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Conservatively Speaking
State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) represents parts of four counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Walworth. Her Senate District 28 includes New Berlin, Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, Muskego, Waterford, Big Bend and parts of Greenfield, East Troy, and Mukwonago. Senator Lazich has been in the Legislature for more than a decade. She considers herself a tireless crusader for lower taxes, reduced spending and smaller government.
By Mary Lazich
Monday, Oct 6 2008, 07:30 AM
Wisconsin’s dispute with the Ho-Chunk Nation might be over after a four year battle, and Wisconsin taxpayers got the short end of the stick in the gambling compact settlement.
The Ho-Chunk stopped making payments to the state in 2004 after signing a compact with Governor Doyle in 2003. The tribe argued that because a 2004 state Supreme Court ruling invalidated a similar compact agreement with the Forest County Potawatomi, it owed the state nothing.
Since 2004, Ho-Chunk halted payments with the exception of a one-time $30-million payment during 2006 it claimed demonstrated good faith bargaining. Here are the details of the recent settlement that should have taxpayers quizzically shaking their heads wondering, is that all there is?
The state contended the Ho-Chunk owed $72 million. Ho-Chunk has agreed to pay $60 million. That is a $12 million jolt to Wisconsin taxpayers.
Terms of the old compact had the Ho-Chunk paying the state a six percent tax of its take. Under the new compact, the Ho-Chunk will make payments of five percent if net earnings are below $350 million and 5.5 percent if earnings exceed $350 million. The reduced percentage means a loss of millions of dollars to the state. By contrast, the Potawatomi pay 6.5 percent of winnings.
The new compact also allows the Ho-Chunk to make reductions in their annual payments to the state:
- Beginning May 1, 2010, the tribe can deduct payments made to counties totaling $1,000 for every acre of land owned by the U.S. government in trust for the tribe located within each county’s jurisdiction in July, 2003. The LFB informs me that during July 2003 the Ho-Chunk had approximately 2,300 acres of trust land that could result in a reduction in their annual state payment of $2.3 million.
- During a 10-year period from May 1, 2009 to May 1, 2019, the tribe could deduct the amounts it paid for public works projects that benefit both the tribe and the state. Deductions would be limited to no more than $1.0 million in any one year and the total deductions for the period could not exceed $5.0 million. That means there could be an average annual deduction of $500,000.
- The tribe can also deduct any additional amounts paid by the tribe for projects that the state and the tribe agree provide a substantial public benefit in areas of economic development, infrastructure, health, safety, or welfare. These deductions would begin May 1, 2019, would be limited to a total of $4 million, with annual deductions limited to a maximum of $1 million.
The casinos are arguably some of the most lucrative, profitable businesses in Wisconsin, yet their payments to the state are questionable. I asked the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) to prepare a memo that provides information that compares the imposition of the state corporate income and franchise tax, general sales tax, and local property taxes on private businesses to tribal casino operations in Wisconsin.
The LFB writes a “tax rate of 7.9 percent is applied to Wisconsin net taxable income to determine gross tax. The annual payment negotiated with the Ho-Chunk Nation is five percent of net win (5.5 percent if net win is greater than $350 million). Since net win generally does not include deductions used in determining net income, the net-win amount is likely larger than would be the case if the Ho-Chunk Nation casino was subject to the state corporate income and franchise tax. In addition, corporate income and franchise taxes can be offset by state tax credits. However, the corporate income and franchise tax rate is 7.9 percent which is higher than the 5.0 percent or 5.5 percent rate applied to net win.”
On the matter of the sales tax, the LFB writes, Due to restrictions in federal law, the state sales tax is not imposed on purchases or leases of otherwise taxable items by the tribes for use in the casinos. In addition tribal gaming proceeds generally are not subject to the sales tax. Sales of lodging, food and beverages, and admissions to the entertainment events at the casino are taxable if the purchaser is not a member of the tribe that is operating the casino, but exempt if the purchaser is a tribal member.”
Finally, on property taxes, the LFB writes, “Casinos owned by Native Americans are exempt from the property tax.”
To re-cap, Wisconsin businesses pay a higher tax rate than the rate Ho-Chunk and other tribes pay the state from their earnings. The tribes do not pay sales taxes or property taxes.
At first blush, the amount of the payments being made to the state through negotiated compacts may sound sizeable. However, there are significant societal costs due to gambling.
Serious problem gamblers lose or quit their jobs, steal money to support their gambling habit, think about and actually plan suicide, and some even make suicide attempts. Children of problem gamblers develop behavior and adjustment problems suffering from depression, anxiety, and cynicism.
The Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling Helpline Executive Director Rose Gruber says the average debt of callers to her hotline during 2007 was $43,000, up from $37,000 during 2006. Wisconsin has over 332,000 serious problem gamblers reported during 2007, up from 265,000 the previous year.
A Wisconsin Policy Research Institute study in 1996 reported the average serious problem gambler imposed costs close to $10,000 upon Wisconsin each year with a total annual social cost impact of over $307 million. The same study reports the average serious problem casino gambler imposed costs of over $10,000 upon Wisconsin each year with a total annual social cost impact of over $138 million.
The Ho-Chunk’s deal with the state can be renegotiated after 25 years. Meanwhile, for the next two and half decades, the Ho-Chunk can offer Las Vegas-style games at its casinos in Baraboo, Black River Falls, Nekoosa and Tomah. It operates a bingo parlor in Madison and a new casino is scheduled to open in Wittenburg in October.
Governor Doyle negotiated a deal that brings in less money at a smaller percentage to the state and allows huge expansion of gambling in the state.
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By Mary Lazich
Sunday, Oct 5 2008, 08:18 AM
Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in America.
A new Wisconsin law went into effect October 1, 2008 that requires carbon monoxide detectors be installed in most new residential construction units as of that date. The units include tourist cabins, bed and breakfast establishments, and any public building used for sleeping or lodging, such as hotels, motels, condominiums, apartment buildings, dormitories, fraternities, sororities, convents, seminaries, community-based residential facilities, and home shelters. Hospitals and nursing homes are exempt.
The law requires that the detectors be installed in existing residential buildings of the types mentioned above by April 1, 2010.
Carbon monoxide is without odor or color, making it difficult to realize when it has become a problem. Low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning or other illnesses. If untreated, the symptoms can lead to long term health problems. Symptoms of low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning include shortness of breath, mild nausea, and mild headaches. Moderate levels of exposure can be fatal if symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and light-headedness persist. High levels can cause death in a matter of minutes.
To help those suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, get them outdoors immediately, or open all doors and windows. Get them to a hospital or emergency room as quickly as possible.
I voted in favor of Senate Bill 289 that was approved by the Legislature and signed into law. Here is a Legislative Council memo about Senate Bill 289 and details about the enacted law.
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By Mary Lazich
Friday, Oct 3 2008, 03:43 PM
Between December 2006 and January 2008, state government suffered three breaches of privacy when Social Security numbers were exposed to the public.
During January 2008, I blogged, “A third breach of privacy in just over a year also occurred this month with a portion of 5,000 taxpayers in northeastern Wisconsin having their Social Security numbers exposed in a state mailing. A folding error enabled some of the recipients' Social Security numbers to be seen in the windows of envelopes containing federal 1099-G tax forms.”
I remain unable to fathom a situation that it is necessary to publish the Social Security number of any recipient of a state service. The third breach of privacy that occurred earlier this year led to a review prepared by the state’s highly-regarded Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB).
Since April 2008, state law has directed the LAB to establish a toll-free hotline to take reports of fraud, waste, and mismanagement in state government and to investigate reports received through the hotline. The LAB started its investigation of the January 2008 breach of privacy in response to complaints that the state Department of Administration (DOA) had not used proper oversight of contract staff provided by Spherion for print and mail services. Complaints raised questions about workplace safety, a hostile work environment, and false billing hours. DOA reported that Spherion staff failed to notice the folding error that led to up to 5,000 tax forms mailed with Social Security numbers visible through envelope windows.
One of the LAB’s findings is unfortunate. The LAB discovered that the state’s contract with Spherion did not include any provisions to collect damages for instances like the breach of privacy.
The LAB writes, “The contract had no specific liquidated damage provisions, and DOA did not elect to pursue breach of contract damages from Spherion to pay the cost of addressing the security breach, including the cost of credit monitoring for affected taxpayers. DOA noted that it was not appropriate to require Spherion to pay for credit monitoring because it believes Spherion’s overall performance has been satisfactory and the number of documents affected represented a small percentage of the total number processed.”
As for preventing future blunders, the LAB writes, “DOA indicated that it has developed standard contract terms and conditions related to imposing liquidated damages and requiring contractors to pay the costs of security breaches for which they are responsible. It plans to encourage state agencies to incorporate these provisions into future contracts, where appropriate.”
