WISCREPORT.COM (09/06/2010) - Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children, and the AAA, Cookie Jar Entertainment, the Busytown Mysteries animated series, CBS Television, and ThisTv, are cooperating in an effort to remind people to safely secure young passengers. Starting Saturday, September 11, a new public service announcement (PSA) is scheduled to air during CBS Saturday morning shows and on ThisTV digital network. Read more by clicking on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (09/01/2010) - One of the larger employers in Milwaukee, a world-wide small engine manufacturing giant, is using a legal manuever to try to raise money to retire a 203.5 million dollar debt. Briggs and Stratton Corporation has filed what is called a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The statement allows the company to offer and sell debt securities to pay off the Senior Notes that become due in March of 2011. Click on the headline above for more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (08/23/2010) - Things are looking up in the state of Wisconsin, according to information by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. The quarterly report shows that more jobs have been added than originally anticipated by economists. However, the bad news is that it will likely take two to three years before the Wisconsin employed level will again reach the figures that were prevalent before the slow down. Click on the headline above to read the full story with more details at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (08/16/2010) - President Barack Obama traveled to Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin today to jumpstart what the president called a homegrown, clean energy industry. ZBB Energy received a loan that is helping to fund an expansion of company operations, enabling ZBB to retain a dozen workers add 80 new employees. The President says he wants to see Made In America stamped on new energy products distributed in this country and around the globe. For more on this story, click on the above headline. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (08/14/2010) - The independent online source for news about Wisconsin people, places, politics, events and activities, has joined the Facebook crowd. WisconsinReport.com, established in 2002, now also has a page on Facebook.com, a social networking website with more than 500 million active members, many of which have ties to Wisconsin. Readers of WisconsinReport.com are urged to find the page on Facebook and become a fan by clicking on the LIKE button on the page. Click on the headline above for more. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (08/12/2010) - On Monday, August 16, President Barack Obama will travel to Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, where he will tour ZBB Energy Corporation and deliver remarks to workers. While in the state, President Obama will also visit Milwaukee, where he will headline events for Mayor Tom Barrett and the Wisconsin Democratic Party. Barrett is running for Wisconsin Governor and other Democrats are involved in heavily contested races. Click on the headline above to read more. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (08/09/2010) - The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board has partnered with StumbleUpon.com to target potential customers and increase the virality of advertising campaigns. To gain the upper hand in the longstanding debate over which state has the best cheese, the board chose StumbleUpon's ad platform to promote its fun and interactive consumer site, GrilledCheeseAcademy.com. Click on the headline above to read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (07/29/2010) - Testifying before Congress today, Mortgage Insurance Companies of America (MICA) pledged to play a critical role in the future of housing finance by continuing to enable first-time and lower income families to purchase homes safely and soundly. Testifying on behalf of MICA was Patrick Sinks, President and COO of Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. To read more, click on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (07/26/2010) - The leading cause (25 percent) of pet poisoning is swallowing human or pet pills the pets should not ingest . That is the finding of Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (VPI) of California, the oldest and largest insurer of pets in the United States. VPI is underwritten in most states by National Casualty Company of Madison, Wisconsin. For details, click on the above headline. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (07/10/2010) - Anyone dialing a phone number in what has strictly been the 715 Area until now in the northern part of Wisconsin must enter the full ten digit number starting Saturday, July 17, 2010. That's the date telephone companies switch so a second code number (534) can be dropped into the 715 area. To read more, click on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (07/06/2010) - A new Forever Stamp image may be available in January as part of a pricing package that would add less than 13 cents a month to the average American household budget. If approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission, First Class stamps would increase 2 cents to 46 cents. Click on the headline above for more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (07/02/2010) - Wisconsin will receive $25,246,669 in loan and grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Broadband Initiatives Program. Click on the headline above for more. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (07/02/2010) - A new Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) that will offer coverage to uninsured Americans who have been unable to obtain health coverage because of a pre-existing health condition is beginning to take applications. Click on the headline above for more details. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (06/28/2010) - Some Kellogg breakfast cereals are being recalled voluntarily by the Kellogg Company. The company says only Kellogg cereal products with the letters KN are included in the recall. The recall does not involve all Kellogg brand cereals, just certain brands. The brands in the Kellogg recall are Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Fruit Loops, and Honey Smacks. The recall is being made because of what the company is calling, an uncharachteristic off-flavor and smell. Click on the headline above to read more about this story at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (06/26/2010) - Farm Aid joined family farmers from across the country in Madison, Wisconsin, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) joint public workshop examining competition in the dairy industry. The workshop comes 18 months into an unprecedented crisis for dairy farmers. Low prices and high production costs, combined with a tightening credit market, have pushed thousands of family farmers out of business. Click on the headline above to read more on this story at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (06/16/2010) - Large majorities of Americans feel they should be allowed to have guns, acccording to the latest Harris Poll findings. At the same time, many Americans favor stricter control of guns, particularly hand guns, although this number has decreased somewhat in the past few years. Most Republicans and Americans who own guns favor less strict laws controlling guns and hand-guns. Conversely, most Democrats and those who do not own guns favor stricter control of guns and hand guns. Click on the headline above for more details at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (06/15/2010) - Starting with July 17th it will be necessary to dial the area code along with the rest of the number you are calling in what used to be strictly the 715 Area Code. That's because the Wisconsin Public Service Commission has decided it is necessary to drop in a second Area Code due to projected exhaustion of available new numbers in what has been the 715 Area Code. So, beginning July 17th all new numbers issued will have the 534 Area Code, even though the numbers issued will be in the former lone 715 Area. Confused? Click on the headline above to read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (06/07/2010) - Smokers in Wisconsin will be unable to light up in the workplace state-wide by state law beginning next month. The new Wisconsin Smoke-Free Workplace Law will go into effect July 5th. The law is designed to help workers quit smoking and to protect customers and non-smokers from inhaling second hand smoke in restaurants and other consumer frequented businesses. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says radio, print, and internet advertising is in the works to educate people about the new law. Read more by clicking on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/24/2010) - Starting June 1st it will be mandatory to carry automobile insurance in Wisconsin. Drivers who fail to qualify can be fined up to 500 dollars. Forty-eight other states already require that drivers carry automobile insurance. After June 1, 2010, only New Hampshire will not require that all drivers take the responsible action of carrying insurance. Meanwhile, the Immediate Past President of the College Republicans of Wisconsin has renounced her party membership and joined the Democratic Party. To read more at WisconsinReport.com click on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (05/17/2010) - Many professionals who study the banking industry have been saying that the trend is that banks eventually will not be offering free checking as one of their services. But, according to a Bankrate, Inc. report, banking consumers can turn to Credit Unions for free checking. The Bankrate study of 50 of the largest Credit Unions in the United States shows that 78 percent of them provide free checking accounts. And, most Credit Unions do not require a minimum balance, nor do they charge a monthly fee. To read more at WisconsinReport.com click on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (05/14/2010) - The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) is seeking public comment on the proposed wind siting rules, issued today by the PSC. The proposed rules will ultimately result in uniform wind siting standards for local units of government in Wisconsin and ensure consistent local procedures for regulation of wind energy systems. Any person may submit written comments on these proposed rules. Comments on the proposed rules will be accepted until July 7, 2010, at noon (July 6, 2010, at noon, if filed by fax). More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (05/03/2010) - Now that former Wisconsin Secretary of Commerce Dick Leinenkugel has moved on to become a Republican candidate for Wisconsin U.S. Senator, the Governor has promoted former Deputy Secretary Aaron Olver to the position. When Leinkugel resigned the Secretary job with short notice to jump into the political campaign ring, Governor Jim Doyle turned to Olver, because of his experience within the department. Olver also had a business background before becoming part of the Doyle Administration. Click on the headline above to read more about this story at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (04/30/2010) - Governor Jim Doyle has signed into law Senate Bill 484, the BadgerCare Plus Basic Bill. This bill creates a new, entirely self-funded health care plan option for nearly 43,000 adults without dependent children who are on the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan waiting list. For 130 dollars a month, people enrolled in BadgerCare Plus Basic will be able to go see a doctor, get the generic prescriptions they need, and receive catastrophic coverage, without costing taxpayers a dime. Click on the headline above to read more about this story at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (04/22/2010) - A federal court has banned eight companies and their principals from selling credit repair and mortgage relief services, and ordered them to pay more than 7.5 million dollars for deceiving consumers throughout the United States. the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged seven of the companies and three officers with making false promises that they would improve consumers’ credit scores by removing negative information on credit reports. The FTC says the companies misled people, charged illegal advance payments, and did not provide written contracts required by law. See more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (04/20/2010) - This morning at the Capitol in Madison, a group of the largest businesses in Wisconsin, labor unions, farm organizations and other groups called for passage of the Clean Energy Jobs Act being considered by the state legislature. The groups are among nearly 300 businesses, labor unions and other organizations that are supporting the legislation. As the legislature considers the Clean Energy Jobs Act, citizens from across Wisconsin have created short videos to show why Wisconsin should pursue a clean energy future. For more click on the headline to go to WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (04/19/2010) - The Wisconsin Farmers Union is urging the Wisconsin legislature to pass legislation that will create jobs in the state, boost farms and support a foundation for clean energy. The Wisconsin Clean Energy Jobs Act is scheduled for a vote in the state Assembly Tuesday. A Wisconsin Public Service Commission study shows that there would likely be a 1.4 Billion dollar savings for the state if the legislation is enacted, contrary to what opponents of the bill have been saying, according to a Farmers Union spokesperson. For more at WisconsinReport.com click on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (04/12/2010) - The Wisconsin Business Council is lauding a new report by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue that showed the state and local tax burden at its lowest level since 1961 in a ranking of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Wisconsin ranked 15th in state and local taxes per $1,000 of personal income and 21st per capita, the lowest ranking for Wisconsin since its general sales tax was adopted nearly 50 years ago. For more information about this story and more see WisconsinReport.com on the internet. