tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11627474558866138552024-03-13T10:34:15.597-05:00Retire DoyleDedicated to Retiring Governor Doyle.Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-2378607784865179152009-08-20T21:42:00.001-05:002009-08-20T21:43:13.615-05:00Sorry...<span style="font-size:180%;">...we're not here anymore.<br /><br />Please visit us at <a href="http://scottforgov.blogspot.com/">ScottForGov.com</a>.<br /><br />Hope you see you there!</span>Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-34244497972543162802009-08-17T12:37:00.000-05:002009-08-17T12:39:15.322-05:00We're half way there...Ok…so as I mentioned in my previous post, we never imagined that we would be successful in getting Doyle to “retire” so quickly. I’ll have to admit I obviously didn’t think it through far enough and now the blog “RetireDoyle” is just not going to cut it anymore. (and I had some great post ideas in the hopper!)<p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">I am amazed at how many people are following this blog already. (Albeit quietly) We obviously struck a tone and provided something that people were seeking.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">So, with that said, we’ve created a new blog so that we can continue with our 2<sup>nd</sup> goal of electing Scott Walker as our next Governor.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">We hope you will visit us as we get <a href="http://scottforgov.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">ScottForGov.com</span></a> up and running. Join us as we expose the lies and distortions spread about him, show the true colors of Scott’s opponents and tell you why Scott Walker should be our next Governor.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">We’re 50% done with our goal. Help us achieve the rest!</p>Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-51571481618661784262009-08-15T17:44:00.004-05:002009-08-15T21:53:09.947-05:00NEWS FLASH: DOYLE TO RETIRE (as Gov)!!!Well, if sources (and there are many) are to be believed Governor Jim Doyle will be retiring (or at least retiring at the end of his term) as our Governor on Monday.<br /><br />We at RetireDoyle.com would like to claim victory for accomplishing this goal in 2 1/2 weeks!!! Never in our wildest imaginations did we think we could retire Jim Doyle in such a short period of time. <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Others have tried, for many years...but we have delivered</span>.</span><br /><br />Politico.com was the first to break the story:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/26145.html">Gov. Jim Doyle won't seek re-election</a></span><br /><br /><blockquote>Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle has told associates he will announce this week that he won’t seek a third term in 2010, POLITICO has learned. <div id="TixyyLink" color="transparent" style="border: medium none ; overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;"><br />He’s had to raise taxes and fees while furloughing state workers to help plug a $6.6 billion budget deficit. In doing so, his approval numbers have fallen below 40 percent. And just this week, he faced the embarrassment of seeing his legal counsel quit because she hadn’t passed the state bar. <div id="TixyyLink" color="transparent" style="border: medium none ; overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;"></div></div></blockquote><div id="TixyyLink" style="border: medium none ; overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><div id="TixyyLink" style="border: medium none ; overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br /><br />Wispolitics has some additional reporting:<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=167350"><b>WisPolitics: Doyle plans Monday announcement on his political future</b></a></span><br /></div><blockquote><br />“Whether or not Governor Doyle runs again, Republicans will be well-positioned to take back the governor's office next year and get to work making Wisconsin great again," <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=167349">said state GOP Chair Reince Priebus</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. </span><br /><br />"With a common-sense, positive plan for job growth and controlling health care costs while maintaining consumer choice, our agenda is a welcome contrast to the Democrats’ record of higher taxes and bigger government. We look forward to taking that message directly to the voters. Better days are ahead for the working families of Wisconsin.” </blockquote><br />However...this was only HALF of our original stated goal. Our next goal is to get Scott Walker elected as our next Governor. We'll be just as successful in that effort as well. (Only wish we could do THAT in 2 1/2 weeks!!!)<br /><br />Stay tuned...<br /><br /><br />UPDATE: One source said Doyle is expected to serve out the remainder of this term, which ends in January 2011. Doyle turns 65 in November 2010.<br /></div>Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-20358005045326837782009-08-15T07:25:00.002-05:002009-08-15T07:32:55.929-05:00Scott Walker Endorsed by Congressman Petri<p itxtvisited="1">U.S. Rep. Tom Petri said Friday he is endorsing Scott Walker in the 2010 race for governor.<span class="aa" itxtvisited="1"></span></p> <p itxtvisited="1"><span class="pp" itxtvisited="1"></span>Walker, the Milwaukee County executive, is one of three Republicans seeking their party's nomination. Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle<a class="iAs" style="border-bottom: 0.07em solid darkgreen; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-weight: normal ! important; font-size: 100% ! important; background-image: none; padding-bottom: 1px ! important; color: darkgreen ! important; padding-top: 0px; background-color: transparent ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important;" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1162747455886613855&postID=2035800504532683778#" target="_blank" itxtdid="11743571"></a> has not announced if he will run for re-election.