(CNN)French fighter jets bombed a series of ISIS sites in Raqqa, Syria, on Sunday in what officials described as a major bombardment.
The targets included a command center, a recruitment center, an ammunition storage base and a training camp for the terror group, said Mickael Soria, press adviser for France’s defense minister.
ISIS claims Raqqa as the capital of its so-called caliphate. The airstrikes come two days after a series of terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which France’s President described as “an act of war.”
Union workers at Kohler Co. strongly rejected the company’s contract offer, approving the first strike at the Sheboygan County manufacturer since 1983.
United Auto Workers Local 833, which represents the workers, announced late Sunday morning that the paper balloting showed 94% of workers were in favor of the strike. An estimated 1,800 workers had attended Sunday’s membership meeting at Sheboygan South High School, and as they left they cited multiple problems with the company’s offer, ranging from what they described as an inadequate pay increase, higher health care costs and continuation of a two-tier wage scale.
The action potentially idles some 2,100 production employees at Kohler’s huge plumbing-ware foundry in the Village of Kohler and at a generator plant north of Sheboygan.
The local’s leadership had sharply criticized what the company termed its “last, best and final contract offer.”
Kohler, the 142-year-old company now headed by a fourth generation of the Kohler family, has a history of both paternalism and tough dealing with unions. The proposal called for three raises of 50 cents each — about 2% a year — for four-fifths of its workforce.
The offer raised health care costs but included a $1,200 bonus that the company said could cover the increase.
Significantly, the proposal continued a two-tier wage system that pays newer employees — about 20% of the workforce — far less than their co-workers.
This will hurt Wisconsin’s economy. Hopefully they resolve it soon.
Antalya, Turkey (CNN)President Barack Obama’s national security team is sending a message Sunday that might lend at least a glimmer of reassurance to Americans traumatized by the terror attacks in Paris.
Saying that while the ISIS ambition is certainly there to launch similar attacks on U.S. shores, the capability is not great.
My confidence level in the accuracy of that statement is statistically indistinguishable from zero.
These are not isolated, lone wolf, spur-of-the-moment attacks.
Although not necessarily difficult to execute, these attacks still took planning, preparation, training, sourcing of weapons and explosives, reconnaissance of the target and the careful recruitment of so-called “martyrs” – fanatical young men prepared to carry them out in the full knowledge they will probably die doing so.
This is far more reminiscent of al-Qaeda’s modus operandi in the early 2000s, going for big publicity, high-casualty attacks that make headlines around the world.
Western counter-terrorism officials had recently come round to the conclusion that while there were still people aspiring to such grand-scale attacks, the prevailing threat was more likely to come from “self-starters”, people like the murderers of British soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich near London in 2013.
In the light of what has happened in Paris and elsewhere, they may now be revising that assessment.
by Owen | 2021, 14 Nov 1515 | Off-Duty | 0 Comments
Wash. Co. Sheriff’s Deputy Mary Woerner moves on
After 23 years as a deputy with the Washington County Sheriff’s Department Mary Woerner is moving on to a job in the private sector.
“Friday was my last day with the Sheriff’s and I go to work Monday at The Manor as a clinical coach,” she said. “It’s a new luxurious drug rehab center by Big Cedar Lake. I’m still involved in drug prevention but I’ll be dealing directly with addicts and trying to get them back on their feet.”
Woerner, 44, graduated Slinger High School in 1989. She started with the Washington County Sheriff’s Department in 1993 as a special deputy when Robert Schulteis was sheriff. In March 1997 Woerner was hired full time and three years later she took over the DARE program.
She said the changes through the years have been incredible.
“We’ve gone from hand-written tickets to having laptops in the squad and we have tasers,” Woerner said. Neighbors recognize Woerner as the familiar face at the law-enforcement booth at the Washington County Fair. She was also involved in public presentations on drug/alcohol abuse, internet safety, Every 15 Minutes Program, and coordinating Shop with a Cop.
