Boots & Sabers

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Category: Politics – Wisconsin

RIP West Bend Alderman Hoogester

by | 1101, 23 Nov 20 | | 1 Comment

Sad news from the Washington County Insider:

Hoogester graduated Germantown High School in 1973. He started with the West Bend Police Department in the early 1980s and retired after 34 years from the WBPD as a Lieutenant.

He was first elected to the Common Council in April 2013 replacing Mike Schlotfeldt.

With the City of West Bend, Hoogester was part of the Deer Management Committee and Finance Committee.

“It is devistating news,” said Dist. 5 alderman Jed Dolnick.  “I knew Steve when we first started in law enforcement; I knew Steve through our work at the sheriff’s department and police department. He was a good friend and this is unbelieveable.”

Former Dist. 7 alderman Adam Williquette worked with Hoogester on the common council for several terms.  “I sat next to Steve on council for five years and got to know him well during our tenure. He put a lot of time in for the betterment of our community and will be truly missed,” said Williquette.

Former Mayor Kraig Sadownikow said, “Simply put, Steve was a good man.  He was a good father and husband and he was proud of his City.   Steve did not run for office to be a politician.   He decided to be an alderman for the same reason he chose law enforcement for his career, to help people.”

In Madison, You Can Get High… Just Not in Groups

by | 0633, 19 Nov 20 | , , | 3 Comments

Heh

Under the new ordinances passed Tuesday night, people 18 and older will be allowed to use or possess up to 28 grams, or about an ounce, of marijuana on public and private property, as long as they have the permission of the property owner, landlord or tenant. Possessing paraphernalia also will not be punished.

Citation fines are being reduced from $50 plus court costs to $1 plus court costs. Heavier penalties still apply for those charged with intent to deliver cannabis.

“It’s been decriminalized even further,” Assistant City Attorney Marci Paulsen said. “You’re permitted to possess and consume marijuana in public places, which before you were not allowed to do that. You have to comply with the smoking ordinance, so it’s not like you can smoke marijuana in a restaurant or a bar, but you could walking down the street now.”

In practice, Paulsen said that could lead to some pretty significant changes.

“Before, the Madison Police Department would write citations for individuals possessing marijuana if they arrested individuals with marijuana on them or if they came across a vehicle with people smoking marijuana,” she said. “Now, they won’t be unless it rises to the level of a state statute violation where it’s a significant possession amount or significant crimes are involved in it.”

Tyrant Tony Extends Illegal Order

by | 2148, 18 Nov 20 | | 3 Comments

It’s not about whether it is a good idea or not. It’s about the fact that we do not permit a single man to have this much power over us.

The Democratic governor announced during one of his bi-weekly COVID-19 media briefings that his statewide mask mandate has been extended until January of next year, and that he is issuing a new public health emergency this week.

The current public health emergency was set to expire this Saturday.

“It’s clear based on where we’re at that that we cannot afford to stop or have a gap in some of the only mitigation efforts we still have in place,” Evers said.

Emergency Order No. 1 will also be re-issued, Evers said, which requires face covering in public places.

Dane County Bans Indoor Gatherings of Any Kind

by | 2018, 17 Nov 20 | , | 35 Comments

Nuts to that.

MADISON, Wis. – Public Health Madison and Dane County issued on Tuesday, Nov. 17 an emergency order which prohibits indoor gatherings of any size. Outdoor gatherings are permitted with 10 people or less, with physical distancing.

Officials say this order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

[…]

In-person games, sports, competitions, group exercise classes, meetings, trainings, movies, events, and conferences are all considered mass gatherings. Indoor mass gatherings of any people who do not live together are prohibited. Outdoor mass gatherings are limited to 10 people who do not live together, with physical distancing. The previous limit for gatherings was 10 indoors and 25 outdoors, with physical distancing.

This emergency order is in effect until 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 16 — \and continues to require face coverings and limit the capacity for most businesses to 50%, along with many other provisions.

Will the Leftist “fight the MAN!” radicals in Madison sheepishly obey this order?

Yup.

When did we get to the point that we just accept that it is the role of some jackass health department bureaucrat to tell us if we can gather with friends and family in our own homes? About three months ago. Push back.

