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Feb 14, 2007 Editorial: Doyle takes us forward Wisconsin's motto is "Forward." And, despite the wrongheaded efforts of conservative legislators to turn their petty bigotry into public policy, Gov. Jim Doyle has chosen to keep Wisconsin in step with forward-thinking states on the question of how to treat same-sex couples. more...
Apr 25, 2006 Campaign records muddy disclosure for Green’s travel MADISON — Travel records show that in the third quarter of 2003, U.S. Rep. Mark Green took seven road trips in and around Wisconsin to talk about issues he faces in Congress. But taxpayers didn’t pay for the travel, assures the Republican from Hobart. His campaign did. Among the trips was... more
Mar 24, 2006 National GOP chairman visits state, calls Doyle vulnerable Madison - Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle is the most vulnerable governor in the country of either party, Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman said Thursday in Madison. Mehlman, who was in Wisconsin to help raise money for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, said the state's race for... more
Mar 24, 2006 Democrats Say Bush Violated Constitution WASHINGTON (AP) -House Democrats want President Bush to say whether he knew of what they call a "fundamental constitutional problem" with the $39 billion deficit reduction package he signed last month. A letter to Bush, signed by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Henry Waxman of... more...
Mar 21, 2006 Feingold decidedly in the middle The full version of the story noted just below about the ads running against Russ Feingold brings in the Newsweek poll on censure: In a nationwide Newsweek Poll of registered voters conducted March 16 and 17, 42% supported censure and 50% opposed it. Among Democrats, 60% supported censure and... more
Feb 26, 2006 Caucus trial casts a wide net Jensen faces jury, but governor hopefuls linked to case have voters to face Madison - As the state Capitol's dirty laundry is aired in a Dane County courtroom, all three candidates for governor and more than a dozen sitting Republican legislators are going through the wringer themselves. Documents introduced last week in the misconduct-in-office trial of state Rep.... more
Feb 24, 2006 The Family Values Crowd Fails Average Families Since the Republicans are in control of every branch of the federal government, they are responsible for everything as well. They keep talking about how great this economy is doing but for whom? When I look around at my own situation and that of the hard workers around me, times are very hard!... more
Feb 23, 2006 Paid by state, he worked in politics 'Virtually 100%' of work political, former caucus aide says at Jensen trial Madison - A former Assembly Republican graphic designer told a Dane County jury Wednesday that "virtually 100%" of his on-the-job hours were spent preparing campaign materials during the 1998 election cycle, when then-Speaker Scott R. Jensen (R-Town of Brookfield) ran that house. Also... more
Feb 21, 2006 Democrats hear from Lawton While looking at the future of the Democratic Party, Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton emphasized her goals of making the state a better place during the Jefferson/Dodge Democratic Party's 13th annual President's Day Dinner at Plattdeutscher Hall Sunday evening. Lawton, the first woman to... more
Feb 20, 2006 Editorial: Race should focus on local people But fundraisers in Washington show attention placed elsewhere Wisconsin's 2005-2006 Blue Book includes a map that clearly shows the 8th Congressional District stretching from Waupaca, Outagamie, Brown and Kewaunee counties north to the Wisconsin-Michigan border. So why are two candidates for the 8th District seat traveling to fundraisers in Washington,... more
Feb 20, 2006 Kohl Campaign DVD Unveiled this Week U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., still without a major Republican opponent, is hosting three receptions this week to unveil what his campaign says is a Wisconsin first -- a campaign DVD mailed to more than 10,000 supporters. The events are set for tomorrow in Milwaukee and Wednesday in Wausau and... more
Feb 19, 2006 Bush brings energy initiative to region He will tour, speak at Johnson Controls today President Bush will be in Milwaukee Monday morning to begin a two-day, three-state swing to promote his energy agenda. After a midmorning arrival at Mitchell International Airport, the president will tour the lithium-ion hybrid battery lab of Johnson Controls in Glendale before heading to... more
Feb 19, 2006 Editorial: New name, old problem The Taxpayer Protection Act isn't much better than the Taxpayer Bill of Rights Like a laundry detergent that's advertised as "new and improved!" the failed Taxpayer Bill of Rights has been repackaged and given another name in the state Legislature. But when you open the Taxpayer Protection Act and take a close look at it, you'll see that it has the same basic flaws as... more
Feb 17, 2006 Joel McNally: Let 8-year-olds lug their booster seats to the hunt It would never occur to me on his birthday to say, 'Nicky, now that you're 8, we should go out into the woods with guns and find some real animals and blow them away.'Even for the gun-addled, NRA-groveling politicians in Madison, the proposed legislation to arm 8-year-old children with... more
