, Gov. Jim Doyle has offered state Democrats a platform for this fall's elections: a living wage to lift families out of poverty, health care for all Wisconsin children, aid for low-income families to pay their heating costs this winter, easier financial access to the University of...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Doyle wants to expand Family Care program A few words that Gov. Jim Doyle spoke Tuesday night could fundamentally change the lives of local elderly and developmentally disabled people. Doyle proposed to extend the state's Family Care program across all counties from only a handful of pilot counties. That program aims to centralize...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Affordability Agenda Education, jobs, and healthcare all have prominent places on Governor Jim Doyle's agenda for the year. He spelled out his priorities during his annual State of the State Address Tuesday night at the state capitol. He calls his proposals 'the affordability agenda.' The Governor wants to provide...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Editorial: Small but decent idea In an age when spin trumps substance, State of the State addresses, like State of the Union addresses, have lost all meaning and value. Governors use them to grab a little television time by tossing out laundry lists of proposals that are unlikely ever to be acted upon by the Legislature - let...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Ethanol, Health Care Mentioned During State of the State Speech Governor Jim Doyle says Wisconsin must reduce its dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels by immediately implementing new standards on renewable energy. During his annual State of the State Address on Tuesday, Doyle called on fellow lawmakers to pass the recommendations of his Task Force on...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Doyle touts affordability agenda Seniors, college students, people living in poverty and people struggling with their heating bills received pledges of help Tuesday night from Gov. Jim Doyle. In his annual State of the State speech, Doyle outlined a list of new programs he dubbed an "affordability agenda." "Tonight I offer an...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Doyle's plan for college aid lauded Gov. Jim Doyle's proposal to financially help high school students who maintain good grades through college is making some Sheboygan-area students and parents smile. Arisbeida Mendiola, 12, a seventh-grader at Horace Mann Middle School, said it makes her dream of becoming a lawyer a little more...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Doyle's plan for college aid lauded Gov. Jim Doyle's proposal to financially help high school students who maintain good grades through college is making some Sheboygan-area students and parents smile. Arisbeida Mendiola, 12, a seventh-grader at Horace Mann Middle School, said it makes her dream of becoming a lawyer a little more...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Proposals focus on health care, college tuition, elder care in State of State address Gov. Jim Doyle proposed new programs to make health care more affordable, put college within reach of middle-class families and help more people stay in their own homes rather than assisted living facilities Tuesday in his annual State of the State address. Unveiling what he called his...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Doyle agenda focuses on 'affordability' Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle outlined an "affordability agenda" aimed at middle-class and working families during his State of the State address Tuesday night. The question many Republican lawmakers have is: How will the state afford it? "He made a lot of promises and a lot of interesting proposals,...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Cardinal View: A campaign speech with promise Gov. Doyle stepped up to the podium of the Assembly chamber in the Capitol last night to give his annual State of the State address with one thing in mind—his campaign for reelection. This was Doyle’s chance to grab the spotlight and roll out the red carpet on his campaign. He used the...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Gov. touts research, education in address Gov. Jim Doyle addressed the state Legislature in his annual State of the State address, announcing plans for education reform, changes in health care and advancement and opportunities for stem cell research Tuesday at the Capitol. Doyle called Wisconsin the “birthplace of stem cell research”...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 A speech of and for the people In his last State of the State address heading into what promises to be a tough re-election year, Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle on Tuesday took credit for steering Wisconsin out of dangerous budget shoals and sought to align himself squarely with middle-class families. Announcing what he termed his...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Doyle Unveils Health Care, Education Agenda Expanding access to health care and a college education were key features of the legislative agenda that Gov. Jim Doyle presented during his State of the State address on Tuesday night. In his speech before state lawmakers, Doyle proposed what he called an "affordability agenda," which he said...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Guests Identified During His Doyle's Speech Gov. Jim Doyle recognized several Wisconsinites during his State of the State speech on Tuesday night. The following is a list of the individuals and a brief description of their backgrounds. Carolyn, Paul, Sam and Sue Miller: Doyle visited the Eau Claire family in December to talk to them about...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Governor seeks help for the middle class In his last State of the State address before what promises to be a tough re-election year, Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle on Tuesday took credit for steering Wisconsin out of dangerous budget shoals and sought to align himself with middle-class families. Announcing what he termed his "affordability...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 State of the State Address Governor Jim Doyle spoke to the joint legislature for a little over an hour. Mostly talking about what he wants the legislature to do make living more affordable to Wisconsin families. After recapping the previous year, as the first part of his 'Affordability Agenda Governor Doyle focused on...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Governor Pushes "Affordability Agenda" The theme Gov. Doyle pushed on Tuesday night was the idea of making life easier on Wisconsin middle class families. He began with addressing the need for affordable healthcare, starting with the need to drive down insurance costs. "The state will set up a catastrophic insurance pool that will...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 State of the State: Doyle unveils "affordability agenda" Governor Jim Doyle proposes an "affordability agenda" with health care and education as its cornerstones. In his State of the State address, Doyle conceded that health care costs are putting middle class Wisconsin families and many state employers in a bind. He proposes the "Healthy Wisconsin"...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Doyle Agenda Governor Jim Doyle is proposing what he calls an "affordability agenda" ... with goals of making health care more affordable, putting college within reach of middle-class families and helping more people stay in their own homes rather than nursing homes. The Democratic governor unveiled the...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Highlights of Gov. Jim Doyle's 'State of State' speech Governor Jim Doyle's annual State of the State speech tonight included plans for several new initiatives, including: Creating a new health insurance program for children called BadgerCare Plus. The effort would merge 500,000 individuals currently enrolled in three different programs into one....    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Guests Identified During His Doyle's Speech Gov. Jim Doyle recognized several Wisconsinites during his State of the State speech on Tuesday night. The following is a list of the individuals and a brief description of their backgrounds. Carolyn, Paul, Sam and Sue Miller: Doyle visited the Eau Claire family in December to talk to them about...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Doyle's office estimates cost of 'affordability agenda' Governor Jim Doyle's office has some figures on the cost of his proposed "affordability agenda." Those are proposals he unveiled tonight in his State of the State speech, with goals of making health care more affordable, putting college within reach of middle-class families and helping more...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Doyle Unveils Health Care, Education Agenda Expanding access to health care and a college education were key features of the legislative agenda that Gov. Jim Doyle presented during his State of the State address on Tuesday night. In his speech before state lawmakers, Doyle proposed what he called an "affordability agenda," which he said...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Doyle touts 'affordability agenda' In a wide-ranging speech aimed at covering all of his political bases, Gov. Jim Doyle said he had righted the state's finances and was now turning to an "affordability agenda" to address the demands on middle-class families across the state. In his fourth "state of the state" address - and his...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Medicare Part D Mayhem State employees are trying to pick up the slack left by the federal government after enacting Medicare's new prescription drug program. Right now, 110,000 Wisconsinites could be facing problems with the changeover from Medicaid to Medicare. The program's problems are causing headaches for...