Therese BerceauPDF:

The bill would place a graduated 1% to 2% gross receipts tax on any store that exceeds $20 million in a
taxable year, and that allocates less than 10% of its payroll to health insurance for its employees. The
bill applies only if the retailer fails to pay full-time, entry-level employees at least $22,000 a year; or if more than 25% of the retailer’s workforce is part-time. The revenue would go into the state’s Medical Assistance trust fund.
“Wisconsin taxpayers are picking up the health care tab for the largest and one of the most profitable
corporations in the world, Wal-Mart,” said Rep. Berceau. “While Wal-Mart is banking about $7 billion a
year in pure profit, Wisconsin taxpayers are paying $4.75 million a year (through state and federal
taxes) to care for 1,175 Wal-Mart employees and relatives in state BadgerCare, and 1,952 in Medicaid,” she added.

I was surprised to get the email below which is intended, I thought, to provide updates on the mayor’s activities. My objection is not that a position was taken on the referenda questions, or even that a link was provided to send contributions to those seeking yes votes. Rather, it was the characterization that those who think a no vote is the wiser choice are REPUBLICANS. That’s a mighty dirty word in this town.
I’ll be voting no on the expansion of Leopold. After educating myself on the issues, (thank you School Information System for providing such high quality, non-partisan, primary source information) I’ve concluded that building such a large school is unwise; more important, there are changes in the neighborhood demographics that argue at least for a fresh look. That means I could be persuaded in the future, but as things stand right now, I’m voting no.
As to the other two questions, I’m still trying to work out the answer. I resent being played by the administration over items like strings and I don’t believe the board has done its job, the careful oversight of the budget/budget process. I don’t trust the numbers and I don’t like the fact that Supt Rainwater protected his staff before the budget process formally began. Administration seems like a very fat piece of the budget and, at the risk of offending, also seems like it serves as the golden parachute for long-serving prinicipals as they edge toward retirement. That said, I want our schools able to function to educate our kids. So what I have to decide is if this vote will prompt the board to reevaluate how it does its job.
Does this make me a Republican?

(more…)

Mayor Dave released a memo to Department Heads regarding the 2006 capital budget Monday. A few tidbits:

• Two more swimming pools will be included in my 10-year plan; like the first pool, they will be built with a combination of public and private funds
• A new Central Library: included in my 10-year plan, funded through a mix of public and private support
• Streetcars: included in my 10-year plan; funded through a mix of local, state and federal funds
• Redevelopment of East and Towne malls along New Urbanist lines: private investment

Reasonable ideas, but for the streetcars… I’d love to see rail to O’hare, Milwaukee and Minneapolis.

WisPolitics is covering the Wisconsin State Republican convention via a handy blog. What’s missing? Video clips and a few mp3’s (they do have some photos!). Topics include, running against Herb Kohl, the 2006 Governor’s race and the many hospitality parties. Free thinking and linking, Bump links to others covering the event 🙂