BTW,

The First Amendment guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly…

When nobody was looking, West Bend became liberal

by | 0740, 16 Nov 20 | | 0 Comments

Here is my full column that ran in the Washington County Daily News last week.

While the national political scene continues to dominate our attention, local politicians are making decisions that will more directly impact our everyday lives. In the city of West Bend, the Common Council has taken a lurch to the left and is pushing for the second property tax increase in as many years. What is happening in West Bend is a good case study for how much local leadership matters and how easy it is for the big spenders to seize control when the citizens get lazy.

West Bend has always been a conservative community. Like many smallish conservative cities, the city was run by a close cabal of old-time Benders for a long time. Well-meaning, but without much vision, the city leadership plodded along steadily raising spending, raising taxes, increasing debt, and seemingly intent on just making sure everybody would go along to get along.

Springing out of the national tea party movement, local conservatives began to look seriously at the city’s governance in 2009. Groups like Concerned Citizens of Washington County sprang up with the express purpose of recruiting, encouraging, and supporting conservatives to run for local office.

It worked. Election after election, principled conservatives ran for local office and won. In the city of West Bend, the result was a slate of conservative council members and a conservative mayor who were intent on leading the city in a conservative direction. In 2011 they passed a flat-tax-levy budget and then cut the tax levy by 5% in 2012. For the rest of the decade, conservative leadership meant flat taxes year after year, a dramatic improvement in the city’s debt load, the shedding of unfunded liabilities for retired employees, and frugal spending. Along the way, the city upgraded the riverwalk, made parks selfsustained, expanded the police station and City Hall, and attracted businesses to locate and expand in West Bend.

It was a good run, but it is over now. After a decade of good governance, local conservatives got lazy. They stopped recruiting and supporting new conservatives to run for local office. The big spenders and lefties returned to power as local conservatives twiddled their thumbs and harrumphed at each other.

Over the past several elections, big spenders and lefties ran for, and won, seats on the Common Council. They are in firm control. The new mayor, Chris Jenkins, trumpets his conservatism in public, but has proven too weak to provide firm conservative leadership in the face of opposition.

Last year the Common Council passed a property tax increase even though the city had the money to pay for the entire budget without raising taxes. They passed a tax increase because they wanted to see if the public would scream too loud. Aldermen John Butschlick, Mark Allen, Steve Hoogester, Justice Madl, and Roger Kist voted to increase taxes. Aldermen Andrew Chevalier, Chris Jenkins, and Rich Kasten voted against a tax increase. Since then, all three of the aldermen who voted against the tax increase have left the council and Jenkins was elected mayor.

This year, the council is proposing a 5% tax levy increase that will be used to increase spending and pad employee compensation. Most city employees will receive a pay increase with at least one high-level employee receiving a $12,125, or 11%, raise. Meanwhile, the city in increasing the percentage of premiums that taxpayers cover by about 1%. A city employee will pay 13% of the premium for a family plan under the new budget. The average going rate for Wisconsin private-sector employees is more than twice that.

Just like last year, the city does not need to increase taxes. Thanks to new construction, the city will get a 4% increase in the tax levy without increasing taxes on everyone. Just like last year, the Common Council seems determined to raise taxes anyway. The budget calls for a 5% levy increase. A council dominated by former public employees seems resentful that a year should pass without increasing taxes. It is easier to keep increasing taxes a little every year and finding a place to spend it instead of only asking for a tax increase when they need it.

Alderwoman Meghann Kennedy has been the lone voice for fiscal conservatism on the council as the rest seem intent on passing annual tax increases irrespective of the need or the property owners’ ability to pay. 2020 has been a tough year for many, but that fact seems lost in the halls of city government.

As I write this column, the public hearing for the budget is in the future. As you read this, the hearing is in the past. Irrespective of how the hearing went or how the council votes, the only way to truly return West Bend to conservative fiscal management is to elect the principled conservatives who will lead future councils. The liberals will always fill a leadership vacuum. If conservatives in West Bend want to see conservative leadership, they will need to get off their duffs and put some effort into it. The same is true all over Wisconsin. Leadership starts locally.

