An endorsement I share by a good county supervisor and friend, Dianne Hasselbein:
I endorse Scott McDonell as the very best choice for Dane County Executive. He is honest, a gifted administrator and a proven leader who understands our community’s needs, strengths and challenges. He has demonstrated his vision by spearheading the efforts to bring clean energy to Dane County, by endorsing a smoke-free Dane county, and by his consensus-building actions that led to the state's first county domestic partnership registry.
In a time of deficits and high unemployment, Scott has championed tax-saving efforts, county wide. He continuously scrutinizes county spending to ensure that every county project is required, and then prioritizes to get the most from every tax dollar that is spent. His ongoing efforts made certain that county facility improvements employed efficient, green energy technologies. The results: reduced county costs and the creation of 150 new clean energy jobs.
Scott brings the right leadership we need at the right moment. As a veteran member and current Chairman of the Dane County Board of Supervisors, he will bring his knowledge and expertise to the County Executive position to listen, communicate and act in the best interests of our great community. I am confident he will use his tremendous skills to effectively collective bargain with our public employees and achieve the best contract that serves our citizenry and public workers while guarding the budget. Scott McDonell is that kind of leader.
For the right leader at the right time, join me in voting for Scott McDonell as our next Dane County Executive.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
It Is Time For Mayor Dave To Go!
Since Mayor Dave has taken office as mayor of Madison - our local government has cost the tax payers millions of dollars because of poor management, needless, endless spending, expanded TIF districts (lowering tax base and increasing property taxes for us), corruption, special interest groups purchasing power, and more. He has even allowed a very senior council member remain at his post (even as former president) while this member has not legally filed his financial disclosure statements (whether he had contributions or not). It all needs to stop by the April election!
My candidate of choice to replace the mayor was Noel Radomski, but since he has thrown his support to Paul Soglin and moved out of the race, I encourage you to get to know Paul and support him as much as you can. Ask your friends to join you and please visit his website for more information: http://www.soglinformayor.com/
Paul has demonstrated strong and effective leadership in the past and made Madison the #1 place to live in America in 1996. Let's get to be #1 again.
Start NOW!
My candidate of choice to replace the mayor was Noel Radomski, but since he has thrown his support to Paul Soglin and moved out of the race, I encourage you to get to know Paul and support him as much as you can. Ask your friends to join you and please visit his website for more information: http://www.soglinformayor.com/
Paul has demonstrated strong and effective leadership in the past and made Madison the #1 place to live in America in 1996. Let's get to be #1 again.
Start NOW!
Repeal Health Care Law?!
Hi Guys and Gals. I don't know about you, but this needs to be done. I am tired of the damned conservatives taking away great accomplishments and pushing this country backward. If you agree - please act. Sign the message by clicking on the ling below. START NOW! Thank you, CDM
For 2 years, GOP leaders in Congress fought tooth and nail to oppose
health care reform. They did their best to keep tens of millions without
coverage, decrying any effort to help citizens as "socialist," "fascist"
or some other equally baffling "ist."
Now that they are the majority, their first act will be to vote to repeal
health care reform. Yet, when it comes to their own coverage, Republicans
in Congress are happy to accept government-sponsored health care.
Senator Chuck Schumer is calling the GOP on their hypocrisy, and calling
on them to give up their government-sponsored health care. We couldn't
agree more:
Write Republican leaders and tell them if they want to repeal health care,
they need to practice what they preach, and give up their own
government-sponsored health care first.
http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/health_care_hypocrites/?r_by=14825-3400167-KvvyLVx&rc=mailto2
For 2 years, GOP leaders in Congress fought tooth and nail to oppose
health care reform. They did their best to keep tens of millions without
coverage, decrying any effort to help citizens as "socialist," "fascist"
or some other equally baffling "ist."
Now that they are the majority, their first act will be to vote to repeal
health care reform. Yet, when it comes to their own coverage, Republicans
in Congress are happy to accept government-sponsored health care.
Senator Chuck Schumer is calling the GOP on their hypocrisy, and calling
on them to give up their government-sponsored health care. We couldn't
agree more:
Write Republican leaders and tell them if they want to repeal health care,
they need to practice what they preach, and give up their own
government-sponsored health care first.
http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/health_care_hypocrites/?r_by=14825-3400167-KvvyLVx&rc=mailto2
Monday, December 20, 2010
A Message From Tammy Baldwin 2nd US Cong District WI
At least we have one member of congress with some intelligence!!
___________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Michaelis:
Thank you for contacting me regarding President Obama's tax compromise. It is good to hear from you.
Families in Wisconsin and throughout the nation continue to struggle with unemployment, home foreclosure, and lack of access to credit. At the same time, our nation is confronting a growing national debt. It is for these reasons that I support President Obama's proposal to extend tax cuts on income up to $250,000 a year. However, I also believe it is time to end the tax cuts for the very wealthiest Americans.