<span class="aa" itxtvisited="1"></span></p> <p itxtvisited="1"><span class="pp" itxtvisited="1"></span></p><p itxtvisited="1"></p><blockquote><p itxtvisited="1">"Since Scott took the reins of county government in 2002, he has slashed the county debt by over 10 percent and reduced the taxpayer-funded work forceby more than 20 percent. That is exactly the kind of leadership Wisconsin needs to recover from Gov. Doyle's recklessness," Petri, R-Fond du Lac, said in a press release.<span class="aa" itxtvisited="1"></span></p> <p itxtvisited="1">"Scott is the best person to lead <a class="iAs" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted darkgreen; padding: 0px 0px 1px; font-weight: normal ! important; font-size: 100% ! important; background-image: none; color: darkgreen ! important; background-color: transparent ! important; text-decoration: none ! important;" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1162747455886613855&postID=2035800504532683778#" target="_blank" itxtdid="11690463"><nobr id="itxt_nobr_3_0" style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%;"></nobr></a>Wisconsin forward."</p></blockquote><p itxtvisited="1"></p><p itxtvisited="1">I guess to have served with Mark Neumann in Congress is to endorse Scott Walker as Governor. Ouch, that has to hurt.<br /></p><p itxtvisited="1"><span class="aa" itxtvisited="1"></span></p>Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-47232913648137431122009-08-15T07:19:00.002-05:002009-08-15T07:23:47.267-05:00More on Doyle and Wood County<a href="http://www.wisgop.org/NewsBack.aspx?guid=0f637e28-369c-441f-a482-bcb4832c6e4e">Is Doyle Playing "Show Me The Money" With Wood County DA Appointment?</a><br /><p style="text-align: left;"></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: left;">Madison,WI – After three recent judicial appointments in Dane County went to the three highest contributors to Jim Doyle’s reelection efforts, it is becoming clear why Wood County does not yet have a new DA.</p> <p>Someone needs to make a campaign donation ASAP. <span id="more-32606"></span></p> <p>“Over twenty people applied for circuit judge in Dane County and the top three Doyle contributors got the jobs. Now its revealed Doyle hired an individual who wasn’t even licensed to practice law in Wisconsin to be his Chief Legal Counsel…but she did give him $350 just before getting the job,” said Mark Jefferson, Executive Director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin. “It’s looking like Doyle has been waiting for a campaign check before he’s willing to make anyone DA in Wood County.”</p> <p>Officials in Wood County have been concerned for weeks over the vacant DA position and the potential threat to public safety in the area. However, they’ve been met with indifference in the Governor’s office.</p> <p>“Wisconsin deserves better than what appears to be pay-to-play tactics from their Governor, and Wood County deserves a qualified District Attorney,” Jefferson said. “It’s time for the Governor to put campaign contributions aside and do what’s right for the people of Wood County and all of Wisconsin.”</p></blockquote><p></p><a href="http://retiredoyle.blogspot.com/2009/08/doyles-da-dilemma.html">Our Previous post on Doyle's Wood County DA Dilemma</a>Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-51952503280265875212009-08-14T09:39:00.003-05:002009-08-14T09:43:38.809-05:00Doyle Administration Conspires With Reporter to Blindside Political Foe<a href="http://www.wisgop.org/NewsBack.aspx?guid=137d9aa9-cdbd-4781-b3f8-ecc59b28574d">Take a look at this story.</a> If it wasn't so scary, it would be laughable. The lengths that Governor Doyle, his administration and the media will conspire to make Scott Walker look bad is astounding.<br /><br />Steve Schultz should be fired. Absent that, he should be removed from ANY reporting that has to do with County or State Government!!!<br /><br /><ul type="disc"><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">A January 23<sup>rd</sup> email from DHS Communications Director Seth Boeffli telling Department of Administration spokesperson Linda Barth: “We also have a sympathetic reporter at the MJS (Steve Schultze) and we were thinking about bringing him in early so he can get everything from us early on an embargoed basis.” <br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">A string of emails from February 6<sup>th</sup> discusses Walker’s criticism of DHS for failing to give him notice of their plans and references a request Schulze made for the “paper trail” to prove Walker wrong.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">An email exchange between top DHS officials on February 5<sup>th</sup> and 6<sup>th</sup> characterize conservative columnist Patrick McIlheran’s piece on the issue as, “straight up lies,” and “ridiculously one-sided,” while Doyle’s DHS Secretary Karen Timberlake asks if there is “anything to be done about McIlheran.”</span></li></ul><br />It's only going to get worse folks. They are afraid of Scott Walker and will pull out all the stops.Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-63482730129770429062009-08-14T08:38:00.002-05:002009-08-14T08:44:36.686-05:00A bargain at a Million dollarsI'd like to see the ratio of dollars spent versus what WEAC will get for their lobbying efforts. (Although with as much as Jim Doyle and the Dems in the legislature are in WEAC's pocket, not sure why they needed to spend so much) Unfortunately, until we see the property tax increases that are coming, we won't be able to do that calculation. Regardless...you know they will get a great bang for their million bucks!<br /><br /><p></p><blockquote><p>The Wisconsin Education Association Council, the state's powerful teachers union, spent the most, at just more than $1 million. The union won several victories in the state budget, including the elimination of caps on raises for teachers during contract negotiations.