“When Brian Rahn was Sheriff he approached me about doing a Shop with a Cop program; it was something he had seen in Fond du Lac,” she said. “I think he came with the request in October and by that December we had one together.”
Shop with a Cop has grown tremendously through the years. Woerner said it helps build a bridge between the community and local law enforcement. “The Moose Lodge let us use their hall, Johnson Bus provided transportation and every time I asked the community was there to support it,” she said.
Over the years Woerner was able to raise $8,000 each year to take children shopping.
Woerner said the decision to leave law enforcement was difficult. “I’ve never looked for a job outside of law enforcement but something told me to zip a resume off to The Manor. I’ve been intrigued ever since I heard about it and it seemed like it would be a good fit and I heard from them instantly and I this is just my next calling.”
Woerner starts her new gig Monday. “I’ll get my laundry done this weekend and just knowing I won’t have to put on my brown polyester pants on Monday morning – I’ll be doing a little dance,” she said.
Aside from working with Sheriff’s Schulteis and Rahn, she also was deputy during the era of Sheriff’s Jack Theusch and current Sheriff Dale Schmidt.
“Deputy Woerner has been a great asset to the Sheriff’s Office during her 23 years of service,” Schmidt said. “Deputy Woerner was instrumental in keeping the Sheriff’s Department connected to the Washington County community which is very important to maintain trust between the citizens and the department. Deputy Woerner’s dedication and positive influence in will be greatly missed.”
Woerner will still be involved with Shop with a Cop which will be held Dec. 9 at the Washington County Fair Park.
Chamber awards
The West Bend Chamber of Commerce handed out its annual awards this week. Winners included: Small Business of the Year – (tie) Koehn & Koehn Jewelers and Horicon Bank, Medium Business of the Year – ComForCare Home Care in Jackson, Large Business of the Year – Cedar Community, Community Agency of the Year – Friends of Abused Family, Chamber Volunteer of the Year – Amy Schmoldt from the Kettle Moraine YMCA, New Member of the Year – Keith Novotny from Cousin’s Subs on Paradise Dr., and Directors award to Bob Fremder.
WCHS Annual Meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 17
The Washington County Historical Society hosts its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. On display will be the traveling photo exhibit from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, Working Warriors. Life beyond Combat explores non-combat roles of military service personnel, including work as military police, dentists, mechanics and photographers. After the viewing, John Spartz will speak about the Neptune, West Bend’s first fire engine. The business meeting and election of Board of Directors and Washington County Historical Society Foundation members will follow. Board Nominees for 2016 are: Frank Carr, Mike Christian, Robert Engel, Patricia Geidel, Matt Lison and Susan Selle. The Foundation nominee is Marcia Theusch.
Book on Timmer’s Resort released
George Prescott’s office on W. Washington Street was teeming with excitement this week during the delivery of Barbara Johnson’s new book ‘Timmer’s Resort at Big Cedar Lake…A Journey Through Time.’ “Just like when you see a baby I saw it (the book) and it was beautiful,” Johnson said.
A little flustered by a delay in delivery, Johnson beamed as the hardcover book made its way around the room. “We got so many nice quotes and anecdotes from people,” she said. “There was so much love that went into writing this, not only from the Timmer family or George and Judi to all the photos that were submitted it just all stemmed from a love of this place.”
The 125-page book is rich with history, nostalgic black-and-white photos and stories that hearken to the day of kerosene lamps, chambermaids, and carefree summer afternoons spent on Big Cedar Lake.
The most exciting discovery, according to Johnson, was the actual sale/purchase of the property.
“The land that Timmer’s Resort originally bought was the first parcel of land ever sold in the Town of West Bend,” she said. “The land speculator realized the potential of that area but the fact that was the first piece of land and then it stuck in that family for 150 years is amazing.”
This is Johnson’s second book. Her first, Big Cedar Lake- A Guide to Her Past and Present, was published in 2007. “This book, with Timmer’s Bay and the outlet area, was like a coming home with the spiritual curiosity I always had about the place,” she said.
It took Johnson a year to complete the book. During her research she made contact with about 150 people. Her daughter, Katherine Paulin, helped with layout and design and the printing was completed by Briggs & Stratton Graphic Services.