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Doyle unveils 'affordability agenda' Governor Jim Doyle is proposing what he calls an "affordability agenda" ... with goals of making health care more affordable, putting college within reach of middle-class families and helping more people stay in their own homes rather than nursing homes. The Democratic governor unveiled the...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Doyle takes aim at "health dumping" Gov. Jim Doyle is set to unveil new programs to strengthen the Wisconsin economy and help the state’s neediest residents. In his speech to the state Legislature, Doyle will tell the people of the Wisconsin that the state is moving forward, according to an advance copy of the address. “Today our...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Feingold: Too early to decide on presidential run U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold is "grateful" for the support shown by people across Wisconsin encouraging him to run for president in 2008 but he won't make a decision on his candidacy until after the November elections. Feingold, D-Wis., made his annual visit to Middleton's Northside Elementary School...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Dems Counter GOP's Reforms Amid Lobby Scandal Democrats are trying to gain the edge in the race for lobbying ethics reform with a package of measures to bar members of Congress from accepting gifts, meals and travel from lobbyists. House and Senate Democratic leaders are to outline their approach to cleaning up the tainted relationship...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Kind proposes ethics, lobby reforms A Wisconsin Congressman lays out proposed ethics and lobbying reforms. Last spring, La Crosse Democrat Ron Kind was cosponsor of the Special Interest Lobbying and Ethics Accountability Act. The measure has gone nowhere, but Kind thinks now it deserves a closer look, in the form of what he calls...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Governor's guests at his annual State of the State speech Gov. Jim Doyle recognized several Wisconsinites during his State of the State speech Tuesday night. The following is a list of the individuals and a brief description of their backgrounds. Carolyn, Paul, Sam and Sue Miller: Doyle visited the Eau Claire family in December to talk to them about...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Doyle wants emergency $6 million for heating Gov. Jim Doyle says he wants to do something about that knot in the stomachs of poor people when they open their heating bills. In his State of the State address Tuesday night, Doyle proposed an emergency heating assistance package that would lay out $6 million to help pay heating bills on the...    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 Highlights of Gov. Jim Doyle's 'State of State' speech Gov. Jim Doyle's annual State of the State speech Tuesday night included plans for several new initiatives, including: Creating a new health insurance program for children called BadgerCare Plus. The effort would merge 500,000 individuals currently enrolled in three different programs into one....    more   
• Jan 18, 2006 State of the State Governor Jim Doyle says he has big plans for the final year of his term. In the annual State of the State address, the governor outlined his three major plans for this year, including helping more students go to college, helping to pay heating bills, and lowering the cost of health care. He calls...    more   
• Jan 17, 2006 Doyle To Outline Stem Cell, College Aid Proposals In Address Gov. Jim Doyle will give his state of the state address on Tuesday night, and he plans to lay out plans for several new statewide initiatives, including bolstering embryonic stem cell research and a new financial aid package to help high school students with good grade-point averages pay for...    more   
• Jan 17, 2006 Doyle proposes new college aid package Gov. Jim Doyle is proposing a new financial aid package to help high school students with good grade-point averages pay for college. Under the plan, which Doyle is expected to announce during his State of the State address Tuesday night, eighth-graders would sign a pledge agreeing to maintain at...    more   
• Jan 17, 2006 Cindy Jahnke: Concealed carry is unnecessary law Dear Editor: The Republicans are starting the year off with a bang because they can't think of anything better to do for the people. They're really good at spoon-fed propaganda but haven't been effective in getting anything else done except proposing under-funding schools, trying to take away...    more   
• Jan 17, 2006 Gore Assails Domestic Wiretapping Program Former Vice President Al Gore called Monday for an independent investigation of President Bush's domestic spying program, contending the president "repeatedly and insistently" broke the law by eavesdropping on Americans without court approval. Speaking on Martin Luther King Jr.'s national...    more   
• Jan 17, 2006 Congressman Kind Announces Accountability Act Wisconsin's Congressman Ron Kind hopes the lobbying scandal in Washington will lead to major reforms. Kind says too many Americans feel their is a big 'for sale' sign over the U.S. Congress. He says there is an impression that Washington is a pay-to-play type atmosphere and that decisions are...    more   
• Jan 17, 2006 Kind talks up ethics reform U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, pushed Monday for ethics reform in the federal government in the wake of a scandal involving a Washington lobbyist. “It is long past time to address the systemic problems that have undermined the American people’s confidence in Congress,” Kind said at a news...    more   
• Jan 17, 2006 War on Terror: Congressman Says U.S. Losing Focus A Wisconsin lawmaker says there's only so much the United States can do in Iraq. Congressman Ron Kind says it's time to start letting the Iraqi government do more so the U.S. can focus more on other things. "Because of the President's decision to go into Iraq, we diverted a lot of resources...    more   
• Jan 17, 2006 8th District candidate forum on Thursday Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 400 is hosting an 8th Congressional District candidate forum at 7 p.m. Thursday at its training center, 2700 Northridge Drive. The five candidates for the 8th Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Hobart, are state Rep. John Gard,...    more   
• Jan 17, 2006 John Nichols: GOP moderates right to oppose Alito Confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominees should always be about more than the abortion debate. And the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to serve on the high court touched on a broad variety of issues including the essential question of whether...    more   
• Jan 17, 2006 Feingold Discusses War On Terror In Town Hall Meeting Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold discussed the War on Terror during a town hall meeting in Lake Geneva Sunday. He also addressed stalled investigation into President George W. Bush's initial decision to send troops to Iraq. “We have been waiting,” said Feingold. “It's long over due that this part of...    more   
• Jan 17, 2006 New law offers better protection for victims of abuse Loud voices and the sound of commotion can be heard on the other side of the door. When law enforcement knocks, a chaotic scene unfolds before them. Injured and agitated, both adults in the room are blaming each other for the violence. Since April 1, 1989, officers have been required to make an...    more   
• Jan 17, 2006 Doyle to propose energy cost aid About 30,000 Wisconsin families would be given an average of $200 in state heating bill assistance this year under a plan Gov. Jim Doyle plans to unveil tonight. In his annual State of the State speech, Doyle intends to propose spending $6 million to help people struggling with rising heating...    more   
• Jan 17, 2006 State of the State Address May Touch on Farm Issues Governor Jim Doyle will deliver his State of the State Address to a joint session of the Legislature this evening in the Assembly Chambers of the State Capitol. The speech will focus on the Governor's priorities for the next year, including improving education, expanding access to health care,...    more   
• Jan 17, 2006 Governor Doyle Gives State Of The State Tonight Gov. Jim Doyle is proposing a new financial aid package to help high school students with good grade-point averages pay for college. Under the plan, which Doyle is expected to announce during his State of the State address Tuesday night, eighth-graders would sign a pledge agreeing to maintain at...    more   
• Jan 17, 2006 Doyle To Outline Stem Cell, College Aid Proposals In Address Gov. Jim Doyle will give his state of the state address on Tuesday night, and he plans to lay out plans for several new statewide initiatives, including bolstering embryonic stem cell research and a new financial aid package to help high school students with good grade-point averages pay for...    more   
• Jan 16, 2006 Doyle pushes on stem cells Gov. Jim Doyle says he will propose new steps to maintain Wisconsin's status as a leader in embryonic stem cell research during his State of the State speech Tuesday night. In an interview today, Doyle said he aims to have Wisconsin capture 10 percent of the stem cell research market by 2015. By...    more   
• Jan 16, 2006 Doyle looks to kindle business in New North Gov. Jim Doyle will announce Tuesday that $9.5 million in private venture capital will be made available to startup businesses in the 18-county area in Northeastern Wisconsin now branded the New North. Barely a month old, the New North has within its borders a group of 75 private investors whose...    more   
• Jan 16, 2006 Gay marriage battle to resume A proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in Wisconsin is expected to come before lawmakers once the Legislature reconvenes this week, spurring some area residents to resume lobbying against the measure. The proposed amendment passed in the Senate and Assembly last session, and...    more   