Feb 10, 2006 141 programs on Bush's cut list White House estimates it'll save $15 billion if proposals to kill or trim federal grants are approved by lawmakers. WASHINGTON -- Grants for safe and drug-free schools, vocational education and reading programs for jailed young people are among 141 federal programs President Bush wants to eliminate or cut significantly. Bush has proposed axing most of them before, only to see Congress save them. The Office of... more
Feb 9, 2006 Regents support Doyle tuition-gap plan Members of the UW Board of Regents on Thursday embraced the principles behind Gov. Jim Doyle's plan to make college more affordable for low- income students amid worries about its potential cost - estimated at $63 million by 2015 - and unresolved details. "This is going to be a tough, tough... more
Feb 8, 2006 Some Democrats Are Sensing Missed Opportunities WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 — Democrats are heading into this year's elections in a position weaker than they had hoped for, party leaders say, stirring concern that they are letting pass an opportunity to exploit what they see as widespread Republican vulnerabilities. In interviews, senior Democrats... more
Feb 7, 2006 Bush, Feds Need to Fix Medicare Drug Plan I call them as I see them and was disappointed by President Bush's decision not to use his State Of The Union address to confront the widespread problems with the prescription drug plan, Medicare Part D. I commend the President for taking on this bold initiative to lower the cost of prescription... more
Jan 14, 2006 Wal-Mart law in Maryland boosts efforts here A law enacted in Maryland forcing Wal-Mart to pay more for employee health insurance could boost the prospects for similar legislation in Wisconsin and other states. But Rep. Terese Berceau, D-Madison, co-author of a bill to be considered by an Assembly committee next week, is not optimistic that... more
Jul 1, 2005 Downtown Project Gets $7.9 Million in State Tax Credits An investor group renovating the Alfred Uihlein Building in downtown Milwaukee will receive $7.9 million in state tax credits, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle said Thursday. Graceville L.L.C. purchased the 48,000-square-foot building at 318 N. Water St. in June 2003 for $2 million. The credits will be... more

College Democrats

Apr 25, 2006 8th Congressional District Democratic debate is Tuesday at UW-Green Bay GREEN BAY - The first debate at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay involving candidates for the 8th Congressional District seat will take place Tuesday (April 25). Democratic congressional candidates Steve Kagen, Nancy Nusbaum and Jamie Wall will respond to questions from a panel of state... more
Mar 29, 2006 College Dems laud debate stirred over Feingold censure Sen. Russ Feingold’s call for a censure of President Bush over the National Security Agency’s wiretapping has not received broad support nationwide, but Wisconsin’s College Democrats are hopeful for what this action could mean in the long run. While some members, much like the Democratic... more

Women's Leadership Network

Mar 1, 2004 Bush Administration Refuses to Fund Program to Protect Women As President Bush travels the country claiming that he has made the country safer, the evidence proves otherwise. The Services-Training-Officers-Prosecutors (STOP) program, created by the Violence Against Women Act ensures funding for programs that prevent violence against women. At least it did,... more...
Mar 1, 2004 Doyle Vetoes GOP Plan to Limit Women's Health Care Governor Jim Doyle is set to veto a right-wing bill designed to take health care options away from Wisconsin women. Three Wisconsin newspapers recently detailed exactly what is at stake and how important this veto will be. Outlook grim for 'conscience clause' By STEVEN WALTERS and PATRICK... more...
Mar 1, 2004 March for Women's Lives On April 25th, women from across the country will march to show that President Bush's assault on reproductive rights will not stand. Every major pro-choice organization is on board, and together, women will bring the facts to light. Meet Democratic leaders from across the nation and stand up for... more...
Feb 1, 2004 Bush Administration Continues to Terrorize Women A report issued in 2002 by the Institute for Women's Policy Research in Washington D.C. gave Wisconsin an overall grade of C- for the quality of life for women in our state. Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton, with assistance from the UW La Follette School of Public Affairs, the Wisconsin Women's... more...
Feb 1, 2004 Ashcroft Attacks Women’s Right to Privacy Attorney General John Ashcroft has made a direct attack on a woman's right to privacy. While Ashcroft has shown little regard for rights or civil liberties through out his reign as AG, his most recent abuse of power is outrageous. The Department of Justice has subpoenaed dozens of private medical... more...
Oct 1, 2003 Equal Pay: 40 Years Later, Struggle Continues In 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act to ensure that all Americans would receive equal pay for equal work. Four decades later, much work remains to be done. President Bush failed to support Democratic efforts to improve the Equal Pay Act. The Department of Labor under... more...
Oct 1, 2003 Bush Administration Continues to Terrorize Women George W. Bush and his anti-choice, anti-working family, anti-woman administration continue to soldier on in their fight to economically and socially subjugate women. A few lowlights of the Bush agenda include: Unemployment among women increased 41% within the past three years. More... more...

