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A new Gallup Poll shows that consumers, particularly middle-income consumers, became somewhat gloomier in early February compared to a month ago. Over the weekend, 78% of Americans said the U.S. economy is getting worse, and only 23% rated the current economy as excellent or good. |
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Besides Wisconsin 's capital, there are cities and towns honoring President James Madison with his name in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida and in at least 31 other states. There are also 20 counties nationwide called "Madison. "
Source: Wisconsin State Journal, 2/17/2008 |
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 Today is Wisconsin's Presidential Primary and what was once thought to have no bearing on the election now matters considerably for the candidates left in the race. Yesterday, they were campaigning in our state, along with Michelle Obama and Bill Clinton.
Wisconsin has an open primary, which means you don't have to be a declared member of a party to vote, but you must choose between voting for a Democrat or a Republican. The primary determines how many delegates each candidate gets and these delegates are pledged to vote for that candidate at the party conventions in August and September.
For the Democrats, 74 delegates will be selected as a result of the primary. Eighteen so-called super-delegates also go to the convention unpledged to any candidate.
For the Republicans, the candidate who gets the most votes within a congressional district gets three delegates from that district. With eight districts in Wisconsin, the most a candidate can win outright is 24. But an additional 13 delegates are pledged to the candidate who gets the most votes in the state, and three more go to the convention as free agents. (Source: Wisconsinvote.org)
Polls opened at 7 a.m today and close tonight at 8 p.m. To track election results, and to learn more about today's primary, go to Wisconsinvote.org. |
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 A bill that would annually take from counties hundreds of thousands of dollars in utility aid generated by wind farms and give it to towns provides a needed incentive to approve the controversial wind projects, the bill's author says.
The Wisconsin Counties Association is opposed to the bill as it diminishes a revenue source counties need to run the courts, sheriff's department, human services and other costly services mandated by the state, said John Reinemann, WCA Legislative Director. "Any time we see someone trying to take away (our) utility aid payments, we want to discuss it with them. We expect there is some rationale for the bill, and we'd be interested in listening and discussing it with them," he said. Full Story... |
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 Lightweight utility vehicles could temporarily be driven on some all-terrain vehicle trails in northern Wisconsin if local officials opt to participate in a pending state pilot project being developed by the Department of Natural Resources. Passed as part of the 2007-09 State Budget, the pilot program is to be administered by the DNR, in consultation with the Department of Transportation, to evaluate use and effects of operating lightweight utility vehicles on all-terrain vehicle trails and routes.
Counties named in the budget provision as possible participants, pending local approval, include Florence, Forest, Sawyer, Marinette, Langlade, Lincoln, Oneida and Washburn. Learn more here. |
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Since 1990, Wisconsin residents have had a way to dispose of unwanted pesticides, chemicals, and other household hazardous waste though the Wisconsin Clean Sweep program. Unwanted or expired prescription medications will soon join this list thanks to a new pharmaceutical clean sweep program.
"Public interest in safe, environmentally-responsible disposal of unwanted drugs has mushroomed in recent years," explained Roger Springman, Wisconsin Clean Sweep Program manager. "We now recognize that drugs should not be kept on shelves if it they're not needed, nor flushed down toilets, or tossed in the trash. This new program will give Wisconsin residents a great chance to do the right thing," Springman said.
Fashioned after the current Clean Sweep program, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection will offer grants to local governments to host pharmaceutical collection events. It is anticipated that 12 to 20 collection projects will be funded for the period from July 1 to December 31, 2008. Full Story... |
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Information on the 2008 NACo County Courthouse Award is now available on the NACo website. Established several years ago, the County Courthouse Award is sponsored by Siemens and recognizes innovative governance by county elected officials from NACo member counties.
Award winners receive an engraved plaque that they can display in their county, recognition at the 2008 NACo Annual Conference in Jackson County, MO and a $5000 college scholarship to present to a graduating high school senior. Awards will be given out in three categories: rural, suburban and urban and all NACo members are encouraged to apply.
Applications must be postmarked by May 9, 2008 to be considered. If you have questions, please contact NACo Associate Legislative Directors Dalen Harris or Erik Johnston at (202) 393-6226. |
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 Registration is now open for NACo's 2008 Annual Conference & Exposition, which will be held July 11-15, 2008 in Jackson County, (Kansas City) Missouri. Register online and receive a $25 discount on your Registration Fee! The deadline to register online is July 3, 2008.
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 National Association of Counties' (NACo) President Eric Coleman is urging all counties to celebrate National County Government Week, April 6-12. This year's theme is "Protecting Our Children."
National County Government Week provides a great opportunity for counties to show the communities they serve the many ways county government works to protect and enhance the health, welfare and safety of children.
This year's theme coincides with President Coleman's two presidential initiatives: The Campaign Against Sexual Exploitation, which NACo is conducting in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and Aging Out of Foster Care, which seeks to raise public awareness about the challenges faced by children leaving the foster care system. Full Story... |
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