Conservatively Speaking
State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) represents parts of four counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Walworth. Her Senate District 28 includes New Berlin, Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, Muskego, Waterford, Big Bend, the town of Vernon and parts of Greenfield, East Troy, and Mukwonago. Senator Lazich has been in the Legislature for more than a decade. She considers herself a tireless crusader for lower taxes, reduced spending and smaller government.
Flame Goes Out on Badger State Games
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Badger State Games are ending.
The Olympic-style summer and winter games for
State Fair Serves up Something for Everyone
A legislative column by state Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin)
Dead People's Names on Wisconsin Voter Lists
Opponents of voter ID law claim there is not proof that people are voting illegally. Their proof is few felony convictions.
Wisconsin's Cost of Government Day
The year is about two-thirds completed; however government is just now getting its fingers off your money. August 18, 2011, Day 230 of the year, is
Deadline to Sign Up For State's Do Not Call is September 1st
The deadline to sign up a landline or cell phone number on
Conservation Congress Public Meetings Agendas for September
Important Conservation Congress meetings take place during September. Hunters and fishers have an opportunity to discuss and voice their views about many outdoor issues. Here is a listing of the meetings scheduled for September and each meetings agenda.
Executive Council - September 2, 2011 Amended Agenda
Outdoor Heritage & Education Committee - September 10, 2011 Amended Agenda
Wildlife Health & Invasive Species Committee - September 10, 2011 Agenda
Wolf Committee - September 16, 2011 Amended Agenda
Trout Committee - September 16-17, 2011 Agenda
Great Lakes Committee - September 24, 2011 Agenda
Warm Water Committee - September 24, 2011 Agenda
Department of Workforce Development looks to recover $10 million
The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced it must collect more that $10 million paid to ineligible recipients during the Doyle administration and repay it to the federal government. DWD will be contacting over 82,000 Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimants mistakenly given a $25 supplemental payment during 2008-2009 as part of the American recovery and Reinvestment Act known as Federal Additional Compensation (FAC).
Letters will be sent with a number of options to repay the amount owed. The amount overpaid ranges from $25 to almost $2,500 per claimant.
Wisconsin's Conceal Carry Law
During June 2011, Wisconsin became the forty-ninth state to affirm citizens’ constitutional right to bear arms. Both houses of the state Legislature approved the bill with bipartisan majorities, and Governor Walker signed the bill into law July 8, 2011.
While the bill is signed and published, the law does not take effect until November 1, 2011. At that time, Wisconsin citizens at least 21 years of age may apply for a conceal carry permit.
Citizens wishing to carry a concealed weapon must satisfy a training requirement. Complying with the training requirement may include military, law enforcement, and security training that includes experience with firearms. Military veterans with honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions, or completion of military basic training satisfy the training requirement. In addition, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) hunter education classes, similar programs provided in other states and recognized by the DNR, and/or a current or expired license to carry a firearm in another state or country may satisfy the training requirement.
Absent complying with the above-mentioned training requirements, there are several options to obtain training. Completing courses offered by law enforcement or a state or national organization that licenses firearms instructors satisfy the training requirement. In addition courses taught by a state or nationally-certified instructor, and firearms safety and training courses offered to law enforcement officers or owners and employees of private detective and security firms satisfy the training requirement.
Important Information about Donation Scams
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has an important message: Watch out for donation scams following Hurrican Irene
Watch Out For Irene Scams
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has an important message: Watch out for donation scams following Hurrican Irene.
Audit Paints Cloudy Picture of Contract Sunshine Act
The non-partisan Legislative Audit Bureau today released a report on the state’s Contract Sunshine Act, a law that was intended to shine a light on government contracts and spending. State agencies are required to report basic information on contracts, purchase orders and contract bids totaling $10,000 or more to the Government Accountability Board (GAB) for publication on a Web site.
Though required by law since 2006, the Audit Bureau reports “… the Contract Sunshine Web site is of limited value in providing the public with clear, comprehensive, and useful information.” This is largely because the Contract Sunshine Act only requires agencies to report the “… estimated value of contracts, solicitations and certain other transactions ...” and does not require agencies to report vendor names. In addition, just 12 state agencies reported information to the GAB during the 2009-10 fiscal year. Thirty-eight submitted reports during the first four months of the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