The state’s contract with Spherion expires June 30, 2009, and DOA has begun a process to solicit bids during October or November of this year. The LAB calculates as much as $616,500 could be saved in the five-year period from fiscal year 2009-2010 through fiscal year 2013-2014 if state staff filled all print and mail positions currently filled by contract staff.
The LAB recommends that if DOA continues to contract for some or all print and mail staff in the future, billing procedures should be formalized, contractors should be prohibited from billing for time new staff are trained, and contracts should include standard provisions for damages if private information is disclosed.
The LAB did not substantiate any complaints about workplace safety, a hostile work environment, and fraudulent time recording by contract staff.
Here is the complete LAB report.
I commend the LAB for another outstanding review on behalf of Wisconsin taxpayers.
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By Mary Lazich
Tuesday, Sep 30 2008, 07:02 AM
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) is issuing the following warning to motorists: Be extremely cautious the next several weeks. Here’s why:
“Deer will be abundant and their movement unpredictable along Wisconsin roadways in coming weeks.”
The risk for car-deer crashes increases this time of year. During fall, deer on the prowl to mate are active and while on the move often find their way in the path of vehicles. October is a bad month for deer collisions and so is November. The most commonly struck objects in Wisconsin crashes are, in this order, another vehicle, a fixed object, and deer.
As a motorcycle enthusiast, I especially want to emphasize this finding: Motorcycles were involved in 10 of the 14 fatal deer-vehicle crashes in Wisconsin during 2007.
Here is a press release from the DOT including advice about how to prevent car-deer crashes.
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By Mary Lazich
Monday, Sep 29 2008, 10:31 AM
I blogged during May about the trend of voting via the Post Office. As one election official put it, “There is no line at your mailbox.” Just how popular is the absentee ballot? The Associated press reports that nationwide, about a third of the electorate is expected to vote before Election Day, November 4, 2008.
The numbers show an increasing percentage of voters want to take advantage of the absentee ballot because they are travelling, they are elderly and have difficulty getting to the polls, the convenience of considering their choices in the comfortable confines of their home, or simply because they can. Many states, including Wisconsin, allow anyone to vote absentee, no questions asked.
During 2000, 16 percent of voters in the United States cast their ballots early. The number increased to 22 percent in 2004.
Statewide in Wisconsin, according the Government Accountability Board’s Kyle Richmond quoted by the Associated Press, about 365,000 people used absentee ballots or cast early votes at clerk’s offices in 2004, about 12 percent of the voting age population in the state. The number is expected to grow this year to 15 percent.
Voters who request an absentee ballot should start getting them in the mail the week of October 6, 2008. Here are details on obtaining an absentee ballot in Wisconsin.
Here is an Associated Press story on the popularity of Post Office voting.
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By Mary Lazich
Thursday, Sep 25 2008, 05:05 PM
Cranberries are big business in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Rapids now boasts having the largest cranberry producing plant in the world.
Our cranberry business could be even bigger if the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and cranberry growers can come to an agreement on expediting the permitting process to transform as many as 5,000 acres into cranberry bogs. An economic study prepared this year by University of Wisconsin economists has concluded that if Wisconsin’s cranberry industry were to add 5,000 new acres, the state would gain 1,115 new jobs and see an annual income increase of $75 million.
The CEO’s of Ocean Spray Cranberries and Cliffstar Corporation, two large and significant buyers of Wisconsin cranberries, have been discussing speeding up the process with Governor Doyle and the DNR so that cranberry expansion can take place in Wisconsin. Failure to come up with an agreement could send the cranberry companies to seek land in Canada, taking all the jobs and income that go along with the expanded fruit production.
A greater global demand for cranberries has necessitated the call for more bogs. The United States is exporting 30% of its crop to places like the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, China, and South Korea.
Wisconsin is an ideal place to grow and harvest cranberries and expand production. The state understands the business and already has plants in operation. Canada has plenty of land to convert into bogs, but lacks Wisconsin’s knowledge of the industry and processing plants.
Cultivating cranberries is time-consuming. The time it takes from beginning work on the land to the actual harvest is usually about three years. Add on the two-year permitting process in Wisconsin and one can understand the concerns of cranberry companies who can’t wait that long to satisfy global demand.
What is the hang-up? Some portions of the land that would be included in the Wisconsin expansion contain wetlands. Environmental groups are worried the wetlands will be destroyed. The CEO’s of Ocean Spray and Cliffstar insist they will replace any wetlands converted into cranberry bogs.