</p> <p>The limits on teacher raises had been in place for years to hold down property taxes but the union, Gov. Jim Doyle and the Democratic-controlled Legislature said they were unfair.</p></blockquote><p><a href="http://www.sfexaminer.com/economy/ap/53171392.html">Rest of the Story</a><br /></p>Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-25590447213544122002009-08-13T15:06:00.005-05:002009-08-13T15:18:01.483-05:00You would think Jim Doyle would want MORE jobs in Wisconsin!<a href="http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2009/8/13/study-says-cap-and-trade-would-hurt-wisconsin">A new study says that "Cap and Trade" would hurt Wisconsin.</a><br /><br /><blockquote>A new study by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) predicts widespread economic hardship for Wisconsin consumers and businesses if Congress adopts the "cap and trade" bill being considered by the U.S. Senate.<br /><br />The bill is otherwise known as H.R. 2454 or the Waxman-Markey global warming bill.<br />The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved the bill in June.<br /><br />"Wisconsin citizens can expect <span style="font-weight: bold;">higher electric bills, higher heating bills and higher gasoline prices</span> if Congress passes the Waxman-Markey bill," said James Haney, president of the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC). "At a time when we are struggling to keep high-paying manufacturing jobs in our state, this bill would take us in the wrong direction with tens of thousands of additional lost jobs."<br /><br />Wisconsin consumers and employers would be hit disproportionately hard by global warming regulations because of the state's significant investment in coal-fired electricity, and the state's status as the single-most manufacturing intensive economy in the country, according to the WMC.<br /><br />The study found that key Wisconsin industrial sectors, including papermaking, machinery manufacturing and other energy intensive industries, would lose thousands of manufacturing jobs as a result of higher energy costs stemming from Waxman-Markey.<br /><br />"Wisconsin businesses are faced with a highly competitive international marketplace where it is becoming increasingly difficult to compete on cost," said Thomas Howatt, president and chief executive officer of Wausau Paper of Wausau. "Driving up the cost of energy in Wisconsin with <span style="font-weight: bold;">regulations like cap and trade will put us at a severe competitive disadvantage with our foreign competition.</span>"<br /><br />Specifically, the NAM study predicted <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">between 41,600 and 56,700 lost jobs in Wisconsin by 2030</span></span>, depending upon the future price of carbon permits. Those figures are expected to worsen as the H.R. 2454 energy rationing plan reaches full implementation by the year 2050. <span style="font-style: italic;">Since 1999, Wisconsin has lost 160,000 manufacturing jobs</span>, and the state's unemployment rate is at 9 percent, the WMC said.<br /><br />In addition to the lost manufacturing jobs, the NAM study concludes that Wisconsin consumers would face substantial energy cost increases as a result of the Waxman-Markey legislation, taking a significant toll on the state's overall economy.</blockquote><br />According to <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/40692732.html">this Journal Sentinel article</a> Jim Doyle embraces cap and trade. "Regional plan is full steam ahead." <br /><br />I've got an idea Governor, let's work on supporting bills that will ENCOURAGE businesses to come to Wisconsin and actually CREATE jobs. I'm tired of your efforts to scare business and jobs away!Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-88207486256195114992009-08-13T09:11:00.002-05:002009-08-13T09:17:08.536-05:00Doyle lets his departments run rampantEh, what's $850k?<br /><br />Here's another example of how poorly Jim Doyle runs his administration. They are supposed to be looking at cuts and savings, and here is this department spending $850,000 without authorization. (a firetruck? really? for the State Veterans administration?)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/53062977.html">STORY</a><br /><p></p><blockquote><p>Officials at the state Department of Veterans Affairs are asking state lawmakers to cover the cost of about $700,000 in unauthorized expenses, including a firetruck, that exceeded the department's budget.</p><p>An analysis by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau identified another $150,000 in unauthorized spending, bringing the total to about $<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">850,000</span>.</p><p>The purchases may have <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">violated state laws</span> regarding spending of state funds without specific prior authorization and spending in excess of budgets, the department said. It has asked the state Department of Justice to investigate the potential violations.</p></blockquote><p></p>Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-81564132677243320172009-08-13T08:39:00.004-05:002009-08-13T09:59:22.874-05:00Journal Sentinel BiasI know it's like saying water is wet, but the Journal Sentinel is showing their bias again this morning.<br /><br />Take a look at this story: <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/53041227.html">Foster Care Agency Fares Poorly in Report</a>. Go ahead, read it. I'll wait.<br /><br />So, after reading the story can you tell which government agency is responsible for the Milwaukee County foster care?<br /><br />I'll give you a hint, it's NOT Milwaukee County.<br /><br />I did a little, non-scientific, study and had 3 people read the article without telling them why I was asking. When they were done, I asked them who they thought was responsible for the agency. All three said Milwaukee County.