• Jan 16, 2006 All eyes are on Feingold as senator's all ears again You're one of the hot acts in American politics, you're coming off a big role in a week of Supreme Court nomination hearings, and the Sunday morning TV talking heads are talking about you. So, Russ Feingold, how about a dose of where people - or at least many of your supporters - are really at,...    more   
• Jan 16, 2006 Feingold presses president’s actions U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., issued a statement earlier this month calling for the need to hold hearings investigating President George W. Bush’s authorization of secret wiretaps. “I look forward to comprehensive hearings … regarding the President’s decision to authorize secret wiretaps of...    more   
• Jan 16, 2006 Attorney General to address local Democrats Peg Lautenschlager will be a featured speaker at the Manitowoc County Democratic Party’s winter dinner and silent auction. “What It Means to be a Democrat” will be the focus of remarks by the state’s attorney general on Sunday, Jan. 29 at the Club Bil-Mar. Lautenschlager was elected as...    more   
• Jan 16, 2006 Doyle capitalizes on venture plan Gov. Jim Doyle will announce Tuesday that $9.5 million in private venture capital will be made available to startup businesses in an 18-county area in northeastern Wisconsin. The area, now being marketed as the New North, has a group of 75 private investors whose contributions have created the...    more   
• Jan 16, 2006 Editorial: Medicare mess lies at feet of Congress We knew coming in that Medicare Part D, the new prescription drug coverage for senior citizens and the disabled, would be a monumental undertaking. Just the fact that Congress worked on the effort for more than two years is enough to warn even the most bureaucratically savvy that there would be...    more   
• Jan 16, 2006 Prescription Drug Plan Causing Confusion It's been a rocky start to the year for Wisconsinites who enrolled in the Medicare drug program on Jan. 1. The necessary identification cards haven't arrived. Arnie and Waunetta Pollow said that they feel like they're one of the lucky ones. They signed up for the drug plan and have been able to...    more   
• Jan 15, 2006 Doyle aims to expand Family Care In his state of the state speech Tuesday, Gov. Jim Doyle will propose a statewide expansion of Wisconsin's Family Care program, which provides long-term, community-based services to low-income seniors and people with disabilities. The program now operates on a pilot basis in five counties,...    more   
• Jan 15, 2006 Analysts: Growing Deficit Hobbles Economy Like a person packing on pounds, the United States keeps adding to its flabby budget deficits, endangering the nation's economic health and the pocketbooks of ordinary Americans. Here's the worry: Persistent deficits will lead to higher borrowing costs for consumers and companies, slowing...    more   
• Jan 15, 2006 New Skepticism Voiced On Bush's Domestic Spying The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee expressed skepticism Sunday over President Bush's domestic eavesdropping program, joining a chorus of Republicans and Democrats who are questioning its legal justification. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who will hold hearings next month on the decision...    more   
• Jan 15, 2006 Democrats preparing proposal to tighten code of conduct Democrats intend to unveil a sweeping plan this week to tighten the code of conduct in Congress. Officials familiar with the proposals say the plan will call for a ban on lobbyists' gifts to lawmakers, as well as crackdown on special interest provisions slipped into legislation in the final...    more   
• Jan 15, 2006 Madison weekly: Medicare problems Gov. Jim Doyle announced Friday that the state will cover the cost of prescription drugs for seniors and people with disabilities who would have otherwise been turned away because of problems with Medicare Part D. Since the new federal prescription drug program became effective Jan. 1, there have...    more   
• Jan 15, 2006 New Railroad Crossing Regulations Spotting railroad crossings will soon be much easier when you're driving in rural areas. Governor Jim Doyle has signed legislation ordering bright yellow yield signs at railroad intersections that only have these black and white signs right now. The state railroad commissioner hopes the signs...    more   
• Jan 15, 2006 Specter Skeptical Of Domestic Spy Program The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee expressed skepticism Sunday over President Bush's domestic eavesdropping program, joining a chorus of Republicans and Democrats who are questioning its legal justification. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who will hold hearings next month on the decision...    more   
• Jan 15, 2006 Democrats Prepare Ethics Proposal Democrats intend to unveil a sweeping plan this week to tighten the code of conduct in Congress. Officials familiar with the proposals said the plan will call for a ban on lobbyists' gifts to lawmakers, as well as crackdown on special interest provisions slipped into legislation in the final...    more   
• Jan 15, 2006 Democrats Prepare Ethics Proposal Democrats intend to unveil a sweeping plan this week to tighten the code of conduct in Congress. Officials familiar with the proposals said the plan will call for a ban on lobbyists' gifts to lawmakers, as well as crackdown on special interest provisions slipped into legislation in the final...    more   
• Jan 14, 2006 State will cover Medicare gap Gov. Jim Doyle said today that the state will step in "short term" to help low-income Wisconsin residents who have been left without prescription drug coverage amid the confusion over the federal Part D Medicare plan. "We will make sure people get the help they need," the governor said today. "We...    more   
• Jan 14, 2006 Aiding kids early is 'right thing' Educators have long emphasized the need to get kids off to an early start. But now the call for directing money to the youngest members of society is taking on a different tone: Investing in disadvantaged children brings a high economic return. "It's not just the right thing to do, it's more...    more   
• Jan 14, 2006 State Issues Recommendations After Doyle's Hearings With Big Oil Wisconsin should get more energy from renewable sources, the federal government should review oil company mergers and the country needs to set up refined oil reserves, according to a report state consumer protection officials released Friday. The report stems from a hearing Gov. Jim Doyle called...    more   
• Jan 14, 2006 Wisconsin to help poor pay for Medicare drugs The state will temporarily pay for prescription drugs for some low-income seniors and people with disabilities under emergency measures taken Friday to address problems with the new Medicare prescription drug plan. The move, announced by Gov. Jim Doyle, is designed as a stopgap while glitches in...    more   
• Jan 14, 2006 Durbin says nation deserves new, honest leadership A day before what would have been Martin Luther King Junior's 77th birthday, a top Democrat says King's words on power still ring true. Illinois Senator Dick Durbin says King wrote in his last book that power in America is "unequally divided." And Durbin says that's true in Washington today....    more   
• Jan 14, 2006 Wal-Mart law in Maryland boosts efforts here A law enacted in Maryland forcing Wal-Mart to pay more for employee health insurance could boost the prospects for similar legislation in Wisconsin and other states. But Rep. Terese Berceau, D-Madison, co-author of a bill to be considered by an Assembly committee next week, is not optimistic that...    more   
• Jan 14, 2006 Baldwin calls for action to fix program Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, joined Friday with Sen. Russ Feingold and some other members of Wisconsin's Congressional delegation in calling for immediate attention to "life-threatening problems" facing some Medicare beneficiaries under the new Medicare Part D prescription drug plan....    more   
• Jan 14, 2006 Doyle Outlines Energy Recommendations New recommendations from Governor Doyle after lengthy public hearings with oil executives. The plans are aimed at reducing energy costs for Wisconsin residents. The initiative calls on the major oil companies to assist in helping those in need by encouraging oil makers to contribute profits. It...    more   
• Jan 14, 2006 Helping Hand: State Reaches Out To Seniors Governor Doyle calls for emergency measures to make sure people get their prescription drugs. His office says the new Medicare Part D drug program is not working for thousands of people in Wisconsin. When they go to fill their prescriptions, many find out their medicines are not covered. The...    more   
• Jan 14, 2006 Energy ideas touted Wisconsin should work toward greater use of renewable energy sources, and the federal government and oil companies should take several steps to help consumers, Gov. Jim Doyle said Friday. Doyle and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection released a report stemming from a Dec....    more   
• Jan 14, 2006 Keeping railroad crossings safe They won't halt a speeding locomotive, but state officials hope bright yellow yield signs will prevent crashes at railroad intersections by reminding motorists to use caution when crossing the tracks. Yield signs are now required at rail crossings otherwise identified only by black-and-white...    more   
• Jan 13, 2006 Feingold, Kohl skeptical of Alito's answers Senate Democrats Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold both said Thursday that they came away from Judge Samuel Alito's four days of testimony with concerns and unanswered questions about his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. The two said they had not made a final decision about their vote, but Alito...    more   
• Jan 13, 2006 Impeachment Calls Grow Louder Last Saturday, I went to a town hall meeting on the Iraq War and impeachment in Madison, Wisconsin. This one was sponsored by Veterans for Peace. More than 150 other events around the country on January 7 were co-sponsored by Progressive Democrats of America and afterdowningstreet.org. In...    more   
