Wisconsin

May 27, 2009 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced the bids for the second round of road and bridge projects in Wisconsin funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act came in 11.66% lower than expected for a savings of over $10 million.

”Wisconsin is moving quickly to use federal recovery act funds to invest in projects that add long-term value to communities across the state,” Governor Doyle said. “The competitive bids that we have received for road and bridge projects represent significant savings for our taxpayers. These projects will provide thousands of good-paying jobs this summer for our residents, and improve the quality of life in our state for generations to come.”    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- MADISON - Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced a second round of bid openings for road and bridge projects in Wisconsin that will benefit from funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Bids will be opened tomorrow, Wednesday, May 27, for 38 state and local road and bridge projects around the state.

“We’re moving quickly to put contracts in place for projects ready to go this construction season,” Governor Doyle said. “Contractors already have workers out on job sites from the first group of ARRA projects bid last month. This next round of bids will put even more people to work this summer, providing the economic stimulus to lead the nation and state to economic recovery.”    » read more »

Letter stresses community and economic impact of dealership closings

5/22/09 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Wisconsin Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold, sent the following letter to Steven Rattner in response to the closure of Chrysler and GM dealerships nationwide. They urge Rattner to protect car dealers and consider the economic and community impacts of these closings.

May 22, 2009
Mr. Steven Rattner
Counselor to the Secretary of the Treasury
Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry
Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20220

Dear Mr. Rattner:    » read more »

Leads Bipartisan Effort to Help Americans Afford Better Housing

May 22, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is leading a bipartisan effort to help give American families more access to affordable housing. In a letter to Senate appropriators, Feingold and 17 of his Senate colleagues called for an increase in funding for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.    » read more »

Wisconsin Becomes 25th State to Pass Comprehensive Legislation Protecting All Workers from Secondhand Smoke

Washington, D.C. (May 18, 2009) -- Today, Wisconsin residents have reason to celebrate. The Dairy State is now the 25th state in the nation, and the second in 2009, to pass a comprehensive smokefree workplace law protecting virtually everyone from secondhand smoke in public places and workplaces.

The American Lung Association applauds Governor Jim Doyle and Wisconsin lawmakers for passing this important legislation that will save hundreds of lives.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, nearly 50,000 Americans die each year from secondhand smoke exposure. It is also the cause of a host of other diseases and ailments, including lung cancer and heart disease.    » read more »

More Than $3 Million Will Help Improve Public Facilities in Rural Wisconsin Communities

May 19, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold announced that Wisconsin will receive more than $3 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the economic stimulus, to invest in rural development projects in Wisconsin.

Administered by the USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities program, the stimulus funding will help improve six different community facilities in rural areas across Wisconsin including fire and rescue stations, a nursing home, public buildings and a school.    » read more »

May 18, 2009 -- MILWAUKEE, GREEN BAY, MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today signed legislation to make public places, including restaurants, taverns, and other indoor workplaces, smokefree. The Governor was joined at bill-signing events around the state today by business owners, health officials and smokefree Wisconsin advocates.

“It’s time for every person in Wisconsin to breathe freely at restaurants, taverns, and workplaces across the state,” Governor Doyle said. “A smokefree Wisconsin will save money in health care costs, improve public health and save lives. I wish the ban would be implemented sooner, but I am proud the state is embracing the healthy direction the world is going.”    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- MADISON -- Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today released plans to build one of the largest biomass projects in the nation and create construction and green energy jobs. A report issued today is the final step in analyzing how to move forward in providing steam and electricity to the UW-Madison campus and to heat and cool state office buildings in downtown Madison. Governor Doyle last year announced plans to stop burning coal at state-owned heating plants on Madison’s Isthmus.    » read more »

Additional Funding Would Improve Educational Guidance for Students and Families

May 18, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is leading efforts in the Senate to increase funding for school counseling programs that are crucial to the academic and social success of students. In a letter to Senate appropriators, Feingold and thirteen of his Senate colleagues called for increased funding for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP) so elementary schools, as well as our nation’s high schools, are provided with expanded school counseling services.    » read more »

AB 255 Aligns State for Recovery Act Assistance, Invests in Long-term Growth

May 15, 2009 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today signed into law Assembly Bill 255 (AB 255). The bill moves forward critical programs to help families through tough times, invest in long-term projects that improve the quality of life, and make Wisconsin a strong partner in the national economic recovery.

“Today we are taking critical steps to position Wisconsin to use Recovery Act funding to make wise, long-term investments in our state and its people,” Governor Doyle said. “This bill helps the people of the state through these tough times, strengthens Wisconsin’s communities and economy, and improves our quality of life.”    » read more »

Governors receive advisory group recommendations

May 14, 2009 -- A 42 person advisory group representing utilities, power generators, oil companies, manufacturers, labor, and environmental groups agreed yesterday to a set of Final Draft Recommendations that governors from six Midwestern states and the premier of Manitoba will use to develop a regional plan to cap and reduce global warming emissions.

The group advising the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord (MGGRA) members—Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin and Manitoba—indicated a strong preference for Congress to enact a federal level program to address climate change.    » read more »

May 14, 2009 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Doyle today made the following statement regarding the state Legislature passing a statewide smoking ban.

“I have worked throughout my career in public life to help prevent Wisconsin children from starting to smoke and help motivate adults in our state to quit smoking. Today, Wisconsin is taking an important step to save lives and protect our kids and citizens from the scourge of tobacco.

“I wish the ban would be implemented sooner, but I am proud the state is embracing the healthy direction the world is going. Making Wisconsin smoke free will save money in health care costs, improve public health across the state and save lives.”

Source: Wisconsin Governor

May 7, 2009 -- Acting United States Attorney Michelle L. Jacobs announced today that a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Wisconsin returned a twenty four count indictment charging five people with wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme. Charged were Paul J. Zaleski, 60, formerly of Richmond, Illinois; Michael Pembroke, 45, of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin; John F. Hochrek, Jr., 48, of Spring Grove, Illinois; Patricia Lynn Kay, 47, of Kenosha, Wisconsin; and Robert Farrell, 29, formerly of Richmond, Illinois.    » read more »

Social Security Recipients will Receive One-Time $250 Payment From Recovery Act

May 08, 2009 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced that Wisconsin retirees, disabled veterans, and other Social Security and SSI recipients will benefit from an estimated $267 million in one-time Economic Recovery Payments as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The $250 payments are expected to be issued by late May 2009.

“Citizens on fixed incomes have been hit especially hard by the economic turmoil,” Governor Doyle said. “The Economic Recovery Payments will provide some financial relief this spring for the retirees, disabled veterans and others who have given so much to our state.”    » read more »

May 07, 2009 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced more deep cuts in the state budget, as the state is facing a budget shortfall in the midst of the national economic crisis. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau next week will release figures that could show a deficit reaching $1.5 billion.    » read more »