Wisconsin

From the Senate Floor

June 18, 2009 -- "Every year I hold a constituent listening session, or townhall meeting, in every county in Wisconsin. After 1,188 of those sessions, I have heard a lot from my constituents on pretty much every issue you can imagine. But one issue in particular stands out, as it has consistently been one of the top issues raised throughout the 17 years.    » read more »

June 19, 2009 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced that Exact Sciences Corporation has received a $1-million loan from the Department of Commerce to relocate its headquarters and operations from Marlboro, Mass., to Madison. The company expects to make a significant investment in its relocated operations, creating as many as 150 jobs over five years, as it achieves its commercial milestones.    » read more »

June 17, 2009 -- MADISON - Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced that the Wisconsin National and Community Service Board (Serve Wisconsin AmeriCorps) received $1,955,505 in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funding to expand the capacity of 17 of its existing AmeriCorps programs in Wisconsin. In addition, the ARRA will provide $632,961 in education awards for AmeriCorps Members to attend college and place 199 individuals in AmeriCorps positions across Wisconsin.    » read more »

June 17, 2009 -- MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that 15 community projects would share $7,045,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to support infrastructure and business development projects.

“These Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds will create opportunities for hardworking families and strengthen infrastructure throughout Wisconsin,” Governor Doyle said. “These infrastructure and business development projects will help us to create good jobs and grow the economy of our state.”

The projects are as follows:

City of Dodgeville, Iowa County, $260,000 grant
The project includes the construction of a dental clinic and free medical clinic. Total project cost is $676,850.    » read more »

June 16, 2009 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced that Wisconsin residents, farms and businesses have saved more than $239 million in annual energy costs through energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives with assistance from the Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program. Wisconsin recently ranked fifth in the country for energy efficiency accomplishments according to a report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.    » read more »

Joint Statement of Senators Kohl and Feingold and Representatives Ryan and Baldwin on their Meeting with GM Executives Today

June 10, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold and Representatives Tammy Baldwin and Paul Ryan met with executives from General Motors (GM) to discuss the GM facility in Janesville.

The delegation members met with Troy Clarke, Head of GM’s North American Division, and Tim Lee, Vice President of Manufacturing for General Motors. Last week it was announced that the Janesville plant was one of three GM facilities under consideration for retooling to make small cars. Following the meeting, the delegation members jointly released the following statement:    » read more »

Wisconsin Governor Doyle Approves Central Wisconsin Transit Projects for ARRA Funding

June 10, 2009 -- STEVENS POINT -- Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced today that Central Wisconsin will benefit from transit projects in 14 small urban areas and 32 non-urbanized areas around Wisconsin. The projects, totaling about $3.8 million for the area, are possible through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding that has been appropriated for the state.    » read more »

June 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Today U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) questioned the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, about the administration’s plans to grant SeniorCare a waiver through 2012. SeniorCare is Wisconsin's senior drug coverage program, and the only program of its kind left in the United States that offers state residents an alternative to Medicare Part D.

“As you know, the waiver for Wisconsin’s SeniorCare program is scheduled to end on December 31 of this year. Currently, SeniorCare provides seniors in my state with high quality, cost effective prescription drug coverage. And, according to the Congressional Budget Office, it does so while achieving ongoing savings for the federal government.    » read more »

Lake Delton Receiving More Than $300,000 to Rebuild Dam, Protect Against Future Floods

June 09, 2009 -- LAKE DELTON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced that 34 communities would share $39,220,410 in federal supplemental funds under the Community Development Block Grant Program. These funds will help the communities recover from damage sustained during the 2008 floods.

“Wisconsin’s people, communities, and businesses reacted to the natural disasters last summer with spirit, hard work, and generosity,” Governor Doyle said. “Securing this additional federal funding will help families and businesses continue to recover from the worst flooding in our state’s history.”    » read more »

June 03, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today met with Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in Washington, D.C. to discuss opportunities for high speed rail projects in Wisconsin. The Governor has been working to bring high speed rail to Wisconsin and compete for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds for high-speed passenger rail.    » read more »

Federal assistance helps convert flood lands

6/2/09 -- WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that $19.7 million will be directed to Wisconsin under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The funding will help restore 4,040 acres of Wisconsin floodplains to their natural state.

“These funds will improve habitat, water quality, flood prevention and conservation,” Kohl said. “That our state had so many successful applications is a testament to Wisconsin landowners and our conservation professionals. This is a significant boost to sustainability in Wisconsin.”    » read more »

Letter conveys concerns of Wisconsin auto dealers

6/2/09 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Herb Kohl sent the following letter to Chairman John Rockefeller (D-WV), and Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Kohl urges tough questioning of James Press, President of Chrysler and Fritz Henderson, CEO of GM who are scheduled to testify at the Commerce Committee hearing tomorrow discussing the GM and Chrysler dealership closures nationwide.

June 2, 2009

Dear Chairman Rockefeller and Ranking Member Hutchison:    » read more »

Company Relocating Lab and Commercial Operations From Chicago to Madison

June 02, 2009 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced that Integrated Genomics, Inc. will receive a $200,000 loan and $50,000 grant from the Technology Venture Fund. The company plans to relocate its laboratory and commercial operations from Chicago to Madison. This project could create up to 18 new positions.

“Integrated Genomics, Inc. is exactly the type of company our state should be investing in – companies that are developing innovative solutions in the biotechnology industry,” Governor Doyle said. “I am pleased to welcome Integrated Genomics, Inc. to Madison and to support the company’s efforts in advancing and benefiting the field of microbial genetics.”    » read more »

June 01, 2009 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Doyle today issued the following statement regarding recent General Motors and Chrysler developments that might affect the Janesville and Kenosha plants:

“Today we are learning more about the respective bankruptcies of General Motors and Chrysler, and about the potential effects on Wisconsin, especially on the workers in Janesville with GM and in Kenosha with Chrysler. We all understand how important auto manufacturing is to the overall economy of Wisconsin, including the auto suppliers and dealerships, and the thousands of employees and their families directly affected.    » read more »

Expansion Projects Expected to Create More Than 100 Jobs for Wisconsin Families

May 28, 2009 -- LA CROSSE – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced $21.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding that will improve and protect important Wisconsin environmental resources, and create jobs for hardworking Wisconsin families.

Wisconsin is receiving $13,946,000 to make improvements at four U.S. Geological Survey centers, the most of any state for these types of projects. Wisconsin is also receiving $7,439,000 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to build visitors centers, improve infrastructure, and bolster conservation at its national wildlife refuges and hatcheries.    » read more »