Johnson ordered 1,500 in her first printing. “I really think I should have ordered more,” she said. “Just because there’s so much family connection with Big Cedar Lake and Timmers and when people get the book for themselves they want it for their children and grandchildren as well.”
‘Timmer’s Resort at Big Cedar Lake…A Journey Through Time’ can be purchased at GPMS, 2412 W. Washington St., West Bend (cash or check). Also at Timmer’s Resort or email Barbara Johnson at bigcedarlake@charter.net The book sells for $28.40 + tax for an even $30.
Doug Gonring inducted into Old Time Ballplayers’ Hall of Fame
Kewaskum’s Doug Gonring was inducted last Sunday into the Old Time Ballplayers’ Association Hall of Fame. “On behalf of the Old Time Ballplayers’ Association and the Hall of Fame committee, congratulations on being chosen to join the OTBA Hall of Fame for your long and successful baseball career,” wrote Greg Ebbert, executive director of OTBA. Gonring was honored at the Hall of Fame dinner at Serb Hall. Next year his name will be added to the OTBA HOF plaque permanently displayed down the right field concourse at Miller Park.
Teacher tribute to Rick Riehl by WBHS English teacher Eric Beltmann
I’ve thought a lot about Rick Riehl since 2003, because that’s when he retired from teaching and I moved my desk into S95, his old classroom at West Bend East High School. At that time I had been a member of the East English department for only three years, and looked at Rick as a mentor, a friend, and a legend. After all, I also attended WBHS—’92 grad here—and back then everyone knew Mr. Riehl was one of the greats. Everyone still knows it.
Right now I’m surrounded by Mr. Riehl. I’m writing this in S95, where my desk still sits, and in front of me is the chalkboard where he would list the characters from “Romeo and Juliet,” right before adding the Riehl flair to each performance. Under my feet is the orange carpeting that Rick and I used to joke about—although the ‘70s wood paneling to my right provided better laughs. To my left is a three-piece cabinet (the envy of the department), and inside are several books that Mr. Riehl once waved about the classroom. Behind me is an old, ugly cushioned chair, with the word “Riehl” permanently scratched into it, just to make sure it didn’t disappear over summer.
I’ve been in this room for 13 years, and I still think of it as “Riehl’s room.” I hope to someday match Rick’s legacy, but let me tell you—as long as I’m here, that ugly chair stays.
Eric Beltmann English Teacher, East High
Rick Riehl is currently at the Kathy Hospice. He was diagnosed in October with Creutzfeldt – Jakob disease.
Updates & tidbits
– This week Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki presented Holy Angels Deacon Mark Jansen and his wife Jane with the Vatican II award for service to families.
– Four non-profit organizations from Washington County will receive funding as part of Potawatomi Hotel & Casino’s 2015 charity program known as “Heart of Canal Street.” Recipients include the Family Center of Washington County, The Threshold Inc., Casa Guadalupe Education Center Inc., and Riveredge Nature Center.
-All in Books, 136 N. Main St. in West Bend is celebrating its 2nd anniversary next week with bargains, sales, and cake. The store opens Monday at 10 a.m.
– Officers from North Washington County Thrivent Financial Chapter delivered 60 turkeys to the Full Shelf Food Pantry in West Bend, 50 to the Jackson Food Pantry and 38 to the food pantry in Kewaskum. The turkeys were purchased at cost from Geidel’s Piggly Wiggly.
– The West Bend High School Key Club will meet with over 30 veterans today, Saturday, Nov. 14, at The Lighthouse in West Bend. Students will deliver letters of appreciation.
-The Wings over Wisconsin bird seed sale and brat fry is today from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Geidel’s Piggly Wiggly in Kewaskum. Two 25-pound bags for $15.
–En Fuego Fitness is hosting a Shred for Socks charity event Thanksgiving morning, 8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Socks will be collected for a local ministry; Mr. Bobs Under the Bridge serves the homeless in Milwaukee.