Agriculture

Feb 10, 2006 Milk-tax plan 'huge' for farmers President's proposal would cost local farmers $850,000 a year A three-cent tax on every hundred pounds of milk proposed earlier this week by President Bush would cost farmers in Clark, Marathon, Taylor and Wood counties about $850,000 a year, based on recent production figures. Clark and Marathon counties are the No. 1 and No. 2 producers of milk in the... more
Feb 7, 2006 Wisconsin's Promising Bio-Refining Future Won't Run on Ethanol Alone MADISON- President Bush's declaration that America is addicted to oil was paired with a pitch to produce more alcohol fuel, such as ethanol, in the nation's grain belt. It's unclear whether Wisconsin can overcome a late start to become a leading ethanol producer, but the broader idea of using... more
Feb 2, 2006 MILC Extension Bill Heads to President's Desk Four months after the Milk Income Loss Contract program expired, an effort to extend the dairy safety net program has finally squeezed through the legislative process. According to Wisconsin Congressman Mark Green and Senator Herb Kohl, MILC has successfully passed both the House and Senate as an... more
Jan 25, 2006 Kohl Calls for Increase Efforts in Monitoring Inspections U.S. Senator Herb Kohl is calling upon the U.S. Department of Justice to increase its efforts to prevent anti-competitive conditions in the livestock industry. In a letter to the Justice Department's Special Counsel for Agriculture, the Milwaukee Democrat urged a redoubling of efforts to prevent... more
Jan 24, 2006 Ag secretary testifies that bio-refineries are best opportunity for rural economic development In testimony before the Senate Agriculture Committee, Rod Nilsestuen, secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, said that ethanol bio-refineries are the key to opening a major new chapter in Wisconsin economic development. His remarks were part of a hearing held this week regarding... more
Jan 17, 2006 State of the State Address May Touch on Farm Issues Governor Jim Doyle will deliver his State of the State Address to a joint session of the Legislature this evening in the Assembly Chambers of the State Capitol. The speech will focus on the Governor's priorities for the next year, including improving education, expanding access to health care,... more
Dec 29, 2005 Editorial: Mark Green fails farmers Despite claims by U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Green Bay, that he had personally secured renewal of the Milk Income Loss Contract a critical safety net program for Wisconsin farmers it now appears certain that the year will end without the renewal that the Republican candidate for governor promised.... more
Dec 27, 2005 Doyle Announces Dairy Team Grants for 13 Producers Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced that 13 Wisconsin dairy producers received $48,704 in Grow Wisconsin Dairy Team grants to modernize and expand their dairy operations. The grants are part of a $2.4 million Value Added Dairy Initiative, which aims to strengthen the state's economy and its... more
Dec 22, 2005 MILC Now in President Bush's Hands After Senators voted 50 to 50 on the budget reconciliation bill, Vice President Dick Cheney broke the tie in favor of the spending package on Wednesday--which includes the two-year extension of the Milk Income Loss Contract program. According to U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, the MILC program has... more
Dec 21, 2005 Senate Passes Budget Bill, MILC Survives The U.S. Senate on Wednesday has passed the budget reconciliation conference report, which includes the two-year extension of the Milk Income Loss Contract program. U.S. Senator Herb Kohl says the news is a major victory for Wisconsin's dairy farmers, who can depend on the program to help cover... more
Dec 8, 2005 Secretary touts 'Grow Wisconsin' program State Commerce Secretary Mary Burke came to Sheboygan on Wednesday to talk up Gov. Jim Doyle's "Grow Wisconsin" business initiative, which she says has helped create more than 1,600 jobs in Sheboygan County over the past three years. "To me, economic development shouldn't be Democratic or... more
Dec 1, 2005 Doyle Call for Creation of Bird Flu Coordination Team Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle has directed the Department of Health and Family Services, the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture to continue preparation for a possible bird flu outbreak by creating an Avian Influenza Coordination Team. In a letter to each of the... more
Nov 30, 2005 It's Republicans vs. Republicans in battle over dairy program For a few Republican lawmakers, perhaps the biggest battle facing House-Senate negotiators on a huge budget bill isn't a high-profile issue like cutting food stamps and Medicaid or opening a stretch of pristine Alaskan coast to oil drilling. It's milk. Specifically, it's the Milk Income Loss... more
Nov 16, 2005 Seven Receive Grow Wisconsin Dairy Grants Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced that four Wisconsin specialty dairy processors and three local dairy groups received $140,995 in Grow Wisconsin Dairy Team grants to expand product lines, develop marketing materials and advance innovative management for dairy farms. The grants are part of a... more
Nov 11, 2005 Obey: MILC Extension Effort Gets Another Blow The chances of dairy farmers relying on a federal program to protect them from falling milk prices is seeing little protection itself. According to Wisconsin Congressman Dave Obey, the House Appropriations Committee blocked an effort to extend the Milk Income Loss Contract program for another two... more