• Jan 13, 2006 Dems praise stem cell work, seek funding Democratic state legislators today introduced a resolution commending the recent development of new stem cell lines at the UW-Madison and announced that they are sending a letter to President Bush asking that those lines be made eligible for federal funding. The proposed Senate Joint Resolution...    more   
• Jan 13, 2006 How GOP twists science I used to think that there were two things you never discussed in mixed company -- politics and religion. It appears now that there's a third taboo subject -- science. I had always been under the impression that science was not open for debate, that facts are facts. Right? Well, not so fast. The...    more   
• Jan 13, 2006 Doyle vetoes fetal pain bill, touts doctor-patient relations Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed Senate Bill 138 earlier this month, rejecting legislation that would require physicians to inform women seeking abortions that their fetus may feel pain during the procedure. Doyle said SB 138 inappropriately challenges the relationship between medical professionals and...    more   
• Jan 13, 2006 Doyle trade trips boost economy Past foreign trade trips by Gov. Jim Doyle have drummed up some $10 million or more in business for Wisconsin exporters, state commerce officials said - little more than a rounding error in state exports that totaled $12.7 billion in 2004. But as Doyle participates this week in an economic...    more   
• Jan 13, 2006 New law recognizes self-defense A new law in Wisconsin is intended to cut back on arrests of domestic violence victims whose actions were made in self-defense. Gov. Jim Doyle signed the law last week, and it's expected to go into effect April 1. Since 1989, police in Wisconsin have been mandated to arrest the primary aggressor...    more   
• Jan 13, 2006 Democrats Try to Slow Alito Confirmation Samuel Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court is gliding toward confirmation despite a week of hearings in which Democrats tried to hobble his prospects with withering questions on abortion, presidential power and ethics. Democrats argue that the former Reagan administration lawyer is likely to...    more   
• Jan 13, 2006 Democrats Try to Slow Alito Confirmation Samuel Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court is gliding toward confirmation despite a week of hearings in which Democrats tried to hobble his prospects with withering questions on abortion, presidential power and ethics. Democrats argue that the former Reagan administration lawyer is likely to...    more   
• Jan 13, 2006 Democrats Try to Slow Alito Confirmation Samuel Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court is gliding toward confirmation despite a week of hearings in which Democrats tried and failed to hobble his prospects with withering questions on abortion, presidential power and ethics. Democrats argue that the former Reagan administration lawyer is...    more   
• Jan 13, 2006 Feingold and Kohl say they're undecided on Alito Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold say they remain undecided on the nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, although both Wisconsin Democrats said they found some of his responses troubling after three rounds of questioning. "There were some things that I really was hoping to hear that...    more   
• Jan 12, 2006 Reform advocate Heck calls Green plan 'partisan' Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Green's campaign finance reform proposals are "transparently partisan" and "embarrassing," in the words of a leading reform advocate. "I'm amazed he put them out there," said Jay Heck, executive director of Common Cause in Wisconsin. "It's not reform. It's...    more   
• Jan 12, 2006 Kohl, Feingold Press Alito On Life-And-Death Issues Wisconsin's U.S. Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold challenged Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on life-and-death issues on Wednesday during his Senate confirmation hearings. Alito was asked by Kohl about abortion and by Feingold about the death penalty. Both senators are Democrats. Alito said...    more   
• Jan 12, 2006 Prescription plan brings no cure Washington, we have a problem. Senior citizens in Wisconsin and across the United States have experienced numerous problems with the new Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Program since it went into full swing Jan. 1. Many seniors have been unable to get their prescriptions filled at pharmacies,...    more   
• Jan 12, 2006 King honors list includes Jessica Doyle First lady Jessica Doyle is part of a roster of local citizens to be honored Monday for their work honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Doyle and activist Paul Kusuda are recipients of Dane County's King Recognition Awards, while social justice advocate Mary Kay Baum and West High senior...    more   
• Jan 12, 2006 Wisconsin Senators Question Alito Wisconsin Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold challenged Samuel Alito on life and death issues Wednesday during his Senate confirmation hearings. The Supreme Court nominee was asked by Kohl about abortion and by Feingold about the death penalty. Both senators are Democrats. Alito said since the...    more   
• Jan 12, 2006 Kohl, Feingold press Alito on abortion, death penalty Wisconsin Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold challenged Samuel Alito on life-and-death issues Wednesday, with Kohl pressing the Supreme Court nominee on abortion and Feingold probing him on the death penalty. On the third day of Alito's confirmation hearings, Kohl asked Alito why he could not say...    more   
• Jan 12, 2006 Kohl Questions Alito Kohl, a Wisconsin Democrat, noted Alito has expressed his support for other rulings, such as one person, one vote. Alito answered that he felt comfortable commenting on issues that are not the subject of litigation. But he says since Roe versus Wade is likely to come before the court, he felt it...    more   
• Jan 12, 2006 Kohl presses Alito on abortion Senator Herb Kohl today questioned Samuel Alito about why the Supreme Court nominee could not say whether he supported Roe versus Wade, which guarantees legalized abortion. Kohl, a Wisconsin Democrat, noted Alito has expressed his support for other rulings, such as one person, one vote. Alito...    more   
• Jan 11, 2006 Green to dump DeLay money Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Mark Green today announced plans to get rid of campaign money he received from indicted former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and to distance himself from the unfolding Washington lobbying scandal. During a press conference in Madison, Green said he...    more   
• Jan 11, 2006 Lawmakers aim to fight racial disparity in the state Several state lawmakers aim to address the racial disparity in our state. A group of about 16 lawmakers have formally asked Governor Jim Doyle to create a taskforce to study racial disparities and incarceration rates in our state. State Representative Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee) notes that...    more   
• Jan 11, 2006 Kohl quizzes Alito on redistricting and Bork In response to questioning from Wisconsin Democrat Herb Kohl, Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito said he did not question the principle of one-person/one-vote in drawing legislative districts, calling it a “fundamental part of our constitutional law.” “I don’t see any reason why it should be...    more   
• Jan 11, 2006 Feingold presses Alito on mutual fund case Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold pressed Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito today over his participation in a 2002 case involving a mutual fund company in which he had investments. Feingold questioned the explanations that Alito has given about the issue, which has been a source of contention in the...    more   
• Jan 11, 2006 Kohl, Feingold Pepper Alito With Questions U.S. Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold, both Wisconsin Democrats, questioned Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito during televised confirmation hearings on Tuesday. Kohl asked Alito about a 1985 job application in which Alito criticized a key decision of the Warren court. In the application for...    more   
• Jan 11, 2006 Kohl questions Alito on 1985 application Senator Russ Feingold questioned Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito today about ruling on a case involving a company that managed his investments. Alito, a federal appeals court judge, pledged in 1990 that he would recuse himself from cases involving Vanguard, but participated in a 2002 case...    more   
• Jan 11, 2006 Democrats Say Alito's Answers Inconsistent Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee said Wednesday they were troubled by what they see as inconsistencies in Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito's answers on issues ranging from voting rights to ethics to his membership in a conservative organization. On the third day of confirmation...    more   
• Jan 11, 2006 Kohl challenges Alito on memo; Feingold focuses on ethics Sen. Herb Kohl grilled Samuel Alito about his criticism of civil rights judicial rulings at the Supreme Court nominee's confirmation hearing Tuesday, while Sen. Russ Feingold challenged Alito about ruling on a case involving a company that managed his investments. Alito, a federal appeals court...    more   
• Jan 11, 2006 Mike Ellis: No guts, no glory State Sen. Mike Ellis, the Neenah Republican, said last week he wouldn't run for governor next fall. Too expensive, he told the Appleton Post-Crescent. He needed at least $9 million to take on U.S. Rep. Mark Green and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker for the GOP nomination. But the real...    more   
• Jan 11, 2006 Editorial: Feingold and Alito It is often said that Supreme Court confirmation fights come down to little more than the question of whether a nominee would uphold or undermine the right of choice. The debate about reproductive rights is vital and it is certainly appropriate to raise abortion-related issues as part of the...    more...  
