The Political Environment

The Most Amazing Scott Walker Flip-Flop Yet

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:11:00 +0000

Remember Scott Walker's "lipstick on a pig" denigration of the M7, the then-budding Milwaukee regional economic development effort?

Well, now Scott loves the M7 big time, according to a statement from his office about Republic Airlines' expansion at Mitchell Airport.

No mention in the release that Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, perhaps Walker's foe in the 2010 gubernatorial tilt, was an initial co-chair of the M7, or that Gov. Jim Doyle, allegedly so anti-business, put tax credits - - explanation here - - into the state budget that helped Republic expand in Milwaukee.

Ah - - why let the facts interfere with the spin?

Walker's release is self-serving, short and simple - - classic Scott.

Given his new love affair with the pig, expect Walker to "Shop The Pig" and show up when Piggly-Wiggly opens this fall in the old Lena's/Jewel on E. Capitol Dr.

Final Highway 164 Federal Court Ruling In Routine Reconsideration Delay

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:15:00 +0000

For those of you keeping track, a significant US District Court decision several weeks ago - - full text in a link, here - - that cited federal and state agencies for improper methods that forced through the reconstruction of State Highway 164 is in something of a routine holding pattern.

There was a teleconference among the parties on October 29th, but not much took place because - - in lay terms - - the agency defendants have asked US District Court Judge Lynn Adelman to reconsider his preliminary findings.

And the plaintiffs - - The Highway 164 Coalition and Waukesha Environmental Action League - - objected.

This is all pretty much pro forma, I am told, so expect a final ruling in three weeks or so.

Then expect an appeal by the state and feds, because the initial ruling slapped them pretty hard and could end up requiring a lot of remedial work on the project, or in its yet-to-be-completed phases.

The road reconstruction and expansion runs from I-94 north through Waukesha County into more rural Washington County.

And has been the subject of extensive grassroots objections for years.

Another lay opinion: I could see the ruling requiring that other taxpayer-financed projects be planned and executed far differently with regard to public input, environmental impact studies and other public procedures and protections.

To which activists would say: "About time."

Melodie Wilson's Death

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:24:00 +0000

Melodie Wilson was as classy and professional as they come.

Tim Cuprisin, now at OnMilwaukee.com, has some perspective.

What The UWM Chancellor Said About R&D

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:12:00 +0000

I was out of town when UWM Chancellor Carlos Santiago shared some of his thinking about new colleges and research institutes with athe Northwest Side Community Development Corporation, so I am catching up on my reading and posting this link to how Howard Snyder, the NWSCDC's Executive Director, took the chancellor's remarks.

For the record - - my son Sam works at the NWSCDC, but he didn't mention this presentation and reaction to me.

I am told, separately, that Santiago has submitted to state officials an initial $35 million land and infrastructure spending plan for the engineering and innovation school and center he wants to build at the County Grounds, in Wauwatosa at the Zoo Interchange - - with grants to cover half the initial sum.

Philanthropist Michael Cudahy has backed away from interest in donating to the new campus that Santiago wants located on the County Grounds - - despite suggestions it should be in the City, and certainly closer to Marquette University, the Milwaukee School of Engineering and the rest of UWM and the heart of the region's commercial and industrial presence.

That's a lot of money headed out of Milwaukee and the very neighborhoods and constituencies that most need public investments.

More on that later.

Rep. Richards Blasts UW Water Consultant Hiring

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:58:00 +0000

State Rep. Jon Richards has blasted the UW System's move to bring former DNR spokesman Jeff Smoller on board as a consultant who might help move water research and related development out of Milwaukee, where such efforts are taking shape, finally.

For Richards, a really tough statement.

Health Care Vote Hero

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:46:00 +0000

Dust off the label "Profile in Courage."

I especially like his ability to hold off the GOP's strong-arm tactics.

Waukesha Talks Tough On Great Lakes Water To The Wall Street Journal

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:01:00 +0000

I was struck by three things in today's Wall Street Journal story about Waukesha's pitch for Lake Michigan water:

First, the absence of Mayor Larry Nelson from the story.

Nelson is in a tough spot politically in Waukesha: he's a Democrat in a very Republican area, with generally pro-business establishment Republicans to court come election time next April, but also with generally Democratic environmentalists in his city raising questions about the implications of the diversion plan.

And conservatives already see the $78 million capital cost - - and about $5-6 million in annual operations - - of the diversion as a big number for the city's water ratepayers to swallow.

The best path for Nelson, like all chief executives, is to be on-the-job, on-the-case, managing a problem.

