Michael Moore's Action Plan: 15 Things Every American Can Do Right Now"
You've Seen the Movie -- Now It's Time to ACT!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Friends,
It's the #1 question I'm constantly asked after people see my movie: "OK -- so NOW what can I DO?!"
You want something to do? Well, you've come to the right place! 'Cause I got 15 things you and I can do right now to fight back and try to fix this very broken system.
Here they are:
FIVE THINGS WE DEMAND THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS DO IMMEDIATELY:
1. Declare a moratorium on all home evictions. Not one more family should be thrown out of their home. The banks must adjust their monthly mortgage payments to be in line with what people's homes are now truly worth -- and what they can afford. Also, it must be stated by law: If you lose your job, you cannot be tossed out of your home.
2. Congress must join the civilized world and expand Medicare For All Americans. A single, nonprofit source must run a universal health care system that covers everyone. Medical bills are now the #1 cause of bankruptcies and evictions in this country. Medicare For All will end this misery. The bill to make this happen is called H.R. 3200. You must call AND write your members of Congress and demand its passage, no compromises allowed.
3. Demand publicly-funded elections and a prohibition on elected officials leaving office and becoming lobbyists. Yes, those very members of Congress who solicit and receive millions of dollars from wealthy interests must vote to remove ALL money from our electoral and legislative process. Tell your members of Congress they must support campaign finance bill H.R.1826.
4. Each of the 50 states must create a state-owned public bank like they have in North Dakota. Then congress MUST reinstate all the strict pre-Reagan regulations on all commercial banks, investment firms, insurance companies -- and all the other industries that have been savaged by deregulation: Airlines, the food industry, pharmaceutical companies -- you name it. If a company's primary motive to exist is to make a profit, then it needs a set of stringent rules to live by -- and the first rule is "Do no harm." The second rule: The question must always be asked -- "Is this for the common good?" (Click here for some info about the state-owned Bank of North Dakota.)
5. Save this fragile planet and declare that all the energy resources above and beneath the ground are owned collectively by all of us. Just like they do it in Sarah Palin's socialist Alaska. We only have a few decades of oil left. The public must be the owners and landlords of the natural resources and energy that exists within our borders or we will descend further into corporate anarchy. And when it comes to burning fossil fuels to transport ourselves, we must cease using the internal combustion engine and instruct our auto/transportation companies to rehire our skilled workforce and build mass transit (clean buses, light rail, subways, bullet trains, etc.) and new cars that don't contribute to climate change. (For more on this, here's a proposal I wrote in December.) Demand that General Motors' de facto chairman, Barack Obama, issue a JFK man-on-the-moon-style challenge to turn our country into a nation of trains and buses and subways. For Pete's sake, people, we were the ones who invented (or perfected) these damn things in the first place!!
FIVE THINGS WE CAN DO TO MAKE CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT LISTEN TO US:
1. Each of us must get into the daily habit of taking 5 minutes to make four brief calls: One to the President (202-456-1414), one to your Congressperson (202-224-3121) and one to each of your two Senators (202-224-3121). To find out who represents you, click here. Take just one minute on each of these calls to let them know how you expect them to vote on a particular issue. Let them know you will have no hesitation voting for a primary opponent -- or even a candidate from another party -- if they don't do our bidding. Trust me, they will listen. If you have another five minutes, click here to send them each an email. And if you really want to drop an anvil on them, send them a snail mail letter!
2. Take over your local Democratic Party. Remember how much fun you had with all those friends and neighbors working together to get Barack Obama elected? YOU DID THE IMPOSSIBLE. It's time to re-up! Get everyone back together and go to the monthly meeting of your town or county Democratic Party -- and become the majority that runs it! There will not be many in attendance and they will either be happy or in shock that you and the Obama Revolution have entered the room looking like you mean business. President Obama's agenda will never happen without mass grass roots action -- and he won't feel encouraged to do the right thing if no one has his back, whether it's to stand with him, or push him in the right direction. When you all become the local Democratic Party, send me a photo of the group and I'll post it on my website.