• Jan 10, 2006 Drug Money Dealt to Police Departments A bill signed into law last week could mean big weeks for local law enforcement agencies. Now, law enforcers will get a lot more than just a cache of drugs when they bust a dealer or manufacturer. "We get quite a bit of vehicles through drug seizures, a lot of currency," Brown County Chief Deputy...    more   
• Jan 10, 2006 Feingold, Kohl grill Alito on record Wisconsin Sens. Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl raised questions about Judge Samuel Alito's record Monday as the Senate Judiciary Committee began hearings on the Supreme Court nominee. Feingold said Alito, a federal appeals court judge, sometimes leans too much in favor of the executive branch and...    more   
• Jan 10, 2006 Feingold Looks Forward to Wiretap Hearings Senator Russ Feingold didn't use the "i" word, but he won't rule out impeachment proceedings against President Bush. During a campaign appearance in Vermont, Feingold was asked about the possibility. He didn't use the word impeachment in his reply, but said he wouldn't take anything off the...    more   
• Jan 10, 2006 State Democrats Talk Health Care It is the number one issue State Representative Jennifer Shilling hears about -- the rising cost of health care. Monday night, the Democrat hosted a listening session in La Crosse, and plenty of people turned out to express their concerns. Shilling unveiled what Democrats are calling their Action...    more   
• Jan 10, 2006 Senators Probe Alito's Record, Judgment Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito said Tuesday he would deal with the issue of abortion with an open mind, that no president is above the law and that his positions as a lawyer would not affect his analysis as a judge. In the second day of Senate hearings, Alito faced tough questions about his...    more   
• Jan 10, 2006 Memorial services set for Proxmire A public memorial service for former U.S. Sen. William E. Proxmire will be held in the Capitol rotunda at noon on Feb. 10, Gov. Jim Doyle announced. On April 1, the late Wisconsin Democrat will also be honored at a service at Washington National Cathedral at 11 a.m. in Washington, D.C. Proxmire...    more   
• Jan 10, 2006 Feingold Won't Rule Out Bush Impeachment U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., hasn't used the "i" word, but he won't preclude impeachment proceedings against President George W. Bush over the administration's domestic surveillance program. Feingold was asked about the possibility of impeaching Bush during a campaign appearance with U.S....    more   
• Jan 10, 2006 Stacy Harbaugh: Checks, balances needed to contain Bush Dear Editor: I've been talking to friends lately and I think they share my feelings of total frustration with the leadership of our country. It seems like we can't keep up with the scandals and the abuse of power. There is campaign finance fraud on the state level. There are outrageous things...    more   
• Jan 10, 2006 Feingold, Kohl raise questions at Alito hearing Wisconsin Sens. Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl raised questions about Judge Samuel Alito's record Monday as the Senate Judiciary Committee began hearings on the Supreme Court nominee. Feingold said Alito, a federal appeals court judge, sometimes leans too much in favor of the executive branch and...    more   
• Jan 10, 2006 Feingold Suggests Impeachment Senator Russ Feingold hasn't used the "i" word, but he won't preclude impeachment proceedings against President Bush over the administration's domestic surveillance program. The Wisconsin Democrat was asked about the possibility of impeaching Bush during a campaign appearance with Senate...    more   
• Jan 10, 2006 Wisconsin Senators Want Answers Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl raise questions about Judge Samuel Alito's record as the Senate Judiciary Committee continues hearings on the Supreme Court nominee. Feingold thinks Alito sometimes leans too much in favor of the executive branch and prosecutors. The Wisconsin Democrat says...    more   
• Jan 10, 2006 Wis. senators ask Alito to earn their support Wisconsin senators put Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on notice Monday that he must prove he is a mainstream conservative who will stand up for Americans' rights. "We will need to examine whether, as your critics contend, you will consistently side against the individual or whether, as your...    more   
• Jan 10, 2006 Lines drawn at Alito hearing Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito offered senators a very brief and passing glimpse of his judicial philosophy Monday, declaring that judges "can't have any agenda" or "preferred outcome," must keep an open mind and must go where the law leads them. Alito's 11-minute opening statement, which...    more   
• Jan 10, 2006 Supreme Court Nominee Hearings Get A Wisconsin Twist U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold and Sen. Herb Kohl raised questions about Judge Samuel Alito's record on Monday as the Senate Judiciary Committee began hearings on the Supreme Court nominee. Both Wisconsin senators sit on the powerful Judiciary Committee. If nominated, Alito has the power to swing the...    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Feingold out in front on Iraq, Patriot Act For the better part of a decade, Sen. Russ Feingold was best known as the second half of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance crusade. But by challenging President Bush on Iraq and the Patriot Act, Feingold, a potential presidential candidate, has tapped areas that are likely to resonate more...    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Feingold raises concerns about Alito In his opening statement on the Supreme Court nomination of Samuel Alito, Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold voiced skepticism Monday about Alito’s views on presidential power. Feingold said Alito’s “instinct” as a federal appeals judge and before that a lawyer for the Reagan administration “sometimes...    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Doyle, delegation seeking trade in Ireland Governor Doyle and a Wisconsin delegation are in Ireland this week to drum up some trade opportunities. Doyle plans to meet with Republic of Ireland President Mary McAleese and Lord Mayor of Dublin Cahterine Byrne, as well as business leaders. The Milwaukee Development Corporation is picking up...    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Kohl Comments on Alito Hearing The United States Senate Judiciary Committee opened its hearing Monday on Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. Wisconsin senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold, both democrats, sit on that important committee. Senators were able to make opening statements during today's hearing. Sen. Kohl told Alito...    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Democrats Vow Tough Questioning of Alito Democrats promised Samuel Alito tough questions on executive power, privacy rights and abortion as the Senate Judiciary Committee opened confirmation hearings Monday on President Bush's choice to become the nation's 110th Supreme Court justice. In a prelude to days of grilling, several Democrats...    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Feingold won't rule out Bush impeachment Senator Russ Feingold hasn't used the "i" word, but he won't preclude impeachment proceedings against President Bush over the administration's domestic surveillance program. The Wisconsin Democrat was asked about the possibility of impeaching Bush during a campaign appearance with Senate...    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 County residents can get help for tornado damage Dane County residents who suffered losses due to last August's tornadoes may be eligible for financial assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk announced Friday that the agency had issued a disaster declaration for the state of Wisconsin. "I am...    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Doyle vetoes abortion-pain bill Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed a Republican-authored bill Friday that would have forced doctors to tell women seeking an abortion after their fifth month of pregnancy the fetus could suffer pain. When a fetus can feel pain is a matter of debate in the medical community. The bill's supporters say some...    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Democrats Vow Tough Questioning of Alito Democrats promised Samuel Alito tough questions on executive power, privacy rights and abortion as the Senate Judiciary Committee opened confirmation hearings Monday on President Bush's choice to become the nation's 110th Supreme Court justice. In a prelude to days of grilling, several Democrats...    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Feingold, Kohl raise questions at Alito hearing Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl raised questions about Judge Samuel Alito's record today as the Senate Judiciary Committee began hearings on the Supreme Court nominee. Feingold thinks Alito sometimes leans too much in favor of the executive branch and prosecutors. The Wisconsin Democrat says...    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Feingold Gets Campaign Boost With Stance On Patriot Act, Iraq By challenging President George W. Bush on Iraq and the Patriot Act, U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., has tapped areas that could help him in a potential presidential race. Feingold was out front on both issues last year. His early call for a troop withdrawal timetable was soon emulated by other...    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Mixup forces 2,100 Wisconsin residents into Medicare drug plan An error by the federal government has forced 2,100 Wisconsin seniors into Medicare's new prescription drug program without their knowledge, Gov. Jim Doyle said Friday. The seniors believe they are enrolled in the state's popular drug discount program, SeniorCare, but the federal government...    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Gov. Doyle Drops In On Ireland Gov. Jim Doyle arrived in Ireland this week on another overseas trade mission. The Milwaukee Development Corporation is picking up Doyle's tab. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is accompanying the governor, who arrived in Ireland late Sunday night. Ireland is the state's 25th largest trade partner....    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Proxmire memorial Feb. 10 Gov. Jim Doyle announced Monday that a memorial service for former U.S. Sen. William Proxmire will be held at noon Feb. 10 in the rotunda of the state Capitol. The service will be open to the public. Additional details will be released at a later date. "Wisconsin was lucky to have William...    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Tornado Relief Now, a different group is offering help for re-building costs. On Friday Governor Doyle announced the United States Small Business Administration approved a request for federal low-interest disaster loans. S-B-A offers low-interest loans up to 200-thousand dollars to cover repairs to homes...    