<br /><br />The State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, a Jim Doyle agency, is responsible for the problems that the foster care system in Milwaukee County faces. If you read real close and buried in the story it does mention who oversees the program. But from the first sentence of the article, you are led to believe that Milwaukee County runs the program.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">No, there's no bias in Journal Sentinel reporting.</span><br /><br /><br />On the story itself....<br /><br />Among the issues uncovered in the report:<br /><p></p><blockquote><p>• Those involved in Milwaukee County's child welfare system are not sensitive to issues of race and poverty.</p> <p>• The bureau's computer system does not allow workers to easily determine how many foster homes have space available and what type of children they will accept.</p> <p>• So many different agencies are providing services within the child welfare system, it is easy for them to avoid responsibility for problems.</p> <p>• Foster parents are being trained by people who do not have graduate degrees or experience working with troubled children.</p></blockquote><p></p><p>And let's not forget about the <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/36090089.html">death of a child</a> that occurred under the watchful eye of Jim Doyle and his administration.<br /></p>Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-38329724546923308522009-08-12T13:47:00.002-05:002009-08-12T13:51:28.952-05:00Money TalksBruce at BadgerBlogger has some <a href="http://badgerblogger.com/?p=13305">more information</a> on Chandra Miller-Fienen and a coincidental campaign contribution.<br /><br />Just another example of how Doyle does "business".<br /><br />Drip, drip, drip...Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-27246868150632003452009-08-11T18:22:00.000-05:002009-08-11T18:24:17.174-05:00Documents Shed Light On Doyle's Legal Counsel<div class="cbstv_topofstory" sizcache="1" sizset="7"><h2><a href="http://wcco.com/wireapnewswi/Documents.show.Doyle.2.1124305.html">Documents Shed Light On Doyle's Legal Counsel</a></h2></div><blockquote><span class="cbstv_attribution" style="padding-right: 4px;"></span><span class="cbstv_attribution" style="padding-right: 4px;">MADISON, Wis. (AP) ― </span>Newly released documents show <span style="font-weight: bold;">Gov. Jim Doyle's chief of staff knew</span> the person hired to be the governor's chief legal counsel had not taken the bar exam.</blockquote><blockquote>E-mails provided to The Associated Press on Tuesday following an open records request show that Chandra Miller Fienen was given the title of chief legal counsel when hired last year even though she had not taken the bar exam in Wisconsin.</blockquote><blockquote>Miller Fienen resigned abruptly on Friday. Doyle's spokesman Lee Sensenbrenner says she did pass the bar after being hired, but for an unknown reason did not get licensed as an attorney.<br /><br />One e-mail from Doyle's chief of staff, Susan Goodwin, to Miller Fienen dated June 29, 2008, mentions that one issue the two needed to discuss was "taking the bar."</blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br />drip, drip, drip...Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-73445611763842827512009-08-11T17:52:00.002-05:002009-08-11T18:09:44.654-05:00Doyle's Choo Choo Train SetsGovernor Doyle likes to claim his little choo choo train project is the most "shovel-ready" rail project in the Midwest.<br /><br /><blockquote>“We’re maybe one of the only states in the country ... if not the only one that’s actually planned for this moment,” Doyle declared July 17 in announcing a new partnership with the Spanish train company, Talgo, to provide sleek new rail cars. “This truly is the most shovel-ready rail project in the Midwest and, I think, the U.S.”</blockquote><br />The problem is, that it is far from reality. There has not been sufficient research to support his argument. Before we run off and spend hundreds of millions of tax payer dollars, don't you think we should have the facts?<br /><br />In a rare example of<a href="http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2009/jul/26/questions-remain-state-pushes-ahead-shovel-ready-r/"> great investigative</a> reporting Lexie Clinton of the Janesville Gazette helps show why this is far from "the most shovel-ready rail project in the Midwest".<br /><br /><p></p><blockquote><p>-- Wisconsin officials don’t know how many people currently commute along the route between Milwaukee and Madison. State transportation spokesman Christopher Klein countered that record ridership in Wisconsin on Amtrak, the nation’s passenger rail service, shows the state is ready for more. “Wisconsin doesn’t need to prove we want to ride trains,” Klein said. “We already have.”</p> <p>-- Officials in four cities where stops are planned—Brookfield, Madison, Oconomowoc and Watertown—are enthusiastic supporters but remain unaware of many of the details. Klein said Wisconsin is ahead of most states in planning but cited a federal report that acknowledged some details aren’t worked out because “states have had little time to prepare for a ... program for intercity passenger rail of this magnitude.”</p> <p>-- Critics question the viability of the planned stop at the Madison airport, which is nearly 6 miles from the city’s major downtown destinations. Klein said bringing the train downtown would add at least half an hour to the trip, which would be “extremely undesirable” for passengers not stopping in Madison.</p> <p>-- Other benefits of the project have been thrown into doubt by a recent U.S. Government Accountability Office report that concluded rail projects would have “little impact on the congestion, environmental, energy and other issues that face the U.S. transportation system.”</p> <p>-- The description “high-speed” is a misnomer. State transportation officials say the train likely would average about 70 mph the first few years. The train is expected to travel up to 110 mph by 2015 once the state completes additional safety improvements.</p></blockquote><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2009/jul/26/questions-remain-state-pushes-ahead-shovel-ready-r/">Read the rest of her article.