Political Heat

Promise from Gov. Walker in 2011 that state would be safer untrue Every year when the FBI releases its crime stats, I make certain to follow up on a claim that Gov. Scott Walker made in 2011. And since the FBI released its crime stats for the year 2014 , it’s time once again to revisit that claim. In a signing ceremony where he put his signature to a new bill that would make concealed carry into law, the governor made the lofty claim that citizens in Wisconsin would be safer because of the new legislation. Since that time I have pointed out on numerous occasions that Wisconsin has not been safer due to the law . In fact, more crime, not less, has come to our state. In the graphs below we see that crime in Wisconsin was already on a decline from 2009 to 2011 (I consider most of 2011 to be a non-concealed carry year, since Walker signed the law in November). In those three years violent crime decreased by more than seven percent. In the three years after concealed carry was p...

Why should we take advice on workers' changes from a governor who spent a fraction of his time working? What would happen to you if you only showed up to work one day in the course of two weeks or so? You’d probably get fired, long before that month even ended. But it’s perfectly acceptable for Scott Walker, who spent only one day of July in Wisconsin after announcing his presidential bid, to work such short hours. From NBC 15 : Walker's official calendar for July released to The Associated Press under the state's open records law shows Walker spent one day in July in Wisconsin on official business after launching his presidential run July 13. That was to attend a Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation board meeting and to sign a bill banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The governor earns $144,423 per year. But for those 17 days campaigning and one day of actual work as governor, Walker earned more than $7,221. If you or I work one day out of 18...

Most in the state did not support his run for president The Germans have a word -- schadenfreude -- that describes happiness at the misfortune of others. There’s certainly no shortage of that today here in Wisconsin. This week, Gov. Scott Walker announced he was suspending his campaign for the Republican nomination to run for president. With recent polls showing terrible numbers -- one even demonstrating less than one percent of support among GOP voters (PDF) -- the demise of Walker sent a shriek of joy across the state on Monday. Walker has certainly been dealt an embarrassing blow, not only to his future prospects, but to his ego as well. His biggest challenge now will be leading a state that overwhelmingly disapproved of his run for president, and which now has a majority of its citizens viewing him in a negative light (PDF). Sixty-three percent of Wisconsin residents didn’t like Walker’s decision to run for higher office; and 57 percent disapprove of how he’s hand...

Statistical evidence shows that benefits programs actually help, not hinder, job creation overall The state of Wisconsin improved somewhat, but it still ranks in the bottom half of states when it comes to jobs growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Wisconsin ranked 30th overall in first quarter yearly private sector job growth . From March 2014 to March of this year, the state saw an increase of more than 39,000 jobs. That represents a 1.7 percent growth. For comparison, the nation as a whole had a rate of growth of 2.4 percent . For those keeping track, that’s a slower growth rate than the last first quarter report during former Gov. Jim Doyle’s last budget, which was in effect in the first half of 2011. During that first quarter report, Wisconsin grew 41,350 jobs, a 1.9 percent growth that was 16th in the nation .  This year's first quarter report pales in comparison to neighboring Minnesota, which saw a liberal governor take office at the same time as o...

The rich utilize government resources far more than they care to admit Or more "cents." Sorry. Arguments against a progressive form of taxation -- of taxing the rich more than the poor and middle class -- are not rare to find. And the rationale behind these arguments make a lot of sense, if you don’t delve into them too deeply. We strive for fairness in America. So it’s understandable that some might advocate for a fair form of taxation, wherein the rich and the poor pay the same rate to Uncle Sam. It’s a tidy argument that’s hard to refute in just a few short lines. That makes it very effective, but hardly right. The reason we can justify taxing the wealthy at a higher rate isn’t so simple. We need to consider other factors, including who benefits the most from the expenditure of government revenues. Consider the interstate highway system. Everyone with a car uses it, so it’s a good example to use. Yet, we should consider at what rate people use the interstate....