Nov 7, 2005 MILC program may continue Wisconsin dairy farmers received welcome news Thursday as the U.S. Senate approved the continuation of a federal “safety net” program which provides financial assistance when milk prices dip below a set level. The measure gives hope to farmers that the Milk Income Loss Contract [MILC] program,... more
Nov 7, 2005 Editorial: Bush, Green & dairy farmers When President Bush was trying to win Wisconsin's electoral votes in 2004, he promised to protect the interests of the state's dairy farmers by securing the future of the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program. The MILC program is the essential safety net for America's working dairy farmers - a... more
Nov 5, 2005 Dairy subsidy program's fate still uncertain The fate of a recently expired federal dairy subsidy important to Wisconsin's dairy farmers appears likely to remain in limbo for at least two weeks. A renewal of the Milk Income Loss Contract Program remained intact in a U.S. Senate budget bill approved Thursday that has $35 billion in spending... more
Nov 4, 2005 Kohl Inserts MILC Extension into Senate Budget Bill The Senate on Thursday approved a $100 billion food and farm spending bill which did not include the extension of the Milk Income Loss Contract program. But that doesn't mean the dairy farm subsidy program is completely dead as of yet. On Thursday, U.S. Senator Herb Kohl announced that the Senate... more
Oct 28, 2005 Kohl, Obey & Green Secure Funds in Ag Spending Bill U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, along with Wisconsin Congressmen Dave Obey and Mark Green announced Thursday that the FY2006 Agriculture Appropriations conference report--which was passed out of the conference committee Wednesday evening--includes funding for a range of Wisconsin agricultural research,... more
Oct 27, 2005 Obey's Amendment to Keep NAIS with USDA Fails A Wisconsin lawmaker is not happy about the fact that the USDA will likely turn over responsibility for tracking animal diseases to private industry organizations. Wausau Congressman Dave Obey offered an amendment that would have prevented the agency from privatizing the National Animal... more
Oct 23, 2005 Farmers hope program passes Farmers are pulling down a lot more cash for milk than they did in spring 2003, but they remember. They remember how the federal Milk Income Loss Contract chipped in when milk was worth a few dollars less per hundredweight than it is now. The program expired at the end of September. Steve Case... more
Oct 18, 2005 Doyle Announces Dairy Producer Grants Recipients Another 27 Wisconsin dairy producers are going to be sharing nearly $89,000 in Grow Wisconsin Dairy Team grants to modernize and expand their dairy operations. On Monday, Governor Jim Doyle announced the latest recipients of the grant program, who include: Bruce and Mary Anderson, Whitehall,... more
Oct 7, 2005 Republicans delay vote on milk subsidy program Republicans put off a vote on an agriculture plan Thursday because of objections to extending a federal dairy price-support program. The Senate Agriculture Committee postponed a meeting on the plan, which would have cut agriculture spending by $3 billion. That plan had included a two-year... more
Oct 6, 2005 Senate Ag Committee To Take Up MILC Extension Just less than a week after the Milk Income Loss Contract program expired, the Senate Agriculture Committee is considering a plan drafted by Senate Republicans that would extend the safety net program for two years, but with less funding. As part of the measure, authored by Committee Chairman... more
Oct 1, 2005 Looking For Milk Money Wisconsin's Congressional delegation is pushing the President to make sure area farmers “got milk”---that is—The Milk Income Loss Contract Program. The Federal MILC Program provides cash to farmers when milk prices fall to low levels, but it expired Friday. On the campaign trail in Wisconsin last... more
Sep 30, 2005 MILC program is set to expire The MILC program is due to expire today even though lawmakers agree it needs to be extended. The Milk Income Loss Compensation (MILC) program, which provides a vital safety net for the nation's dairy farmers when milk prices are low, is in jeopardy of expiring as the new fiscal year begins.... more
Sep 29, 2005 Obey: Time is Ticking Against MILC Extension With just one more day to go, there's been a lot of talk about the extension of the Milk Income Loss Contract program, but not a whole lot of action in Washington. In a statement on the House floor on Wednesday, Wisconsin Congressman Dave Obey called upon Republican leaders to bring up... more
Sep 29, 2005 Dairy subsidy expected to expire soon A dairy subsidy program that pays farmers when the price of milk drops below a set level will likely expire this week despite attempts by Wisconsin congressional members and others to extend it. House leaders on Wednesday did not include the Milk Income Loss Contract, or MILC, in a stopgap... more
Sep 29, 2005 Price supports for milk in limbo Like a gallon of milk on the grocery shelf, a federal dairy price-support program has an expiration date stamped on it, and that date is fast approaching. The Milk Income Loss Contract program, or MILC, which pays dairy farmers cash to help them cope with dips in the market price, expires on... more
Sep 29, 2005 Lawmakers seek renewal of MILC program Like a gallon of milk on the grocery shelf, a federal dairy price-support program has an expiration date stamped on it, and that date is fast approaching. The Milk Income Loss Contract program, or MILC, which pays dairy farmers cash to help them cope with dips in the market price, expires on... more