</a></p><p>h/t <a href="http://freewhitewater.com/?p=4305">Free Whitewater </a>.<br /></p>Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-67142573913063842262009-08-10T20:41:00.002-05:002009-08-10T20:48:26.973-05:00Wisconsin needs to go in a new directionFrom the <a href="http://ow.ly/jAPI">StevensPointJournal.com</a>, an article by Scott Walker.<br /><br /><blockquote>Wisconsin deserves a government that puts the needs of its citizens first, a state that places public safety and the education of its children above the demands of the special interests. We deserve a government that finds new ways to do more with less, not one that looks for new ways to tax families and employers when they can least afford it.<span class="aa"></span><p><span class="pp"></span>With so many Wisconsin families and employers struggling to make ends meet, it is difficult to understand why <span style="font-weight: bold;">Gov. Doyle and the legislature would decide to raise taxes and fees by more than $2 billion while increasing new state spending by $3.6 billion</span>.<span class="aa"></span></p><p><span class="pp"></span>To make it worse, they are not being honest with the taxpayers.<span class="aa"></span></p><p><span class="pp"></span>The governor says that the budget protects the middle class. In reality, this budget protects government at the expense of our families and employers. It will force families to <span style="font-weight: bold;">pay more for property taxes, automobile insurance, nursing home and hospital care, and cell phone use</span>. At the same time, it <span style="font-weight: bold;">reduces state funding for law enforcement, local government services and even allows for the early release of criminals into our communities</span>.<span class="aa"></span></p><p><span class="pp"></span>Gov. Doyle and legislative leaders say their tax increases are balanced with deep cuts in state spending. However, they actually <span style="font-weight: bold;">increased state spending by 6 percent and included $37 million for legislative pork</span> projects that range from renovating a local opera house to buying recycling bins. But even with the deep cuts to public safety and a massive $2 billion tax increase, Wisconsin will be left with a $2 billion deficit in the next state budget.<span class="aa"></span></p><p><span class="pp"></span>According to Chief Executive magazine, Wisconsin is ranked as the 43rd best state in the nation to do business -- near the bottom. What have Gov. Doyle and legislative leaders done to improve that ranking? They <span style="font-weight: bold;">increased the capital gains tax on business investment by $242 million</span>. This will only drive more employers and jobs out of Wisconsin.<span class="aa"></span></p><span class="pp"></span>We need to take our state in a new direction founded on the principles of limited government, economic growth and personal freedom.<br /><br />Through their ingenuity, hard work and determination, the people of Wisconsin have made our state a great place to live, work and raise a family. Our companies are recognized as world leaders in everything from manufacturing motorcycles to making a better bovine. We are famous for our Midwestern work ethic. In fact, Wisconsin once led the nation in reform-changing welfare and providing hope to low-income families through education choice and charter schools.<span class="aa"></span><p><span class="pp"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wisconsinites want government to live within its means and to set spending priorities that reflect their own priorities, rather than seek ever-increasing amounts of taxpayer money for programs that serve few, if any.</span><span class="aa"></span></p><span class="pp"></span>It is not enough to tinker around the edges of failed public policy. We need to change the way Madison thinks as well as the way it does business, but I need your help. Together, we can put government back on the side of the people and build a Wisconsin we can believe in again.</blockquote><br />It is so nice to know there are still some politicians that understand what needs to be done and are looking to protect the taxpayers of this state. Walker is going to be a great Governor!<br /><br /><h1><br /></h1>Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-3239154693856264952009-08-10T20:15:00.004-05:002009-08-10T20:26:19.422-05:00NOW they want to be sure.Well, how nice that they now want to take the time to be sure things are as they should be. Too bad they couldn't have taken the time to actually find out if Ms. Miller Fienen was licensed to practice law in the state of Wisconsin before making her Chief Legal Counsel.<br /><br />From the <a href="http://www.madison.com/wsj/mad/latest/461497">Wisconsin State Journal:</a><br /><div class="wsjstorybody1"> <p></p></div><div class="wsjstorybody1"><p></p></div><blockquote><div class="wsjstorybody1"><p>Gov. Jim Doyle is reviewing the work of his unlicensed former legal counsel to make sure she didn't inadvertently overstep her bounds, a spokesman said.</p> <p>Chandra Miller Fienen resigned Friday amid revelations that she was not licensed to practice law in the state. On Thursday, an aide to Doye told the Wisconsin State Journal that Miller Fienen had not practiced law or represented Doyle in court while serving as his legal counsel.</p> <p>"We think it's highly unlikely that she overstepped her authority," Doyle spokesman Lee Sensenbrenner said today. "<span style="font-weight: bold;">We are doing a review just to be sure</span>."</p> </div> <p>Friday was the last day for Miller Fienen, the daughter of Sen. Mark Miller, D-Monona, in the $100,000 a year job. Sensenbrenner said there were no plans so far for replacing Miller Fienen.