Top Stories March 31st

Judge Throws Out Parts of Act 10

3/31/12 - A federal judge allows the biggest part of the controversial law limiting collective bargaining rights to stand, but he did give unions two of the victories they sought. U.S. District Judge William Conley ruled union dues could be automatically withheld from public workers’ paychecks. He also ruled against requirements that all union members would have to approve maintaining the union by a vote every year. Seven unions banded together as plaintiffs in the suit. They will discuss a possible appeals on the issues they lost. The lawsuit was filed last summer after the governor’s plan was passed by the Legislature.

Barrett Will Run for Governor

3/31/12 - The June 5th recall election facing Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is starting to look like a rematch. Just hours after the Government Accountability Board ordered the election, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced he would oppose Walker again. Barrett sent an e-mail to his supporters saying he would begin campaigning immediately. He faces a Democratic primary against the union-supported candidate Kathleen Falk on May 8th – and that’s just five and a half weeks away. A Walker campaign spokesperson branded Barrett a two-time loser who has failed to turn Milwaukee’s economy around.

Meanwhile, if Walker wins his recall election, he will be the first sitting governor to accomplish that. Walker is the third governor in U.S. history to face a recall attempt. North Dakota Governor Lynn Frazier was successfully recalled in 1921 and California Governor Gray Davis lost a recall vote in 2003. Rebecca Kleefisch is the first lieutenant governor ever to face a recall election.

Ex-Walker Aide Will Face Trial in Milwaukee County

3/31/12 - A former top aide to Governor Scott Walker will have to stand trial in Milwaukee County because the judge says that’s where her alleged crime was committed. Kelly Rindfleisch had told the court her true residence was in Columbus, asking her trial be moved to Columbia County. Judge David Hansher said no. Rindfleisch is accused of doing extensive campaign work in 2010 while holding a taxpayer-funded job for Walker in his final year as Milwaukee County Executive. Her attorney says they will likely file an appeal. Tentative trial date for Rindfleisch is October 15th.

Mayor Talks About Fountain Inn Tavern

3/31/12 - Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy shared a letter with our listeners on WBEV’s Community Comment on Friday about the ongoing issue with the Fountain Inn Tavern. The structure was built over the Beaver Dam River a century ago and is in violation of modern state statutes; ten neighboring buildings were razed. Owner Jay Hoeft rebuked buy-out offers from the Department of Natural Resources and the state ended negotiations early last December. Hoeft would have received at least 100% of the assessed value for his property but was holding out for relocation costs. Hoeft filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Department of Administration in late December alleging Beaver Dam and the DNR are “involuntarily” attempting to remove him from the property. He cited a state law in his complaint that requires the state to pay relocation costs to property owners who are involuntarily removed from their land. In a letter the City of Beaver Dam dated March 27, the Department of Administration said in part that the offers by the city and DNR were voluntary sales offers. They added that when a purchase offer is declined there would be no relocation assistance payments. The letter said that because no offers had been accepted the question of whether relocation benefits should be given becomes moot. The letter also says that the city did not violate any provisions of state law. Our attempts to contact Hoeft for comment have been unsuccessful.

WPS Could Reduce Requested Rate Increases

3/31/12 - Wisconsin Public Service Corporation says it might reduce the rate increases it is proposing at a future date. They are based on economic forecasts from late last year and the picture seems to be improving. The utility says it had to move ahead on its proposal because the deadline to file for a rate increase was tomorrow. WPS wants a 9-point-2 percent increase in electric rates and a 3-point-7 percent increase for natural gas. The rates would go into effect next year. If the rate increases are approved the typical customers would see his or her electric bill go up by seven dollars a month, with an increase of two dollars, 50 cents a month for gas.

Snow Hampers Lottery Hopefuls

3/31/12 - To some lottery players the heavy, wet snow which hit northeast Wisconsin was an interruption to the dreams of a 640 million dollar pay day. The Mega Millions lottery was offering the biggest jackpot in lottery history, but they couldn’t buy a ticket. Several stores in Oconto and Marinette counties lost satellite connections to the game yesterday morning. Snow collecting in their satellite dishes interrupted their signals for about two hours starting at 7:30 a.m. The manager of one store said she had customers waiting in line to buy 10 to 15 dollars worth of tickets and she couldn’t sell any until her son climbed onto the roof and cleared the snow off the dish.

Hartford Dentist Offering Free Dental Care Today

3/31/12 - A dentist in Hartford is offering free dental care Saturday to those in need in the Dodge and Washington County area. Dr. Peter Wilk of Grand Avenue Dental Care dubs the event “Sharing Smiles.” The practice will offer each patient one basic service including fillings, extractions and cleanings. It’s open from 8am to 4pm to everyone age 6 and older. Patients will be seen on a first come, first serve basis with registration beginning at 7am and the final patient seated at 3:30pm. Last years event served 64 people but this year the staff is hoping to serve 100 patients. There is also a food drive to benefit the Hartford Food Pantry so those attending are asked to bring in a non-perishable food item.

Breathalyzer Tests to Get into School Dances?

3/31/12 - More Wisconsin high school students are being required to pass a test to enter a school dance – a Breathalyzer test. Germantown High School has had random alcohol checks at its dances for years. Now, Cedarburg High School will start randomly selecting students for Breathalyzer tests at its school prom in Kohler next month. And they’ll continue that policy at school dances throughout the year. Cedarburg Superintendent Daryl Herrick denies that it’s a knee-jerk reaction to a mid-February incident when police gave citations to drunk students at the high school’s “Glo-Coming Dance.” Germantown principal Joel Farren says parents love the Breathalyzer tests. And principals in southeast Wisconsin say they get few if any complaints from the students. Germantown lays down the law against being intoxicated at school-sponsored events. Anyone who’s caught faces an expulsion hearing – and 17 students were expelled for that reason in the 2005-06 school year.