State hires Boston firm to create job database!

I just copied that headline verbatim from jsonline…well except for the exclamation point…that’s mine.

From the short article:

The state agency (Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development), which administers taxpayer-funded job retraining funds, said it expects to award a contract to develop an online database and job matchmaking service to Boston-based Burning Glass Technologies.

The [...]

Bipartisan Drone Bill Introduced in Madison

Late last week, Rep. Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva), Rep. Frederick P. Kessler (D-Milwaukee), Rep. Dave Craig (R-Town of Vernon) and Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison) introduced a bill that would ensure drones do not threaten the privacy rights of people in Wisconsin. A number of other states already have similar laws restricting the use of drones [...]

WEDC Fails Another Audit and This Time There Should Be Criminal Charges

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Associated Press are reporting that an audit by the state’s non-partisan Legislative Audit Bureau found significant questionable financial activities surrounding Governor Walker’s Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. This time tax credits for creating jobs have gone unaudited, legally required reports haven’t been filed and there has been questionable spending on the [...]

WEDC Pay Ain’t Enough To Keep Talent But Proposed Supervisor Pay Is No Problem!

Last week Zach wrote about Governor Walker’s prominent policy initiative, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and their inability to retain qualified staff…particularly a Chief Financial Officer.

He linked to an article from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that explained the situation and included this throw away quotation from Rep. Jeff Stone:

Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greendale), another [...]

State lawmakers to host public hearing on changes to local control in Milwaukee County

From the email from the Milwaukee Democratic Legislative Caucus;

State lawmakers to host public hearing on changes to local control in Milwaukee County

MADISON – Local residents are invited to share their opinions on the state-imposed changes to the Milwaukee County Board at a public hearing this Tuesday in Milwaukee. The hearing starts at 5:00 [...]

Alderman Bob Donovan Said $11.55 An Hour Not The Kind Of Jobs We Want In Milwaukee

Just a quick hit for a Sunday morning…in an article in this morning’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Rick Romell reviews the reasons that BuySeasons didn’t bring it’s 450 permanent (300 of them full time) jobs to Milwaukee from Waukesha County.

One of the main roadblocks was Alderman Bob Donovan who thought the jobs just didn’t, [...]

Public hearing will allow Milwaukee County residents an opportunity to speak out on County governance reforms

Intergovernmental Relations Committee to Hold Public Hearing on Local Reform Measures

4 p.m. Monday, April 22, 2013

Milwaukee County Courthouse 901 N. 9th St., Room 203 R

Public hearing will allow Milwaukee County residents an opportunity to speak out on County governance reforms

(MILWAUKEE) – The County Board’s Committee on Intergovernmental Relations will hold a [...]

Saturday Open Thread: AB 85 vs. OUR Milwaukee County

You’ve all had plenty of time to digest the media coverage and dozens of op ed pieces in favor of and against Representative Joe Sanfelippo’s Assembly Bill 85 to reform Milwaukee County Government…and by now you’ve had a chance to read about the County Board’s own plan to reduce costs and salaries and request to [...]

Senate Hearing On Bill 95 – the Bill to Reform Milwaukee County Government

Senate PUBLIC HEARING Elections and Urban Affairs

The committee will hold a public hearing on the following items at the time specified below: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 9:30 AM 411 South

Senate Bill 95 Relating to: changing the compensation structure by which a Milwaukee County supervisor may be paid, changing the term length of [...]

MILWAUKEE COUNTY BOARD ANNOUNCES MAJOR BOARD REFORM OVERHAUL $2.75 Million Cut to Board Budget

(MILWAUKEE) – The Milwaukee County Board’s budget will be cut by 50 percent under a bold new set of initiatives proposed before an “Our Milwaukee County” listening session Thursday night.

The major initiative includes but is not limited to government streamlining, mandatory training for County Supervisors to clarify roles and responsibilities in County governance.

“This [...]