We shouldn't wait for Walker to end his presidential ambitions before we work to undo his damage In the pursuit for higher office, Gov. Scott Walker is embarrassing our state on a national stage . His presidential ambitions have created incredible moments of “facepalm,” of trying to explain to friends and relatives across the nation why we elected this man, three times, to be in charge of our state. He’s not our “favorite son” any longer; he’s truly the shame of Wisconsin . Just look at what he’s proposed and supported during his short presidential jaunt . A wall separating the U.S. and Canada. A health care plan that essentially eliminates coverage for millions. A desperate call to “trump” up support by promising to wreak havoc in Washington. It’s no wonder that his polling numbers have dropped to dismal levels on the national scene. And it’s equally unsurprising that his state numbers have tanked, too. Whatever happens in the coming months -- whether, by some freak m...

Rep. Sanfelippo OK with Attorney General election (currently held by GOP), but wants changes to DPI (held by Dems) The plan to make the Statewide Superintendent of Schools, the head of the Department of Instruction, a governor-appointed post, is a move that is mostly partisan and equal parts hypocritical . So, par for the course when it comes to the Wisconsin Republican Party. Rep. Joe Sanfelippo Currently the DPI is led by Tony Evers, a duly-elected Superintendent of Public Schools who won re-election in 2013 to his post with 61 percent of the state supporting him , a margin that is difficult to come by in a statewide race these days. Evers is also a Democrat, which paints a huge target on his back for Republicans to aim for. But a proposal to change the state’s constitution , introduced by Rep. Joe Sanfelippo (R-West Allis) would change that. Sanfelippo wants to make the position one that’s appointed by the governor , and approved by the State Senate. “[This procedure...

Public officials must serve everyone, regardless of their own beliefs -- a short rant on Kim Davis A sizable number of people are rallying to defend Kim Davis , a county clerk in Kentucky who refuses to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. After being told by a federal judge that she had to begin issuing licenses fairly, Davis still refused to do so, resulting in her being held in contempt of court and imprisoned last week until she agrees to comply. County Clerk Kim Davis Some consider Davis’s “imprisonment” to be a form of religious oppression, that her civil liberties are being threatened because issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples goes against her religious beliefs. But that’s faulty logic -- the same argument could be used by police officers to refuse defending a Muslim mosque, or firefighters refusing to rescue a Jewish family from their home if it were on fire . Such actions, were they to be taken, would be considered absurd, as these public officials...

Mayor aims to change direction of State Street, one liquor license hearing at a time Madison Mayor Paul Soglin recently vetoed the liquor license for a young restaurant on State Street in an apparent attempt to stave off booze-heavy businesses in the area in favor of more retail opportunities for the downtown destination. The thing is, Soglin’s veto doesn’t do anything to create retail . Whether the restaurant in question serves liquor, beer or nothing at all doesn’t matter – the restaurant will remain in place. Retail won’t grow because of Soglin’s decision, and his move will just hurt an already-established restaurant on State Street . Mad City Frites applied for a liquor license with the city of Madison earlier this month. The State Street restaurant serves up “Belgian-style French fries, made in Madison.” And beer with French fries, we all know, is a wonderful combination. Nineteen city council members agreed, with only one member voicing dissent. But the debate ...

Davis, acting under her idea of "God's authority," uses her position of power for selfish means UPDATE : Kim Davis has been found in contempt of court . The following is my blog post in its original form, before that ruling. It’s not an exact rule, but in my experience whenever I’ve seen people argue that their actions are governed by “God’s rule” (or any other variation of that), it isn’t for anything good. This excludes people who are trying to live the way they believe God intended them to in their private lives. Pastors, parishioners, and the like are certainly welcome to live in that manner. But when it comes to people who are acting out in such a way that their actions get them noticed by a wide public audience, it tends to be for something negative. In Kentucky, Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis is refusing to issue marriages to couples on the basis of their sex. The recent Supreme Court ruling allowing same-sex couples to wed isn’t enough to convince her t...