Latest News

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  • BRIEF
    Jul 29, 2010 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    Have you seen people still smoking at local bars? Is the bar or restaurant actively enforcing the ban?
  • EDITORIAL
    Jul 29, 2010 — The Leader-Telegram
    In 2008, Eau Claire received $131.40 per person in state shared revenue, up only 12 cents from the amount per person received in 2004. Eau Claire's estimated population in 2008 was 65,362. Net spending on operations per person increased an average of 7 percent here between 2004-08.
  • With no referendum planned, RTA opponents want localities to have their own votes
    Jul 29, 2010 — The Wisconsin State Journal
    ...sales tax for local transit. But it's unlikely the referendum will be held this November because Ohlsen said his office won't be ready to divide ballots in municipalities split by the RTA boundary. "We need to guarantee some way that the public is going to have a chance to vote on whether a sales tax should be used on commuter rail," Bruskewitz said. "The RTA is moving forward on that assumption. Before they get too far ahead, it's time to give them a reality check." Ohlsen sent...
  • Milwaukee adopts stricter rules regulating smoking in public places
    Jul 28, 2010 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    Robert Puente said. Ald. Terry Witkowski said employees smoking outside give citizens a negative impression, prompting Ald. The deal, imposed by a state arbitrator, follows the pattern of 2007-'09 contracts for rank-and-file police officers and firefighters, in contrast to other city unions' 6% raises over that three-year period.
  • Janesville officials hope concessions heat up at ice arena
    Jul 23, 2010 — The Janesville Gazette
    The new deal replaces the annual $5,000 flat fee paid to the city with 12.5 percent of profits from the youth hockey's sales.
  • Neumann announces property tax plan
    Jul 22, 2010 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    Neumann said technology upgrades would make it easier for funds to be allocated to the appropriate taxing jurisdictions. The plan is voluntary.
  • Clearing the air, with a little assistance
    Jul 19, 2010 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    Now, Milwaukee police and county sheriff's deputies have sole authority to issue citations in the city. Gregg Duran of the Milwaukee Police Department said police are relying on the Health Department to field complaints.
  • Who should vote on commuter rail sales tax?
    Jul 15, 2010 — The Wisconsin State Journal
    Clausius of Sun Prairie, one of the board members proposing a county referendum, said that people are concerned about the ongoing costs of a proposed commuter rail system and that he would vote against the idea. "There's an expectation about having this (referendum) this year," Clausius said. "What we're saying is the simple solution is to have a countywide referendum." The proposed advisory referendum would ask voters: "Shall commuter rail from Middleton to the town of Burke be...
  • County Board members push referendum on commuter rail sales tax
    Jul 14, 2010 — The Wisconsin State Journal
    Clausius of Sun Prairie, one of the board members proposing a county referendum, said that people are concerned about the ongoing costs of a proposed commuter rail system and that he would vote against the idea. "There's an expectation about having this (referendum) this year," Clausius said. "What we're saying is the simple solution is to have a countywide referendum." The proposed advisory referendum would ask voters: "Shall commuter rail from Middleton to the town of Burke be...
  • Report calls for long-term county budget fixes
    Jul 14, 2010 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    They include: --Staff cuts: More than 350 workers would have to be laid off. As an example, that might include one-fourth of the parks and zoo staffs and cutting 2% of staff in most other county departments.
  • Huebsch
    Jul 13, 2010 — La Crosse Tribune
    The Democrats now have the majority in both chambers, 18 to 15 in the Senate and 52 to 46 in the Assembly. All 99 Assembly seats and 17 Senate seats are up for election. "In the Assembly, there are 10 races that are really in play," Huebsch said.
  • Walker matches Neumann, is willing to repeal smoking ban
    Jul 11, 2010 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    He spelled out his new position in a statement Saturday, a day after former U.S. Rep.
  • Few problems seen so far with smoking ban compliance
    Jul 10, 2010 — The Leader-Telegram
    In the past, smokers gathered outside, near a cul-da-sac on the south side of the building.