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Doyle drops in on Ireland Gov. Jim Doyle arrived in Ireland this week on another overseas trade mission. The Milwaukee Development Corporation is picking up Doyle's tab. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is accompanying the governor, who arrived in Ireland late Sunday night. Ireland is the state's 25th largest trade partner....    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Feingold gets boost with stance on Patriot Act, Iraq For the better part of a decade, Sen. Russ Feingold was best known as the second half of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance crusade. But by challenging President Bush on Iraq and the Patriot Act, Feingold, a potential presidential candidate, has tapped areas that are likely to resonate more...    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Feingold in 2008? Russ Feingold for president? With his recent visits to New Hampshire, the spot of the first primary, speculation is stirring that our state senator could be running. And he's already got some potential topics for the race, between his challenging President Bush on troop withdrawal from Iraq and...    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Wisconsin senator gets boost from stances on Patriot Act, Iraq For the better part of a decade, Sen. Russ Feingold was best known as the second half of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance crusade. But by challenging President Bush on Iraq and the Patriot Act, Feingold, a potential presidential candidate, has tapped areas that are likely to resonate more...    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Doyle drops in on Ireland Gov. Jim Doyle arrived in Ireland this week on another overseas trade mission. The Milwaukee Development Corporation is picking up Doyle's tab. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is accompanying the governor, who arrived in Ireland late Sunday night. Ireland is the state's 25th largest trade partner....    more   
• Jan 9, 2006 Feingold Gets Boost By challenging President Bush on Iraq and the Patriot Act, Senator Russ Feingold has tapped areas that could help him in a potential presidential race. The Wisconsin Democrat was out front on both issues last year. His early call for a troop withdrawal timetable was soon emulated by other...    more   
• Jan 8, 2006 'Unproven Science' Prompts Abortion Bill Veto Gov. Jim Doyle on Friday vetoed a bill that would have forced doctors to tell women seeking abortions after their fifth month of pregnancy that their fetuses could suffer pain. Doyle, a Democrat, said there is no evidence conclusively proving when a fetus can feel pain. The Republican-controlled...    more   
• Jan 8, 2006 Feingold, Kohl ready questions for Alito hearing Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold intend to question Judge Samuel Alito on a wide range of constitutional issues at the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing that begins Monday. Alito, nominated to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, can expect to be questioned...    more   
• Jan 8, 2006 Editorial: Nation demands honest answers The game that is a Supreme Court confirmation hearing gets under way Monday. Preening senators fire probing questions at the candidate, who racks up points the more he or she appears to answer without really doing so. The Senate Judiciary Committee should throw out the old playbook and insist on...    more   
• Jan 8, 2006 Officials want to stop protests at soldier funerals Some of the people who attended Sgt. Andrew P. Wallace's visitation weren't there to remember the fallen soldier. Instead, the members of a Kansas-based church carried signs that read ``Thank God for dead soldiers.'' Members of Westboro Baptist Church blame U.S. military deaths on what they call...    more   
• Jan 8, 2006 Tough hearing ahead for Alito Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold intend to question Judge Samuel Alito on a wide range of constitutional issues at the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing that begins Monday. Alito, nominated to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, can expect to be questioned...    more   
• Jan 7, 2006 Bill to clarify state's domestic abuse laws Arrest requirements in incidents of domestic abuse would be strengthened under a new Wisconsin law that protects victims from arrest when defending themselves, according to State Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau. Assembly Bill 436, which has been signed into law by Gov. Jim Doyle, clarifies the...    more   
• Jan 7, 2006 Poll: Most Say U.S. Needs Warrant To Snoop A majority of Americans want the Bush administration to get court approval before eavesdropping on people inside the United States, even if those calls might involve suspected terrorists, an AP-Ipsos poll shows. Over the past three weeks, President Bush and top aides have defended the electronic...    more   
• Jan 7, 2006 On radio, Democrats charge GOP has corrupted Congress Democrats are accusing Republican congressional leaders of corrupting the government. In the party's weekly radio address, New York Congresswoman Louise Slaughter says, "Under Republican guidance, America has truly been put up for sale to the highest bidder." Congress has been consumed by the...    more   
• Jan 7, 2006 Mixup Forces 2,100 WI Seniors Into Medicare Plan An error by the federal government has forced 2,100 Wisconsin seniors into Medicare's new prescription drug program without their knowledge, Gov. Jim Doyle said Friday. The seniors believe they are enrolled in the state's popular drug discount program, SeniorCare, but the federal government...    more   
• Jan 7, 2006 Doyle vetoes requirement to discuss fetus pain Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed a Republican-authored bill Friday that would have forced doctors to tell women seeking an abortion after their fifth month of pregnancy the fetus could suffer pain. When a fetus can feel pain is a matter of debate in the medical community. The bill's supporters say some...    more   
• Jan 7, 2006 Error throws wrench in senior drug plan A government snafu has caused 2,100 elderly people to be shifted abruptly from the state's popular SeniorCare subsidized prescription drug program into the puzzling federal Medicare Part D prescription drug arena. The error has caused confusion and worry for senior citizens and pharmacists trying...    more   
• Jan 7, 2006 Doyle vetoes lead paint liability bill Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed a bill Friday that would have made it tougher for consumers to sue manufacturers of lead-based paints. At a news conference, Doyle said he vetoed the bill because families affected by lead paint should have some recourse against the companies that manufactured it....    more   
• Jan 7, 2006 Doyle Vetoes School Bill, Signs Prisoner Sex Change Prohibition Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed a bill Friday that would have prevented school districts from holding special elections to exceed revenue limits. He signed another that prohibits state money paying for prisoner sex changes. Here's a look at the bills: SB 171: Under current state law, school...    more   
• Jan 7, 2006 Mix-up forces 2,100 Wisconsin residents into Medicare drug plan An error by the federal government has forced 2,100 Wisconsin seniors into Medicare's new prescription drug program without their knowledge, Gov. Jim Doyle said Friday. The seniors believe they are enrolled in the state's popular drug discount program, SeniorCare, Doyle said, but an error by the...    more   
• Jan 7, 2006 Abramoff plea boosts reform proposal Congressional reform proposals unveiled last year by two Wisconsin Democrats are getting increased attention in light of the criminal plea bargain of lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Rep. David Obey has laid out a plan to change internal House rules, while Sen. Russ Feingold would clamp down on lobbyists...    more   
• Jan 7, 2006 Poll: Most Say U.S. Needs Warrant to Snoop A majority of Americans want the Bush administration to get court approval before eavesdropping on people inside the United States, even if those calls might involve suspected terrorists, an AP-Ipsos poll shows. Over the past three weeks, President Bush and top aides have defended the electronic...    more   
• Jan 7, 2006 Doyle wields veto on lead paint bill Anticipating a showdown in the Legislature but declaring, "I cannot sign a law that closes the doors of justice to children who have been poisoned," Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed a bill Friday that would have made it more difficult for families to sue lead paint companies. "Here in Wisconsin, the problem...    more   
• Jan 7, 2006 Mix-up over drug coverage A mix-up that has led 2,100 people in the state's SeniorCare drug program to be mistakenly enrolled in Medicare's new prescription drug coverage is adding to the confusion many seniors have in dealing with the new federal offering. Because of the mix-up, some of the 2,100 have had trouble getting...    more   
• Jan 6, 2006 AP Poll: Congressional Democrats Favored In an ominous election-year sign for Republicans, Americans are leaning sharply toward giving Democrats control of Congress, an AP-Ipsos poll finds. Democrats are favored 49 percent to 36 percent. The poll was taken this week as Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to tax evasion,...    more   
• Jan 6, 2006 Fellow House Republicans call for new leadership to replace DeLay House Republicans are calling for new leadership, dealing a setback to the chances of former Majority Leader Tom DeLay reclaiming his post. The guilty pleas of lobbyist Jack Abramoff and a congressional corruption scandal has two Republican lawmakers circulating a petition calling for elections...    more   
• Jan 6, 2006 Doyle vetoes bill that he says protects lead paint manufacturers Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed a bill Friday that he says would protect lead paint manufacturers from liability lawsuits. Families affected by lead paint should have some recourse against the companies that manufactured it, Doyle said. ``Every day, lead continues to seep from paint on windowsills of...    more   
• Jan 6, 2006 Feingold, Kohl To Question Alito On Privacy, Executive Power U.S. Sens. Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl said that they are troubled by memos written by Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on abortion rights and executive power. The Wisconsin Democrats said that they plan to press Alito during confirmation hearings next week. Last fall, Feingold and Kohl were...    more   
• Jan 6, 2006 Doyle vetoes abortion-pain bill Governor Jim Doyle vetoed a Republican bill today that would have forced doctors to tell women seeking an abortion after their fifth month of pregnancy that the fetus could suffer pain. When a fetus can feel pain is a matter of debate in the medical community. The bill's supporters say some...    more   