– The Kettle Moraine Symphony concert “Home for the Holidays” is Saturday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1044 S. Silverbrook Drive, West Bend. Music Director Paul Thorgaard will conduct the 60-member orchestra in a performance of seasonal favorites, including “Sleigh Ride” and music from “Frozen.” Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and $5 for students available at Horicon Bank, West Bend; White House of Music, West Bend and Germantown; West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce; and Hartford Music Center.
-Eugene Presta, 79, passed away Friday, Nov. 6. Presta shared his love of food and his Italian heritage through his restaurant Presto Italiano, 3100 W. Washington St. in West Bend.
– Clipping Campbell’s soup labels and submitting Box Tops for Education has paid off as St. John’s Lutheran School in West Bend won $10,000. St. John’s said the money will be used in educational ministries. A special thank you to Sonia Taylor who volunteers countless hours to count and submit those for the contests. Story courtesy Heather Dunn
Former WB City Hall featured in 2015 Husar’s holiday ornament
Husar’s House of Fine Diamonds is unveiling its hand-painted ornament for the holiday season. This year’s design features the former City Hall building on Sixth Avenue and Hickory Street. Built in 1902 the building on the northwest corner also housed the public library and the fire department. After a fire, hoses were hung to dry in the tower at the rear of the building.
Back in the day Carl Kuester lived to the north of the fire department. He was a teamster and his horses were used to pull the fire engine. Kuester’s horses were so well trained that when the fire alarm sounded he would open their stalls and they would walk directly to the fire wagon and wait to be hitched up.
Today, the building is home to Time Investment Company LLC, a direct sales finance company run by the Hafeman family. Some of the Husar ornaments from the past featured the warming house at Regner Park, the old West Bend Aluminum Co., the Old Courthouse Museum and jail, the front of the Husar building with the West Bend Theatre marquee next door, and the Amity building.
“These are West Bend ornaments,” said Mike Husar. “We have a lot of families come in picking up ornaments for children who have moved out of the community.” The ornaments sell for $15.95.
Strong history to shop local in West Bend
Coming up in a couple of weeks it is Small Business Saturday (Nov. 28), a nationwide attempt to drive shoppers to local businesses.
Neighbors in West Bend are reflecting on the effort, saying they always used to shop local.
It was an era before Mayfair Mall and the Bay Shore Town Center. It was even before the Westfair Mall and the West Bend Outlet Mall which included stores like The Cookie Jar, Knit Pikker Factory Outlet, Uncle Wonderful’s Ice Cream Parlor, and Rainbow Fashions.
“We shopped downtown because there wasn’t anything on Paradise,” said Jerry Wolf during an interview in 2013. “The city ended by Badger, which was the high school at the time.”
Wolf was about 10 years old in 1945; he recalled there were three grocery stores downtown including a Red Owl, 138 N. Main St. – the current location of Ooh La La.
“Jeklin’s Shoes was on the corner of Main and Cedar Streets and just south of that was a hardware store called Gambles and I bought my first bicycle there, I think it was a Hiawatha,” said Wolf.
Cherrie Ziegler Catlin remembered the F.W. Woolworths downtown. “It was a haven for all sorts of trinkets that kept kids busy spending their allowance each week,” she said.
Bonnie Brown Rock remembered Carbon’s IGA grocery on Main Street as well as Naab’s Food & Locker Service. “My parents bought sides of beef which were kept in a freezer at Naab’s store,” said Brown. The business was at 432 S. Main St.; the current location of Lori’s Costume Shop. “Dad also went there to get ice cream cake roll on Sundays as our refrigerator didn’t have a freezer,” she said.
Former Washington County Board Chairman Ken Miller remembered Saturday nights were for shopping in West Bend. “That was in the late 1930s and early 1940s,” said Miller. “J.C. Penny’s was one of the stops for dry goods and the unique thing about the early Penny’s was the cashier was upstairs in a loft. The clerk would put money in a kind of cup, attach it to a ‘trolley’ affair and pull the handle sending the trolley, cup and money to the cashier who in turn would put the change in the apparatus and send it back.”
