Wisconsin

May 13, 2008 -- MILWAUKEE – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today issued an executive order directing his administration to take significant steps to reduce racial disparities in Wisconsin’s justice system. Governor Doyle called for swift action to implement specific recommendations presented by his Commission on Reducing Racial Disparities in the Wisconsin Justice System.    » read more »

Congratulates Export Achievement Award Winners as State Boosts Overseas Sales

May 13, 2008 -- MILWAUKEE – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced that he will lead a trade mission to India in November at the annual Wisconsin International Trade Conference in Milwaukee, where he presented the Governor’s Export Achievement Awards. Wisconsin’s exports grew 11 percent last year, and have nearly doubled since Governor Doyle took office. Wisconsin’s exports to India have grown by 29 percent in the last year.    » read more »

Agreement Takes Steps toward Developing Clean Energy and Fighting Climate Change

May 12, 2008 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United Kingdom (U.K.) and Wisconsin on climate change issues.

The agreement, signed by Governor Doyle and Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Minister of Parliament, promotes a working relationship between Wisconsin and the U.K. and builds upon current efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote low carbon technologies.    » read more »

April 28, 2008 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced today steps his Administration is taking to respond to the recent news that General Motors will eliminate its second shift of workers at its assembly plant in Janesville, resulting in the indefinite layoff of more than 750 workers in July.    » read more »

Alleged Dumping by Overseas Competitors is Costing Midwestern Jobs

April 24, 2008 -- MADISON - Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today urged the U.S. Department of Commerce to protect jobs in Wisconsin by stopping the flow of artificially low-priced lightweight thermal paper to the U.S. from overseas competitors. Appleton Papers, the largest domestic manufacturer of lightweight thermal paper, which is used for ATM receipts and many other applications, has major operations in Wisconsin.    » read more »

April 23, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

They died April 21 in Bayji, Iraq, of wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Killed were:

Spc. Steven J. Christofferson, 20, of Cudahy, Wisconsin

Sgt. Adam J. Kohlhaas, 26, of Perryville, Missouri

Map of Cudahy, Wisconsin:    » read more »

April 21, 2008 -- MADISON - Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced the grand opening of DreamBikes, a non-profit used bicycle store in Madison that employs kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County.

“Madison has long been considered one of the most bike friendly cities in the country,” Governor Doyle said.

Children biking: Photo by Karel Hermans (CC)

“It’s great to see the opening of a store like DreamBikes that will not only introduce biking to a new audience, but provide jobs and important skills to area teenagers in need.”    » read more »

April 15, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. Richard J. Nelson, 23, of Racine, Wis.

Lance Cpl. Dean D. Opicka, 29, of Waukesha, Wis.

Both Marines died April 14 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

They were both assigned to Marine Forces Reserve’s 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Milwaukee, Wis.

Source: DOD

$7.5 Million Dedicated to Development of Grand River Station in La Crosse

April 14, 2008 -- Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced the recipients of more than $100 million worth of affordable housing tax credits throughout the state, including $7.5 million towards the long-awaited Grand River Station in downtown La Crosse.

Wisconsin Governor Doyle: Photo courtesy Wisconsin Governor's office

The highly competitive credits have a net value spread out over 10 years and will be used to help fund multi-family developments throughout Wisconsin.    » read more »

April 10, 2008 -- HARTLAND - Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced $7,200,000 for Midwest Composite Technologies, Inc. in Hartland to help the company expand and create job opportunities in the area. The company will use the funds to help acquire an existing 69,000 square foot manufacturing facility. The project will create 13 jobs.

“Manufacturing is a big part of who we are in this state, and will pave the way for our future,” Governor Doyle said. “One of the top priorities of my administration is to help move industries, companies, and communities forward, and ensure there are enough good, family-supporting jobs for our citizens.”    » read more »

April 08, 2008 -- BELOIT – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today signed legislation requiring cigarettes sold in Wisconsin to be fire-safe. State legislators, firefighters, public health officials, and representatives of the tobacco industry joined Governor Doyle at the Beloit Fire Station for the signing.

Man lighting a cigarette: Photo by ores2k (CC)

“I am pleased to sign a bill that increases public safety by regulating tobacco,” Governor Doyle said. “This bill will ensure that smokers reduce the risk they pose to themselves and others.”    » read more »

April 08, 2008 -- EVANSVILLE – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced $4 million for the construction of the first soybean crushing facility in the state that will create the soybean oil that will eventually become biodiesel. Landmark Services Cooperative, a farmer-owned cooperative, was awarded the grant to build a plant with the capacity to process 20 million bushels of soybeans annually.

Biodiesel banner: Photo by Steve Rhodes (CC)    » read more »

April 8, 2007 -- USW-represented workers at Harley-Davidson Inc. factories in Wisconsin have overwhelmingly approved new contracts that raise wages, protect medical benefits and make temporary two-tier wages for skilled craftsmen.

The agreements were ratified by overwhelming margins in April by members of USW Local 2-209, which represents about 1,700 Harley employees in Milwaukee, and USW Local 460 in Tomahawk, Wis., which represents about 360 employees.

Harley-Davidson logo in chrome: Photo by Grant Matthews (CC)    » read more »

April 04, 2008 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide financial relief to Kenosha, Lafayette, Racine, and Waukesha Counties to help supplement emergency response efforts to the February 5-6 winter storm that produced record snowfalls.

Snowplows at work near Beloit, Wisconsin: Photo by OldOnliner (CC)    » read more »

Upholds Wisconsin Tradition to Protect Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Lands

April 2, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is continuing his strong support for the National Wildlife Refuge System by calling for an increase in funding to help meet the tremendous budget shortfalls the refuges face.

Feingold and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) were joined by 33 other senators in writing to the Senate Appropriators requesting a modest increase in funding for necessary operational and maintenance costs of the Refuge System. Each year, rising costs and inadequate funding for the Refuge System create huge maintenance backlogs and lead to staffing cuts.    » read more »