There’s a story from December 2nd at the Janesville Gazette that describes how hard it can be to receive adequate government compliance with a public records request. Wisconsin law has clear provisions requiring local government to supply requested records promptly following a request, even including an anonymous request. (WPRL Wis. Stat. ss. 19.31-19.39) The story…
Press
Press
Tax Breaks for Wisconsin Newspapers?
by JOHN ADAMS •
Longtime Wisconsin State Rep. Marlin Schneider (D-Wisconsin Rapids) intends to propose a tax break for Wisconsin newspapers. I support a vigorous press, but like most libertarians, I oppose tax breaks for favored industries. I’m sure that overall, across-the-board tax reduction would be a better policy. Still, I have to admire Schneider for his commitment to…
Press, School District
Janesville Gazette: Families debate lawsuit against Whitewater schools
by JOHN ADAMS •
The Gazette has more on the pending lawsuit against Whitewater Schools, about which I posted earlier, today. I noticed the Gazette story only this evening, and it describes uncertainty in the family about how to proceed. (A letter to the court filed last week suggests that the lawsuit would be withdrawn, based on the departure…
City, Press
Brunner in the Daily Union‘s “No Input at Budget Hearing.”
by JOHN ADAMS •
Earlier, in a post entitled, “Come On, Whitewater! Stop Disappointing Your Politicians and Bureaucrats (Part 2),” I considered some of Whitewater City Manager Brunner’s remarks on low turnout at budget listening session. The session was covered at the Daily Union, in a story entitled, “No Input at Budget Hearing.” In this post, a few follow-up…
City, Press
Wisconsin State Journal: “Alcohol Company Rep Arrested for OWI, Other Charges After Allegedly Running Over Officer’s Foot”
by JOHN ADAMS •
One hears a great deal about how much trouble alcohol causes. In Whitewater, I’ve heard more than once that alcohol causes raucous behavior. (There’s much that’s ridiculous about the excuse that alcohol makes people do stupid things. No matter, let’s assume, for now, that alcohol is the root of the problem.) If it should be…
Press
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Taxpayers Paid to Send Treasurer to Conferences
by JOHN ADAMS •
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has been covering the public expenses of Wisconsin State Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass. In a story posted yesterday, entitled “Taxpayers Paid to Send Treasurer to Conferences,” the Journal Sentinel catches Sass lying about the cost of her out-of-state trips. From the story: Madison — Taxpayers spent nearly $5,500 to send state…
Press
Update: Rejecting the Referendum: No Increase in Jefferson County Tax Levy Limit
by JOHN ADAMS •
Last week, I posted on the rejection of a Jefferson County referendum to raise the tax levy limit for that county. See, Rejecting the Referendum: No Increase in Jefferson County Tax Levy Limit. I was opposed to an increase in the tax levy limit. I was also critical of coverage that the Countryside Nursing Home…
Press
Newseum’s Five Freedoms of the First Amendment
by JOHN ADAMS •
In the post immediately before this one, I linked to Reason‘s Matt Welch’s “Quick Impressions of the D.C. 9/12 Protest.” In that story, he mentions the Newseum in Washington, and the inscription from the First Amendment that covers a large part of the building. Here are clickable photographs of that impressive inscription:
City, Press, School District
Janesville Gazette: Whitewater High School Students Sue Over Racist Threats
by JOHN ADAMS •
Press
Andrew Breitbart’s Big Government Website
by JOHN ADAMS •
City, Press
Common Council from September 8, 2009: Risk and Accountability
by JOHN ADAMS •
City, Press
Bureaucrat vs. Property Owner
by JOHN ADAMS •
From the main page of the City of Whitewater’s website: Thanks for visiting the Whitewater website. If you have not been to our City, please feel free to visit us in person as well. The Whitewater Municipal Center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday) to answer your questions and…
City, Press
Inside (Whitewater) and Outside (America)
by JOHN ADAMS •
A bureaucrat’s remarks about “….much media attention this past week to a recent sanitary sewer back up that affected First Lt. Joseph P. Cull’s property on Park Street in the city….” are days late and twenty-thousand dollars short. The media attention came from reporting outside the city, while the local press stayed silent. Over at…
Press
John McPoland’s Blog, Fighting Words, at the Janesville Gazette
by JOHN ADAMS •
Over at the Janesville Gazette, John McPoland has a blog entitled, Fighting Words: One Man’s Battle Against Cancer. It’s a fine blog, and if you’ve not had a chance to read it, stopping by today, for McPoland’s entry, A New Companion, will show why it’s a blog well-worth frequenting. Quick note: I have no connection…