Parking, recalled Miller, was a problem. Main Street was originally Highway 45 and shoppers parked parallel to the curb, not at an angle as it is today. “Tight quarters meant shoppers would double park, that meant side by side,” said Miller. “This caused some problems but was later accepted. I believe there was a time limit as to how long one could double park.”
Other unique downtown shopping standards, according to Miller, were grocery stores did not have aisles and display racks, because the grocer got the items from behind the counter. Almost all transactions were in cash as credit cards were none existent and checks were few.
“On rare occasions after shopping we would pick up my grandpa and go to Sam Moser’s tavern (currently Muggles) for chili, maybe a hamburger and a small glass of beer,” said Miller. “Yes, beer was OK for kids as soda was not good for you.”
During high school, Miller said Dewey’s Drug Store was the popular hangout. “It was known for its cherry Coke and the Colonial Restaurant for hamburgers,” he said. Brown Rock also remembered Dewey’s. “They had booths and Mr. Dewey didn’t like the kids to get too loud,” she said. “I don’t remember spending much time there however I had many after school hot-fudge sundaes at the Parkette.”
Todd Tennies, of Tennies Ace Hardware, said the impact the memories people have of shopping 50 years ago in downtown West Bend is still a big part of the community today. “Locally-owned businesses employ people that live in our community and the staff is well trained in product knowledge and customer service,” said Tennies. “Shop Small Saturday is a golden opportunity to be recognized and supported.” Small Business Saturday is Nov. 28. History photo: Remember the ‘Talking tree’ in downtown West Bend? Photo courtesy Todd Tennies.
In an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopolous that was conducted Thursday and broadcast Friday — just hours before the Paris attack — President Obama proclaimed that ISIS had been contained.
“I don’t think they’re gaining strength,” he said peevishly when challenged by Stephanopolous. “From the start, our goal has been first to contain and we have contained them.”
KEWASKUM — Charlie Serwe owns 3.7 undeveloped acres of land in the village’s tax incremental financing district on which he pays $6,000 in property tax. But after action taken by the Kewaskum Village Board during a special meeting Thursday afternoon, he may have to pay an additional tax of $28,000.
[…]
“The village borrowed $8 million to pay for the significant public improvements that were needed in the TIF, such as roads, water, sewer and storm water management,” Fenner said.
The economy then went into a slump and developmentcame to a standstill, but the village still had to pay back on the borrowing. Since the TIF was not generating the expected funds through development, a budget shortfall was created, Fenner said.
“The money had to come out of the village’s general fund, which means everyone in the community ends up paying it,” Fenner said.
Establishing the utility district, Fenner said, is the mechanism that will allow the village to place the tax only on those properties in the TIF that are not developed.
[…]
Joel Fleischmann, who owns a home in the TIF that is now a part of the utility district, said while he would not be impacted by any special tax assessment, he is concerned that the developers may either sell their parcels cheap to get out of having the burden of the tax, or they may begin to build inexpensive housing simply to get the land developed.
TIF districts can be a valuable tool for development. But if it doesn’t work out, who should pay? The Village created the TIF and knew that there was a risk that the development wouldn’t work out. Shouldn’t the taxpayers for the Village be responsible for the risks that their representatives take? On the other hand, the developers got a lot of free improvements made to their properties. Even if they just sold them now, the property is worth more than it was before the Village installed the infrastructure. Shouldn’t the developers hold the bag for failing to deliver on their end of the TIF bargain?
This just shows that folks need to put a lot more thought into the risks before using tools like TIF districts to encourage development.
Tunis (AFP) – US Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday warned the Islamic State jihadist group its “days are numbered”, following an American strike in Syria targeting British militant “Jihadi John”.
“The coalition forces conducted an air strike targeting…Jihadi John,” whose real name is Mohammed Emwazi, he said on a visit to Tunis.
“We are still assessing the results of this strike but the terrorists associated with Daesh need to know this: Your days are numbered and you will defeated,” said Kerry, using the Arabic acronym for IS.