There is not a state in the entire country that produces more cranberries than Wisconsin. The Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association reports the cranberry is the state’s number one fruit in both value and acreage, providing an annual $350 million boost to the state economy and 7,200 jobs in Wisconsin. The Association also says in order to meet the rising worldwide demand for cranberries, an additional 110 million pounds, or 5,000 acres of berries must be produced in the next 5-10 years.
Wisconsin has a golden opportunity to expand one of our most successful industries, create jobs, and benefit the state economy. The Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune reports there is progress in talks between the state and cranberry executives. I urge the involved parties to come to a mutual agreement soon that will be in the best interests of all, especially Wisconsin’s lucrative cranberry industry.
This summer, I blogged that the Wisconsin blueberry is a superfood. The Wisconsin cranberry is also a superfood with many health benefits.
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By Mary Lazich
Thursday, Sep 25 2008, 04:28 PM
What is going on inside Milwaukee City Hall? It seems Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has suddenly become worried about the fact that Chicago is discharging large amounts of sewer overflow into Lake Michigan.
Last week, Mayor Barrett wrote a letter to U.S. Congressman Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) expressing his concerns about, “the amount of the overflows reported by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago which were estimated at 99 billion gallons” during a strong storm this month. Barrett continues:
“So, in this one September storm alone, Chicago released five times more combined sewage than Milwaukee has released in 14 years. Additionally, Chicago is perhaps the only community that can have overflows that go both east and west into different watersheds (Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River) at the same time. Chicago has dozens of combined sewer overflows every year into the Mississippi basin – the source of drinking water for millions of people. Chicago is also the only city on the Great Lakes that does not disinfect its wastewater.”
I commend Mayor Barrett for writing the letter; however, I have two questions for Mayor Barrett:
1) Where have you been?
Chicago’s dumping of vast amounts of sewage into Lake Michigan should come as no surprise. Historically, Chicago has more or less been able to do whatever it wants about Lake Michigan, regardless of the circumstances or consequences.
Take, for instance, Chicago’s diversion of water from the Great Lakes.
The Illinois-Michigan Canal was opened to shipping traffic in 1848, the same year Wisconsin entered the Union. Every day, 64.6 million gallons of water was diverted from Lake Michigan at Chicago through the Chicago and Illinois Rivers to the Mississippi River.
The Windy City’s sewage poured into the Chicago River and then into Lake Michigan, Chicago’s drinking water source. As a result, in 1885, over 10 percent of Chicago’s population, 90,000 people died from cholera.
Since then, the amount of water in the Chicago diversion has grown substantially, even beyond the limit imposed by a 1967 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The Chicago diversion was not only in direct defiance of the high court, but is, today, the largest diversion out of the Great Lakes Basin. The other Great Lakes states voiced concern, leading to a battle in federal court.
Illinois agreed to reduce the outtake of water from Lake Michigan to the amount set by previous court decisions. The other states agreed not to take legal action for previous Illinois violations. What a sweet deal Illinois received. At a time when Wisconsin communities are desperate for water, today, millions of northeast Illinois residents that live outside the Great Lakes Basin have access to Lake Michigan water because of the Chicago diversion.
With that history in mind, I am not surprised at Chicago’s recent dumping of sewage into Lake Michigan.
2) If this so concerns you, Mayor Barrett, why didn’t you raise these issues during the time you so vigorously lobbied for approval of the Great Lakes Compact?
I thought, listening to officials like Mayor Barrett that the Compact was going to resolve these issues, protect our resource, and prohibit the kind of harmful action Chicago took. Throughout the entire process, I never heard Mayor Barrett voice any objections about the questionable Chicago sweet diversion deal or the city’s dumping of sewage into Lake Michigan.
During the lengthy deliberations about the Great Lakes Compact, I made it clear that despite my reservations, I supported an effective document that was good for the Great Lakes, the state of Wisconsin, and would preserve our greatest natural resource.
Time and time again, I heard Compact proponents make the case that the Compact would address the water needs of New Berlin. The conventional wisdom was that the Compact needed to be approved quickly, and if it was, New Berlin’s water woes would be taken care of. Making those arguments were city of Milwaukee officials from Mayor Tom Barrett on down. They claimed the city of Milwaukee would no longer have issues with New Berlin getting water if Wisconsin would simply okay the Compact. City of Milwaukee officials even threatened to withhold the sale of water to New Berlin until the Compact was approved by the Legislature.
What happened? Wisconsin approved the Compact, but for the city of Milwaukee, on this critical public health issue, it remained business as usual, as it imposed a hefty price tag for a community in desperate need of water. For the city of Milwaukee, it was never about the Compact. It was and remains a question of money and control over a suburb to the west.