As you may know, on December 17, 2010, President Obama signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance, and Job Creation Act of 2010, into law. While the measure includes extensions of the middle class tax cut and unemployment benefits, which I support, it also extends tax cuts for the wealthiest at a total cost of $858 billion dollars over the next ten years. Unfortunately, the measure does not do enough to grow the economy, create jobs, or put us on track to confronting our nation's fiscal challenges. For these reasons, I did not support this legislation.
I am troubled that the measure provides a two year extension of tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans while it only provides a 13 month extension of unemployment compensation benefits. Unemployment benefits provide a critical lifeline to families suffering through no fault of their own. Unfortunately, while this measure supports our nation's richest Americans, it leaves behind those who are struggling to make ends meet.
I also find it troubling that the payroll tax provision was included in the act. In addition to being dangerous to the long-term fiscal health of our country, this measure threatens our most cherished social program, Social Security. The two percent payroll tax relief is drawn out of an employee's contribution to the program. While I support tax relief for workers during these difficult economic times, I do not believe that it should come at the expense of Social Security.
Despite concerns about the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance, and Job Creation Act of 2010, the measure includes many important provisions that may impact you or your family. Among them are:
___________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Michaelis:
Thank you for contacting me regarding President Obama's tax compromise. It is good to hear from you.
Families in Wisconsin and throughout the nation continue to struggle with unemployment, home foreclosure, and lack of access to credit. At the same time, our nation is confronting a growing national debt. It is for these reasons that I support President Obama's proposal to extend tax cuts on income up to $250,000 a year. However, I also believe it is time to end the tax cuts for the very wealthiest Americans.
As you may know, on December 17, 2010, President Obama signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance, and Job Creation Act of 2010, into law. While the measure includes extensions of the middle class tax cut and unemployment benefits, which I support, it also extends tax cuts for the wealthiest at a total cost of $858 billion dollars over the next ten years. Unfortunately, the measure does not do enough to grow the economy, create jobs, or put us on track to confronting our nation's fiscal challenges. For these reasons, I did not support this legislation.
I am troubled that the measure provides a two year extension of tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans while it only provides a 13 month extension of unemployment compensation benefits. Unemployment benefits provide a critical lifeline to families suffering through no fault of their own. Unfortunately, while this measure supports our nation's richest Americans, it leaves behind those who are struggling to make ends meet.
I also find it troubling that the payroll tax provision was included in the act. In addition to being dangerous to the long-term fiscal health of our country, this measure threatens our most cherished social program, Social Security. The two percent payroll tax relief is drawn out of an employee's contribution to the program. While I support tax relief for workers during these difficult economic times, I do not believe that it should come at the expense of Social Security.
Despite concerns about the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance, and Job Creation Act of 2010, the measure includes many important provisions that may impact you or your family. Among them are:
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Out-of-state mining execs say "pleased to meet you" to Walker
About a month ago the Democracy Campaign's research director posted an item on our blog pointing out that some out-of-state mining company executives with hopes of developing an open pit iron ore mine in northern Wisconsin made their first-ever campaign contributions in Wisconsin this fall.
As we've continued digging into campaign finance reports, we found they also made sizeable donations to Governor-elect Scott Walker. For more on this, check out the report we issued this morning. For audio commentary on our findings, go here to listen to our podcast.
As we've continued digging into campaign finance reports, we found they also made sizeable donations to Governor-elect Scott Walker. For more on this, check out the report we issued this morning. For audio commentary on our findings, go here to listen to our podcast.
Another fine example of our Gov Elect prior to work.
Also:
Voters may get chance to weigh in on election spending
May this happen in communities all across the land.
Boy the Supreme Court skewered our country with that ruling!
DID YOU GET YOUR PROPERTY TAXES YET?
What are you going to do about preventing them from going up even more next year? Can we afford this?
There are two key elections coming up that could significantly change this and if you do nothing else (which I discourage), you can speak with your vote against your council member, county supervisor, and MAYOR!
Take action and START NOW!!
There are two key elections coming up that could significantly change this and if you do nothing else (which I discourage), you can speak with your vote against your council member, county supervisor, and MAYOR!
Take action and START NOW!!
Monday, November 22, 2010
This is how much YOUR Taxes ARE GOING UP in 2011!
The out of control spending spree Madison's Mayor and Common Council have passed will effect you this much:
The budget, approved by a 16-4 vote, increases tax collections 3.5 percent to $179.5 million, and raises taxes on the average $241,217 home by $98.41, or 5.08 percent.