I also notice water utility general manager Dan Duchinak - - the spokesman fronted for the story - - saying that the diversion is preferable to going west of the city and buying land where there is available shallow and clean water.

So it's better perhaps to tangle with Milwaukee and force a solution there than it is to bump up against developers and municipalities to the west?

Again, let Duchniak deliver these messages, not Nelson.

Finally, the story ends with Duchniak saying Waukesha could end up going to court if the city's application gets turned down by one or more states "for the wrong reasons."

Better to have a threat to blow up the entire Great Lakes Compact come from a non-elected staffer than the Mayor, but I cannot imagine a worse public relations message being sent via a major national newspaper to the decision-makers, regulators and observers both in the Great Lakes states and two Canadian provinces with advisory roles to play.

SE Wisconsin Hit With Dirty Air Alert On Nice Day

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:48:00 +0000

SE Wisconsin did its Los Angeles air pollution imitation Sunday, through noon Monday, says the DNR.

Milwaukee Taxpayers Get Service For Their Payments

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:10:00 +0000

I was out of town for a few days, came back to a yard filled with leaves, and while I was doing some midnight raking Sunday night, who should drive by but the DPW leaf collecting crews.

In some service-starved communities, such an amenity would be unthinkable.

I feel the same way when the snow is plowed, or when the fire trucks and police officers roll down the street.

Milwaukee does pretty well by its taxpayers.

The Bush Legacy Still Stings

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:44:00 +0000

Some forget that the economy went into free fall during the late days of the Bush administration, wiping out the McCain-Palin ticket.

Without initiatives begun in the first ten months of the Obama administration, things would no doubt be worse than they are today.

Weak OWI 'Reform' Bill Is A Farce

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:38:00 +0000

Don't bother getting excited over the so-called OWI reform measure working its way through the Legislature that will make a 4th conviction a felony.

This means that for most first-time OWI offenders, a ticket is all that goes on their records, with two more repeat offenses rated as misdemeanors only before the hammer could be brought down on #4 - - if a judge has the will to actually impose a firm sentence.

Wisconsin law enables drunken drivers and repeat offenders the freedom of the road with minimal consequences.

Everyone else is endangered, thanks to weak-kneed legislators and influential lobbyists.

Gov. Doyle Should Sign The DNR Appointing Power Reform Bill

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:29:00 +0000

I hope that Gov. Jim Doyle signs the bill approved by both houses of the legislature that will return the selection of the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources to the DNR board.

When Doyle sought the Governor's office he had pledged to sign such a bill because the appointing power had come to the Governor through a power grab by former Gov. Tommy Thompson.

Furthermore, Governors appoint the DNR's board members, so there is some gubernatorial influence that would remain - - though the position would no longer be a cabinet-level political appointment.

Which is fine.

Signing the bill would honor the years of grassroots work by conservation groups and environmentalists to re-empower the DNR board and remove some of the politics that swirl around
DNR regulatory activities.

Declining to sign the bill would be a slap at constituents who, by-and-large, have supported Doyle in his campaigns for Attorney General and Governor and have done all the basic letter-writing, legislator-contacting and direct organizing that is supposed to make a democracy work.

Let's hope that the bill is signed, the issue is closed out, and everyone can move forward.

Does Regional Cooperation Include Fighting Water Rate Increases?

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:22:00 +0000

It's a good bet that water-seeking suburbs will attack Milwaukee water rate increase proposals even while talking a good game about regional cooperation.

The burbs will want water at the cheapest price possible - - whether it's a per-gallon charge or a service or tax base sharing fee arrangement - - reducing "regional cooperation" to little more than propaganda.

Panicked People

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:33:00 +0000

I find it amazing that people opposed to a possible government-run health care option continue to call it socialism.

It is no more socialistic than Medicare, public schools, or the Interstate Highway system.

Responsible conservatives ought to be out there leading the push for an honest debate.

A real socialistic government would be buying everyone a dictionary and forcing people to sit down and read it, beginning with the word 'option."

Monitor Calhoun Rd. Project For Lake Michigan Water Use

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:07:00 +0000

Just a reminder that when New Berlin and Milwaukee struck a deal in 2008 for diverted Lake Michigan water, it came with a pledge from New Berlin that the water would not be sent west of Calhoun Rd., where plans call for land use controls.

But now the Calhoun Rd. improvement and widening project is being moved to a faster track - - for budgetary and other scheduling issues.

So this is just a reminder that there should be no connection between the road work and the new water availability, right?