  • Neumann backs repeal of new state smoking ban
    Jul 10, 2010 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    MADISON -- Republican candidate for governor Mark Neumann said Friday he would support repealing the state's 4-day-old smoking ban. "The smoking ban to me is a local issue and it's about personal responsibility and personal freedoms and local control," said Neumann, a Nashotah homebuilder and former member of the U.S. House. Asked if he would support the repeal of the smoking ban, Neumann said, "Sure," but he added: "It's certainly not on my agenda as the first 25 or 30 things...
  • Study says state is a 'C' student
    Jul 10, 2010 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    Indiana got "A s" in manufacturing, tax climate and the global reach of its exports. Hicks, however, denied any grade inflation for his university's home state. A case in point: Michigan and Ohio, both homes to major automotive-dominated (OOTC:MJRC) industries that have been slammed by global competition, also got an "A" in manufacturing. That's because Hicks' manufacturing index doesn't measure how much each state's manufacturing sector has grown.
  • Milwaukee aldermen can't agree on how to enforce smoking ban
    Jul 8, 2010 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    Tavern owners believe the state law would allow smoking in a bar that has large open windows on two sides, Assistant City Attorney Robin Pederson said. The city ordinance would allow smoking only in areas that have no more than two walls and a roof, Burke said. Ald. Robert Bauman said the city shouldn't adopt a measure tougher than state law without hearing more from taverns about the effect on their businesses.
  • Chippewa Falls council flip-flops, grants beer garden license
    Jul 7, 2010 — The Leader-Telegram
    Those neighbors weren't at the meeting Tuesday.
  • Customers breathe easy on first day of Wisconsin's statewide smoking ban
    Jul 7, 2010 — The Post-Crescent
    You never get used to (the smell of cigarette smoke)," said Seth Steinway, the bar's general manager. A good portion of the bar's business comes from smokers. Several expressed their frustration with the ban, Steinway said. It's in your lungs; it's in your taste, your mouth, your hair the next morning.
  • Wisconsin statewide smoking ban forces businesses to adjust
    Jul 7, 2010 — The Post-Crescent
    He said he will continue to run the two expensive air filters for the rest of the year to clear the last vestiges of smoke from the interior of his popular establishment.
  • Bartenders and tavern owners adjust to smoking ban
    Jul 6, 2010 — The Wisconsin State Journal
    On Monday, he had smoked just four. "It's getting to be kind of a long day about now," Statdfield said.
  • Clinic helps snuff out addiction
    Jul 6, 2010 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    Of the 53 who were interested enough to come back for a planning visit, 49 have successfully quit, said Holly Manus, the director of the asthma and diabetes program at the clinic. In the neighborhoods the clinic serves, asthma is common. Knowing that they could always call LeClere when they were struggling with cravings got them through the toughest parts. "Flavien's a great comfort.
  • County hoping for legislative relief on property tax levy
    Jul 6, 2010 — La Crosse Tribune
    If equalized values don't rise as quickly as the tax levy, the tax rate will go up. They aren't tied to actual results," O'Malley said. "This wouldn't be an issue if the total value of property was rising at 3 percent.
  • Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Eugene Kane column
    Jul 6, 2010 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    Trust me. For years, Ma Fischer's, 2214 N. Farwell Ave., has accommodated smokers and non-smokers alike. In some cities, bars and taverns have managed to get around no-smoking laws by skirting the letter of the law. But, yes, I do remember how good a cigarette tasted after a filling meal. From now on, you just have to do it outside.
  • Smoke ban takes hold
    Jul 6, 2010 — The Janesville Gazette
    Like Mike Deleo, a customer at Wiggy's who was visiting from Rockford, Ill. For Deleo, the new smoke-free atmosphere was nothing new. People and business owners should have the right to choose whether they want the smoking," he said. Teri Curtis, a bartender at Weirdo's, didn't disagree.
  • Smoking ban ignites new issues for bar owners
    Jul 6, 2010 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    Smokers could face penalties between $100 and $250, but it's unclear who issues the citations. I like where the gig is focused on music first." Before the ban, second-hand smoke typically came with the job, with few exceptions. Shank Hall is closed through July 16, and Jest said he will be taking out the smoke-eater, cleaning the carpet and washing down the walls.
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