Alds. Jed Sanborn, Judy Compton, Larry Palm and Thuy Pham-Remmele were the only members out of 20 that voted no (thank them!). The rest can be found on the following link and you can let them know of your feelings and DON'T FORGET TO TELL THEM WITH YOUR VOTE NEXT YEAR!! Find them at:
http://www.cityofmadison.com/Council/documents/2009publicroster.pdf
Now -if you live IN Madison and you want to keep track of how much your taxes are going to go up on your next property tax bill - here is the breakdown (so don't be surprised):
Madison City = $98 (5.08%)
Dane County = $48 (2.9%)
MATC scam = $34 (for next 20 years on top of the regular annual increase. See what you're getting, needlessly, below)**
Madison Metropolitan School District = $170 (245.1 million)
Total (excluding state taxes) = $350
This is more than an average car payment and likely about an 8% overall increase in an average home. Doesn't this make you angry? What do you want to do about it?! Start Now!!
Over-the-top spending by MATC:
** $43.1 million for a new health education center and clinic at the main Truax Campus.
** $21.7 million for new law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services facilities, most of which will be at Truax.
** $7.3 million for renovation and upgrades at MATC's regional campuses in Fort Atkinson, Watertown, Reedsburg and Portage.
** $16.8 million for a new west wing, plus upgrades to the current west wing, at the Truax campus to support transportation programs and advanced manufacturing programs.
** $34.2 million for classroom repairs and upgrades at the various Madison campuses.
** $10.7 million for the acquisition of property to make traffic improvements, add more parking, and update storm water and drainage systems.
Add to this the cost we will be burdened with for the Overture Center and the Central Library and the Edgewater Hotel (yes - that will and IS costing you because the TIF districts around it and for it take tax funds away from the pool so the decrease falls on YOU to pay for it). Mayor Dave mentions in his budget cover letter that "room tax revenues are projected to be down for 2011". Why are we so focused on rebuilding the Edgewater????
One final thought (and you need to tell the mayor about how you feel) is that our debt hole continues to deepen under Mayor Dave:
Madison's budgeted borrowing is more than three times as much as it was 10 years ago, raising questions about whether its debt payments now and in the future threaten spending on police, snow plowing and other basic services. Read more at - http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_a5d5f42c-bea0-11df-9006-001cc4c002e0.html
START NOW!
The budget, approved by a 16-4 vote, increases tax collections 3.5 percent to $179.5 million, and raises taxes on the average $241,217 home by $98.41, or 5.08 percent.
Alds. Jed Sanborn, Judy Compton, Larry Palm and Thuy Pham-Remmele were the only members out of 20 that voted no (thank them!). The rest can be found on the following link and you can let them know of your feelings and DON'T FORGET TO TELL THEM WITH YOUR VOTE NEXT YEAR!! Find them at:
http://www.cityofmadison.com/Council/documents/2009publicroster.pdf
Now -if you live IN Madison and you want to keep track of how much your taxes are going to go up on your next property tax bill - here is the breakdown (so don't be surprised):
Madison City = $98 (5.08%)
Dane County = $48 (2.9%)
MATC scam = $34 (for next 20 years on top of the regular annual increase. See what you're getting, needlessly, below)**
Madison Metropolitan School District = $170 (245.1 million)
Total (excluding state taxes) = $350
This is more than an average car payment and likely about an 8% overall increase in an average home. Doesn't this make you angry? What do you want to do about it?! Start Now!!
Over-the-top spending by MATC:
** $43.1 million for a new health education center and clinic at the main Truax Campus.
** $21.7 million for new law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services facilities, most of which will be at Truax.
** $7.3 million for renovation and upgrades at MATC's regional campuses in Fort Atkinson, Watertown, Reedsburg and Portage.
** $16.8 million for a new west wing, plus upgrades to the current west wing, at the Truax campus to support transportation programs and advanced manufacturing programs.
** $34.2 million for classroom repairs and upgrades at the various Madison campuses.
** $10.7 million for the acquisition of property to make traffic improvements, add more parking, and update storm water and drainage systems.
Add to this the cost we will be burdened with for the Overture Center and the Central Library and the Edgewater Hotel (yes - that will and IS costing you because the TIF districts around it and for it take tax funds away from the pool so the decrease falls on YOU to pay for it). Mayor Dave mentions in his budget cover letter that "room tax revenues are projected to be down for 2011". Why are we so focused on rebuilding the Edgewater????
One final thought (and you need to tell the mayor about how you feel) is that our debt hole continues to deepen under Mayor Dave:
Madison's budgeted borrowing is more than three times as much as it was 10 years ago, raising questions about whether its debt payments now and in the future threaten spending on police, snow plowing and other basic services. Read more at - http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_a5d5f42c-bea0-11df-9006-001cc4c002e0.html
START NOW!
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