State DPI Wants More Money

by | 0720, 11 Nov 20 | , | 4 Comments

Um… no. There are fewer and fewer kids in public education. Ergo, the budget for it should decline with the number of kids we are educating.

MADISON, Wis. — The state Department of Public Instruction wants $1.6 billion more included in its budget over the next couple years than the last budget, but that might not be a request the Republican-led finance committee will grant.

The department is asking for a total of $7.4 billion in 2021-22 and $7.7 billion in 2022-23, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. This compares to $6.7 billion in 2020-21.

Mike Thompson, the deputy state superintendent, said the extra money will go toward initiatives in special education, equity and mental health aid.

“We think it’s a realistic budget,” he said. “We think it’s a budget that prioritizes what the citizens of Wisconsin want for educating their kids. It makes investments in kids, and what better investment can we make than in children?”

When nobody was looking, West Bend became liberal

by | 0726, 10 Nov 20 | | 1 Comment

My column for the Washington County Daily News is online and in print. Last night’s vote pretty well proves the thesis. Here’s a part:

It was a good run, but it is over now. After a decade of good governance, local conservatives got lazy. They stopped recruiting and supporting new conservatives to run for local office. The big spenders and lefties returned to power as local conservatives twiddled their thumbs and harrumphed at each other.

Over the past several elections, big spenders and lefties ran for, and won, seats on the Common Council. They are in firm control. The new mayor, Chris Jenkins, trumpets his conservatism in public, but has proven too weak to provide firm conservative leadership in the face of opposition.

Last year the Common Council passed a property tax increase even though the city had the money to pay for the entire budget without raising taxes. They passed a tax increase because they wanted to see if the public would scream too loud. Aldermen John Butschlick, Mark Allen, Steve Hoogester, Justice Madl, and Roger Kist voted to increase taxes. Aldermen Andrew Chevalier, Chris Jenkins, and Rich Kasten voted against a tax increase. Since then, all three of the aldermen who voted against the tax increase have left the council and Jenkins was elected mayor.

This year, the council is proposing a 5% tax levy increase that will be used to increase spending and pad employee compensation.

[…]

A council dominated by former public employees seems resentful that a year should pass without increasing taxes. It is easier to keep increasing taxes a little every year and finding a place to spend it instead of only asking for a tax increase when they need it.

Alderwoman Meghann Kennedy has been the lone voice for fiscal conservatism on the council as the rest seem intent on passing annual tax increases irrespective of the need or the property owners’ ability to pay. 2020 has been a tough year for many, but that fact seems lost in the halls of city government.

As I write this column, the public hearing for the budget is in the future. As you read this, the hearing is in the past. Irrespective of how the hearing went or how the council votes, the only way to truly return West Bend to conservative fiscal management is to elect the principled conservatives who will lead future councils. The liberals will always fill a leadership vacuum. If conservatives in West Bend want to see conservative leadership, they will need to get off their duffs and put some effort into it. The same is true all over Wisconsin.

Leadership starts locally.

West Bend Council Passes Tax Increase on 6-2 Vote

by | 1953, 9 Nov 20 | | 13 Comments

There you go, Benders. Enjoy the higher taxes. Alders Randy Koehler and Meghann Kennedy were the only two who voted against the tax increase budget. Alders John Butschlick, Mark Allen, Brett Bergquist, Jed Dolnick, Steve Hoogester, and Justice Madl all voted to increase taxes in a year when citizens were losing their jobs and businesses in the face of a global pandemic.

You get the government you vote for.

Will you do anything about it?

Mark Allen and Steve Hoogester are up for election in April (assuming they run).

Post Election: Wisconsin GOP Needs Change

by | 1253, 9 Nov 20 | | 4 Comments

I agree with Mark Belling on this one:

While state GOP operations improved marginally under Hitt, it is still a Madison-based organization that relies heavily on Madison based consultants who seem talented at only one thing: losing elections.

There is virtually no paid grass roots operation in Wisconsin and the GOP was incompetent at stopping the rush to early voting approved by the state Election Commission and which was largely responsible for President Trump’s Wisconsin loss.

Hitt has also done nothing about the sellout performances of the two GOP members of the state Election Commission who routinely side with democrats and the commission’s liberal staff in egregious rulings that harm Republicans.