Sep 29, 2005 Midwest lawmakers urge renewal of federal dairy-support program Like a gallon of milk on the grocery shelf, a federal dairy price-support program has an expiration date stamped on it, and that date is fast approaching. The Milk Income Loss Contract program which pays dairy farmers cash to help them cope with dips in the market price, expires on Friday. Rep.... more
Sep 28, 2005 Doyle Announces $475,000 Farmland Protection Grant A farm couple who lives along the North Branch of the Milwaukee River are getting state funds to build a permanent 100-foot buffer on the river and stream. On Tuesday, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced a $475,000 farmland protection grant for Gerald and Janice Merkel. The funds combine state... more
Sep 28, 2005 Random Lake farmer gets $475,000 grant from state Dairy farmer Gerald Mer-kel’s retirement plans have become a little more realistic with a $475,000 farmland protection grant announced by Gov. Jim Doyle on Tuesday. The 61-year-old Random Lake dairy farmer will be able to “step back” from farming within the next few years and let his son take... more
Sep 26, 2005 Doyle: Little Time Left to Act on MILC Extension Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle says that unless Congress acts now, the Milk Income Loss Contract program will expire at the end of this week. In an editorial piece sent to the state's media outlets, Doyle reminded farmers that the MILC program, which provides assistance to the nation's dairy... more
Sep 26, 2005 Major Fight Shaping Up Over Plan To Require Ethanol In Gas A major political fight is shaping up in the Wisconsin Legislature over a plan that would require all gas sold in Wisconsin to contain ten percent ethanol by next July. Supporters said that mandate would benefit farmers, while reducing gasoline prices and dependence on foreign oil. Key... more
Sep 24, 2005 Federal agriculture bill omits dairy subsidy Wisconsin dairy farmers may be some of the first victims of efforts by lawmakers to reduce federal spending to pay for hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The $100.7 billion agriculture appropriations bill for 2006 the Senate approved 97-2 on Thursday does not include funding for the Milk Income Loss... more
Sep 24, 2005 State dairy farmers’ federal subsidy may be washed up by hurricane aid Wisconsin dairy farmers may be some of the first victims of efforts by lawmakers to reduce federal spending to pay for hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The $100.7 billion agriculture appropriations bill for 2006 approved by the Senate 97-2 on Thursday does not include funding for the Milk Income Loss... more
Sep 23, 2005 Agriculture spending bill includes Wisconsin projects The $100 billion agriculture spending bill that passed the Senate Thursday includes $2.25 million for a Wisconsin farmer health cooperative and a host of other state projects. The cooperative provision, sponsored by Sen. Herb Kohl and Rep. David Obey, both Wisconsin Democrats, would be used to... more
Sep 18, 2005 Milk price safety net may disappear The safety net that the federal Milk Income Loss Contract program provides to dairy farmers when milk prices drop too low is set to expire at the end of the month. Some central Wisconsin farmers and legislators are concerned government leaders in Washington, D.C., may avoid taking action to... more
Sep 18, 2005 Milk price safety net may disappear The safety net that the federal Milk Income Loss Contract program provides to dairy farmers when milk prices drop too low is set to expire at the end of the month. Some central Wisconsin farmers and legislators are concerned government leaders in Washington, D.C., may avoid taking action to... more
Sep 18, 2005 Milk price safety net may disappear The safety net that the federal Milk Income Loss Contract program provides to dairy farmers when milk prices drop too low is set to expire at the end of the month. Some central Wisconsin farmers and legislators are concerned government leaders in Washington, D.C., may avoid taking action to... more
Sep 15, 2005 Editorial: Kohl, Obey for farmers The best measure of who in Congress supports the interests of working farmers is produced each year by the National Farmers Union. Unlike many other farm groups that work on national issues, the NFU stands squarely on the side of the farm families and communities that have suffered as corporate... more
Sep 14, 2005 NFU Recognizes Obey & Kohl for Rural Leadership The National Farmers Union presented two Wisconsin lawmakers with its prestigious Golden Triangle Award, which is the group's top honor of recognition for leadership on behalf of farmers, ranchers and rural communities. During its legislative grassroots fly-in this week, NFU honored Congressman... more
Sep 9, 2005 Doyle Announces More Dairy 2020 Grant Recipients Another 10 Wisconsin businesses will share nearly $30,000 in planning grant funding from the Department of Commerce Dairy 2020 and Rural Economic Development Programs. On Thursday, Governor Jim Doyle six farmers will each be receiving $3,000 to help improve the dairy business climate through... more
Aug 14, 2005 MILC Expiration Could Leave Farmers Less Secure Dairy farmers will lose an economic safety net next month if the U.S. Congress fails to fund a milk subsidy program. The federal Milk Income Loss Contract Program (MILC) is set to expire Sept. 30. It compensates farmers when milk prices fall below a specified level. The amount of money a single... more