</p></blockquote><p></p><p></p>Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-63700572156750972642009-08-10T13:55:00.002-05:002009-08-10T13:59:48.849-05:00Doyle's missteps hurting WisconsinIt's nice to see that the media is finally paying attention and seeing the mistakes that Jim Doyle continues to make. Here's an editorial from Sheboyganpress.com:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20090810/SHE06/908100372/1109">Editorial: Doyle's missteps hurting Wisconsin</a><br /><blockquote>Last week was a rough one for Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle<br /> <p itxtvisited="1">First, Doyle was roasted in editorials around the state for pushing a no-bid contract to spend $47.5 million on two sets of high-speed trains. The deal only needed an OK from the Joint Finance Committee, which it got on a party-line vote.</p> <p itxtvisited="1"><span class="pp" itxtvisited="1"></span>Though legal under an exemption to bidding, the deal for the trains is rightfully being criticized. Doyle claims the Spanish company that makes the trains was the only company interested in Wisconsin.<span class="aa" itxtvisited="1"></span></p> <p itxtvisited="1"><span class="pp" itxtvisited="1"></span>But how can the taxpayers really know unless the high-speed trains, which still have some serious questions surrounding them, were put up for competitive bids?<span class="aa" itxtvisited="1"></span></p> <p itxtvisited="1"><span class="pp" itxtvisited="1"></span>Then on Friday, a top member of Doyle's legal team, Chandra Miller Fienen, abruptly resigned when it was pointed out that she is not licensed to practice law in Wisconsin.<span class="aa" itxtvisited="1"></span></p> <p itxtvisited="1">Miller Fienen, the daughter of state Sen. Mark Miller, co-chairman of the powerful Join Finance Committee, is listed as a member of Doyle's Office of Legal Council. Though she does not represent the governor or the state in court, she still gives legal advice to Doyle.</p> <p itxtvisited="1"><span class="pp" itxtvisited="1"></span>Doyle's choice of an unlicensed lawyer so closely connected to a state lawmaker — Miller Fienen said she came back to Wisconsin to run her father's political campaign — to advise him is troubling.<span class="aa" itxtvisited="1"></span></p> <p itxtvisited="1"><span class="pp" itxtvisited="1"></span>The no-bid contract spending $47.5 million of taxpayer money on high-speed trains is much more troubling because the state should not be spending that kind of money without competitive bids.<span class="aa" itxtvisited="1"></span></p> <p itxtvisited="1"><span class="pp" itxtvisited="1"></span>Miller-Fienen made it easy for Doyle to put this blunder behind him by resigning last week. But the cost is confidence in the state's top executive.<span class="aa" itxtvisited="1"></span></p> <p itxtvisited="1"><span class="pp" itxtvisited="1"></span>We can only hope that the deal Doyle and the Joint Finance Committee made on high-speed trains won't end up costing taxpayers more than it should.</p></blockquote><p itxtvisited="1"><span class="aa" itxtvisited="1"></span></p>Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-23168472690395125142009-08-10T09:29:00.001-05:002009-08-10T09:31:24.926-05:00A lesson in how not to budget<a href="http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/51054172.html">Here's a great article</a> on the budget process written by Brett Healy of the MacIver Institute.<br /><br /><blockquote>What's the bottom line? This budget <span style="font-weight: bold;">spends $3.63 billion more</span> than the last budget. This budget takes from Wisconsinites <span style="font-weight: bold;">$2.05 billion more in taxes</span> and fees than the last. This budget puts <span style="font-weight: bold;">$3.58 billion of spending on the state's credit card</span>. This budget <span style="font-weight: bold;">lets local governments raise property taxes by $1.5 billion.</span> And this budget burdens the next budget with future spending promises <span style="font-weight: bold;"> (a structural deficit) to the tune of $2.05 billion</span>. 2011 isn't even here yet, and we already have spent $2 billion.</blockquote>Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-15329730441762275292009-08-09T12:12:00.002-05:002009-08-09T12:15:45.739-05:00Irresponsible Budgeting by Jim Doyle???Tell me it aint so.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-opinions.asp?id=BKPM7ONI03V">Leader-Telegram opines</a> about the irresponsible budgeting by our Governor.<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Our view: Deferring tough but necessary decisions is <span style="font-weight: bold;">irresponsible budgeting</span>.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Gov. Jim Doyle and his fellow Democrats who control the state Legislature expressed pride that for the first time in decades they were able to get a budget passed and signed by the July 1 start of the new two-year budget period.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">But an analysis of the final budget by the nonpartisan Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance indicates that a shortcut to make that deadline left a $200 million hole in the budget that Doyle promises to close during the next two years by some unknown means.</span></p></span></blockquote>Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-76869744611458542252009-08-09T12:09:00.005-05:002009-08-09T12:11:50.790-05:00I Blame Scott WalkerThe Journal Sentinel is always quick to blame Scott Walker whenever he has to look at closing a pool or cutting hours. But it's AMAZING that when he extends pool hours, they can't even mention his name in the story.<br /><br /><blockquote><p>One way to beat the heat is to head to a pool. Because of the heat advisory, Milwaukee County Parks is extending hours at all outdoor deep well pools from noon to 6 p.m. </p> <p>"Cool Waters" in Greenfield Park and the David Schulz Family Aquatic Center in Lincoln Park will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.</p><p><a href="http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/52832952.html">See extended hours here</a></p></blockquote><br />Stay cool!Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-47490351086660585062009-08-07T21:13:00.003-05:002009-08-07T21:17:04.027-05:00Thanks...This is a new blog and it takes time to build traffic. But I wanted to specifically thank the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration for increasing my stats today. They have been busy, busy, busy.<br /><br />You have to wonder <a href="http://retiredoyle.blogspot.com/2009/08/jim-doyle-hiring-illegals.html">WHAT</a> they could have been <a href="http://retiredoyle.blogspot.com/2009/08/breaking-news-chandra-miller-fienen.html">looking</a> at.<br /><br />Regardless....thanks. :)Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-67548421647109312592009-08-07T15:30:00.004-05:002009-08-07T15:38:10.942-05:00BREAKING NEWS - Chandra Miller Fienen Resigns.From WisPolitics<br /><br />Chandra Miller Fienan has resigned from her position as Gov. Jim Doyle's legal counsel following reports that she is not licensed to practice law in Wisconsin. (<a href="http://retiredoyle.blogspot.com/2009/08/jim-doyle-hiring-illegals.html">see our post on the topic here</a>)<br /><br />Her resignation came shortly after the <a href="http://www.wisgop.org/NewsBack.aspx?guid=94cfcaab-c8a7-4d0f-baaf-38897be15c66">Republican Party of Wisconsin filed a complaint</a> with the Office of Lawyer Regulation, charging she vilolated the state's Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys by representing herself as Doyle's cheif legal counsel on official legal documents and govermental boards.<br /><br />Doyle spokesman said in a statement today that the resignation was voluntarily and effective today. "she realizes that she has placed this office in a difficult position," Sensenbrenner said.<br /><br />Gee...you think?<br /><br />She still needs to be prosecuted.Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-87298674697682789092009-08-07T10:34:00.002-05:002009-08-07T10:40:32.292-05:00Doyle's DA DilemmaAlthough you could probably go a day or two without hearing about anything dynamic that happened in Wood County, it is just as much a part of Wisconsin as Milwaukee County or Dane County. However, it seems as though in his haste to save Wisconsinites from climate change and a train-less commute, Governor Doyle has overlooked one of his responsibilities to the people of Wood County. He has left the Wood County District Attorney position, to which he is required to make an appointment, vacant for over four months following the departure of former DA, Todd Wolf to a circuit court judgeship.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009908060655">Read the full article here<br /></a><br />Given Governor Doyle’s alleged hardnosed stance on crime and punishment, I find it strange that he hasn’t found the time to finalize his selection for the position. To put the best possible construction on it, let's assume Governor Doyle is trying to save money and limit his carbon emissions by not traveling all the way to Wood County to appoint something as insignificant as a District Attorney. He's always thinking about all of his constituents. Thanks, Governor Doyle!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-34029376370782594922009-08-06T20:47:00.006-05:002009-08-07T09:24:10.774-05:00Jim Doyle hiring illegals?Mark Belling broke a story today that is simply astounding. Governor Doyle's Chief General Counsel is NOT LICENSED to practice in the State of Wisconsin!!!<br /><br />You have GOT to be kidding me. (No, of course not.)<br /><br /><span style="VISIBILITY: visible" id="main"><span style="VISIBILITY: visible" id="search">Chandra Miller Fienen, daughter of State Senator Mike Miller, has been employed by Jim Doyle for about a year. You would think this would have been discovered in the vetting process. Or maybe, just maybe, she would have told him that she isn't licensed to practice law in Wisconsin. You know, her main function.<br /><br />She came to Wisconsin from California (where she is licensed) and obtained a job with the Department of Commerce as an Executive Assistant in 2007. That's quite a promotion to Chief General Counsel for the Governor of the State of Wisconsin!<br /><br />Problem is, she's breaking the law by practicing without a license. Shameful. Governor Doyle needs to fire her and she needs to be investigated by the appropriate authorities for prosecution.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.belling.com/cc-common/podcast.html">Listen to Belling's podcast (1st hour - part one and part two)</a><br /><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">UPDATE</span>...<a href="http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/52626507.html">suprisingly, the Journal Sentinel reports on the story</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Reporters and other state officials refer to Miller Fienen as the governor's chief legal counsel. Maistelman said that was his belief as well. But her official title is "senior adviser." In correspondence, she lists her workplace as office of legal counsel in Doyle's office.<br /></blockquote><em></em></span></span>Sorry...that still stinks to high heaven. She can't sign correspondence as "Chief Legal Counsel" and say she is just a "senior adviser". Oh, and her license in California is listed as "suspended".Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-55966579827194765702009-08-06T19:20:00.003-05:002009-08-06T19:27:16.265-05:00Ummm, It's Kapanke.I know, it's a trivial issue, but he should know better...<br /><br />Mark Neumann "Tweeted" today:<br /><blockquote>"<span class="status-body"><strong></strong><span class="entry-content">About to step into a meeting with Sen. Dan Kerpanke."<br /></span></span></blockquote>Is Mark really that far removed from state politics that he does not know that the Senator from the <a href="http://www.legis.state.wi.us/senate/sen32/news/">32nd district is Dan KAPANKE</a>.<br /><br />You know...that guy who has announced he is running for Congress against Ron Kind. One of 33 State Senators and one of only 15 GOP State Senators.