If Hitt is reelected, it will prove my point that the Madison-based operation cares only about reelecting cronies in the state legislature and has no concerns about winning either local or statewide races. GOP voters and volunteers in this state, who worked so hard for Trump, deserve better than this incompetent and apathetic Madison bunch.

My observation is that there is a good grass roots organization in some counties, but it is really driven by the leadership of the county organizations. Regardless, the state GOP needs change.

First and foremost, the state GOP operation needs to move out of Madison and nest where Republican voters live. Everybody is subject to the pressure in their personal lives. Madison is a radical leftist enclave. As hard as they try, the Republicans who live there wouldn’t be human if the constant barrage of leftist pressure didn’t influence their behavior. It isn’t the big things. It’s the little ones. It’s the “let’s soften that message because Democrat A’s sister is my kid’s teacher,” or “I lunch with Democrat B and he wouldn’t really do that” (yes, he would). By surrounding themselves with actual conservatives and Republicans, the GOP state party staff would get the support they need to carry the GOP banner.

Furthermore, the Republican coalition is changing and the state party officials need to connect with people. Thanks to Trump, the Republican Party has made great strides with working class people. Madison is dominated by white collar workers and government employees. That is what most Republican Party staffers are too. As they hang out with the other parents at soccer games, attend neighborhood parties, or gather for a local show or sporting event, the Republican Party staffers are part of that crowd. That is their cultural normal. The issues of that crowd are the issues that the Republican Party staffers are internalizing and prioritizing.

If the Wisconsin Republican Party is going to really understand the issues that impact factory workers, farmers, construction workers, small business owners, etc., then they need to make THAT their crowd. They need to live amongst actual grass roots Republicans who care about these issues because it matters. It isn’t a just parlor game for politicians and politicos to win. It matters.

Moving the state party would go a long way to enabling the state GOP to be more successful in the future. I’m thinking Fond du Lac or Wausau would best.

 

West Bend Budget Public Hearing Tonight

by | 0733, 9 Nov 20 | | 0 Comments

They want more money. Per the Washington County Insider.

November 8, 2020 – West Bend, WI – There is a public hearing Monday night, November 9, 2020 as the West Bend common council votes to pass a .08 cent increase in the tax rate which would bring the proposed rate from $7.85 to $7.93.
Pay raises are a large part of the budget increase.
In June 2020 two employees received $12,000 pay increases. Another employee received a $5,000 pay raise to jump to $100,814, and two others had a $4,000+ salary increase to climb to the mid-$90,000 mark. Members of the common council confirmed those employees who received large salary increases will also be part of the cross-the-board 2-percent staff salary increase in 2020.
A request was put in several weeks ago for the 2018-2019 employee payscale. That amount has still yet to be shared.
Right now with the way the 2021 budget is written, we will be imposing a tax increase on our constituents. While some may argue it is a small increase I want everyone to understand I am unequivocally opposed to an increase due to what is happening right now in our community and the impacts we are seeing as a result of COVID.
Layoffs, mandatory furloughs, reduced hours and business closures are common place right now in our community.
Washington County is forcing the county government staff to take 5 mandatory furlough days this year as a cost cutting measure.
Several large Wisconsin companies reduced its staff in 2020 to cut cost, including the #7 largest employer in the state Kohl’s who laid off 15% of its local WI corporate headquarters staff in September.
Within the last year the Wisconsin government ordered non-essential businesses to close their doors for an extended period of time during safer at home and just this week ordered capacity limits of 25% to already struggling businesses.
Data released in late September by the Dept. of Workforce Development showed 713,508 unemployment insurance claims are STILL being processed, that number represents over 98,000 Wisconsinites, and some of those claims date all the way back to March.
Wisconsin unemployment rate has essentially doubled from this time last year.  Currently WI has 6.2% unemployment rate, it was only 3.4% at this time last year.
I do not think it is appropriate for the West Bend common council to raise taxes on our citizens during this time.  Many citizens are trying to sustain their homes and families with less revenue this year.  I think it is unjust for us to turn around and vote to charge more in taxes when with that tax increase the average citizen will not see or feel an increase in services.  It is no secret that a large sum of money will need to go to rising insurance costs for city employees.
Amen.
Hearing is at 6:30. Show up and be heard.

