The Journal Sentinel has a story this morning that shows how incumbents of both parties use maps printed at state expense to promote themselves. In 2009 alone, some legislators have distributed tens of thousands of the maps. Lawmakers get 500 per year – and that should be enough, really – but can request more. As…

Here’s the sixth installment of cat blogging. The Cat Fanciers’ Association of America recognizes about forty breeds of domestic cats, but all cats, single or mixed-breed, are admirable. Cats have an independent spirit that’s a fine reminder of the individualism which Americans — at their best — so abundantly possess. Today, I’ve posted a video…

One true means to a better community is a strong and inquisitive press. Some of the most reasonable Americans are those in their twenties, having grown up with a healthy individualism and natural skepticism of hide bound institutions. That’s why it’s troubling that many newsrooms may be losing a generation of journalists well-suited to defend…

Here’s the fifth installment of cat blogging. The Cat Fanciers’ Association of America recognizes about forty breeds of domestic cats, but all cats, single or mixed-breed, are admirable. Cats have an independent spirit that’s a fine reminder of the individualism which Americans — at their best — so abundantly possess. Today, I’ve posted a video…

Are you an amateur photographer, interested in taking pictures of interesting places in your town? Perhaps you’ve purchased a new camera, and would like to enjoy trying out its features. This is America, a free place, and you should be able to enjoy taking pictures free from the badgering of local officials. They may be…

Last week, I posted on a bill that would remove a provision of our law that allows minors to drink in a bar with the approval of a parent, guardian, or spouse, and at a bartender’s discretion.  See, Bill Targets WI Law Allowing Minors to Drink – Wisconsin State Journal.  I received a reader’s note,…

One seldom hears the word professoriate, anymore.  It reminds me a different, more radical time.  (That time wasn’t as radical as people now recall; America twice elected Nixon.)   Tucker’s chapter on the professoriate describes where rent control flourishes: in upper middle class communities, usually among wealthy tenants.  That seems perverse: advocates of rent control often…

Here’s a fourth installment of cat blogging. The Cat Fanciers’ Association of America recognizes about forty breeds of domestic cats, but all cats, single or mixed-breed, are admirable. Cats have an independent spirit that’s a fine reminder of the individualism which Americans — at their best — so abundantly possess. Today, I’ve posted a video…

I’ve received an email from a nearby group, the Rock River Patriots, small-government conservatives from Jefferson. I’m not a member of the group, but wanted to take a moment to post their website’s address, http://rockriverpatriots.com/. They’re also holding a tea party on September 12th, in Jefferson, from 2pm-5pm. They’ll be at the Jefferson County Courthouse,…

Wisconsin law currently allows those under 21 to drink in a bar with the permission of a parent, guardian, or spouse, at the discretion of a bartender. No one I know has ever availed himself of this law. I know of no evidence – none – that shows this provision of our law contributes to…

I posted the beginning of a series summarizing Tucker’s Zoning, Rent Control, and Affordable Housing in July.  I re-posted the first entry, and a new second entry.    Here’s a summary of Chapter 3, “Mechanics of Rent Control.”  We don’t have rent control in Whitewater (thankfully), and there’s no local constituency for it.  I’ve often wondered…

Janesville has lost businesses of all sizes over the last year, and will lose yet another: Sanford Corp. will close the old Parker Pen factory. Over 150 jobs will be lost, and so will a business operating in Janesville since the nineteenth century. Parker has been a part of American history, and the Parker 51…

Good afternoon, Master Planners of Whitewater!  I’m sure that you’re busy today, designing a new interstate highway system, Lincoln Tunnel, Hoover Dam, etc., but I thought I’d write with comments on a fine book: Zoning, Rent Control, and Affordable Housing.  As you’ve heard, our city administration has declared housing Whitewater’s biggest problem.  William Tucker’s work is…

The Wisconsin State Journal has an Associated Press story reporting that one in five assembly aides earn more than their positions are supposed to pay. Most, apparently, are former aides to Assembly leaders who have been allowed to keep their pay level even after the Assembly changed hands following the last election. See, Overpaid Assembly…