Aug 14, 2005 MILC Expiration Means Economic Loss to Farmers Dairy farmers will lose an economic safety net next month if the U.S. Congress fails to fund a milk subsidy program. The federal Milk Income Loss Contract Program (MILC) is set to expire Sept. 30. It compensates farmers when milk prices fall below a specified level. The amount of money a single... more
Aug 11, 2005 Challenge for Mark Green Wisconsin dairy farmers need a hand from U.S. Rep. Mark Green. The Green Bay area Republican, who is a key player in the House Republican caucus, is well positioned to play a leadership role in the fight to reauthorize the federal Milk Income Loss Contract program. The program, which provides... more
Aug 11, 2005 Hurricane Blows Away Old Record Gov. Jim Doyle looked a little more apprehensive than 16-year-old Kellon Whitley on Wednesday evening at the beginning of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction at the Wisconsin State Fair. The record bid for the grand champion steer at the auction hadn't been topped since 2003, and Doyle... more
Aug 7, 2005 MILC Program Renewed? Wisconsin politicians are pressuring the Bush administration to reauthorize a milk subsidy program for farmers before it ends next month. The federal government created the "milk income loss contract" program a few years ago. It helps dairy farmers when prices fall below a certain target.... more
Aug 5, 2005 Sixteen More Dairy Producers Get Modernization Grants Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced that 16 Wisconsin dairy producers received $68,833 in Grow Wisconsin Dairy Team grants to modernize their dairy farms and profitably increase milk production. The grants are part of a $2.5 million Value Added Dairy Initiative, which aims to strengthen the... more
Aug 4, 2005 Farm Bill Forum to be Held Today at State Fair Wisconsin finally gets its turn to host one of the USDA's Farm Bill Listening Sessions today in conjunction with the official opening of the Wisconsin State Fair. The forum begins at 11:00 a.m. at the Special Guest Center Tent located on the fairgrounds, where USDA Secretary Mike Johanns will... more
Jul 31, 2005 State Tax Credit Will Help Janesville Farm to Add Jobs A new livestock investment tax credit program in the 2005-07 state budget will enable pheasant farmers, such as MacFarlane Pheasants in Janesville, to expand their operations and create new jobs, a company official says. A new pheasant hatchery facility on the MacFarlane grounds can generate a... more
Jul 29, 2005 Rep. Kind Wants Bush to Honor MILC Promise The expiration date for a government price support program for the dairy industry to getting closer. And one Wisconsin lawmaker is reminding President Bush about his campaign promise to get it renewed. This week, Congressman Ron Kind of La Crosse wrote to the President, asking him to honor his... more
Jul 26, 2005 Doyle Signs State Budget, Maintains Most Ag Provisions Surrounded by students, local officials, business leaders and other Wisconsin citizens at the Executive Residence, Governor Jim Doyle signed into law a budget that he claims balances the state's $1.6 billion deficit without raising taxes, while protecting education and freezing property taxes.... more
Jul 24, 2005 Doyle Announces $5 Million in State Budget for Bio-Based Industry Development Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle said he would sign into the state budget up to $5 million for agricultural and forestry bio-industry development. The funds are part of a major new bio-based initiative announced in June. "A growing bio-economy will help rural communities and local farmers secure a place... more
Jul 18, 2005 Governor Declares Statewide Drought Emergency For the first time in nearly two years, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle has declared a statewide drought emergency. The executive order--which was signed by Doyle on Friday--will allow the Department of Natural Resources to expedite farmers' requests for temporary irrigation permits to divert stream... more
Jul 16, 2005 Doyle Declares Drought Emergency It's not the Dust Bowl. It's not even 1988. But it is dry out there. From Superior to Kenosha, Wisconsin is in the grip of mild to severe drought conditions. The southeastern area of the state is the hardest hit, but Madison has also suffered. According to the National Weather Service, Madison... more
Jul 16, 2005 Doyle Issues Drought Emergency If it doesn’t rain at least 2 to 4 inches in the next week or so, Dave Daniels may not have much corn, soybeans, wheat or alfalfa to feed the 360 cows on his Kenosha County dairy farm. Like others across much of the state, Daniels and his crops are feeling the effects of a dry spell. It’s gotten... more
Jul 10, 2005 Senators Back Food Safety Bill Both U.S. senators from Wisconsin are supporting a bill to strengthen the authority of the U.S. Department of Agriculture - authority that was struck down by federal court about four years ago. The Meat and Poultry Pathogen and Reduction Act stems from a 2001 court case, Supreme Beef v. USDA, in... more
Jul 7, 2005 Bill Provision Could Help Farmers Gain Access to Affordable Health Benefits Wisconsin farmers could gain improved access to affordable health benefit plans under a provision to the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Bill added by two Wisconsin lawmakers. U.S. Senator Herb Kohl and Congressman Dave Obey sponsored the provision, which will provide $2.25 million for a... more