City of West Bend Budget Public Hearing Tomorrow

by | 2011, 8 Nov 20 | | 2 Comments

In a year that was pretty bad financially for a lot of people, the City of West Bend Common Council is looking to pass a 5% property tax levy increase to help cover pay increases and shrink the employee contributions for health insurance.

Some of the pay increases already enacted this year were a $12,124 (11%) increase for the police chief and a $12,642 (12%) increase for the fire chief. The new budget has across the board pay increases and seeks to cover a big increase in health insurance costs while also decreasing the percentage that employees pay for it. A Common Council dominated by former public employees seems intent on shoving taxpayer money into the pockets of government employees as quickly as possible.

The public hearing is tomorrow at 6:30 in the City of West Bend Common Council chambers. Show up and be heard.

 

Speaker Vos Orders Investigation of Election’s Integrity

by | 2203, 6 Nov 20 | | 3 Comments

While the media is hell bent on insisting that everything with this election was on the up-and-up, I’d like to see another set of eyes on it. If nothing else, it will help build confidence in the result if nothing significant is found.

Vos has instructed a further probe just as clerks in counties across the state get to work on certifying the results.

“I am directing the committee to use its investigatory powers under Wisconsin SS 13.31 to immediately review how the election was administered,” Vos said in a statement. “With concerns surfacing about mail-in ballot dumps and voter fraud, Wisconsin citizens deserve to know their vote counted. There should be no question as to whether the vote was fair and legitimate, and there must be absolute certainty that the impending recount finds any and all irregularities.”

 

Tax Raisers Dominate West Bend Common Council

by | 1939, 5 Nov 20 | | 13 Comments

Here we go again… From the Washington County Insider:

November 4, 2020 – West Bend, WI – There will be a public hearing Monday, November 9 prior to the West Bend Common Council voting on a tax increase for 2021.

[…]

During Monday night’s meeting the proposed tax increase was dropped from a .09 cent increase to .08 which brings the proposed tax rate to $7.93. That is a $248,000 increase from 2020’s budget total of $24,246,478.

The 2021 total budget and accompanying details were not part of tonight’s agenda packet.

Readers might remember (probably not) that I rung the warning bell last year when they raised property taxes for the first time in a decade when they didn’t even need to.

November 11, 2019 – West Bend, WI – The West Bend Common Council voted 5-3 Monday night to increase the mill rate to $7.85 per thousand dollars. That’s 6 cents per thousand more than 2019 and will raise taxes on residents whether their property increased in value or remained the same.

If you want to know where they are spending those higher taxes that they intend to impose on the property tax payers of West Bend, look no further than employee benefits:

  • Health insurance for a family non-union coverage is $250 per month for 2020 with a $5,000 deductible in network
  • On a percentage for a family the employee is paying 14% of the premium and the taxpayers are covering 86%
  • The new 2021 proposal for a family jumps $20 to $270 a month however the family is now paying 13% and 87% will be covered by taxpayers.

The overall budget is going up $248k to cover a $255k increase in health insurance costs and employees will pay a lower share of their health insurance premium.

There is a core of former public employees on the Council who see it as their job to transfer money from the taxpayers into the pockets of public employees. They will continue to increase taxes every year because that’s what they do. West Bend is returning to the bad old days of annual tax increases, increasing debt, and nothing to show for it.

Mayor Christoph Jenkins had this to say, but he only gets a vote if there is a tie on the council. Call your Alderperson. They meet on Monday.

My Fellow West Benders,

This letter is to update you on the final steps of the City of West Bend’s 2021 Budget.

First, thank you to Administration, Department Heads, and our Finance Director for helping to put together our 2021 Budget. The annual budget lays a foundation for what we look to accomplish moving forward and supports our overarching goals. The budget is a collaborative effort, and inevitably in this effort there’s not always 100% agreement. The City Council recently sat down for an in-depth roundtable discussion on the budget, and many ideas, thoughts, and questions were shared. While sometimes at odds with each other, we all work for and represent the City of West Bend, and our residents are blessed to have a group of people advocating for them in such a strong manner.