Repeal The Oak Creek Law

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:12:00 +0000

It's not widely known, but Milwaukee has been forbidden since the 1950's from annexing any more land.

That's because a special statute, the so-called Oak Creek Law, was adopted by the Legislature as a slap at Milwaukee's aggressive land annexation policies, and to help budding communities on Milwaukee's borders achieve independence.

The issue at the time was whether Milwaukee or the unincorporated Oak Creek would 'win' the right to get a new Wisconsin Energy generating station and the payments in lieu of property taxes that utilities paid to the local government where such facilities were located.

Milwaukee had annexed property with the carrot of water service: how ironic in light of today's efforts to buy Milwaukee water and divert it to the suburbs which want no part of Milwaukee's boundaries and social burdens.

Only Milwaukee is forbidden to grow and add to its tax base by state law.

I'd say the time has come to repeal that law and put Milwaukee on an equal footing with other municipalities statewide.

Rating Obama: B+

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:01:00 +0000

I know some on the Left are unhappy with President Barack Obama, and the Right thinks he's a Communist Devil, but the year since Obama's victory has been an amazing political feat for the President, a boost for his agenda and a benefit to the country and planet.

* He and the Congress prevented another true, Great Depression with interventionist economics.

* The Climate Change bill is through the House.

* Health care reform is moving forward.

* Some structural changes have been laid down on banks and Wall Street.

* Post-Bush arrogance worldwide is being rolled back.

That Obama could get anything started or implemented with the hand that was dealt to him is miraculous.

The Right will always hate Obama and resist giving him any credit.

I think liberals and Democrats, if reasonable and pragmatic, need to stand with Obama as the rest of this term plays itself out.

McIlheran Foams, Fumes Over Milwaukee Water Initiative

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:45:00 +0000

The Journal Sentinel's in-house conservative blogger stamps his electronic foot over the idea - - the very notion!! - - that Milwaukee might use its Lake Michigan advantages to lure industry and jobs to the City.

The Horror. The Horror!

Democratic Gubernatorial Defeats Troubling, But Not Fatal

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:19:00 +0000

I suspect that when the economy is better in 2010, Democrats will not suffer losses greater than typical off-year results for the party in power.

Virginia and New Jersey, with local tax and personality issues, do not a national trend make.

Definitely Use Water - - In Milwaukee - - To Attract Businesses

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:19:00 +0000

Kudos to the Mayor and business community for floating out a novel idea: discounting the price of water to businesses willing to locate in Milwaukee.

This is a much better plan for development in Milwaukee, and for the region, that exporting it to Waukesha, where Common Council members harrumphed at a recent special meeting there about water supply issues at the notion of helping in the water pricing to help Milwaukee shoulder regional housing, transit and other socio-economic costs.

If people and businesses want a sweet deal on Milwaukee: move into Milwaukee.

But don't expect Milwaukee to subsidize development to areas in Waukesha County where you can't find a lot of affordable housing, or get there by bus.

In fact: all the Lakefront communities - - Milwaukee, Kenosha, Racine, Manitowoc and points in between need to see their proximity to Lake Michigan and built intake and treatment infrastructure as a regional advantage and national recruiting boon.

The West has sunlight - - and there are plans afoot there to exploit the sun with solar power offering residents and business useful alternatives.

Good for the West.

The Midwest has wind and water - - key assets that if managed carefully and marketed skillfully - - can offer people and business what they need:

Clean energy.

Clean water.

And ample supplies of both at good prices.

Conservation and bet practices would have to underscore these arrangements, but with good water return and nwhat is needed by the MMSD, why not?

Glad to see barrett & Co. thinking cretively.

Save These Nuclear-Free Event Dates, Statewide

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:49:00 +0000

Carbon-Free Nuclear-Free Wisconsin is sponsoring several days of talks and actions highlighting the risks of promoting nuclear power.

Key to the activities are talks by energy expert and activist Peter Bradford in Wisconsin this week.

Mr. Bradford will be speaking at several Wisconsin events this week. Come hear what this distinguished expert on energy, utility and environmental issues has to say about how our state can be carbon free and nuclear free!

•Tuesday, November 3 - at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, from 7 to 9 p.m., Graff Main Hall Auditorium, 1725 State Street, La Crosse;

•Thursday, November 5 - at the Urban Ecology Center, from 7 to 9 p.m., 1500 E. Park Place, Milwaukee;

•Friday, November 6 - at the State Capitol Building, Senate Parlor, at 11 a.m., 2 E. Main Street, Madison; and

•Friday, November 6 - at the Future Cities Conference, at 4 p.m., Inn on the Park and the Capitol, central Madison (for more information and registration, see the conference website).