Jul 5, 2005 Bill Strengthens Meat and Poultry Safety Rules Both of Wisconsin's U.S. Senators joined Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa in co-sponsoring legislation to strengthen rules against microbial pathogens in meat and poultry. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold say the measure, also known as 'Kevin's Law', would give the U.S. Department of Agriculture the authority... more
Jun 30, 2005 Feingold, Obey Announce Grant for State Ginseng Farmers U.S. Senator Russ Feingold and Congressman Dave Obey announced that the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin has received a Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program grant of $76,500 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The two Wisconsin Democrats say the grant will help Wisconsin ginseng... more
Jun 28, 2005 Doyle to Host Ag Trade Mission to Europe in November If you are interested in expanding your agricultural business in the rapidly developing European economies of Poland and the Czech Republic, you might consider joining Governor Doyle's next European Trade Mission. The trip is planned for November 8-16, which includes meetings with potential new... more
Jun 22, 2005 Kohl Secures Funding for State Ag Projects U.S. Senator Herb Kohl says the fiscal year 2006 Agriculture Appropriations bill includes funding for a range of Wisconsin agricultural research, management and conservation projects. The Milwaukee Democrat, who is the leading Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee,... more
Jun 20, 2005 Doyle Appoints Consortium on Biobased Industry Governor Jim Doyle has announced the names of his new Consortium on Biobased Industry. On Friday, the governor appointed the diverse group of citizens to help guide the state's commitment to the emerging bioeconomy, including renewable fuels and energy and biobased products. "My vision is to make... more
Jun 19, 2005 Doyle Announces Biobased Energy Consortium Governor Jim Doyle announced Friday morning the formation of a new bioenergy consortium in Wisconsin. The Consortium on Biobased Industry, composed of various experts in both the public and private sectors, will work with the State Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the... more
Jun 17, 2005 Doyle To Announce Consortium on Biobased Industry Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle has put together a team of people to work on boosting the state's emerging biobased industry. On Friday, he will introduce the members of a new 'Consortium on Biobased Industry' in Madison at Virent Energy Systems. more
May 26, 2005 New 'Alice' Gets New Tahoe to Promote E85 Fuels Wisconsin's new Alice in Dairyland should have no problem getting out her message about ethanol and other renewable fuels. That's because General Motors will be providing Gena Cooper with an E85-capable Chevrolet Tahoe to drive this year. The vehicle will be handed over to the Wisconsin Corn... more
May 20, 2005 Dairy Entrepreneurs Eligible for $1.2 Million in Grants Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced Thursday that $1.2 million in grant money is available to dairy producers and processors to reinvigorate dairy. The latest funds are part of a second round of grants under the Governor's economic development plan. "Since the earliest days of our state, the... more
May 19, 2005 Traveling 'State Capital' Won't Over Look Agriculture Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle is taking the state government on the road today to Jefferson County as part of his effort to make sure rural citizens have their voices heard. And as part of that process, Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen will also be heading to several specific locations. During... more
May 3, 2005 Kind Offers Family Farmer Health Care Plan Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind has introduced a comprehensive plan to offer affordable healthcare coverage to millions of working families, such as small business owners and family farm producers. The Small Employer and Family Farmer Health Benefits Program would allow participants to pool their... more
May 2, 2005 Aiding Farmers, Small Business National Small Business Week finished on Saturday, and most government officials will now go back to neglecting the concerns of the farmers and ranchers, shopkeepers and professionals who sustain America's economy, come up with most of the new ideas that matter and provide the backbone to so many... more
Apr 27, 2005 A New Brand of Cheese to be Debuted Governor Jim Doyle will announce that the premium aged cheddar produced by the Black Creek plant of the Alto Dairy Cooperative will be available to cheese connoisseurs throughout the nation under the brand name "Black Creek Classic Cheddar." The product will be debuted during a ceremony planned... more
Apr 22, 2005 Feingold Offers New Milk Marketing, Ginseng Legislation U.S. Senator Russ Feingold has introduced two new bills that directly benefit the state's agricultural industry. The Middleton Democrat this week introduced the Federal Milk Marketing Reform Act of 2005, and re-introduced his Ginseng Harvest Labeling Act. more
Apr 20, 2005 More Organic Dairy Graziers Awarded with Grants Governor Jim Doyle announced that two organic Wisconsin dairy graziers received $11,082 in Grow Wisconsin Dairy Team grants to grow and preserve the state's dairy industry. The latest recipients include Moehn Acres of Hilbert, which will get $7,500 to assist with engineering and layout in... more