As it stands recommended, the City of West Bend would see an 8-cent tax increase moving from 7.85 to 7.93. This would result in the average $200k valued home seeing a $16 increase in the City portion of their taxes. Though this is a nominal effect, as I stated at the roundtable, it is not a levy increase I am in favor of for our taxpayers.

There are certainly good things planned and budgeted for next year; these include, body cameras for our police officers, critically important in this ever-polarizing world, a $3 million increase in road bonding to tackle our main thoroughfares, and CARES Act grant funding that covers the cost of operating our taxi service for those in need. We also face challenges – an ever-increasing employee health insurance policy, increased tax incremental financing district obligations, and continued desire to recruit top-talent to serve the great City of West Bend. In the end, many requests for funding were made from department heads, and a total of $1 Million in requested funds were removed.

We have seen and continue to see astounding growth, economic development, and investment in our City. Accounting for our increase in net new construction and overall value, even with taxes stable at 7.85, the City would net an increase of $909k of revenue. At the proposed 7.93 rate, we see an increase of about $240k of additional revenues. I believe closing a $240k gap to prevent pushing more of a burden on to our taxpayers is a drop in the bucket in a roughly $25M annual budget. Our Finance Chair, Alderman Meghann Kennedy, has been diligent in asking tough questions and brainstorming solutions to adjust these budgeted costs. Many Aldermen have continued to dig deeper throughout this process, and we have been open to feedback and ideas on all fronts.

Our residents, businesses, and property owners continue to experience one of the most challenging years ever. An ongoing pandemic and uncertainty in the economy has led to increased cost of doing business, reduced revenues, furloughing, or laying off employees, and upending our way of doing things. We, as a City of West Bend organization, have been blessed to not have to go to these harsh lengths to continue the high-level of service and operations. But in the end, I do not feel it’s right at a time like this in our history, for the City to ask for more when others have had to sacrifice or work with less. We are truly in this together, and my hope is the City can do our part and keep this tax rate stable.

As is the case every year, there is an opportunity for YOU to make your voice heard to your elected officials. Monday, November 9th at 6:30PM at City Hall will be our Public Hearing on the budget where you can do so. In addition, you may contact your Alderman to ask questions or share thoughts and ideas, by visiting: https://www.ci.west-bend.wi.us/government/elected_officials/common_council.php

Stay informed, stay safe, and stay positive. There are always good things to look forward to in the great City of West Bend.

 

Christophe E. Jenkins

 

Election Results

by | 0752, 4 Nov 20 | , | 59 Comments

A few thoughts jump out at me as we finish counting the votes:

  • Trump’s weakness in the suburbs was real.
  • Trump has rebuilt a new coalition for the GOP that includes more working class people, Hispanic people, and black people. The GOP should continue the effort in that direction.
  • Republicans did pretty good across the country. With expectations of a Blue Wave, Republicans held their own in the states, made gains in the House, held the Senate, etc. In Wisconsin, the Republicans still control the legislature and the congressional delegation remains the same (with an unexpectedly close race for the 3rd CD). This tells us what we already knew: the US is pretty evenly divided right now.
  • In Wisconsin, Trump increased his turnout and Biden dis MUCH better than Hillary Clinton. It shows what a weak candidate Clinton was and how much the Left hates Trump.
  • I noticed last night that the rioters teed up when it looked like Trump was going to win… and then held back when the race shifted Biden’s way. That means something.
  • As for me, I am going to go to work, run some errands, spend time with my family, and get on with life.
  • We need to make sure that all the votes are counted and that any fraud is found and prosecuted. Irrespective of the outcome, we, as a people, must have confidence that our elections accurately reflect the will of the people.

Wisconsin DNR To Implement Stringent Regulations on Mining

by | 2029, 1 Nov 20 | | 50 Comments

Evers is unshackling the most powerful regulatory agency in the state to make sure businesses go back to avoiding Wisconsin.

Mining applicants would have to pay more for permits and licenses, supply more detailed plans to state regulators, and work around a new list of areas deemed off-limits under regulations the state Department of Natural Resources is developing.

The DNR has proposed new permanent administrative rules that would increase fees for nonferrous mining exploration and operation permits, licenses and fees by about $502,000 per project. Applicants also would be required to provide substantially greater detail in feasibility reports, operational plans and construction documentation as conditions for permits.