• Jan 6, 2006 Feingold, Kohl to question Alito on privacy, executive power Wisconsin Sens. Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl said Thursday they were troubled by memos written by Samuel Alito on abortion rights and executive power, and planned to press the Supreme Court nominee during his confirmation hearings next week. Last fall, Feingold and Kohl were two of only three...    more   
• Jan 6, 2006 Senators Raise Concerns Over Alito Wisconsin Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl say they are troubled by memos written by Samuel Alito on abortion rights and executive power. They plan to press the Supreme Court nominee during confirmation hearings next week. Last fall, Feingold and Kohl were two of only three Democrats on the...    more   
• Jan 6, 2006 AP Poll: Congressional Democrats Favored In an ominous election-year sign for Republicans, Americans are leaning sharply toward giving Democrats control of Congress, an AP-Ipsos poll finds. Democrats are favored 49 percent to 36 percent. The poll was taken this week as Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to tax evasion,...    more   
• Jan 6, 2006 AP Poll: Congressional Democrats Favored In an ominous election-year sign for Republicans, Americans are leaning sharply toward giving Democrats control of Congress, an AP-Ipsos poll finds. Democrats are favored 49 percent to 36 percent. The poll was taken this week as Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to tax evasion,...    more   
• Jan 5, 2006 Doyle, lawmakers Unveil Ethics Reform Package Governor Jim Doyle, along with a bipartisan group of senators and representatives, is promoting an ethics reform package for state government. The bipartisan support comes from Democratic Senator Jon Erpenbach of Middleton and Democratic Assemblyman Mark Pocan of Madison, along with Republican...    more   
• Jan 5, 2006 Bill targets state waste and fraud Gov. Jim Doyle signed into law Wednesday a bill that will require that touch screen voting machines produce a verifiable paper ballot. The bill requires that if a municipality uses an electronic voting system that consists of a voting machine, the machine must generate a complete paper ballot...    more   
• Jan 5, 2006 Doyle signs rail crossing bill Wisconsin is the first state in the country to require the addition of yield signs for motorists at railroad crossings otherwise identified only by crossbucks, said state Railroad Commissioner Rodney Kreunen. Railroad companies will have until July 1, 2007, to install the familiar yellow yield...    more   
• Jan 5, 2006 Doyle: State has witnessed remarkable economic turnaround Wisconsin has experienced a remarkable economic turnaround and there's a shortage of trained people to hold jobs, Gov. Jim Doyle said Wednesday evening as he kicked off a series of town hall meetings leading up to his annual state of the state message to lawmakers. "I am proud to report to you...    more   
• Jan 5, 2006 Doyle signs bill requiring voting machines to produce paper trail New electronic voting machines must produce a paper trail to be used in Wisconsin elections under legislation Gov. Jim Doyle signed Wednesday. Federal law requires a handicapped-accessible voting machine in each polling place, and the touch-screen machines are one of the approved methods to meet...    more   
• Jan 5, 2006 State to offer dental insurance In a pair of firsts, the state will soon begin offering its workers dental insurance - and will also extend the benefit to their unmarried domestic partners - although in all cases employees will have to pick up 100 percent of the premiums. The insurance, provided as part of a settlement of the...    more   
• Jan 5, 2006 Feingold, Kohl to question Alito on privacy, executive power Wisconsin Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl say they are troubled by memos written by Samuel Alito on abortion rights and executive power. They plan to press the Supreme Court nominee during confirmation hearings next week. Last fall, Feingold and Kohl were two of only three Democrats on the...    more   
• Jan 5, 2006 Feingold says Bush is in 'attack mode' Sen. Russ Feingold on Wednesday accused President Bush of using "fear and intimidation" to push for renewal of the USA Patriot Act and characterized Bush as in "an attack mode" on issues from the Patriot Act to the expanded use of wiretaps by the National Security Agency. The Wisconsin Democrat...    more   
• Jan 5, 2006 Democrats Already Plan Delay For Alito Senate Democrats plan to delay the Judiciary Committee's vote on Samuel Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court for at least a week, slowing what could have been a quick confirmation process for President Bush's pick to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen...    more   
• Jan 5, 2006 Doyle signs law to help prevent arrest of domestic violence victims Governor Jim Doyle today signed a law that directs police to arrest the predominant aggressor in a dispute, not someone who has lashed out in self-defense. The bill fine tunes an act that took effect in April 1989 that made an arrest mandatory in domestic violence cases. Backers say the previous...    more   
• Jan 5, 2006 Delinquent taxpayers' names hit the Internet More than 30 Manitowoc County residents are identified as delinquent taxpayers on a state Web site that went into operation Tuesday morning. "It is only proper that people who legitimately owe and haven't reached a repayment plan that we find out who they are," Frank Lasee, R-Bellevue, said...    more   
• Jan 5, 2006 Bill named for fallen Marine signed into law by governor A hunting bill named after a Plymouth Marine corporal killed in Iraq was signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Jim Doyle. The law, proposed as Assembly Bill 384 or the Brian Prening Bill, allows Wisconsin hunters who meet an untimely death to transfer accumulated preference points to a minor chosen...    more   
• Jan 5, 2006 Doyle unveils ethics package amid questions over fundraising Gov. Jim Doyle, whose own fundraising practices are being investigated, threw his support behind a package of ethics reforms Thursday that he said would help ensure citizens have confidence in the government. The proposals, three of them already pending in the Legislature, include: -Banning...    more   
• Jan 5, 2006 Doyle Unveils Ethics Package Amid Fundraising Questions Gov. Jim Doyle released a package of ethics reforms on Thursday even while his own campaign fundraising practices are the subject of a state and federal investigation. Doyle said that the reforms will help ensure citizens have confidence in government. Many of the proposals are already pending in...    more   
• Jan 5, 2006 Governor Doyle Unveils Ethics Package Gov. Jim Doyle, whose own fundraising practices are being investigated, threw his support behind a package of ethics reforms Thursday that he said would help ensure citizens have confidence in the government. The proposals, three of them already pending in the Legislature, include: Banning...    more   
• Jan 5, 2006 New law lets voters decide board size Gov. Jim Doyle signed a bill Wednesday that lets voters put the size of their county boards to a referendum every 10 years. "We have one of the largest county boards in the country," said state Rep. Gregg Underheim, R-Oshkosh, who co-sponsored the bill. "The result of that is a lack of...    more   
• Jan 5, 2006 Ainsworth’s rail crossing bill signed by governor Wisconsin is the first state in the country to require the addition of yield signs for motorists at railroad crossings otherwise identified only by crossbucks, said state Railroad Commissioner Rodney Kreunen. Railroad companies will have until July 1, 2007, to install the familiar yellow yield...    more   
• Jan 5, 2006 Doyle signs bill to repeal gas tax indexing "Gas prices have taken a significant toll on every family budget in Wisconsin," Doyle said. "Consumers need relief from high gas prices, and as Governor, I've done everything in my power to provide that relief. But citizens also have a right to expect their representatives will take an up or down...    more   
• Jan 5, 2006 Democrats Already Plan Delay For Alito Samuel Alito faces a delay in his confirmation as an associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. Senate aides say Democrats plan to force at least a one-week delay in the Judiciary Committee vote on his nomination. The committee's chairman, Sen. Arlen Specter, had hoped to hold a vote on the...    more   
• Jan 4, 2006 New law ensures voting paper trail Gov. Jim Doyle signed into law today a bill that will require that touch screen voting machines produce a verifiable paper ballot. The bill requires that if a municipality uses an electronic voting system that consists of a voting machine, the machine must generate a complete paper ballot showing...    more   
• Jan 4, 2006 Doyle: State has witnessed remarkable economic turnaround Governor Doyle begins a series of town hall meeting in Merrill today. The meetings precede Doyle's annual state of the state message to lawmakers scheduled January 17th in Madison. Doyle says Wisconsin's financial picture is much better than it has been in many, many years with the state...    more   
• Jan 4, 2006 Doyle signs economic development bills Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle has signed a bill that expands the number of contaminated properties eligible to receive state assistance for cleanup and redevelopment. The bill is one of two bills Doyle signed Wednesday to promote economic development in Wisconsin. The governor also signed into law a...    more   
• Jan 4, 2006 Editorial: Saying 'yes' to research When Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed a ban on all forms of human cloning in November, he argued that despite what its supporters claimed, the legislation would go against Wisconsin's history of biomedical innovation, specifically in the controversial field of embryonic stem cell research. "Continuing this...    more   
• Jan 4, 2006 Democrats submit complaint against Newcomer The Democratic Party of Waukesha County is seeking a special prosecutor to investigate its allegations 33rd state Assembly District candidate Scott Newcomer engaged in voter fraud. Newcomer dismissed the complaint Monday as being "politically motivated," saying he checked with an attorney for the...    more   
• Jan 4, 2006 Democrats file complaint on Newcomer's residency Waukesha County Democrats are asking District Attorney Paul Bucher to investigate whether state Assembly candidate Scott Newcomer broke any laws when he voted in last month's primary election using a Delafield address. Rick Congdon, chairman of the county's Democratic Party, filed a formal...    more   