It appears Tom Barrett, who argued long and hard that the Compact needed to be approved as quickly as possible, and even used precious water as a negotiating chip, believes Congress needs to be aware of a serious problem in the Great Lakes Basin. Maybe Mayor Barrett should have thought about that before his rush to judgment.
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By Mary Lazich
Thursday, Sep 25 2008, 03:05 PM
Congratulations to the Little Muskego Lake Association (LMLA) on having a very successful carp shoot on September 20, 2008. Approximately 100 fish were removed from Little Muskego Lake. When the carp shoots from the spring are factored in, a total of approximately 630 carp were removed from Little Muskego Lake during 2008. Carp shoots provide great environmental benefits, including making the water clearer and improving the populations of other fish.
Ridding our waters of carp is critical. During the early 1900’s, biologists discovered carp were filling waterways to the point of crowding out other more prized game fish. Carp are known as bottom feeders. They literally suck up mud and spit it out before selecting their food from the water. The carp cause sediment to stir up resulting in poor water conditions and feeding problems for desirable fish.
Carp eggs stick like heavy-duty industrial strength glue so it can get quite messy. Carp shooters are a special breed of people, willing to get down and dirty to help the environment.
The carp shoot was truly a team effort. Organizers made perfect plans. Crews removed floating weeds on the lake. Police patrolled in two shifts. The event went off without complaints or problems as all riparians gave their full cooperation and support. Videographers captured the carp shoot for broadcast on Madison’s Fox Channel affiliate in October.
Little Muskego Lake got a big boost in quality thanks to everyone who played a part in this successful event. Congratulations carp shooters for your contribution to our environment and quality of life!
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By Mary Lazich
Friday, Sep 19 2008, 12:33 PM
The state of Wisconsin seems to be on a roundabout binge. The philosophy of the state Department of Transportation (DOT) is that whenever major intersection improvements on state roads or four-way stops are planned, the installation of roundabouts must be considered. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on August 24, 2008 that statewide, there are 58 roundabouts open on state and local roads, seven to 10 more are scheduled to open by the end of the construction season, and 140 or more are in various planning stages.
Before the state proceeds with its plan to blanket roadways with roundabouts, it should slow down and I have made that request to the DOT. I have also asked the DOT to rethink the roundabout at Racine Avenue and I-43 in Muskego because of concerns with the roundabout at I-43 and Moorland Road in New Berlin.
The design at the New Berlin roundabout left much to be desired with poor signage and lane markings. There have been a number of accidents at the roundabout, not to mention a high level of anxiety and frustration. There are also complaints about the roundabout on Drexel Avenue in Franklin near Highway 100 and the new Shoppes at Wyndham Village.
Some of my constituents that have corresponded with me about roundabouts have been receptive to the roundabout concept. They agree with the DOT that roundabouts improve safety and reduce crashes. The DOT contends, “Roundabouts move traffic safely through an intersection because of slower speeds, fewer conflict points, and decision-making. Studies by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show that roundabouts provide a 90% reduction in fatal crashes, 76% reduction in injury crashes, 30-40% reduction in pedestrian crashes, and a 10% reduction in bicycle crashes.”
However, constituents I have heard from angrily oppose roundabouts. I am very concerned about the danger posed by roundabouts resulting in accidents. There are other concerns including poor signage and lane markings that I have already indicated. What about semi-trailer trucks? The configuration of roundabouts makes it extremely difficult for semi-trailers, long trucks, campers, and cars with boats to successfully negotiate the turns.
Proponents at the DOT suggest frustrated motorists, in time, and with more education will learn to accept roundabouts. How does DOT adequately train the masses, the vast number of motorists on our roadways? Most of them will never get their hands on a DOT brochure or see a roundabout video on the DOT website.
That is why I suggest the state put the brakes on roundabouts until the kinks can be worked out. The idea is to improve all aspects of roundabouts: design, safety, ease of use. The DOT should bring together special study groups of designers, engineers, and importantly motorists to determine the best model for roundabouts. I have asked the DOT to conduct simulations with a cross-section of Wisconsin drivers and cross-section of vehicles before proceeding further with roundabouts.
Until then, the state should put away the plans to build more and more because the current roundabout design at I-43 and Moorland Road is not ready for prime
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By Mary Lazich
Thursday, Sep 18 2008, 03:30 PM
On February 4, 2008, I agreed with pessimistic forecast that there would be major problems with our elections this year. My blog quoted Dr. Robert A. Pastor, director of the Center for Democracy and Election Management at American University in Washington, DC:
“Voters are likely to face hassles with registration lists and voting machines. Poll workers will remain under-trained and overworked. Election management remains under the thumb of partisan officials, and voter identification is likely to remain problematic. 2008 is unlikely to be an improvement over 2006.”
