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WCA is adding a new feature to WCA eNews that highlights county officials and employees as they reach anniversaries or milestones on-or-off the job, as well as transitions to new positions, different opportunities within or outside the county, or passing of former friends. If you have information, please send it to Michelle Thompson. |
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Iowa's 2007 record corn harvest, with most of the crop leaving the state for feedlots and ethanol production:
2.44 billion bushels.
Source: Des Moines Register, 11/21/07 |
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 The Director of State Courts, John Voelker, has filed a petition with the Wisconsin Supreme Court requesting that the court create a rule governing the use of videoconferencing in the courts. The full petition can be accessed on the Court's Web site: http://wicourts.gov/supreme/docs/0712petition.pdf.
The Supreme Court will conduct a public hearing and an open administrative conference on January 8, 2008, at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the matter. Public testimony will be taken at the hearing. Written comments on the petition may also be submitted by December 11, 2007. Responses should be filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Attention: Carrie Janto, P.O. Box 1688, Madison, WI 53701-1688. Courtesy electronic copies would be appreciated.
To assist WCA in formulating its response, we are requesting that counties review the petition and provide comments to the WCA office by December 4. Comments should be sent to Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf at diedrick@wicounties.org.
Please do not hesitate to contact the WCA office if you have any questions.
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 The December issue of Wisconsin Counties will focus on the economic impact of non-profit arts and culture organizations in the state of Wisconsin.
Keep an eye out for the publication next week. If you are interested in subscribing to the magazine, contact WCA Managing Editor Jennifer Bock at 866.404.2700. |
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On Wednesday, November 28, 2007, the Senate Committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs will hear testimony on Assembly Bill 184, relating to the investment by certain local units of government of funds held in trust to provide post-employment benefits (OPEB).
This legislation is supported by the Wisconsin Counties Association and has already passed the State Assembly. AB 184 is an extension of 2005 Act 99, which allowed school districts to create trusts to invest funds to help pay for the increasing costs of OPEB.
Under AB 184, these investment opportunities would be expanded to include other local units of government. Money earned through these investments would help pay OPEB costs, which include health care and life insurance, and allow Wisconsin counties to be on equal footing with school districts. |
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Wisconsin's minimum markup law prevents merchants from charging less than the cost they pay for an item. The law is often cited as a means of preventing big chains from driving small competitors out of business by using "loss leaders" to lure customers through the door. Cigarettes and gasoline are two areas frequently spoken of in this regard, but holiday shopping has expanded the discussion to all items, especially electronics. Learn more here.
Now, two legislators have announced they intend to try to repeal the law. Click here to learn more.
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New figures released by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau report that over the span of ten years, the State of Wisconsin is 87 percent deeper in long-term debt. This increase was three times the U.S. inflation rate over the same period of time. Officials cite a variety of reasons for the growing debt, including highway repair and construction projects, no-tax increase promises from legislators, and environmental protection and cleanup programs.
Click here to read the full Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article:
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Last week Governor Doyle announced over $1 million for 18 projects that will help to provide transportation for people with disabilities. Read the media release here. |
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 Registration is now open for the NACo Legislative Conference March 1-5, 2008 in Washington D.C. To learn more and register online, click here. |
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The National Association of Counties is now accepting applications for the Rural Health Works Technical Assistance Grant for rural counties.
Rural Health Works is a community assessment process that assists counties to evaluate their healthcare system and to generate county-specific data. The ultimate goal of the project is to strengthen rural economies by increasing the use and expansion of health services.
NACo will award a total of three grants on a competitive basis. The grant, valued at more than $18,000 for each county, includes intensive technical assistance on the Rural Health Works model. Full Story... |
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