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (04/08/2010) - Wisconsin has plenty of newsmakers this week, as usual. Wisconsin Nurses and Health Pros are applauding efforts by Governor Jim Doyle to rapidly implement the new federal Health Care Reform Law. The group likes the move to create a new office of National Health Care Reform this week. Meanwhile, Brigadier General Don Dunbar of Wisconsin is one of 35 people to be named to the Department of Homeland Security's newly formed Preparedness Task Force. Read more about these developments and more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (04/06/2010) - The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation says average prices on food items that the Bureau tracks as the Market Basket Survey, did not rise too much during the first quarter of 2010. However, there was a continuous upward trend in the overall average cost of the 20 items tracked. Compared to the last quarter of 2009, the total for the food items rose nearly a dollar and a half to almost 53 dollars. The largest single percent price increase was on sugar, attributed to conditions in the world market. Read more on this story at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/02/2010) - As elected officials and community leaders across the nation took part in Census Day activities to increase local participation in the 2010 Census April 1st, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that 54 percent of the nation's estimated 134 million households have mailed back their census forms. While April 1 was officially designated as Census Day, the Census Bureau will continue to accept 2010 Census questionnaires by mail through mid-April. If you don't answer by then, someone may be knocking on your door starting May 1, 2010. Read more on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (03/26/2010) - The Fixes to the Senate Health Reform bill now go to the White House to become part of the new law signed by the President earlier this week. The U.S. House of Representatives voted 220 to 207 to give final okay to the minor changes made by the Senate to the Fixes sent to the Senate by the House. The Fixes are officially called the Health Care and Education Reconcilition Act. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says this completes what the late Senator Edward Kennedy called the great unfinished business. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (03/25/2010) - The United States Senate has approved a package of Fixes to the historic health care reform bill that President Obama signed into law Tuesday. The Senate vote on the Fixes was 56-43. The Fixes were sent to the Senate by the House following House approval of the Senate Health Reform bill last weekend. The Senate sent the Fixes package back to the House for a final Fixes vote due to some technical glitches in the Fixes that were uncovered in the Senate. Meanwhile, some Wisconsin Republicans want to authorize a lawsuit over the new federal Health Care Law. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (03/24/2010) - Now that President Obama has signed the Senate Health Reform Bill into law thanks to the approval of the House of Representatives, the House is moving on to boosting the economy. The House has passed two job creation and small business bills: the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Act and the Disaster Relief and Summer Jobs Act. It is hoped this will help businesses cope with the effects of the economy and create more jobs to get the economy moving in a positive direction. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (03/23/2010) - President Barack Obama has signed the Senate Health Reform bill into law, making good on a campaign promise that helped him get elected. The road to signing day was bumpy, slow and frustrating over more than a year since President Obama was sworn into office in January of 2009. Several provisions in the new law came from Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin. As President Obama was signing the bill, Attorneys General from more than a dozen states were filing lawsuits challenging the new law, and Washington D.C. Republicans have vowed to repeal it. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (03/22/2010) - The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Senate Health Care Reform bill 219-212 during a special weekend session in Washington D.C. They did so while also passing a separate House bill that fixes some of the things some people thought should not be included in the law. The original Senate bill now goes to President Obama for his signature, however, the Fixes now go to the Senate for approval. So Health Care Reform issues are not completely settled just yet. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/19/2010) - Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection Secretary Rod Nilsestuen is applauding the announcement that China has reopened its markets to pork and pork products from the U.S. almost a year after slamming the door shut in the wake of the H1N1 scare. Meanwhile, a resolution is to be introduced on the U.S. House floor to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and recognizing the efforts of former Wisconsin U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson who made Earth Day possible. Earth Day will be held April 22nd this year. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/17/2010) - The Small Business Council of America (SBCA) is urging Members of the House of Representatives to vote against the Senate health care reform bill. The SBCA believes the details of the legislation will not only harm small businesses and their ability to provide health care to employees, but SBCA suggests it could lead to the ultimate demise of the USA private health care system. A spokesperson says SBCA supports health care reform, but not as proposed in the House and Senate bills. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/15/2010) - The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is helping to spread the word about an unusually high number of complaints to the Social Security Administration from Wisconsin residents about phishing phone calls. The department is reminding people that the Social Security Department does not ask for Social Security numbers over the phone. Real Social Security workers have access to that information if they need it without asking for it. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/01/2010) - Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. has announced that Toyota will be extending on a nationwide basis the additional services being provided to Toyota and Lexus customers in New York affected by the recent Toyota recalls. The services involve sticking accelerator pedals, floor mat pedal entrapment, anti-lock brake system software updates, and Tacoma front drive shaft inspection. Toyota says additional services are being provided to customers concerned about driving their vehicle before the repair is completed. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/22/2010) - New federal regulations for consumer credit cards are now in effect. Lawmakers hope the new rules will be beneficial to consumers who have been having a rough time trying to meet all of the past requirements, fees, and interest rates that have been thrown at them. Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D., is among those praising the implementation of the CARD Act, which protects consumers by banning unfair credit card interest rate hikes and forbids abusive fees and penalties. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/21/2010) - Governor Jim Doyle unveiled a new self-funded health care plan today for adults without dependent children who are on the state health care waiting list. BadgerCare Plus Basic will provide enrollees with limited access to physicians, hospital services, generic prescriptions and catastrophic coverage, and will be paid for entirely through a monthly premium of $130. The Basic plan is designed to be a bridge plan to keep individuals healthy while they wait for space in the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/14/2010) - People in the United States and in countries around the world are looking to assist in the recent earthquake disaster in Haiti. Many are unable to actively go to the country to help in digging out citizens from under the rubble of the buildings, but money and goods are needed to help survivors cope with being without lodging, food, water, and other basic needs. InterAction has a list of member organizations online that accept donations. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/11/2010) - Wisconsin dairy farmers will be well represented on the newly formed Dairy Industry Advisory Committee, formed by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. DATCP Secretary Rod Nilsestuen will join three other dairy leaders from the state on this 17-member group. According to USDA, over the next two years, the committee will review the issues of farm milk price volatility, dairy farmer profitability and consolidation, and offer suggestions on ways USDA can best address the needs of a struggling dairy industry. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (1/5/2010) - The U.S. Senate Health Care bill recently passed by the Senate includes some provisions of the Control Spending Now Act (CSNA) introduced by Wisconsin U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI). The provisions would effectively lower the cost of prescription drugs, if included in the final version that comes out of the House-Senate Conference Committee. Senator Feingold says he will fight to keep the provisions in the final bill. In a WisconsinReport.com news story Feingold explains how the savings would come about. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/31/2009) - It took four months, more than 5,000 pounds of donated yarn and hundreds of talented volunteers to knit over 25,000 hats for homeless individuals across the country as part of the Lands' End FeelGood initiative. Lands' End kicked off the FeelGood campaign in September in an effort to warm the homeless and displaced this season. For every Lands' End FeelGood sweater purchased, the company donated signature FeelGood yarn to One Heart Foundation's Warming Families, a nationwide knitting charity. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/24/2009) - The U.S. Senate passed the Senate version of the so-called Health Care Reform early in the morning on Christmas eve, as Democrats hoped. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) says the Senate bill is far from perfect, but, it includes important provisions for Wisconsin. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) explains that the Senate version begins the process of cutting health care costs and hopes the finalized Senate - House compromise bill will reach President Obama for his signature in January. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/21/2009) - The United States Senate cut off debate on the senate version of health care reform during the early morning hours shortly after midnight today. Wisconsin Congressional Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI) is wondering why Democrats in the Senate have joined House Democrats in taking action in what Ryan calls The Dark Of The Night, while Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) says he will keep fighting for the so-called Public Option that is not in the current version. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/16/2009) - Citizen Action of Wisconsin (CAW) has issued a new report that shows the U.S. Senate health care bill under consideration would extend coverage to over 330,000 Wisconsinites if enacted. CAW Executive Director Robert Kraig says it would be sad if the Senate doesn't pass the so-called health care reform bill. If the bill doesn't make it to the White House for President Obama to sign, Wisconsin residents would be losing meaningful health care reform. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/14/2009) - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, recently introduced the Control Spending Now Act. The legislation would reduce the deficit by more than one half trillion dollars. The Act is made up of more than 40 proposals to cut the record deficit, which currently stands at $1.42 trillion. One of the Feingold Spotlight on Spending topics shines a light on making prescription drugs available to more citizens. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/12/2009) - U.S. House Representative Ron Kind (D-WI), Vice-Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, voted Friday to protect consumers and hold Wall Street and big banks accountable through the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 4173). Kind says he voted that way so that the United States never again comes close to the near economic collapse faced last year. For more information on this story see WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/08/2009) - The latest Putting People Back To Work speech by President Barack Obama is causing lawmakers to comment. Wisconsin U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is happy that President Obama is looking at tax credits to stimulate job creation. Feingold says he has been advocating tax credits to companies that hire workers to encourage hiring. President Obama talked today about ideas to ease the strain on the job outlook and the economy. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/04/2009) - Today, U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) introduced the Asset Management Improvement Act. This legislation is designed to ease administrative burdens on public housing agencies placed on them by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and allow them to operate more efficiently. Read more online at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/03/2009) - As the Obama administration hosts a jobs summit, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is continuing his efforts to support American jobs by urging the president to support Buy American requirements. Feingold led a group of members of Congress in asking the president to include strong and effective Buy American requirements in any legislative proposals developed during the White House jobs summit. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/30/2009) - While the federal Cash For Clunkers program grabbed headlines earlier this year, another U.S. government program still in effect can help put money in the pockets of new-car buyers who act before the end of 2009. The Wisconsin Automobile and Truck Dealers Association is reminding people that the tax break for buying a new car is due to expire at end of year. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/27/2009) - State Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman today released October 2009 local unemployment rate estimates for Wisconsin cities, counties, and metropolitan areas. The unemployment rate decreased in 27 of 72 Wisconsin counties in October and remained the same in 10, compared to September 2009, but remains up for the year, statewide. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/25/2009) - Wisconsin Assembly Representative Cory Mason (D-Racine) is seeking co-sponsorship for a Toxic Toys bill designed to make it easier for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings and friends to buy safer toys to give to young girls and boys during Christmas and the rest of the year. There's more on this story on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/10/2009) - Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Mike Tate is disappointed with the votes of some Congressional Representatives from Wisconsin in the U.S. House last Saturday. Tate says the votes of Congressmen Tom Petri (R-WI) and Paul Ryan (R-WI) against the Affordable Health Care for America Act highlights the growing divide between their stance on the issues and what their constituents want. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/07/2009) - U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested that the New Direction that Democrats have been promising the country will be manifested today by passage of the Health Care Reform that Congress has been spending so much time and effort on. She made the comments at a news conference today following a Democratic Whip meeting with President Obama in the Cannon Caucus Room. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/07/2009) - In a victory for President Obama, the Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed landmark health care legislation Saturday night to expand coverage to tens of millions who lack it and place tough new restrictions on the insurance industry. Republican opposition was nearly unanimous. The 220-215 vote cleared the way for the Senate to begin debate on the issue that has come to overshadow all others in Congress. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/05/2009) - Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl are urging the Obama administration to support a Wisconsin proposal for high-speed passenger rail service from Milwaukee to Madison. In a letter sent to Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Feingold and Kohl stated their support for the state request for federal funding to develop a high-speed passenger rail line to connect the two largest Wisconsin cities. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/02/2009) - Medical Examining Board (MEB) Chair Gene Musser, M.D. has announced that formal disciplinary action will be pursued against a Green Bay M.D.for, allegedly, failing to adequately assess the capacity of a patient to make her own health care decisions. The Board has also suspended the license of a Beloit doctor pending the outcome of an investigation and disciplinary proceedings. The Beloit physician allegedly reported for work at Beloit hospital under the influence of alcohol. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/23/2009) - The new State of Wisconsin Electronics Recycling Bill becomes the law of the state January 1, 2010. On that date, manufacturers of electronic items such as computers, televisions, printers, and fax machines, will be required to be responsible for collection and proper handling of disposing of the products. Also, beginning September 1, 2010 the landfilling or incineration of certain electronic devices will be prohibited. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/19/2009) - The Teamsters Union is launching a national campaign to fight against the destruction of the carhaul industry by bailed-out auto giants General Motors and Chrysler. The automakers received bailouts from taxpayers earlier this year, but are now demanding dramatic cost cuts from Teamster-represented carhaul companies, threatening hundreds of jobs. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/02/2009/) - Governor Jim Doyle announced today the state submitted an application to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for federal funds to develop a $651.8 million high-speed passenger rail line between Milwaukee and Madison. It is estimated that the project could create 13,000 jobs by the year 2013. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/01/2009) - Hundreds of Saturn brand automobile employees will be losing their jobs following the General Motors (GM) announcement that the deal to purchase Saturn by the Penske Automotive Group has fallen through. GM President Fritz Henderson says a wind down process will be made available soon. In the meantime, Saturn vehicles can still be purchased and serviced at current dealerships. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/30/2009) - The Senate Finance Committee yesterday first failed to include a public health insurance option plan offered by Senator John Rockefeller (D-WV), and later another similar plan offered by Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) during consideration of the committee health care reform proposal. Some Democrats, including Wisconsin U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, say the issue is not completely at an end. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/26/2009) - U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, has released a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) examining long-term effects of 401(k) loans and leakage on retirement savings of workers. The report highlights various policy changes to reduce these effects, urging Congress to take legislative action. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/23/2009) - U.S. House Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI) and Steve Kagen, M.D. (D-WI) supported the extension of Unemployment Compensation (UC) benefits by voting for the Unemployment Compensation Act of 2009. The Act passed the House 331-83. It provides a continuation of UC checks for another 13 weeks in states hardest hit by joblessness. The Senate is working on a similar plan. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/22/2009) - The Department of Children and Families (DCF) suspended thirty-four child care providers from receiving Wisconsin Shares payments on Saturday, September 19. The providers were suspended because DCF discovered evidence that providers had violated Wisconsin Shares regulations and will be referred to law enforcement. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/17/2009) - Medtronic, Inc. (Medtronic) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA, Inc., (MSD) have agreed to pay 59,741 dollars to Wisconsin Medicaid, plus interest, to settle claims that it defrauded the program. The component was part of an aggregate settlement of 40 million dollars. Click on the story headline to Read More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/15/2009) - Small business owners have been calling their Representatives and Senators to urge them to support health care reform legislation that cuts costs, stops insurance companies from discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions and gives people the option of a public plan. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/12/2009) - The State of Wisconsin has formed a task force to look into possible Wisconsin Shares fraud among childcare providers. The Wisconsin Shares Task Force is a state, local, and federal law enforcement collaborative that is designed to aggressively investigate possible abuses within the Wisconsin Shares Program. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/01/2009) - Wisconsin starts collecting a new 75 cents per-pack cigarette tax today. The tax, according to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, is estimated to prompt 17,000 Wisconsin smokers to quit while preventing 33,000 Wisconsin kids from ever starting. WisconsinReport.com has more on this story. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/11/2009) - While Congress pushes for national health care reform legislation that may ultimately open the door for more citizens to receive primary and preventive medical, dental and behavioral health care in a consistent, welcoming, health care home setting, the model of care provided by the Wisconsin Community Health Centers continues to serve as an example to follow, according to Stephanie Harrison, executive director of the Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association. Read more about the effort in the story at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/07/2009) - Washington D.C. has extended the Cash For Clunkers program which has been more successful than originally anticipated. Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold says the program has been a boost to local economies, and is pleased to see it continue. Feingold, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, also says he was pleased to vote to approve the confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be the next Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court. Feingold also approves of the cooperative nature of agencies looking into possible anti-competetive practices hampering some parts of the dairy industry. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/03/2009) - Wisconsin and Minnesota cooperatives are applauding what they call the USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack decision to raise dairy price supports through the Dairy Product Price Support Program during a time of near-record low dairy prices. Wisconsin and Minnesota dairy cooperatives handle more than 85 percent of the milk produced in the two states. Cooperative Network President and CEO Bill Oemichen says this extra financial support at a very difficult time is greatly needed, and is greatly appreciated, by the Upper Midwest dairy industry. Read more on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/31/2009) - Congressional Representative Steve Kagen, M.D. (D-WI) says the health care reform legislation currently making its way through Congress is getting better with each new draft. The House Energy and Commerce Committee resumed their mark-up of the Affordable Health Choices Act after members of the committee and House Leadership reached a compromise on key portions of the legislation. Kagen says he will be holding public listening sessions throughout Northeast Wisconsin in August to discuss the health care reform legislation. Read more about this story on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/29/2009) - State of Wisconsin officials are reminding people that the first day to apply for a Declaration of Domestic Partnership begins on August 3, 2009. The Declaration is a new vital record created under state law that the Department of Health Services (DHS) will maintain, along with other vital records such as birth and death certificates. The Department has been providing training and technical assistance for county clerks in preparation for August 3rd. Two unmarried adults of the same sex who are living together may apply for a Declaration at their local county clerk office. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/22/2009) - A pilot program by the Consumer CHECKBOOK Center for the Study of Services, has shown the national feasibility of conducting scientifically valid surveys of patients to give public ratings and reports on doctors. It shows how well doctors listen and explain things, make themselves available for appointments and care when needed, arrange to have helpful and courteous office staff, and perform on other important aspects of care that patients can judge. The surveys use questions and a survey procedure developed by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, endorsed by the National Quality Forum. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/21/2009) - Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. (D-WI) says the proposed health care legislation will take us closer to our goal of guaranteeing access to affordable care for all of us. According to a report released today by Families USA, 233,000 people in Wisconsin will gain health care coverage under the American Affordable Health Choices Act by 2013 and 375,000 by 2019. Kagen will join doctors and nurses today from across the country in support of reforms included in the American Affordable Health Choices Act. Read more about it at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/17/2009) - The United States House Energy and Commerce Committee began the work of marking up America's Affordable Health Choices Act (H.R. 3200). The plan for health care reform promises to lower costs, provide better care, and keep the insurance industry competitive and fair for all consumers. House members have began offering ammendments to the original bill. The ammendment process started Friday and will continue next week. Wisconsin Congresswoman Tammi Baldwin offered two ammendments that were accepted by the committee. Read all about it at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/16/2009) - DISH Network, LLC has agreed to pay restitution to consumers and to enter into an agreement that limits how it can market services in the future to settle consumer protection allegations with Attorneys General in 46 states. The states alleged the satellite TV provider and its third-party retailers engaged in deceptive and unfair sales practices. The company denied any wrongdoing. Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has announced the possibility of consumer restitution for eligible consumers. Read more about this story at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/15/2009) - The newly created Chrysler Group LLC will continue production of the legendary Dodge Viper SRT10. Originally slated to cease production in December 2009, the Chrysler Group Conner Avenue Assembly Plant, the exclusive home of Dodge Viper production since 1995, will continue to build the V-10 powered sports car. Chrysler Group is no longer pursuing a sale of the Viper business assets. Chrysler Group LLC is a combination of the old Chrysler company and Fiat. Read all about the Dodge Viper and the new Chrysler company at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/14/2009) - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu has announced that Wisconsin will receive up to $5,400,000 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for its state-run rebate program for consumer purchases of new ENERGY STAR qualified home appliances. The new program underscores the Obama Administration commitment to make American homes more energy efficient, while helping to support the national economic recovery. The Recovery Act appropriated funds for the program to help spur economic growth, create jobs, save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. See WisconsinReport.com for more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/10/2009) - The new General Motors Company began operations today with a new corporate structure, a stronger balance sheet, and a renewed commitment to make the customer the center of everything the new GM does. Created from the old GM's strongest operations in an asset sale approved by the bankruptcy court on July 5, the new GM is built on four core brands in the U.S. and the largest, strongest dealer network in the country. GM also has moved aggressively to develop a full range of energy-saving technologies, including advanced internal combustion engines, biofuels, fuel cells, and hybrids. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/08/2009) - Has it been seeming that every time you go to the supermarket you come away with less for the same amount of money that you spent the week before? Well, it may be a surprise that Wisconsin second quarter 2009 retail food prices fell just over 4-percent from the first quarter of 2009. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Market Basket quarterly survey found the average cost of 20 basic food items totaled $53.40 in the second quarter of 2009. That is a $2.45 decrease from the survey average price of $55.85 in the first quarter of 2009. Read all about it at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/29/2009) - State Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) says Wisconsin has now succeeded in what he calls a long struggle to bring mandatory auto insurance to Wisconsin. Governor Jim Doyle signed into law legislation that requires drivers in Wisconsin to carry auto insurance. Wisconsin joins the 48 other states that have what Carpenter calls a commonsense requirement. Meanwhile, some Republicans are voicing objections to some of the auto insurance requirements. Read more on this story and others at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/29/2009) - Joined by local officials, business and education leaders and Wisconsin citizens, Governor Jim Doyle signed into law today a state budget that builds upon the commitment to expand access to affordable health care coverage, invests in Wisconsin businesses that will create jobs and lead to future growth, and continues to protect priorities like education and police and fire protection, in the face of unprecedented national economic challenges. For the first time since 1977, the budget is being enacted before the start of the new biennium. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/26/2009) - Michael Jackson, who seemed like a timeless entertainer that would go on forever, died yesterday at the age of 50. Early reports indicate he apparently collapsed and was taken to a Los Angeles hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Michael Jackson started in the music business at the age of 11 with his brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. As a solo act he went on to even greater stardom. Five of his solo albums, Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous and HIStory, all with Epic Records, a Sony Music label, are among the top-sellers of all time. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/19/2009) - Wisconsin U.S. Senator Russ Feingold took the case of the Wisconsin auto industry directly to President Obama yesterday (Thurs., June 19, 2009). Feingold told President Obama by phone how important the industry is to the state, and had another conversation with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. The President continues to make it clear he does not intend to meddle in decisions made by the auto industry, even though the government currently has a large financial stake in helping General Motors and Chrysler try to survive. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/18/2009) - The Wisconsin State Senate has passed a biennial budget bill for 2009-2011. As usual, there are misgivings by Republicans that majority party Senate Democrats were able to get the budget passed. However, Majority Leader Russ Decker says the version passed has no general sales or payroll tax increases, yet, it still protects working families, schools, and police and fire services from cuts. Another provision invests in highways, airports, bridges and harbors, and is expected to create about 10,000 jobs. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/13/2009) - Having a good year in 2008 wasn't enough to prevent a major company providing family recreation in three countries from filing bankruptcy. The amusement park company Six Flags is seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, saying it needs to reorganize to get rid of about 2 Billion Dollars in debt. The New York based company has a Six Flags amusement park at Gurnee, Illinois. However, Six Flags chief executive officer says the bankruptcy is not expected to affect Six Flags Great America nor any of its 19 other theme parks in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Read all about it at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/12/2009) - At a health care town hall meeting in Green Bay thursday, President Barack Obama strongly advocated the inclusion of a public health insurance option in the health care reform proposal currently being crafted in Congress. The forum kicked off the public campaign for fundamental health care reform. President Obama criticized opponents who are saying he is promoting socialized medicine, saying the government would not be taking over healthcare, but, providing options for gaining access to healthcare. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/08/2009) - Fiat and the new Chrysler Group LLC have agreed to honor most of the Lemon Law rights of Chrysler buyers when the new company takes control of the U.S. auto maker.The new Chrysler Group LLC will be owned by Fiat, the UAW, the U.S., and Canada. State Lemon Laws provide consumers with rights and procedures to obtain a refund or a replacement vehicle if a new vehicle develops a significant problem that can not be repaired after a certain number of repair attempts. More on this story is online at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/02/2009) - One of the icons of the automobile industry and of corporate America in general, General Motors (GM) yesterday entered into bankruptcy. It's part of the overall plan to save the company from leaving the stage entirely. GM entered chapter 11 to launch the New GM through the powerful tools of the Bankruptcy Code. GM has followed Chrysler LLC in filing for reorganization under the bankruptcy codes. Chrysler filed last month. Both companies are hoping to be leaner, focused and more competitive as a result of their actions. If you have questions about the developments, read more about it at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/28/2009) - With many students heading home, starting their summer jobs, or beginning long vacations, forty students in the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) Student Chapters are travelling the route of the proposed high speed rail system in Wisconsin to build support for the project. From Green Bay to Milwaukee to Madison to La Crosse, the students are stopping in major towns and cities along the way, meeting with public officials and talking to the media about why they believe high-speed rail is essential for future transportation needs. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/27/2009) - The World Health Organization says, as of 06:00 GMT, 27 May 2009, 48 countries have officially reported 13,398 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 95 deaths. The largest number of cases seem to be in the United States at this point. The United States has reported 6764, and only 10 deaths. However, the percentage of deaths in relationship to cases reported is still in Mexico. Mexico has reported 4541 cases and 83 deaths. Read more about the latest so-called Swine Flu news at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/22/2009) - In honor of Memorial Day, a United States Congressional Representative from Wisconsin has proposed federal law aimed at helping military personnel, students and veterans. Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) Thursday introduced bipartisan legislation called the Service Member Home Ownership Act and the Help Student Soldiers Act to provide housing and education benefits to service members. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/21/2009) - Credit Card debt in the U.S. has reached a record high of nearly one trillion dollars. Almost half of American families currently carry a balance. The average balance was over seven thousand dollars in 2007. Congress thought it was time to put on some brakes regarding the credit card industry so customers are treated more fairly. On May 20th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the final version of the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights, H.R. 627. What does this mean to cardholders? WisconsinReport.com has the details. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/20/2009) - The U.S. House of Representatives today okayed the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act by a vote of 361-64. The Senate had earlier passed the Act onto the House by a vote of 90 to 5 Tuesday. Some of the problems that have been evident that this Act applies answers to, include over-the-limit fees, charges for paying by phone, and getting advance notice when the credit card company decides to raise your rate. It also addresses difficulties young people have regarding credit cards. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/16/2009) - General Motors plans to reduce its dealer network from 5,969 stores to approximately 3,600 by the end of 2010. This process started yesterday (Friday, May 15, 2009), as GM began contacting dealers regarding its long term planning. 1,100 small sales volume U.S. dealers are being advised that GM does not see them as part of its dealer network on a long-term basis. In most cases, existing franchise agreements run through October of 2010. Read more about the GM dealer reduction plan at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/13/2009) - Several members of the United States House of Representatives, including Ron Kind of Wisconsin, have re-introduced the Small Business Options Program Act (SHOP). SHOP, if passed, would make health insurance more available and affordable for small businesses and their employees. The bill is endorsed by several business, employee, and family groups and organizations. Read more about SHOP on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/11/2009) - Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL), a subsidiary of Alliant Energy Corporation, has filed a request with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) to adjust its retail electric and natural gas rates, effective January 1, 2010. The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) has grave concerns for the ratepayers. CUB says many families are already having a hard time paying their utility bills. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/27/2009) - General Motors today presented an updated Viability Plan that will speed the reinvention of GM's U.S. operations into a leaner, more customer-focused, and more cost-competitive automaker. The new plan focuses on four core brands in the U.S. - Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC - with fewer nameplates and a more competitive level of marketing support per brand. The Pontiac brand will be phased out by the end of 2010. More details can be found inside the online pages of WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/25/2009) - Retail food prices at the supermarket increased in the first quarter of 2008, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation Marketbasket Survey. The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 basic grocery items in the first quarter of 2008 was $45.03, up about 8 percent or $3.42 from the fourth quarter of 2007. However, compared to the first quarter of 2008, groceries in the sample group are up 9 percent from the same period a year ago. More Relevant Reading at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/24/2009) - The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent in March, before seasonal adjustment according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. The index has decreased 0.4 percent over the last year, the first 12 month decline since August 1955. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U decreased 0.1 percent in March after rising 0.4 percent in February. More statistics are available at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/18/2009) - The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is cautioning moving too swiftly on a proposed rule designed to make processing meat safer that may increase costs and lessen profits for farmers. More time is needed to consider the unintended consequences to the Wisconsin cattle industry as a result of the proposed federal rule, says the largest farm organization in the state. More on this story is available inside the online pages of WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/15/2009) - A Wisconsin State Senator is saying today is a great day to be a citizen of Wisconsin. Senator Neal Kedzie says what is being called the Taxpayer Tea Party taking place in Madison and elsewhere is more than a demonstration against high taxes. However, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Joe Wineke says the Republican tea bag party is being bankrolled by special interest groups fighting to protect the Bush tax cuts for multi-millionaires and big corporations. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/07/2009) - Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) joined U.S. Senator Herb Kohl and UW Chancellor Biddy Martin to talk to UW-Madison students on campus about student credit card issues. The event was hosted by the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG), which is part of the U.S.PIRG federation. 76 percent of undergrads have credit cards and, on average, leave school with 22-hundred dollars in credit card debt. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/06/2009) - Ford Motor Company announced today the successful completion of debt restructuring initiatives that will reduce the Automotive debt by $9.9 billion from $25.8 billion at December 31, 2008, and lower the annual cash interest expense by more than $500 million based on current interest rates. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/03/2009) - Chrysler LLC has reported March U.S. total sales of 101,001 units, which is the first time since Sept. 2008 that the Company has surpassed 100,000 units, representing a 39 percent decrease versus 2008. Chrysler retail market share increased to an estimated 10.0 percent versus 9.9 percent in March 2008. Read more details at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/02/2009) - House Budget Committee Ranking Republican Paul Ryan (WI-01) yesterday introduced a comprehensive alternative to the fiscal year 2010 budget proposed by the President and Democratic Majority. Republicans say their plan will get spending and deficits under control, without raising taxes, but some Democrats don't think it's right for the country, at this point in history. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/01/2009) - Governor Jim Doyle today announced that the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has awarded the state $1 million for the Department of Health Services to participate in the Maximizing Enrollment for Kids Program, an initiative to increase enrollment and retention of eligible children in BadgerCare Plus. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/30/2009) - General Motors is looking at today's announcement by President Obama as the start of a new era for the U.S. auto industry, and a defining moment in the history of General Motors. The U.S. Treasury will provide working financing capital for GM for 60 days while GM completes a more accelerated and aggressive restructuring to put the company on sound long-term financial footing. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/27/2009) - Governor Jim Doyle has signed into law legislation that will protect traveling sales crews from abuse by employers and sets regulations that also protect consumers and homeowners. Malinda’s Act, SB4, is a response to the tragic traveling sales crew van crash on March 25, 1999 in Janesville, which killed 7 people, including 18-year-old Malinda Turvey from Verona, and severely injured 5 others. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/26/2009) - The Wisconsin Department of Justice has obtained a 5.5 Million Dollar judgment against a Colorado corporation, the National Rebate Fund, Inc., and its owner, Timothy Stubbs, over their operation of a fraudulent rebate scheme known as the National Energy Rebate Fund. And, in another case, Northern States Power has been ordered to pay 1.3 Million. See WisconsinReport.com for more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/25/2009) - State Representative Jason M. Fields (D-Milwaukee) today announced he will introduce legislation that requires creditors to take reasonable steps and make good faith efforts to avoid foreclosure. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/25/2009) - U.S. Senator Feingold announced today that the 96 Wisconsin housing authorities that received over $26 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) can now begin spending the money to improve and modernize public housing facilities. See WisconsinReport.com for more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/19/2009) - The Institute for Wisconsin’s Future (IWF) is applauding Governor Jim Doyle and the Legislature for the tax reform ideas contained in both the budget-repair bill, which passed the Legislature February 18th, and the governor’s budget proposal for the 2009-2011 biennium, released February 17th. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/17/2009) - A Dane County jury has found a pharmaceutical manufacturer defrauded the Wisconsin Medicaid program by reporting grossly inflated and fraudulent prices. In a case brought by the Wisconsin Department of Justice against Pharmacia, after a two-week trial, the jury determined that Pharmacia should pay $9 million to compensate the state for its monetary losses. The jury considered allegations of both Medicaid and consumer fraud, and found that Pharmacia violated both laws. Read more on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/13/2009) - Lambda Legal and the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin has filed a federal lawsuit the US District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on behalf of Melody Rose, a 35-year-old Wisconsin woman who was denied surgery to remove her gallbladder because she has HIV. Lambda Legal and ARCW represent Melody Rose who experienced health problems with her gallbladder while incarcerated at Taycheedah Correctional Institution in Fond du Lac. She was referred to Fond du Lac Regional Hospital where a surgeon rufused to perform surgery after learning the woman was HIV Positive. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/15/2009) - As one of the first legislative acts of the 111th Congress, the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday reauthorized the 11-year-old Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and extended health insurance coverage to an additional 4.1 million children nationwide. The bill will provide coverage to more than 11 million children. Families USA expects quick action in the U.S. Senate to speed the bill to new United States President Barack Obama's desk. It may be the first bill that was vetoed by outgoing President George W. Bush that will be signed by the new President. See WisconsinReport.com for more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/09/2009) - As part of a program called Invest in America, GM and Chrysler LLC are pointing to credit unions – not-for-profit financial institutions owned by their members – to make as much as $80 billion available for low-cost loans on new cars. Even prior to its arrival in Wisconsin, the program has generated more than a million hits in just one month on its website and is expected to put up to 4 million new cars on the road. Special discounts on vehicles are also being offered to Credit Union members. Even non-members can access the discounts by joining a Credit Union. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/22/08) - Three cocoa products packaged for Christmas sale and sold through Shopko and Big Lots stores have been recalled because they may contain melamine, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection reports. No illnesses have been reported from consumption of these products, which have been voluntarily recalled by Dorsey Marketing Inc. (DMI) of Ville St. Laurent, Quebec, Canada. All were sold under the brand name G and J. Consumers who bought these products should return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Read more about this story at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/13/08) - General Motors is making several adjustments to 2009 production of a large number of GM vehicles even though GM's official statement is that they are encouraged by the White House's apparent willingness to consider other options to help the auto industry now that the U.S. Senate has turned down the House's recommendation to issue a loan to the Big 3 automakers. GM announced a significant reduction of planned production because of a major slump in industry sales, which were down 36 percent overall in November, but 41 percent off the mark for GM products. See more on this at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/28/08) - The day after Thanksgiving 2008 finds retailers in Wisconsin and around the country hoping that the traditional day that starts the Christmas shopping in earnest will be at least as affluent as usual. However, as the years go by, many shoppers are foregoing the hustle and bustle of shopping in stores in person. Many have opted to shop through the internet. Retail Decisions (ReD), a payment card issuer and world leader in payment card fraud prevention and payment processing, predicted a bustling Black Friday on November 28 with 10.00 am - 11.00 am being the busiest online shopping hour. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/25/08) - In the second of a schedued three news conferences at the beginning of Thanksgiving week President-elect Barack Obama announced several members of his economic team. Monday (11-24-08) Obama named Timothy F. Geithner, Secretary of the Treasury; Lawrence H. Summers, Director of the National Economic Council; Christina D. Romer, Director of the Council of Economic Advisors; Melody C. Barnes, Director of the Domestic Policy Council; and Heather A. Higginbottom, Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Council. Tuesday, he nominated Peter Orszag as Office of Management and Budget Director, and Rob Nabors as Office of Management and Budget Deputy Director. Read about these Obama team members at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/21/08) - What happens in the automotive industry affects the people of the United States far beyond the immediate employee roster in the U.S. automobile factories and auxiliary industries. It could potentially affect everyone in the country. Estimates indicate that if allowed to happen, the collapse of the U.S.-based auto industry wouldn't just impact the nearly 355,000 Americans directly employed by the Big Three. There is the eventual potential that around 3 Million jobs, and possibly more, in all parts of the USA, in many different types of occupations, could ultimately be lost. See more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/12/08) - Wisconsin consumers need to be prepared for the possibility of a phone scam targeting the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday warns the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA). A similar fraud was perpetrated on Manitowoc County residents over the 2007 Thanksgiving holiday and potentially could victimize other Wisconsin residents. The same type of scam occurred recently in Northeastern Wisconsin. The scam indicated that people should call a toll-free number to give personal information in order to get their bank accounts unfrozen. More about this warning is online at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/10/08) - Change To Win, a nationwide worker organization of over 6 million members, has outlined a comprehensive economic recovery program for Main Street America that would generate broad-based prosperity, restore faith and fairness in the market system, and renew the American Dream for working and middle class families. The worker organization called on Congress to reject the Wall Street bailout based on the flawed economic policies of the past. A spokesperson says the United States needs a new economic model that rewards worker productivity and innovation, and, sets new rules for the marketplace and the workplace. See more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/08/08) - Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Joe Wineke is calling last night's Presidential Debate Barack Obama’s second straight debate victory. Wineke says John McCain was unable to articulate a new direction for the country beyond what Wineke calls the failed, recycled policies of George Bush. Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and former Lieutenant Governor Margaret Farrow are spinning the second Presidential Debate from the Republican point of view. Farrow and Walker saw McCain making several points and coming out ahead of Obama in the Nashville debate. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/30/08) - The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) CEO is weighing in on the failure by the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, and one of Wisconsin's U.S. Senators has some suggestions on how to make the Bailout Better. Wisconsin Bankers Association President Kurt Bauer warns the crisis won't get better by doing nothing. Senator Russ Feingold expects the so-called Bailout to see another round of voting by Congress, which creates another opportunity to address what he calls major flaws in the proposal. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/29/08) - Another big name bank has been gobbled up by a bigger name financial system, as the United States Congress debates a measure that is aimed at relieving the pressure the financial sector is experiencing. Wachovia today announced intentions to sell its retail bank, corporate and investment bank and wealth management businesses to Citigroup. Wachovia Corporation will remain a public company with two main operating subsidiaries: Wachovia Securities, the nation's third largest brokerage firm, and Evergreen Asset Management, a leading provider of asset management services. More on this story is online at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/29/08) - The United States Congress failed to pass the 700 Billion Dollar Solution they have been working on over the weekend and debating today. Despite the apparent urgency of the financial crisis, H.R 3997, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, failed on the House floor by a vote of 205 - 228. Several Wisconsin members of the House of Representatives voiced dissapproval of the so-called Bailout. Some others were dismayed that the attempt to find a solution that the majority could agree on just wasn't possible. The Stock Market reacted in dissappointment. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/27/08) - There are mixed reactions to last night's first United States Presidential Debate between the two major party candidates running to be the next Commander In Chief of the Economy as well as Commander In Chief of the Military. McCain supporters say Arizona Senator John McCain won, while Illinois Senator Barack Obama supporters say Obama came out on top. And, Depending on which tv/radio talker you listen to after the debates, you have your choice of, it was a draw, or, Obama proved he was ready to take control of the military and the economy, or, McCain's strategy seemed to be to try his best to look stern and to not look at his opponent, and so on. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/25/08) - The Republican and Democrat running against each other for President of the United States have decided to lend their input and guidance in the current national economy emergency Congress is wrestling with. Yesterday, U.S. Senators John McCain (R) and Barack Obama (D) issued a joint statement that pointed out that it's important for both parties to come together to solve the problem. Obama and McCain will both be meeting with President George W. Bush and leaders of Congress today in hopes of making a difference in the so-called 700 Billion Dollar Solution to save homes, jobs, and the ecomomy proponents say are at stake. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/23/08) - Probable voters in four Battleground States are looking at the Barack Obama - Joe Biden ticket as the one that is more likely to bring about Change. By 19 - 24 point margins, voters in Wisconsin, Colorado, Michigan, and Minnesota say Democrat Barack Obama, not Republican John McCain, is the candidate of change. That poll result lifts Senator Obama into the lead in these battleground states, according to four simultaneous Quinnipiac University polls of likely voters, conducted in partnership with The Wall Street Journal and WashingtonPost.com More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/22/08) - Illinois Senator Barack Obama started out being the only major presidential candidate advocating Change at the start of the Democrats Primary Campaign. When his opponent, New York Senator Hillary Clinton saw people were drawn to the message of Change, her slogan soon was about Change, but, Obama's message was the one people wanted. Now, it's the Republican candidate, Senator John McCain, who has changed his message to a declaration that McCain is the Change guy. While in Green Bay, Wisconsin today, Barack Obama explained that Obama's Change is The Real Change We Need. To read Barack Obama's speech, go to WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/19/08) - The Obamas are coming to Wisconsin. The Obama campaign today announced that Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential nominee, Senator Barack Obama will campaign in Wisconsin Monday to kick off the Wisconsin campaign’s Women’s Week of Action. Mrs. Obama will host Wisconsin Women for Obama rallies in Madison and Milwaukee, and an economic roundtable discussion with working women in Wausau. Senator Barack Obama will also hold a separate event in Green Bay on Monday. Meanwhile, Obama's opponent, Republican Senator John McCain outlined his plan To reform financial markets while in Green Bay today. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/18/08) - Electric vehicle pioneer ZAP has announced that increasing demand has resulted in record August 2008 sales for its Advanced Technology Vehicle division, the most since ZAP's Xebra sedan and truck were launched in 2006. Unaudited sales for ZAP electric vehicles surged to $737,000 in August, versus $392,000 a year ago, an increase of $345,000 or 88 percent. The Zap currently has a maximum speed of 40 miles per hour, however, the company says it is street legal, and very affordable. You will find more on this story at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/17/08) - United States Reprepresentatives Ron Kind (D) of LaCrosse, Wisconsin and Steven Kagen (D) of Appleton, Wisconsin joined a majority in Congress Tuesday evening in passing a comprehensive energy plan for America – H.R. 6899. Kind hailed the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act as a way for Democrats and Republicans to come together to forge a path to energy independence. Kind says the plan is much more than a Drill, Baby, Drill plan. It begins federal investments in renewable and clean energy alternatives to take the so-called addiction to foreign oil eventually off the table. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/01/08) - The 2008 Report of the Democratic Platform Committee suggests that Democrats want to make the United States Government and the country less partisan than it has been for decades. The Preamble to the Platform, states that it's time to reach out to Republicans, Independents, and all Americans who hunger for a new direction, and a reason to hope. The Platform indicates Democrats not only want to undo the damage they perceive that the Bush Administration has done, they want to find and enact the ideas that are right for the country and it's citizens. Read the Preamble at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/29/08) - Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama officially accepted his party's nomination last night, during the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. During his acceptance speech Obama made the case for why America cannot afford four more years of what many believe are the failed policies of the George W. Bush Administration. Obama laid out his vision to bring about fundamental change at home and abroad. He reminded the country about the extraordinary promise of America at its best and challenged his supporters to continue to fight for that promise by marching ahead and never looking back. Read Obama's acceptance speech at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/27/08) - Last night the candidate who came in second in the long primary campaign to determine who would be the Democrats presidential candidate on the November 2008 ballot urged her 18 Million primary voters to switch their allegience to Barack Obama. Hillary Clinton told delegates at the Democrats National Convention in Denver, Colorado that her delegates and supporters and Obama's delegates and supporters must unite as a single party with a single purpose. Hillary said it's time to take back the country and no one should sit by the sidelines, because it will take everyone and every vote to make sure it happens. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/22/08) - A Wisconsin health care organization is attributing three of the state's congressional representatives for saving some Medicare benefits for residents of Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Health Care Association (WHCA) has high praise for U.S. Representatives Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Steve Kagen (D-WI) and Ron Kind (D-WI), a member of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, for participating in a successful, bipartisan effort in Congress last week to stop the Bush Administration attempt to cut some funding. See WisconsinReport.com for more details. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/19/08) - Manitowoc-based Tower Tech Systems has signed a contract to manufacture wind tower components for Nordex USA, one of the world’s leading providers of onshore wind turbines. Badger Transport, based in Clintonville, has signed a contract to deliver the components to Texas for Nordex. Tower Tech and Badger Transport are subsidiaries of Naperville, IL-based Broadwind Energy, Inc., according to New North, which promotes regional cooperation and economic development in an 18-county region in Northeast Wisconsin. See more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/18/08) - The Weston 4 power plant, of which Dairyland Power Cooperative has a 30 percent ownership interest, was officially dedicated today. Weston 4 has been named Power Plant of the Year by Power Magazine. Dairyland President and CEO Bill Berg joined Wisconsin Public Service Corporation President Charlie Schrock, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Chairperson Eric Callisto and officials in a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the plant’s dedication ceremony. For more details go to WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/08/08) - Two U.S. Congressional Representatives from Wisconsin have joined forces to try to get some help for mill workers who will be without work at the NewPage Corporation's Kimberly Mill. Republican Tom Petri and Democrat Steve Kagen wrote to the Labor Department seeking Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for the employees affected by the planned shutdown of the Kimberly mill. Kagen says paper imported to the United States from China is one reason U.S. paper companies are having a downturn. For more details, see WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/04/08) - Speaking in Michigan today, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama called the upcoming November election possibly the most important election of a lifetime. Obama suggested that the USA's economy, security, and the future of the planet will depend on the choices made when people vote in November, and the choices made over the next few years will shape the next decade and perhaps the entire century. The U.S. Senator from Illinois said all of the major challenges will hinge on what is done about our addiction to oil. The rest of Obama's words can be found at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/21/08) - A dedicated team of 517 volunteer Wisconsin Dental Association dentists have provided free, comprehensive oral health care, valued at more than 4.25 million dollars, to 1,726 disabled, senior, poor and uninsured state residents during the first 10 years of the WDA Foundation’s Donated Dental Services program. Nearly $1 million of that care was delivered in its record-setting 2007 – 2008 fiscal year which ended June 30th. For more on this story, look to WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/17/08) - Lemonweir Valley Telcom of Camp Douglas, Wisconsin has announced that construction has begun on a multi-million dollar project to deploy state-of-the-art fiber optic communications infrastructure throughout Lemonweir Valley Telcom’s serving area. The first phase of the project will extend optical fiber cable directly to homes and businesses within the City of New Lisbon, Village of Camp Douglas and Village of Hustler. The thin glass fibers will allow the company to offer advanced services to customers in that area. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/16/08) - Now that Miller Brewing Company and Coors have joined forces to become MillerCoors, changes were expected to take place, as is usually the case when two major companies merge. MillerCoors have announced that it is placing its headquarters in Chicago, but will maintain substantial operations in Golden, Colorado, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. MillerCoors will invest over $50 million into the brewery in Milwaukee over the next three years and increase the number of jobs at the brewery, even though headquarters office jobs will be lost to the city. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/12/08) - The United States Senate has passed Senator Herb Kohl’s (D-WI) legislation to protect Americans from becoming the victim of foreclosure rescue scams as part of a bipartisan housing package (H.R. 3221). The Kohl measure protects financially distressed homeowners – often elderly – from unscrupulous financial predators by implementing stricter requirements and a federal floor of protection. For more on this story and others go to WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/10/08) - Continuing high costs for energy along with supply and demand pressures are behind this quarter’s increase measured in the Market Basket survey conducted by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. Wisconsin’s largest farm organization tracks the retail price of 20-food items in 26 communities. The Market Basket survey found the average cost of those 20-items in the second quarter of 2008 was 55 dollars and 57 cents, 2.30 more than the overall average of 53.27 in the first quarter of 2008. More details are online at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/07/08) - Research shows that a drug that had been tested successfully in large hospitals to save blod clot patients can also be used in smaller communities with good results. The Wisconsin Medical Journal report indicates a Marshfield Clinic study in Ladysmith, Wisconsin shines a light at the end of the tunnel for more patients experiencing stroke symptoms since the study began in 1995. Tissue Plasminogen Activator can cause patients to be released earlier, and, the percent of stroke patients surviving is higher. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/25/08) - According to the latest figures available, Wisconsin employment is still holding it's own and in some areas is higher than it was. Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman today released the May breakdown of unemployment rates that show declines in the majority of Wisconsin's counties accompanied by job gains across all major metro areas. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/24/08) - Wisconsin U.S. Senator Russ Feingold has announced his endorsement and support for Stan Gruszynski in his bid to represent the people of the 36th Assembly district. Gruszynski is stressing the need for northeast Wisconsin to have a greater voice and more influence in the decision-making process in Madison. Gruszynski is re-entering state politics after leaving the Assembly several years ago when he represented Portage County. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/19/08) - Recent floods have hit more than corn and soybeans. Rains have hit hard Wisconsin's direct marketing vegetable growers, those selling at farmers markets, local restaurants and retailers, and CSA's. Growers who market to local food consumers report flooded fields and potential losses. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection urges consumers to buy locally. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/11/08) - The latest Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll shows that Barack Obama is way ahead of John McCain in New York. Based on that, Obama could easily count New York in the win column in November. McCain is 14 percentage points behind Obama, according to the poll of nearly 14 hundred New York State residents. The margin of error is 2.6 percentage points. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/06/08) - Wisconsin consumers are now able to sign up their cell phone numbers to be added to the Do Not Call list starting today. The new list will be sent to telemarketers on September 1, 2008. To make that list consumers must sign up before the end of August. Adding cell phone numbers to the Do Not Call list became possible by including it in a recent Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill. Those wishing to be part of the Do Not Call cell phone list may register online at Wisconsin.Gov. WisconsinReport.com has more details on this story and many more added often on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/21/08) - During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with executives representing the nation’s five largest oil companies, U.S. Senator Herb Kohl said his No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act (NOPEC) will send a message to oil producers. The bill will permit the Department of Justice to bring actions against foreign states – such as members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) – for collusive practices in setting the price or limiting the production of oil. The NOPEC bill has bi-partisan co-sponsorship, including Arlen Specter, Chuck Grassley, Russ Feingold Barbara Boxer, and others. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/12/08) - Several websites hosted by a Stevens Point, Wisconsin company were offline for most of the weekend through the morning hours of Monday, May 12, 2008. The websites are hosted by Cliksites Hosting, which is a service of Magicmedia Communications, Inc., a member of the Morbizco Media Group. Two of the sites affected were Clik2Go.com, which is an internet portal, internet access provider, and search engine service, and WisconsinReport.com. The problem seems to have been a technical issue in a recently installed server system that replaced the old system. All sites are now back online and available to the public. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/06/08) - Wisconsin U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) is urging his Senate colleagues to support a national affordable housing trust fund to help create affordable housing for families facing severe housing costs around the country. In a letter to the Senate Banking Committee, Feingold called on the committee to pass the bipartisan National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007 introduced by Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) as part of broader housing legislation. The proposal would help low income families by providing housing solutions. WisconsinReport.com has more on this story. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/26/08) - More southeastern Wisconsin residents and their televisions can finally break free from cable providers. Fourteen months after beginning to offer a new video choice to Wisconsin residents, ATandT Inc. has announced that ATandT U-verse(SM) TV and Internet services are now available to more than 200,000 living units in and around the Milwaukee, Racine and Sheboygan areas. ATandT introduced U-verse TV in Wisconsin in February 2007 and continues to make the service available to more southeastern Wisconsin customers, thanks in part to the Wisconsin Video Choice Act. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/18/08) - Wisconsin Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass says the fourth Unclaimed Property Auction will be held on Ebay starting Monday, April 21, 2008 at 12:00 pm CST. 37 items are set to be auctioned off over the course of ten days. There are 36 lots of women’s jewelry which include individual pieces, matching sets and collections. Under Wisconsin Statute, after 5 years of inactivity, Wisconsin financial institutions are mandated to turn over all the contents of safe deposit boxes to the State Treasurer’s office for safekeeping. The Treasurer’s Office has 3 years to try and find the owner, then puts the items up for auction. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/17/08) - Even though there are pockets of higher job losses in some parts of the Badger State, the unemployment rate in the state of Wisconsin is overall holding its own. Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman says Wisconsin’s unemployment rate for March was 5.6 percent, down two-tenths of a percentage point from February's 5.8 percent and equal to the rate one year ago. The national rate for March was 5.2 percent, same as the February rate, but seven-tenths of a percentage point higher than the March 2007 rate of 4.5 percent. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/10/08) - Wisconsin's Attorney General is concerned about a proposed merger of the only two satellite radio companies providing the service in the United States. He is so concerned that he's stepping in to try to stop the merger of Sirius and XM. Citing concerns about anti-competitive and anti-consumer effects, Republican Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to utilize its role to carefully review the proposed license transfer between Sirius and XM now that the federal Justice Department Antitrust Division has chosen to look the other way. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/08/08) - If you'e one of those people who had a hard time paying their utility bills during the cold days of winter, it's time to catch up. Yes, tax deadline time is bringing with it the end of the Wisconsin Utility Bills Moratorium for this heating season. As of April 1, 2008, approximately 65,000 Wisconsin Power and Light customers are in arrears, up slightly from last year. Customers who weren't able to pay anything at all during the winter months owe 5.2 million dollars. Wisconsin Power and Light is giving customers until April 15th to bring accounts up to date. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/05/08) - State health officials are reminding consumers to cook raw poultry to safe internal temperatures before eating. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Services has issued a public health alert due to illnesses from Salmonella associated with frozen, stuffed raw chicken products that may be contaminated with salmonella. There have been no confirmed illnesses related to these products in Wisconsin. Products linked to the illnesses were produced by Serenade Foods, a Milford, Indiana establishment. WisconsinReport.com has more on this story. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/03/08) - Fourteen administration officials and airport representatives gathered Wednesday in a closed meeting to explain to Congressional Representative Tom Petri of Wisconsin why 204 Marines and soldiers returning from Iraq were barred from the Oakland, California airport terminal on September 27th, 2007. The military personnel felt slighted when they were deplaned onto a grass median between runways instead of allowed to taxi to the terminal and deplane there. Officials said it was a mistake and not an insult, and measures are being taken to prevent it from happening again. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/29/08) - Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton announced Clean Energy Wisconsin, the Doyle Administration’s strategy to strengthen Wisconsin’s energy future, in a visit to the Mid-State Technical College campus in Wisconsin Rapids. The comprehensive plan moves Wisconsin forward by promoting renewable energy, creating new jobs, increasing energy security and efficiency, and improving the environment. Governor James Doyle and Lt. Governor Lawton have been working to make Wisconsin a leader in renewable energy since the beginning of their terms in office. WisconsinReport.com has more on this story. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/27/08) - Senator Barack Obama has called for immediate relief for homeowners hit by the housing crisis, modernization of our regulatory framework, and an additional $30 billion stimulus package to jumpstart the economy and help protect families from the economic slowdown. In a speech given at Cooper Union in New York, Obama stressed the importance of pushing back on the special interests and honoring our obligation to one another, and that doing so is not just a matter of altruism but a matter of self-interest. WisconsinReport.com has more on this story. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/26/08) - Three more video service providers – CTC Telecom, S and K TV Systems, and Western Wisconsin Communications – have all applied for cable franchises in Wisconsin as a result of cable competition legislation which passed through the State Legislature and was signed into law by Governor Doyle late last year. These providers join Charter Communications, Time Warner Cable, AT and T, CenturyTel, and Comcast Cable, who have already applied for and received franchises from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions under the new statewide rules regulating cable tv operations in Wisconsin. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/25/08) - Nearly five people die each week in Wisconsin because they don’t have health insurance, says a new report by Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers. The Families USA report, the first-ever state-specific report of this type, is based on a ground-breaking national study by the Institute of Medicine, which in 2002 forged the direct link between a lack of health coverage and deaths from health-related causes. The new report released today by one of Citizen Action’s national partners, Families USA, shows that the health care crisis is a life and death issue. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/12/08) - Wisconsin's Deteriorated Urban Roads Cost State Drivers $1.2 Billion Annually in Extra Vehicle Operating Costs. Wisconsin's major urban roadways are deteriorating at a time when transportation funding in the state is inadequate to keep pace with needed repairs, and the cost of those repairs is rapidly increasing. This is according to a new national report released by TRIP, a national transportation research group. The TRIP report evaluated pavement conditions on state and local major urban roadways and calculated the extra vehicle operating cost (VOC) to motorists of driving on roads in poor condition. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/12/08) - With Daylight Savings Time here again and Easter 2008 nearly upon us, women in Wisconsin and other areas of the country, are turning their attention to this year's wedding season. One of the things they're concerned about is, what hairstyle will make them most adorable. A bridal website now gives brides-to-be the ability to upload their photo and virtually try on five different wedding day hairstyles via the Brides.com Wedding Day Hair Studio. In addition, women can also experiment with the hairstyles of various celebrities including Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Simpson, Jessica Alba, Hillary Duff and Beyonce Knowles. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/26/08) - Universal Pictures has committed to shoot portions of its upcoming film Public Enemies in Wisconsin. The motion picture will be directed and produced by University of Wisconsin alumnus Michael Mann and star Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. The company reached agreement today with the Wisconsin Department of Commerce on tax credits from the new Film Production Services Tax Credit Program. The movie script, director and actors, will bring to life the story of John Dillinger who robbed banks and was hunted by the FBI in the 1930s. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/19/08) - A Wisconsin legislative bill to add cellular phones to the highly popular Wisconsin “Do Not Call” list passed another hurdle today with positive action from the State Senate. Senate Bill 99 from Senator Jon Erpenbach does not cost taxpayers a dime, since Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection creates and maintains the list and charges fees to telemarketing companies to pay for the list. The Bill not only adds cell phones to the Do Not Call List, it also increases penalties, and has provisions for businesses. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/19/08) - The Wisconsin Senate has passed legislation that is aimed at creating Child Product Safety regulations. The bill was authored by Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point). Senate Bill 37 creates a system to ensure that state licensed and certified child care providers remove recalled children's products. It also gives the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection added teeth to penalize retailers who do not stop selling recalled child products. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/15/08) - State Representative Marlin Schneider of Wisconsin Rapids has introduced legislation to open the deliberations of the State Supreme Court and to provide criminal penalties against those who use the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Program otherwise known as CCAP to discriminate against employment and housing. The veteran Wisconsin Assembly Democrat is trying to do something for the numerous people who have contacted him about being victimized by the online Internet availability of court information that sometimes is misleading to users when incorrectly interpreted. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/15/08) - Polls show the gap between likely Wisconsin Presidential Democratic Party Primary candidate supporters is relatively small. That means that the Barack Obama campaign and Hillary Clinton campaign are both encouraging and seeking endorsements from everywhere, including the State of Wisconsin where primary voting takes place Tuesday, February 19th. In yet another sign of the growing support Senator Clinton continues to receive in all corners of the Badger State, the Wisconsin for Hillary campaign today announced the names of 23 new endorsers. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/04/08) - Veteran Senator Roger Breske (D-Eland) has come under attack for his opposition to a unilateral, state-wide smoking ban. The Northwoods Democrat has successfully fought a ban to date because he fears hundreds of small taverns will be forced to close their doors if not given ample time to prepare to any statewide law prohibiting smoking. Breske believes his real world experience running a family owned tavern/restaurant for over 20 years gives him some insights on what government regulations and mandates can do to small business. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/01/08) - The Writers Guild of America, West and the Writers Guild of America, East have announced they have reached interim agreements with The Film Department and Intermedia. The Guilds continue to sign agreements with companies that value the essential role writers play in making films, television programs, and content for new media. Negotiations between WGA representatives and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers team is still underway again. However, there is a blackout on any news of the details of the current sessions, imposed by agreement of both parties. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/28/08) - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is leading an effort to include an increase in Food Stamp benefits in the economic stimulus package currently being worked on by Congress. In a letter to Senate leadership, Feingold and a bipartisan group of eighteen of his Senate colleagues asked that they reconsider the omission of the Food Stamp benefit increase from the package, in light of the fact that experts say it could help stimulate the economy as well as help low-income Americans. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/24/08) - In his sixth State of the State Address, Governor Jim Doyle unveiled bold plans to grow Wisconsin by fostering innovation, seizing renewable energy opportunities, making health care more affordable and investing in education. The Governor called on lawmakers to work together and invest in long-term economic growth in the midst of a plummeting global market. Governor Doyle said America's economy is in deep turmoil and this will be a year of great challenge for everyone, including the people of Wisconsin and the government. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/24/08) - State Senator Kathleen Vinehout, who serves as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Higher Education, announced her support for a Cheese Cooperative Tax Credit brought forward by Governor Doyle in his State of the State address Wednesday evening. Senator Vinehout points out that in Wisconsin we’re known as Cheese Heads but this may not be the case if the government fails to give Wisconsin cheese co-ops the tools to stay on top of the competition. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/22/08) - The Federal Trade Commission has reached agreement with online sellers of alternative hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products that settles charges that Herbs Nutrition Corporation made health claims for their products without supporting scientific evidence. The company had claimed that their natural progesterone creams are effective in preventing, treating, or curing osteoporosis; are effective in preventing or reducing the risk of estrogen-induced endometrial (uterine) cancer; and do not increase the user’s risk of developing breast cancer. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/11/08) - One of the nation's largest banks is coming to the aid of a mortgage firm that has made it possible for many people in Wisconsin and other states to live the American Dream. Bank of America Corporation has announced a definitive agreement to purchase Countrywide Financial Corp. in an all-stock transaction worth approximately $4 billion. The agreement has been approved by Bank of America's board of directors and Countrywide's board of directors and is subject to approval by Countrywide's shareholders and customary regulatory approvals. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/11/08) - The fastest-growing union is calling the combination of the United States largest mortgage lender with the largest bank when both institutions are facing mounting losses and potentially destabilizing risks bad for consumers, bad for business, and bad for America. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is cautioning against uncritical and short-sighted support for Bank of America's attempt to acquire troubled mortgage giant Countrywide Financial Corporation. An official statement from the union suggests this may not be the way to save Countrywide from bankruptcy. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/09/08) - The Wisconsin Council on Children and Families is approving the decision by a key committee of the State Senate to recommend passage of a bill that would index the state’s minimum wage to inflation. Tieing Wisconsin's minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index would create automatic raises for those workers who are paid minimum wage. This would help people, especially those with families, keep up with the constantly rising prices of health care, and at the grocery and other stores people shop at for the necessities of life. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/03/08) - The most amazing man of his times, former Wisconsin Governor Lee Sherman Dreyfus passed away yesterday. Dreyfus was a Republican, but, it was amazingly difficult not to feel that some part of him was also a Democrat, and, perhaps, an Independent. Likely, at heart, he was all three. The long Dreyfus career in the public eye included several years as Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. He seldom was seen without his trademark red vest peeking out of his neat suit coat, and, his smile was as big as his warm heart. A number of Wisconsin dignitaries are proclaiming him much missed. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/28/07) - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold’s legislation to ensure Americans are not forced into mandatory arbitration agreements has been listed first by the Drum Major Institute in its review of the top ten public policies of 2007. While voluntary arbitration can be a fair and efficient way to solve disputes, Feingold’s Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007 would ensure that citizens have a true choice between arbitration and the traditional civil court system. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/26/07) - Just before the long Christmas weekend, Governor Jim Doyle signed legislation designed to provide Wisconsin consumers with more cable service choices, and potentially make consumer rates lower than might otherwise be possible. The Governor also preserved protections for cable customers through several vetoes. Under the new law, video service providers will continue to pay a fee to municipalities to support Public, Educational and Government (PEG) channels now available on local cable systems. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/26/07) - NewPage Corporation has completed the previously-announced acquisition of Stora Enso Oyj's (NYSE: SEO) North American paper manufacturing operations. The acquisition includes mills at the Central Wisconsin communities of Wisconsin Rapids, Biron, Whiting and Stevens Point. Combined, the new operating company, which will be called NewPage Corporation, will be the North American industry leader in publication, fine and specialty paper. NewPage Corporation, headquartered in Miamisburg, Ohio, is a leading U.S. producer of coated papers in North America. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/20/07) - The Federal Communications Commission has adopted rules to promote video programming diversity which the commission hopes will ensure that new video programmers can enter and compete in the video market. The Order adopted by the Commission (Tues,Dec 18,2007) sets the number of subscribers a cable operator may serve at 30 percent nationwide. In a further notice also adopted, the Commission seeks comment on vertical ownership limits and cable and broadcast attribution rules. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/20/07) - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has amended the 32-year-old absolute ban on newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership by crafting an approach that would allow a newspaper to own one television station or one radio station in the 20 largest markets, subject to strict criteria and limitations. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (Court), affirmed the Commission’s determination that this blanket ban on newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership was no longer in the public interest while remanding the specific cross-media ownership limits drawn by the Commission in 2003. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/17/07) - The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) has announced that 27 field offices around the state will be closed as part of a consolidation into seven regional offices. When the restructuring of the operations of the agency is finished there will be regional offices located in Appleton-Green Bay, Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee, Wausau and Chicago. These regional offices are expected to continue providing comprehensive services to taxpayers. The regional system will rely heavily on new technology. The plan is designed to slim down the agency budget. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/15/07) - Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle says his Administration is taking steps to respond to the recent news that the Domtar paper mill in Port Edwards, Wisconsin will close permanently in a few months. The mill employs 500 people in Central Wisconsin. It is not yet known just how much this loss will affect the economy of the area, but it is sure to have some kind of noticeable effect. The Governor says he is committed to do what he can to ease the situation for the families who will be affected, including talking to the Domtar company to see if state assistance might keep the plant open. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/12/07) - The Video Competition Act has been passed by the Wisconsin State Assembly. The Assembly voted to approve Assembly Bill 207 (12/11/07) and is being credited for taking decisive action to pass the legislation. TV4US Wisconsin, which has been working hard toward getting the Video Competition Act through the legislative process, and TDS Telecommunications, are two of the interested parties that are pleased Wisconsin viewers will now have the opportunity to choose from competing cable services. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/12/07) - Barriers to cable competition which have been in place since the 1970’s will be torn down following final legislative approval of the Video Competition Act according to state Representative Phil Montgomery (R-Ashwaubenon) and state Senator Jeff Plale (D-South Milwaukee). The Video Competition Act redefines the current cable franchising process by addressing new video technology and streamlining and centralizing the application process at the state level. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/11/07) - Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) announced that legislation she authored to create a fraud, waste and mismanagement hotline at the Legislative Audit Bureau has been passed by the State Senate. Senate Bill 86 requires the Legislative Audit Bureau to create a waste, fraud and mismanagement hotline where state employees and the general public can call anonymously 24 hours a day to report misuse of state funds. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/8/07) - Research findings show that mid-range ethanol blends fuel mixtures with more ethanol than E10 but less than E85—can in some cases provide better fuel economy than regular unleaded gasoline, even in standard, non-flex-fuel vehicles. The new study, cosponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), also found that mid-range ethanol blends reduce harmful tailpipe emissions. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/8/07) - Last month was tied for the second safest month of November since World War II with November of 1982, 1998 and 2000. In November of this year (2007), 54 people died in 48 Wisconsin traffic crashes, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The lowest total for November occurred in 1981 and 1991 with 50 traffic deaths. The deadliest month of November was in 1973 with 110 traffic deaths. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/5/07) - The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) has announced that Wisconsin is the first state to join the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in signing a Memorandum of Understanding promoting greater energy efficiency throughout the state’s industrial community. Joining the PSC and DOE in this collaboration are the state’s Focus on Energy program and CleanTech Partners. The goals of this partnership are to foster increased awareness, deployment and use of energy efficient practices and technologies by industries throughout Wisconsin. Click on the headline for more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/1/07) - World Aids Day is observed every year on December 1st to inform and educate people about the epedemic, as well as what is being done, and, more specifically, what the individual can do. HIV and AIDS can affect men and women, and their babies. Once a person has been exposed, how does one know they have contracted HIV, which can lead to AIDS? The Wisconsin Division of Public Health, Bureau of Communicable Diseases, has information to help you know the answer. WisconsinReport.com has published some of the facts online about HIV and AIDS. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/30/07) - While corporate income tax collections jumped 14.1 percent last year and individual income taxes were up 7.0 percent, Wisconsin sales taxes rose 0.8 percent, according to a new report from the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX). Celebrating its 75th anniversary, the nonprofit WISTAX keeps Wisconsin citizens informed through nonpartisan research. WISTAX researchers cited several reasons for the lagging sales tax collections. The organization says rising internet sales are likely one major factor. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/27/07) - American Foods Group, LLC, a Green Bay, Wisconsin, firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 95,927 pounds of various coarse and fine ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service. The ground beef products subject to recall were produced on Oct. 10, 2007, and were distributed to retail establishments and distributors in Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia. WisconsinReport.com has more on this story and others. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/24/07) - A U.S. District Court judge has found television infomercial star Kevin Trudeau in contempt of court for violating a 2004 permanent injunction. The Court found that Trudeau violated the permanent injunction when he misrepresented the contents of his book, The Weight Loss Cure They Don’t Want You to Know About, in several infomercials. The permanent injunction had banned Trudeau from using infomercials to sell any product, service, or program. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/23/07) - Wisconsin Assembly Representative Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) and Representative Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) have unveiled legislation that will repeal Wisconsin’s Unfair Sales Act which was put into effect nearly 70 years ago. If passed, the Competitive Marketplace Act would replace the Unfair Sales Act, also known as the Minimum Markup Law, which dictates that sellers of goods are forbidden from selling at prices below cost, and further requires that prices for gasoline, tobacco, and alcohol reflect a minimum percentage increase. The proposed legislation is expected to foster competition. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (11/9/07) - The State Senate has passed an amended version of AB 207, the Cable Competition bill, 23 to 9 on a bipartisan vote. State Senator Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) says the bill guts consumer protection for cable companies under the guise of competition. Another senator, State Senator Judith Robson (D-Beloit), voted against the bill, because of concerns of an adverse impact to local government channels, known as PEG channels (for Public Access, Education and Government use). The ammended bill now goes back to the Assembly for concurrence. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (11/7/07) - The Federal Trade Commission has created a consumer hotline for consumers who purchased “debt reduction services” from Edge Solutions, Money Cares, the Debt Settlement Company, the Debt Elimination Center, and Pay Help Inc. The FTC has obtained a restraining order against these companies, which allegedly falsely claimed that they negotiate with creditors. Affected consumers should verify with their financial institution that all automatic debits to any of the companies has ceased. More details at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (11/2/07) - Daylight Savings Time (DST) is coming to an end after an extended period, thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless company with the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, has made the appropriate adjustments to ensure that the correct time registers on customers' handsets when clocks for most of the United States fall back on November 4, 2007. The company says wireless phones on the Verizon Wireless network should display the appropriate time as soon as Daylight Savings Time ends due to the modern technology used. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (11/1/07) - The Department of Administration’s (DOA) Division of Energy Services and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) are urging energy customers to contact their local utility if their heat is currently disconnected. Consumers cannot be disconnected during the heating moratorium period from November 1 to April 15, if they are connected at the start of the moratorium. Energy-efficiency programs and the state’s low-income bill payment assistance programs are also available to reduce the burden of utility bills this winter. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/18/07) - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Director says the Community Pharmacy Fairness Act of 2007 threatens to raise prices for consumers, especially seniors. During testimony to a House Antitrust Task Force, David Wales, Jr. said the Act also could increase costs to employers who provide health insurance to employees, yet, doesn't assure higher quality care. Because of these reasons, the FTC opposes the Act, which is designed to allow pharmacies to enter into collective bargaining with health plans to secure higher fees and better terms. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/16/07) - Wisconsin cheese production set a new record in 2006, producing nearly 2.5 billion pounds of cheese, accounting for 26 percent of the national cheese market. Wisconsin's growth is fueled by the increase in national demand for high-quality, specialty cheeses, and Wisconsin's powerful dairy sector. Specialty cheese production in Wisconsin grew by 26 million pounds, accounting for nearly 45 percent of the national specialty cheese market. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/16/07) - The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) is holding public hearings this week in various Wisconsin communities to answer questions and to gather public comments on relief plans for the 920 area code. Hearings are being held in Sheboygan, Sturgeon Bay, Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, and Watertown. The PSC will determine how a new area code can be added in the 920 area to relieve increased phone use. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/13/07) - State health officials are advising people not to consume frozen pot pie products that may be linked to 21 Salmonella illnesses in 14 Wisconsin counties. The recalls involve some products with the following brand names: Banquet, Albertson’s, Food Lion, Great Value, Hill Country Fare, Kirkwood, Kroger, Meijer, and Western Family. All varieties of 7 ounce single servings bearing an establishment number P-9 or Est.1059 printed on the side are subject to the recall. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/9/07) - Credit unions are working alongside other financial institutions, businesses, organizations and government to lead the charge in teaching Wisconsin citizens better money management skills during Money Smart Week Wisconsin, which is taking place now through Saturday, Oct 13th. In total, more than 700 events are taking place across the state, and nearly all come at no cost to the attendees. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/4/07) - The Wisconsin Petroleum Council says the proposed tiered oil tax creates unintended consequences for the state's transportation funding. The Council claims the proposal might result in higher consumer prices because provisions to the contrary may be unconstitutional. The Council also warns that oil companies could choose to not deliver product to Wisconsin if the tiered oil tax becomes fact. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM – Higher gas prices, dry weather in parts of the United States, strong consumer demand and higher feed prices are behind a five percent increase in Wisconsin retail food prices in the second quarter of the year, according to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Market Basket survey. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM – State Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) unveiled new legislation dubbed the “Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin” program at the Wisconsin Local Food Summit in Stevens Point. The statewide initiative will help support the growth of regional markets for Wisconsin’s farmers by increasing opportunities for area businesses, institutions and families to buy locally produced food. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM - Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager has announced that a Dane County Circuit Court has entered a judgment against Bulk Petroleum Corp., in the Attorney General’s lawsuit against the company for illegally raising the posted prices of gasoline more than once in 24 hours in the days following Hurricane Katrina. (read more)...
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