“There is no future, no path forward” for IS, the secretary of state said.
While Kerry wants to spike the football after spending millions of dollars to kill one man, under Obama’s watch we have seen IS spread from a rag-tag group of malcontents to an organized force that infects two continents and has a solid base of power. We don’t have a perceptible strategy to do anything to inhibit IS’ growth. Frankly, as we all know it, IS has far more to fear from Putin than Obama. Putin has shown a willingness to follow up his words with action.
The video, taken from a flying observatory, appears to show an object splitting into numerous pieces as it hurtles through the atmosphere.
“Our Pleasure Is It To Announce The Success Of The # WT1190F UAE Airborne Campaign,” the Astronomical Center tweeted Friday. “We saw and captured the reentry.”
The center reposted another, more dramatic video to its Facebook page. That video shows a fireball followed by a shower of objects against the blue sky.
It’s still not entirely clear what the object was…
New York (CNN)A federal jury in New York acquitted alleged former mob boss Vincent Asaro, who was accused in the famed 1978 Lufthansa heist at JFK International Airport, of all charges on Thursday.
Jurors had deliberated since late Monday. They found Asaro, 80, not guilty of one count of racketeering conspiracy and two extortion-related counts.
After the verdict was announced in court, he broke out in a big smile, pumped his fists and gave one of his attorneys a huge hug.
Outside, a beaming Asaro told reporters he was dying to go home.
Secret design plans of a huge Russian nuclear torpedo were accidentally broadcast on two Kremlin-controlled television stations during ordinary news bulletins.
During a piece reporting a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and his military high command, the camera cut away to a general staring at plans of the torpedo system, in which the name, basic layout and capabilities are clearly visible.
The document, which was on screen for several seconds, shows drawings and descriptions of a weapon labelled as the “Ocean Multi-purpose System ‘Status 6’” — a very large, self-propelled torpedo carrying an exceptionally powerful nuclear warhead.
Ouch. That hurts. Wisconsin is losing another corporate headquarters.
In a seismic shift for the already hyper-competitive Milwaukee-area market, national grocery giant Kroger Co. plans to acquire Roundy’s Inc., the local operator of Pick ’n Save, Metro Market and, in Chicago, Mariano’s Fresh Market.
Milwaukee-based Roundy’s (NYSE: RNDY) announced the move in its quarterly earnings release early Wednesday. Cincinnati-based Kroger (NYSE: KR) is prepared to acquire the company for a purchase price of $3.60 per share in cash, in an $800 million deal that includes the assumption of $646 million Roundy’s debt. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year.
Milwaukee Police Officers Joel Rossman, Jedidiah Thompson and Jutiki X gave honors to a flag tattered and burned by a protester.
This evening brought thousands to downtown Milwaukee for the theater, basketball game and the debate. During one demonstration, a protester set an American Flag on fire.
Milwaukee Police Officers, seeing the burning flag in the crowd, immediately grabbed a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. The plume from the fire extinguisher prompted reports of tear gas being used. These reports were false.
The flag was taken to be inventoried for possible charges against the protester.
Milwaukee police officers later conducted a small, dignified ceremony to properly fold the flag before placing it on inventory.
Well, there is progress of sorts. After some embarrassment for legislative Republicans, the bill to repeal the state’s archaic minimum markup law, ironically known as the Unfair Sales Act, finally has a number and was sent out to committee. SB 371 is now going to the state Senate Committee on Economic Development and Commerce chaired by Senator Rick Gudex.
Now the question becomes whether legislative Republicans will develop a spine and allow a public hearing to be held. They will have to risk upsetting the Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association and the Wisconsin Grocers Association, because heaven forfend that these two special interests be made to defend the concept that higher prices are somehow good for consumers.
This law needs to be repealed. It would be a serious disappointment if the Republican legislature and the Republican governor won’t get it done.
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Organizers are promising to focus on substance when eight Republicans face off on the main stage for the GOP’s fourth presidential debate.