You can read my entire blog here.
Seven months later, the Washington Post concurs, reporting that, “election officials across the country are bracing for long lines, equipment failures and confusion over polling procedures that could cost thousands the chance to cast a ballot.”
The tragedy is that Wisconsin does not require photo ID’s to vote. Governor Doyle and state Senate Democrats killed any chance of a photo ID requirement being in place for the critical November elections when the governor vetoed photo ID legislation three times and Senate Democrats refused to allow a vote on a photo ID constitutional amendment. A common sense photo ID requirement would not be an obstacle to voting or hamper the process. Such a law would be a great step in cleaning up an election system in disrepair.
Photo ID opponents in Wisconsin, albeit a minority, got their wish. Even so, it appears there are going to be many problems on Election Day, here and across the country.
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By Mary Lazich
Thursday, Sep 18 2008, 02:22 PM
On January 24, 2007, I blogged about Wisconsin’s new Move Over Law:
“Wisconsin has a Move Over Law that requires drivers to move over or slow down for emergency and maintenance vehicles. The law says that a motorist must ‘move the motor vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest the parked or standing vehicle or machinery and continue traveling in that lane until safely clear of the vehicle or machinery.’ It also requires that a motorist ‘slow the motor vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for traffic conditions, and operate the motor vehicle at a reduced speed until completely past the vehicle or machinery.’”
Despite the law being in effect for almost 20 months, it seems many Wisconsin motorists are unaware of the details. The state Department of Transportation informs me that there has been compliance by motorists with emergency vehicles. However, many motorists are not slowing down for maintenance vehicles as required under the Move Over Law.
So, please, move over for emergency and maintenance vehicles. It’s the law.
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By Mary Lazich
Thursday, Sep 18 2008, 08:35 AM
Barack Obama’s policies on taxes are difficult to determine. They keep changing all the time. Thankfully, the Wall Street Journal has been keeping track.
First there was what the Journal calls ObamaTax 1.0. Obama would end the Bush tax cuts, raise the cap on wages that come under the payroll tax, place the top marginal rate at 39.8 percent, and increase rates on capital gains and dividends.
This summer came ObamaTax 2.0. Obama changed his position by lowering the top rate on capital gains.
Now with John McCain and election ads pummeling Obama as a tax-raiser, Obama has revised his tax strategy again. Under ObamaTax 3.0, if the economy is still sputtering at the beginning of 2009, President Obama might, the operative word being might, forego all of his earlier proposals calling for big increases.
There is plenty of uncertainty when it comes to Barack Obama’s intentions on taxes. The only certainty appears to be that taxes will go up, and go up a lot.
Here is the Wall Street Journal article.
Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports John McCain is delivering a simple, easy to understand message on taxes.
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By Mary Lazich
Wednesday, Sep 17 2008, 09:27 PM
This isn’t exactly a news bulletin.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) reports, “Since last November, Americans have driven 53.2 billion miles less than they did over the same period a year earlier – topping the 1970s' total decline of 49.3 billion miles. Americans drove 4.7 percent less, or 12.2 billion miles fewer, in June 2008 than June 2007. The decline is most evident in rural travel, which has fallen by 4 percent – compared to the 1.2 percent decline in urban miles traveled – since the trend began last November.”
Here is the news release from the FHA.
The reasons for the decline are obvious and indisputable: high gasoline prices and a sluggish economy. But how does the federal government know the decline between November 2007 and June 2008 is 53.2 billion miles? How does the federal government arrive at the figure?
The answer is a matter of modern technology and mathematics. States have installed special sensors on our roadways that can determine the amount and size of cars. The data is sent to the feds every month and they do the math.
Read about it in Slate.
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By Mary Lazich
Monday, Sep 15 2008, 06:12 PM
The state of Wisconsin has an online job center to assist the unemployed find work. The website operated by the state Department of Workforce Development features county-by-county job listings, job fair postings, and assistance for creating quality resumes. For employers, the website has a search feature to help them find applicants qualified for their open positions.
You can visit the website here.
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By Mary Lazich
Monday, Sep 15 2008, 09:24 AM
If you want to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for assistance for damages from June flooding, the deadline is today, September 15.
You can apply online here or call FEMA's toll free line at (800) 621-FEMA.