• Jan 4, 2006 Electronic voting machines must be open-sourced Among the 15 bills governor Jim Doyle signed into law on Wednesday will require the software of touch-screen voting machines used in elections to be open-source. Municipalities that use electronic voting machines are responsible for providing to the public, on request, the code used. Any voting...    more   
• Jan 4, 2006 Governor signs long list of bills Two pieces of legislation signed by Governor Doyle today involve economic development. One helps cities and counties clean up contaminated properties by expanding the definition of brownfields to include residential property. Another bill signed by Doyle at the Capitol today makes angel...    more   
• Jan 4, 2006 Delinquent taxpayers' names hit the Internet More than 30 Manitowoc County residents are identified as delinquent taxpayers on a state Web site that went into operation Tuesday morning. "It is only proper that people who legitimately owe and haven't reached a repayment plan that we find out who they are," Frank Lasee, R-Bellevue, said...    more   
• Jan 4, 2006 State regains lost job ground Richardson Yacht Interiors, in Sheboygan Falls, is using a billboard on I-43 and ads before each movie at Sheboygan Cinemas to spread the word that it needs cabinetmakers. The 50-employee division of one of Wisconsin's oldest family businesses began three years ago in a portion of a furniture...    more   
• Jan 4, 2006 Dems cry foul at Assembly candidate's voting address Democrats claim a Republican Assembly candidate may have broken the law by voting in last month's special election from a Delafield address, where he plans to build a house, rather than his home in Elm Grove, which is not in the same legislative district. The Democratic Party of Waukesha County...    more   
• Jan 3, 2006 State awards $1 million in homeless shelter grants Thirty-nine Wisconsin agencies will receive $1.1 million in funding through the State Shelter Subsidy Grant program administered by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle said Tuesday. The grants will provide up to 50 percent of the operating funds for a generic homeless...    more   
• Jan 3, 2006 Want To See Who's Not Paying Taxes? Just Log On Wisconsin's delinquent taxpayers will get some unwanted publicity on Tuesday, and that's just what Gov. Jim Doyle wanted. Doyle signed a bill that would post the names of any person or business that owes $25,000 or more in taxes on a Web site. There will be about 6,900 delinquent taxpayers on...    more   
• Jan 3, 2006 Sheboygan Salvation Army receives $15,500 grant The Sheboygan Salvation Army will receive $15,500 through a state shelter subsidy grant Gov. Jim Doyle announced today. Thirty-nine agencies across the state will receive $1.1 million thorugh the program according to the Wisconsin Department of Commerce. "With this funding, we are able to ensure...    more   
• Jan 2, 2006 Clinton Champions Fight Against AIDS What do you do if you’re a former president, besides making millions writing your memoirs? If you’re Jimmy Carter, you help cure river blindness in Africa and build habitats for humanity. And if you’re George Bush and Bill Clinton, you raise money for hurricane and tsunami victims. Or you try to...    more   
• Jan 2, 2006 He tests the waters, but will he jump in? The year's end found Sen. Russ Feingold in Vail, Colo., doing what he had done time and again in 2005: making speeches, collecting cash and introducing himself to America. It was the 10th state outside Wisconsin he visited last year. The trip featured a $500-per-couple fund-raiser, pushing the...    more   
• Jan 2, 2006 Doyle plans town hall meeting in Oshkosh Area residents will have an opportunity to express their opinions and concerns to Gov. Jim Doyle on Thursday when he comes for a town hall meeting. Doyle will hold a session from noon to 1:15 p.m. at the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave., for residents to discuss the state of the...    more   
• Jan 2, 2006 Former presidential contender keeps 2008 options open Has John Kerry ever stopped running for president? He still jets across the country, raising (m) millions of dollars for the Democrats. He's a regular on the T-V news shows, blasting President Bush at every opportunity. His Web site boasts of an online army of three (m) million supporters. The...    more   
• Jan 1, 2006 Kohl gears up for battle against unknown He's starting 2006 with $4 million in his campaign account. His campaign is already well staffed. His people have put together a DVD touting his political virtues and plan to distribute up to 100,000 of copies of it across Wisconsin. They're lining up endorsements from business owners, veterans,...    more   
• Jan 1, 2006 What 2006 will bring: Pols, a party and a pool The coming year will feature everything from blowing out candles (to celebrate Madison's 150th birthday) to blowing smoke (it's an election year). Here's your guide to some of the news expected to make local headlines in 2006. Sesquicentennial: Madison, which became a city in 1856, will celebrate...    more   
• Jan 1, 2006 2006: What will the new year bring? Welcome to 2K6. That's short for 2006, in case you didn't notice. And short is good this year, because from politics to entertainment, science to sports, there is a lot to squeeze into these 365 days. A decision by Brett Favre about his future? Coming. A decision by voters on a second term for...    more   
• Dec 31, 2005 BadgerCare to help pregnant immigrants Low-income immigrant women who become pregnant don't have many good health care choices. Ineligible in many cases for Medicaid, and unable to afford out-of-pocket medical costs, they often forsake standard prenatal care. But Wisconsin is now offering up another option. Starting Jan. 1, immigrant...    more   
• Dec 31, 2005 Doyle On 2005 It's been a good year for the state. Governor Doyle was feeling very positive about 2005. He was proud of the job growth in the state and also the budget he signed in July, including the property tax freeze. Doyle scored a political victory by taking the Republican idea of a freeze and making it...    more   
• Dec 31, 2005 Letters: Liberties vital to limit government power I voted for President Bush, I believe the war in Iraq is just and I generally approve of how he's handling it abroad. I must admit, however, being concerned with the recent erosion of our civil liberties. As I read the justification for eavesdropping on American citizens without a warrant, I...    more   
• Dec 31, 2005 State may join health efficiency evaluation A bill in the Legislature would let the state join a new organization set up to determine which doctors and hospitals provide the best care at the lowest prices. The bill would clear the way for the state to become a member of the Wisconsin Health Information Organization, a partnership of health...    more   
• Dec 30, 2005 The soldiers' governor With so many men and women from Wisconsin now serving overseas in the military, Gov. Jim Doyle says the holidays have taken on a deeper meaning for him. Doyle, who has attended 43 of the 52 funerals for Wisconsin servicemen and women killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, said in recent weeks he and his...    more   
• Dec 30, 2005 Ruth Conniff on the Impeachment Buzz Why is it that Republicans, somberly intoning about the “rule of law,” could muster the political will to impeach a President over a semen-stained dress, but impeachment based on misleading the country into war and illegal wiretapping is beyond the pale? Were Clinton’s lies about his affair with...    more   
• Dec 29, 2005 Editorial: Mark Green fails farmers Despite claims by U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Green Bay, that he had personally secured renewal of the Milk Income Loss Contract a critical safety net program for Wisconsin farmers it now appears certain that the year will end without the renewal that the Republican candidate for governor promised....    more   
• Dec 29, 2005 John Nichols: Honoring MVPs: Most Valuable Progressives It is hard to complain about a year that began with George Bush bragging about spending the "political capital" he felt he had earned with his dubious re-election and ended with the president drowning in Nixonian depths of public disapproval. But it didn't just get better. A handful of elected...    more   
• Dec 28, 2005 2005: Not Bush's Year All things considered, 2005 was a bad year for President George W. Bush. He had no big hits and no runs but lots of errors. The president got some good news last week when his public approval rating jumped to 47 percent in the Washington Post-ABC News Poll. The war in Iraq and the...    more   
• Dec 28, 2005 Dems Speak Up So much is going wrong for the Republicans—sinking poll numbers, the mess in Iraq, torture, scandal, and a bruising budget battle—that it is beginning to look like political change is coming. Democrats are raising their voices, criticizing the Bush Administration in terms Bush’s opponents have...    more   
• Dec 28, 2005 'If The Stars Align Right' Dems Can Win Back Senate Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said he believes his party can unseat Republican senators in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee and Arizona. Schumer said Democrats could take back the Senate "if the stars align right." The Senate currently has 55 Republicans, 44...    more   
• Dec 28, 2005 Grading Wisconsin’s high-growth economy Before the calendar turns to a new year, here are some category-by-category “grades” for Wisconsin’s high-growth, tech-based economy in 2005. Take it easy on the professor if you disagree; he doesn’t have a “back-up” position. Innovation: A minus. Wisconsin continues to produce more than its...    more   
• Dec 28, 2005 'If The Stars Align Right' Dems Can Win Back Senate Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said he believes his party can unseat Republican senators in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee and Arizona. Schumer said Democrats could take back the Senate "if the stars align right." The Senate currently has 55 Republicans, 44...    more   
• Dec 28, 2005 Madison Movie That's right, Governor Doyle has agreed to appear in a movie that starts shooting at the end of January in Madison. It's called "Winter Of Frozen Dreams". The independent film is based on the true story of Barbara Hoffman a UW student who was convicted of murdering at least one man with cyanide...    more   
• Dec 28, 2005 Democrats target seven states in 2006 Senate races New York Senator Charles Schumer says he believes his party can unseat Republican senators in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, and Arizona. Schumer says Democrats could take back the Senate "if the stars align right." The Senate currently has 55 Republicans, 44...    more   
• Dec 27, 2005 State hunts down 205 sex offenders A team of former law enforcement officers who are hunting down sex offenders lost by the state have found 205 since they started three months ago. The five-member team is working with the state Department of Corrections and Office of Justice Assistance to boost the compliance rate among roughly...    more   
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