While that’s the plan, big personalities and rising tensions in the unsettled 2016 field could make for an unpredictable Tuesday evening in Milwaukee. Donald Trump and Ben Carson are fighting to maintain their place atop the polls, while others — including Jeb Bush — are fighting for their political survival in the 9 p.m. EST event.
It’s also a nice little boost to downtown businesses. Hotel rooms and dinner reservations have been a bit more difficult to get in downtown yesterday and today.
My column for the West Bend Daily News is online. Here it is:
In the wee hours of Saturday, the Wisconsin Senate passed a pair of bills reforming the state’s political campaigns and the oversight of them. Both sets of reforms, born out of necessity, will be in place for the presidential election next year.
The first bill reforms Wisconsin’s campaign finance laws. A series of federal and state court rulings over the past few years have invalidated various portions of Wisconsin’s campaign finance laws as unconstitutional. The result has been the state’s campaign finance laws rendered largely unenforceable, leaving people in legal limbo.
The campaign finance reform bill makes several changes to bring Wisconsin’s laws into compliance with the recent court rulings, changes campaign contribution limits and defines express advocacy. Perhaps the most controversial portion of the bill is to remove the requirement for political donors to disclose their employer.
Under current law, people who donate $100 or more to a campaign must disclose their employer. The problem is two-fold. First, the provision is largely unenforceable because campaign treasurers, who are obligated to provide the information, do not have any legal authority to compel donors to provide the information. If a donor refuses, there is nothing anyone can do about it. Second, the disclosure of employers has been used by activists to target businesses for retribution, even though the employer does not have a right to tell an employee which candidates to support. Under the bill passed by the Senate, donors will still have to disclose their occupation, but not their specific employer.
The second bill passed by the Senate on Saturday morning will replace the rogue Government Accountability Board with two bipartisan commissions. The GAB, born out of the caucus scandals of the last decade, is a failed experiment. The intention of the GAB was to create a nonpartisan board with vast power and independence to oversee both ethics and elections. The GAB was to be run by austere retired judges, who had been ground to wisdom with the millstone of time.
The GAB’s creation was widely supported by liberals and conservatives, including me. We were all wrong. We all failed to heed the lessons taught to us by our nation’s founders, who knew that all people are corruptible. The best defense against the ravages of tyranny is to accept the fallibility of mankind and build government structures on the foundation of competing interests. The GAB’s despotic attacks on the First Amendment rights of the people it was supposed to serve were the result of bad people wielding too much power in too much secrecy.
The Senate bill decentralizes the power of the GAB over ethics and elections into two commissions. Each of the commissions will be staffed by an equal number of partisans from each major party. Both commissions will also be more accountable to oversight by the legislature. The Legislature has also committed to continuing to clarify and reform Wisconsin’s campaign finance laws, as they have already done, in order to ensure that it will leave less gray area for dispute over the enforcement of those laws.
Unfortunately, the Senate, unlike the Assembly, included a provision to include a couple of retired judges, a la the GAB, on the Ethics Commission. This was a compromise included in the bill to placate a handful of squishy Republicans. I do not know why these Republicans have such a mystical faith in the druidical robes of retired judges, but they were not going to support reforming the GAB without them. More than likely, the inclusion of the retired judges was more for the purpose demonstrating the power of a frustrated wing of the Republican Senate caucus than any actual attempt at making the bill better for Wisconsinites.
Both Senate bills were slightly different than the versions passed last month by the Assembly, so the Assembly will reconvene next week to vote on the Senate version of the bills. Assuming that the Assembly passes the identical version, which it is widely expected to do, the bills are headed to Gov. Scott Walker’s desk, where the governor will hopefully use his veto pen to correct some of the illconceived concessions that found their way into the bill. In any case, Wisconsin is well on its way to a better political process.
Seeing no progress on legislative reform in Congress, Obama announced last November he would take executive action to help immigrants. He has faced criticism from Republicans who say the program grants amnesty to lawbreakers.
In its ruling, the appeals court said it was denying the government’s appeal to stay the May injunction “after determining that the appeal was unlikely to succeed on its merits.”