<br /><br />If Mr. Neumann is going to run for Governor, he might want to get to know the legislators. Especially the ones on "our" side of the aisle.<br /><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content"></span></span>Retire Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992599722845862919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162747455886613855.post-28648973470718480092009-08-06T00:17:00.004-05:002009-08-06T00:27:20.992-05:00Grass Fires<span style="font-family:times new roman;">This past spring, something remarkable began to happen across the country that seemed to signal the beginning of the end of the Democratic honeymoon that had existed, at least nominally, on the local and national level. People, furious with their government over the reckless and economically fatal spending that had taken place in Congress in the form of bailouts, stimuli, and irresponsible budgeting, began to take to the streets and protest as part of what came to be known as the “Tea Party Movement.” People who watched as their savings went up in smoke while their taxes skyrocketed showed up in droves to give their representatives in the government on the local and national levels an earful. Outside of only a couple of isolated incidents that I’m aware of, the protestors were peaceful despite their anger. On the whole, most would consider what happened to be a huge success that sent a clear message to the government to stop socializing private industries, increasing the size and scope of the government and the welfare state, and to stop doling out their money for dead-end and brain-dead projects. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">The movement was non-partisan and it was aimed at multiple levels of government and all irresponsible officials, regardless of their party affiliation. Believe me, I stood on the capitol lawn this April next to a gentleman who was not only vocally upset with Governor Doyle and the Democrats, but began to shout furiously when Republican Congressman Paul Ryan took the stage because he had voted for the original TARP (Troubled Assets Relief Program) spending bill. However, that's not what the media wants you to hear. They want you to believe that the "Tea Party Movement” and, more recently, the demonstrations taking place at healthcare reform town hall meetings are, at best, pockets of cranky, old, white, sore loser Republicans who want to prevent the government from fixing all of your problems. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">On the national level, the media has been working hard to dismiss the growing discontentment among average citizens as nothing more than an “Astroturf” movement orchestrated by major corporations and the insurance companies that are not on board with some of the changes that Obama is proposing. The news media would have you believe that anybody who could possibly have an opinion that is different than those of President Obama and the Democrats in Congress is obviously working for some large, Republican machine somewhere, if not, taking direct orders from their arch nemesis, Rush Limbaugh. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">What they do not understand is that this was a tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon. It was there the entire time begging to be shouted from the rooftops, but nobody could quite put their finger on it. All it took was for somebody to give it a name and light the match to start this grass-roots explosion. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Why am I rehashing all of this? Because I'm sick and tired of being put down by representatives, senators, congressman, "czars", pundits, talking heads, and everybody all the way up to Barack Obama. I am sick of left wing media personalities from Keith Olbermann to Contessa Brewer and funny men from Stephen Colbert to David Letterman downplaying what is going on in America right now. I am tired of hearing that everybody who is upset with the government is a sore loser or a shill for some kind of Republican special interest. If this is the only soap box that I have, then so be it. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">I am not old, I am not rich, I am not bald, and I am not working for anybody's special interest.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">What I am is a college student who is frustrated that I am about to enter a Wisconsin job market that has been seriously depleted because of foolish policies, burdensome taxation, and over-the-top governance. I have watched for the past seven years as Jim Doyle has chased jobs and industries out of this state before I even had the chance to fill out an application for a full-time job. Meanwhile, he courted and rewarded his pet special interests and doubled-back on his promises to stop heavy taxation in Wisconsin. I am a young man who is sick of having to listen to secular academia tell him that his opinion does not matter because anything but outright liberalism is hateful and outdated. I am a young man who is tired of watching this state slip closer and closer to the gutter because the union-stained public school system is churning out student after student who could tell you what Samuel L. Jackson did at the last Academy Award ceremony but could not tell you anything about Samuel Adams, save for the fact that he has a brewery named after him. These teachers still receive paychecks and pensions! I am a young man who is fed up with hearing his peers regurgitate tired, angry, and misinformed liberal monologues that they have picked up from Hollywood gossip shows, staggeringly dimwitted protest songs, and a public school system that is actively seeking to distort this country's amazing history. I am tired of watching a genuine, grass-roots movement that is seeking to reign in our out of control government being ravaged by people in the tank for the left. Most of all, I am MAD AS HELL and I am NOT going to take it anymore!<br /><br />From where I'm sitting, 2010 cannot come soon enough.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0