More carbon free, nuclear free events

Jennifer Nordstrom is a Wisconsin native who organizes and coordinates the Carbon Free, Nuclear Free campaign of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER). IEER's study, "Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free: A Roadmap for U.S. Energy Policy" describes how the United States can have a zero carbon emissions economy without the use of nuclear power by 2050.

Jennifer will be speaking at these events next week:

•Tuesday, November 10 - at the Menomonie Public Library, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., 600 Wolske Bay Road, Menomonie;

•Wednesday, November 11 - at Racy D'Lene's Coffee Lounge, from 3 to 5 p.m., 404 Riverside Avenue, Eau Claire; and

•Thursday, November 12 - at the Waupaca Public Library, from 6 to 8 p.m., 107 S Main Street, Waupaca.

Don't see an event close to you? Contact WNPJ's Carbon Free Nuclear Free organizer, Diane Farsetta, at farsettad@gmail.com or 608-250-9240, to request a speaker.

Coal And Uranium Mining Have Their Separate, But Related Consequences

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:36:00 +0000

The demand for cleaner air makes coal less attractive, so nuclear energy is back in vogue.

Wisconsin's climate change initiative endorses at least the consideration of new nuclear plants.

But as The Washington Post discovers, there are health and safety issues to uranium mining, along with the well-known risks of using nuclear energy to generate power the toxic waste that terrorists are said to covet.

Conversely, coal mining has its own set of health and environmental problems, yet as Milwaukee Magazine tells us, coal mining equipment in demand worldwide is made in Milwaukee, so all the talk about diminishing generating energy generation with coal could hurt employment here.

Coal...uranium...both with problems, all of which underscores the need for greater conservation and the development of wind power.

Though wind power has its detractors, too, with a proposed group of turbines north of Madison running into local flack.

As has happened elsewhere, and often led by otherwise environmentally-active folk.

So it's hard to please everyone in a culture that demands power at the flick of a switch, but also wants to off-load the financial, environmental and health consequences onto other states and rate-payers.

Political Realism 101

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:38:00 +0000

I will be disappointed if national health care reform contains a weak public option, but as I have said here before - - teeing off some more liberal readers - - there are times when you have to start somewhere, and major health care legislative action with a weak public option at least gets the ball rolling.

It's like the Milwaukee streetcar plan that may finally get started next year or so: a far cry from the light rail the city needs to thrive, but political realities intervene and things take a long time to fundamentally change.

It doesn't mean I have to like it, but that's the way it is sometimes.

Rail Could Calm Road Rage

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:23:00 +0000

I keep reading about Wisconsinites inability to handle roundabouts - - one in New Berlin comes to mind, as folks there seemingly cannot handle anything sorta new - - so it occurred to me that a nice quiet light or commuter rail line option might actually be therapeutic in these instances.

Off To A Bad Start: Waukesha Withholding Water Cost Data

jer45y@gmail.com (James Rowen) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:24:00 +0000

Crucial to Waukesha's Lake Michigan water diversion proposal under the Great Lakes Compact to the eight Great Lakes states is one matter of interpretation:

That the plan to be submitted for consideration is less expensive than other reasonable, relatively-comparable alternatives.

Waukesha has pegged its preferred option - - a pipeline connecting the City of Milwaukee Water Works for inflow, and a pipeline for treated wastewater for return to the lake via Underwood Creek - - at $76 million, plus another $5-6 million annually for operations.

The other options - - shallow aquifer well fields, or a treated wastewater pipe all the way back to an MMSD hookup - - at many millions more.

So how good are these estimates?

I asked Daniel Duchniak, general manager of the Waukesha Water Utility, to send me the documentation used to compile the estimates.

Duchniak and Mayor Larry Nelson had released the estimates as a part of their big presentation a couple of weeks ago at Waukesha City Hall.

You can access the presentation at this utility website, opening the Oct. 12 presentation powerpoint.

But Duchniak declined to provide the documentation, saying they were in the hands of hoi consultants, and did not respond to a follow-up assertion from me that these were indeed public records.

The consultants work for the utility.

The region and Waukesha are headed down a rough road if records used to produce public presentations are withheld.

I hope Waukesha rethinks its approach to Open Records; this is not the transparent process promised time and time again by Nelson and others pushing the Waukesha pitch for Lake Michigan water.