Apr 19, 2005 Feingold Bill Seeks to Protect Dairy Farmers U.S. Senator Russ Feingold has introduced the Quality Cheese Act of 2005 this week, which would prevent the Food and Drug Administration from making changes to the official definition of "milk" used in natural cheese products without thorough review and consideration of the impact on U.S. dairy... more
Apr 18, 2005 Governor's Conference to Focus on Exporting Small and medium sized businesses interested in learning how to begin exporting will want to attend the Governor's Conference on Exporting on May 17 at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee. The event is being organized by Governor Doyle's Wisconsin International Trade Council. The conference... more
Mar 29, 2005 Governor Announces Another 38 Dairy Team Grants isconsin Governor Jim Doyle is providing another 38 state dairy operations with over $172,000 in Grow Wisconsin Dairy Team grants to implement their farm modernization plans and increase the state's milk production. According to Doyle, the state's $20 billion dairy industry depends on our... more
Mar 29, 2005 Kohl Touts Value of Strong Dairy Industry A strong dairy industry is crucial to the state of Wisconsin and county of Manitowoc, U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl told a luncheon audience at the Inn on Maritime Bay on Monday. “Rural America needs help. If we didn’t have any kind of farm bill there would be even more poverty, more people driven out of... more
Mar 25, 2005 Kohl Extends Hunger Task Force, Cheese Project The U.S. Department of Agriculture has agreed to extend the waiver needed by Hunger Task Force, Inc. to continue a successful pilot project to convert government provided dry milk into mozzarella cheese used by local food pantries and shelters. U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, who is the senior Democrat... more
Mar 21, 2005 Sen. Kohl to Address AMPI Meeting Today U.S. Senator Herb Kohl will be in Minneapolis today to address the opening session of the Associated Milk Producers, Inc. annual delegate meeting. AMPI is a dairy market cooperative of approximately 5,000 members who operate dairy farms throughout the Midwest, including Wisconsin. Last month,... more
Mar 19, 2005 Budget Amendment Fights for Small Family Farms Wisconsin Congressman Rep. Ron Kind attempted to offer an amendment in the House Budget Committee to lower the commodity payment limitation from the current cap of $360,000 down to $250,000. As part of his proposal--which failed to get approval last week--the La Crosse Democrat asserted the... more

Civil Rights

Apr 25, 2006 Spencer Coggs Supports Cleaning up Poll Lists I wonder if he's thought this through. Because I think his idea only reinforces the fact that the poll list situation in Wisconsin is a farce. (Which is a huge part of the argument in favor of requiring voters to prove who they are on election day). State Sen. Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee) has... more
Apr 19, 2006 Feingold Internet ad targets surveillance Washington - A new Internet ad by Senate Democrat Russ Feingold portrays George Washington as an opponent of domestic surveillance. Feingold wants to censure President Bush over the once-secret government surveillance program launched after the Sept. 11 attacks. In an Internet video... more
Apr 3, 2006 U.S. Rep. Green: Voters with Driver's Licenses Should Bring them to Polls Tuesday if Possible For additional information or comment from Rep. Green, contact: Luke Punzenberger (office) 202-226-7385 (pager) 800-759-8888 PIN 1754041 Green warns that new State Elections Board rule allowing all voters to register using partial Social Security numbers may not comply with federal... more
Mar 21, 2006 Voting changes coming in April New federal law makes registration lists mandatory MADISON — Voters in Wisconsin's smallest communities will have to do something new before they can cast ballots in next month's spring election: register to vote. State law does not require towns and villages with populations under 5,000 to maintain voter registration records, affecting... more
Mar 11, 2006 Feingold calls for Bush's censure Washington - U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold this morning called for the censure of President Bush for what the senator called the "illegal wiretapping" of Americans. The Wisconsin Democrat, speaking on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" on ABC News,... more
Mar 2, 2006 Same-sex marriage ban will take away rights — and not only for gays I got a phone call from a woman in a rural county. She had read a recent guest column by Bill Steffenhagen, who argued against a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. She had a lot of questions, and I referred her to a gay rights group in Madison. Since she found out that... more
Mar 1, 2006 Democrat calls voters to action The time has come for the Democratic Party to stand up to Republicans and set the tone of the discussion heading into the 2006 elections, the party's chairperson told a group of students and residents Tuesday at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Joe Wineke was in town to promote what... more
Mar 1, 2006 Wineke: Amendment doesn't protect but stirs pot Supporters say the constitutional amendment we will be asked to evaluate in the November election will protect the institution of marriage against a supposed threat by gay lovers. It does no such thing. For better or worse, the institution of marriage will be the same the day after the... more
Feb 28, 2006 Editorial: No to warrantless wiretaps Disclosures that the federal government has been eavesdropping on the international phone calls and e-mails of U.S. citizens generated a wave of outrage that included demands for a legisla