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By Mary Lazich
Friday, Sep 12 2008, 03:20 PM
As hard as it is to believe, deer hunting season in Wisconsin begins this weekend. Here are the season dates:
- Bow - Sept. 13 - Nov. 20, 2008 and Dec. 1, 2008 - Jan. 4, 2009
- Gun - Nov. 22 - Nov. 30, 2008
- Muzzleloader - Dec. 1 - Dec. 10, 2008
- Youth Deer Hunt - Oct. 11 & 12, 2008
- Statewide Antlerless Hunt - Dec. 11 - Dec. 14, 2008
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials say as many as 1.7 million whitetail deer are currently roaming the Badger State, approximately the same figure as last year. Our severe winter may have claimed the lives of some deer in north central Wisconsin, but overall, the DNR says the state has more deer than the targeted population goals.
I wholeheartedly support our hunters and outdoor enthusiasts for not only promoting one of the state’s rich historical traditions but their involvement in critical wildlife management. Even Wisconsinites not hunting benefit from the tax revenue generated from hunters that purchase guns, ammunition and outdoor equipment.
Hunting is an integral element of American culture. Families by the millions engage in this recreational activity. Hunters have long demonstrated social responsibility through their continued support of wildlife management and conservation policies. Their activity has led directly to the funding of programs that have resulted in aiding and restoring the populations of ducks, turkeys, antelope, elk and deer.
Hunting has fed the hungry through thousands of pounds of donated game meat to programs for the poor.
There are fewer accidents involving crashes with wildlife because of hunters.
Hunting serves to teach responsible gun ownership. Rural residents are more apt to be hunters and violent crime rates are much lower in rural areas.
The benefits of hunting are many, and for that, Wisconsin owes a big thank you to all of our hunters.
Here’s to a very safe and successful 2008 deer hunting season!
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By Mary Lazich
Friday, Sep 12 2008, 10:01 AM
Folks, you can’t make this stuff up.
Last week, I blogged that the EPA has approved a rule that will have the federal government regulating your lawnmower.
A reader identified as GENO53151 left the following comment on my blog:
“I am going to open a business to sell goats. We can save gas, reduce pollution, and have organic fertilization at the same time our lawns are being maintained. Can I get a state grant to start up my business??”
I am pretty sure Geno intended to be funny. In California, it seems this issue is taken very seriously.
Take a look at these photos posted on zimbio.com:
Goat-keeper George Gonzales watches over a herd of 100 South African Boer goats chew on tough weeds and dry grasses to clear a steep hillside lot near the Angels Flight funicular railroad on September 9, 2008 in the Bunker Hill high-rise district of downtown Los Angeles, California. Leaders of the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency rented the goats as an economical and environmentally friendly alternative to using gas-powered weed-whacker-wielding humans. Human workers would have charged as much as $7,500 to clear the 2.5 acre Angels Knoll lot. The goats cost only about $3,000 and there will be no overtime charges. An additional 50 goats will be added to the herd soon to complete the job in the next week-10 days. (Photos by David McNew/Getty Images North America)
Truth is stranger than fiction!
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By Mary Lazich
Thursday, Sep 11 2008, 04:08 PM
Having served on the Legislative Audit Committee in the past, I have a keen interest in the high caliber work of the Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) that always impresses. Under a requirement of state law, the highly-regarded LAB conducts studies to determine local government practices that can save costs or deliver services with greater efficiency. These reviews are called Best Practices reports.
The LAB has completed a Best Practices review of efforts by Wisconsin’s public school districts to reduce truancy. Wisconsin statutes define truancy as any absence for all or part of a school day for which a pupil’s parent or guardian has not notified school officials of the reason for the absence. A habitual truant is a pupil who is absent without an acceptable excuse for all or part of five or more days in a semester.
During the 2006-07 school year, the most recent year data was available, the LAB found:
- 9.3 percent of pupils in kindergarten through grade 12 were habitually truant.
- The habitual truancy rate varied among districts in the 2006-07 school year, ranging from 0 in 47 districts to a high of 58.2 percent in the Menomonie Indian district.
- The 20 largest school districts account for nearly three quarters of habitual truants.
- The Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) district had a habitual truancy rate of 46.3 percent during the 2006-07 school year.
- The older a student gets, the more apt the student is to be truant. Habitual truancy rates ranged from 4.5 percent for fourth graders to 17.2 percent for ninth graders.
This finding by the LAB is quite interesting. The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is required by law to collect attendance data and report certain data to federal agencies. However, DPI is not required to review or approve school districts’ attendance policies, truancy plans, or truancy reduction efforts.