The rules include a list of areas where mining wouldn’t be allowed, including wilderness areas designated by statute; wild and scenic rivers; national and state parks; areas with unique geologic features; wildlife refuges; state natural areas; properties of historical significance; and endangered species habitat.

Stuck is Stuck

by | 0719, 30 Oct 20 | | 115 Comments

It’s funny how often lefties can dish it out, but can’t take it. Democrat Amanda Stuck is running against Rep. Mike Gallagher. She issued this statement today:

“I have nothing but respect for those that choose to make their living through the arts. It takes a tremendous amount of talent and determination to make it such a competitive field. I fully understand that, despite their hard work and dedication, the majority of our artists are grossly underpaid and not in it for the fame or money,” said Stuck. “I find it curious that the Gallagher campaign has tried to paint me as an enemy of the arts when his record is nothing to brag about.”

Except that she doesn’t respect those who choose to make their living through the arts. She said:

“I don’t come from wealth and privilege like Mike Gallagher does,” Stuck says in the video. “I didn’t marry a Broadway star like Mike Gallagher did. I married a sheet metal journeyman.”

Stuck continues, “For most of us, Broadway is a street in Green Bay. It isn’t a place in Manhattan, like Mike Gallagher knows.”

She is clearly attempting to smear Mike Gallagher for marrying a “Broadway star” as painting her as a trophy of his “wealth and privilege.” Stuck completely disparaged the work that Mrs. Gallagher put into her career and the success that she has had. Stuck’s husband is a sheet metal journeyman. Awesome. I’m sure he works hard. So does Anne Gallagher, but somehow, Amanda Stuck thinks that Anne Gallagher is just a socialite whose career was given to her due to her “wealth and privilege. Stuck’s comments are demeaning to women and to people who work in the arts.

Stuck didn’t come to backtrack because of her own conscience that she might have overstepped. She was slapped back by the arts community itself. Even then, she couldn’t bring herself to apologize. She just feigned confusion about how someone could possibly misunderstand her point and pretend that she has respect for people who work in the arts. Clearly, she doesn’t.

UW Implements Furloughs AND $15 Minimum Wage

by | 2142, 26 Oct 20 | , | 29 Comments

So if you’re lucky enough to keep your job, you’ll make more. Of course, more people could keep their jobs if UW didn’t set an artificial wage floor, but that’s how the minimum wage works.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison will implement more furloughs for spring semester to help offset revenue losses from the COVID-19 pandemic. The first round of unpaid leave, announced in August, ends this month.

Furloughs will begin Jan. 1 and last through June 30 to allow time for employees’ pay to return to normal, Chancellor Rebecca Blank said in an email Monday. They will have the same graduated structure as the current furloughs, ranging from three monthly furlough days with a 2.5% pay reduction to six monthly furlough days with a 4.6% pay reduction.

The university estimates that revenue between March and the end of this fiscal year in June 2021 will be about $320 million less than anticipated, Blank said. Some of the shortfall was offset through cost savings efforts, such as $27 million in savings from furloughs and salary reductions.

[…]

UW-Madison will also continue moving forward with its commitment to a $15 minimum wage for all hourly employees. Though it temporarily halted the plan earlier this year, Blank said it will go into effect Jan. 17, mainly affecting custodial, animal care and food-service employees.

Mailed Ballots Must Be in Officials’ Hands by 8 PM on Election Day

by | 2005, 26 Oct 20 | , | 45 Comments

Court upholds clear language of the law.

The United States Supreme Court on Monday upheld Wisconsin’s voting laws requiring absentee ballots be in election officials’ hands by the time polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. The Supreme Court’s decision was decided 5 to 3.

Democrats challenged the law, saying the Election Day deadline should be extended because of the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic. They unsuccessfully argued that ballots should be counted as long as they are postmarked on or before Election Day.

Republicans made the argument that election rules shouldn’t change in the face of the pandemic.

The contentious decision comes after a federal court of appeals upheld a six-day extension for ballot counting.

Chief Justice John Roberts was the deciding factor in this vote, although he joined with the liberal justices to extend ballot counting in Pennsylvania. According to the chief justice, the two states are vastly different.

 

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