January 27, 2012
Assembly Approves New Iron Mine Legislation
Green Bay Press Gazette - Associated Press
Assembly Republicans scored a major victory Thursday in their push to help a Florida company dig a huge open-pit mine in Wisconsin's Northwoods, passing a bill to ease the state's intricate permitting requirements despite conservationists' fears the project will devastate one of the state's most pristine regions.
The legislation has triggered one of the most intense environmental debates Wiscosin has seen in years. The bill's opponents worry the mining operation will unearth dangerous chemicals that will pollute the surrounding watershed. But Republicans, looking for ways to deliver on campaign promises to create jobs, say the mine will generate hundreds of new positions and re-energize northwestern Wisconsin's flagging economy.
To read the rest of the article please click here.
Marquette Law School Poll Shows Walker Leading Democrats, Obama leading Romney, and State Divided on Policy Issues
Marquette University Law School
Governor Scott Walker holds leads of six to ten percentage points over four potential Democratic opponents in hypothetical matchups for a possible gubernatorial recall election, according to the new Marquette Law School poll. President Obama holds a similar eight-point lead in the presidential race. Likewise, the state remains divided over a variety of policy issues.
The poll finds Walker ahead of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett by a 50 percent to 44 percent margin. Walker leads the only announced Democratic candidate, former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, with a 49 to 42 percent margin. Walker leads former Congressman David Obey by 49 percent to 42 percent. Janesville Democratic State Senator Tim Cullen receives 40 percent to Walker's 50 percent. While Walker consistently leads his Democratic opponents, the size of the lead is within the poll's margin of error for all but Cullen.
To read the rest of the Marquette University press release please click here.
The complete poll results and methodology can be found here.
The Greece Next Door: Illinois Gets a Credit Downgrade, in Contrast to Wisconsin
The Wall Street Journal
Run up spending and debt, raise taxes in the naming of balancing the budget, but then watch as deficits rise and your credit-rating falls anyway. That's been the sad pattern in Europe, and now it's hitting that mecca of tax-and-spend government knows as Illinois.
Though too few noticed, this month Moody's downgraded Illinois state debt to A2 from A1, the lowest among the 50 states. That's worse even than California. The state's cost of borrowing for $800 million of new 10-year general obligation bonds rose to 3.1% - which is 110 basis points higher than the 2% on top-rated 10-year bonds of more financially secure states.
To read the rest of the article please click here. Note: WSJ articles sometimes load behind a pay-wall one day and free the next.
Walker Campaign: Grassroots Donors Help Fuel Walker Fundraising
Scott Walker For Wisconsin Governor
Governor Scott Walker's campaign announced earlier this week that it has raised more than $4.5 million in the most recent reporting period from a total of 21,443 contributions. 16,406 of those contributions were $50 or less, representing 76.5% of the overall number of contributions.
The Walker campaign finished the quarter with a combined total of more than $2.6 million cash on hand in the recall and general campaign funds. The campaign has raised more than $12 million since January 1, 2011.
To read the entire press release please click here.
Wednesday, February 1, 9:30 AM
Assembly Natural Resources Committee hearing on a bill that would set a framework for a wolf harvest season, as Wisconsin's wolves are about to be removed from the endangered species list.
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