The LAB reports that during the past four school years, DPI has administered federal funds totaling $1.9 million for districts with high pupil poverty rates, higher habitual truancy rates, and inadequate yearly progress as measured by the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Eight school districts have received federal truancy funds. Here are the districts and their latest habitual truancy rates:
Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS): 46.3%
Menominee Indian School District: 58.2%
Green Bay Area Public School District: 9.2%
The School District of Beloit: 33.6%
The School District of Janesville: 19.8%
Kenosha Unified School District: 19.0%
Madison Metropolitan School District: 8.5%
The Racine Unified School District: 8.5%
Habitual truancy rates at three of the six MPS schools that received federal truancy reduction grants during the 2006-07 school year increased from the previous year.The best analysis that can be offered about the effect between federal funding and truancy rates is that the results are mixed.
The LAB found that school districts have generally complied with state statutes and have drawn up and monitored attendance policies and have contacted families about unexcused absences. Districts have instituted truancy plans and have conducted reviews of their own plans and plans in other districts. The variety of truancy reduction programs includes social workers at elementary schools contacting students and families to discuss ways of reducing tardiness. At the high school level, night schools, schools within schools, and local ordinances to punish truants have been adopted.
The effectiveness of the ordinances has been mixed. The LAB writes, “For example, in Kenosha Unified School District Number 1, 79.0 percent of pupils who received truancy citations did not comply with the order to attend school. In contrast, 55.0 percent of Racine Unified School District pupils who received citations had fewer instances of truancy after being cited.”
The LAB recommends that school districts consistently review compliance with statutory requirements for attendance monitoring and truancy planning, monitor habitual truancy at each grade level and develop strategies to minimize truancy in the early grades, identify alternative programming to help truant high school pupils obtain high schoolDiplomas, involve parents and guardians in truancy-related matters, consider the full range of available sanctions for addressing truancy, and evaluate and modify, asnecessary, their truancy reduction efforts on a regular basis.
DPI should, according to the LAB, promote the sharing of cost-effective information about truancy reduction efforts among school districts.
I commend the LAB for once again conducting an outstanding Best Practices review.
Here is the full LAB report.
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By Mary Lazich
Wednesday, Sep 10 2008, 04:29 PM
Thursday marks the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center.
To mark the fifth anniversary of 9/11, I wrote a column about my emotional experience touring the World Trade Center site. You can read my column here.
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By Mary Lazich
Wednesday, Sep 10 2008, 02:30 PM
Wisconsin continues its unfortunate pattern of being one of the worst states in the nation to do business.
Forbes.com has released its third annual Top States for Business report, and the news remains horrendous for Wisconsin. Wisconsin ranks #43 on the list of the best states for business. Wisconsin’s 2007 rank was #44 and its 2006 rank was #39.
Forbes.com rated the states on six different criteria: business costs, labor, regulatory environment, economic climate, growth prospects, and quality of life.
Here is how Wisconsin ranked in each of the six categories:
1) Business Costs- Wisconsin ranks #37, down from #34 last year. This index is based on cost of labor, energy and taxes.
2) Labor-Wisconsin ranks #37, up from #38 last year. This index measures educational attainment, net migration and projected population growth.
3) Regulatory Environment- Wisconsin ranks #37, up from #44 last year. This index measures regulatory and tort climate, incentives, transportation and bond ratings.
4) Economic Climate-Wisconsin ranks #26, up from #38 last year. This index reflects job, income and gross state product growth as well as unemployment and presence of big companies.
5) Growth Prospects-Wisconsin ranks #46, down from #33 last year. This index reflects projected job, income and gross state product growth as well as business openings/closings and venture capital investments.
6) Quality of Life-Wisconsin ranks #16, down from #8 last year. This is an index of schools, health, crime, cost of living and poverty rates.
The rankings compiled by Forbes are revealing. Wisconsin continues its proud tradition of being a great place to live, given our high quality of life, although it is sad to see the state drop out the top ten in that category. In all other categories, Wisconsin’s business climate is woeful.
Wisconsin taxes and spends too much, the state over-regulates, our income growth rate is one of the lowest in the country, and the brain drain is costing us many of our best and brightest workers.
The Forbes.com report is another wake-up call to Wisconsin to take dramatic measures to significantly improve our business climate. How did surrounding states fare? Minnesota ranks #11, Iowa ranks #22, Indiana ranks #25, Ohio ranks #39, Illinois ranks #35, and Michigan ranks #47.
Here are all the state rankings and the full story from Forbes.com.
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