3. Recruit someone to run for office who can win in your local elections next year -- or, better yet, consider running for office yourself! You don't have to settle for the incumbent who always expects to win. You can be our next representative! Don't believe it can happen? Check out these examples of regular citizens who got elected: State Senator Deb Simpson, California State Assemblyman Isadore Hall, Tempe, Arizona City Councilman Corey Woods, Wisconsin State Assemblyman Chris Danou, and Washington State Representative Larry Seaquist. The list goes on and on -- and you should be on it!
4. Show up. Picket the local branch of a big bank that took the bailout money. Hold vigils and marches. Consider civil disobedience. Those town hall meetings are open to you, too (and there's more of us than there are of them!). Make some noise, have some fun, get on the local news. Place "Capitalism Did This" signs on empty foreclosed homes, closed down businesses, crumbling schools and infrastructure. (You can download them from my website.)
5. Start your own media. You. Just you (or you and a couple friends). The mainstream media is owned by corporate America and, with few exceptions, it will never tell the whole truth -- so you have to do it! Start a blog! Start a website of real local news (here's an example: The Michigan Messenger). Tweet your friends and use Facebook to let them know what they need to do politically. The daily papers are dying. If you don't fill that void, who will?
FIVE THINGS WE SHOULD DO TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND OUR LOVED ONES UNTIL WE GET THROUGH THIS MESS:
1. Take your money out of your bank if it took bailout money and place it in a locally-owned bank or, preferably, a credit union.
2. Get rid of all your credit cards but one -- the kind where you have to pay up at the end of the month or you lose your card.
3. Do not invest in the stock market. If you have any extra cash, put it away in a savings account or, if you can, pay down on your mortgage so you can own your home as soon as possible. You can also buy very safe government savings bonds or T-bills. Or just buy your mother some flowers.
4. Unionize your workplace so that you and your coworkers have a say in how your business is run. Here's how to do it (more info here). Nothing is more American than democracy, and democracy shouldn't be checked at the door when you enter your workplace. Another way to Americanize your workplace is to turn your business into a worker-owned cooperative. You are not a wage slave. You are a free person, and you giving up eight hours of your life every day to someone else is to be properly compensated and respected.
5. Take care of yourself and your family. Sorry to go all Oprah on you, but she's right: Find a place of peace in your life and make the choice to be around people who are not full of negativity and cynicism. Look for those who nurture and love. Turn off the TV and the Blackberry and go for a 30-minute walk every day. Eat fruits and vegetables and cut down on anything that has sugar, high fructose corn syrup, white flour or too much sodium (salt) in it (and, as Michael Pollan says, "Eat (real) food, not too much, mostly plants"). Get seven hours of sleep each night and take the time to read a book a month. I know this sounds like I've turned into your grandma, but, dammit, take a good hard look at Granny -- she's fit, she's rested and she knows the names of both of her U.S. Senators without having to Google them. We might do well to listen to her. If we don't put our own "oxygen mask" on first (as they say on the airplane), we will be of no use to the rest of the nation in enacting any of this action plan!
I'm sure there are many other ideas you can come up with on how we can build this movement. Get creative. Think outside the politics-as-usual box. BE SUBVERSIVE! Think of that local action no one else has tried. Behave as if your life depended on it. Be bold! Try doing something with reckless abandon. It may just liberate you and your community and your nation.
And when you act, send me your stories, your photos and your video -- and be sure to post your ideas in the comments beneath this letter on my site so they can be shared with millions.
C'mon people -- we can do this! I expect nothing less of all of you, my true and trusted fellow travelers!
Yours,
Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
MichaelMoore.com
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Thursday, October 22, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
A EVENT TO COUNTERACT TEA BAGGERS
Submit an Article or Event
A Tea Party for the Real Revolution — Support Citizen Action of Wisconsin
October 22, 2009
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Join us for a Health Care Reform Fund Raiser/ Tea Party
Open House on Thursday from 6 to 8:30 pm, Oct. 22 at the home of Martha & Mitch Pincus 7045 N. Belmont Lane, Fox Point
Great food, great people, great cause!
Bring your appetite and be prepared to mingle as you enjoy
a liberal spread of cheeses, fruit, tea cakes, sandwiches, teas and wines.
Special guests include Executive Director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin Dr. Robert Kraig, who has spoken extensively on health care reform, and State Representatives Sandy Pasch and Jon Richards along with Dr. Sheldon Wasserman
Citizen Action, a grassroots advocacy organization, is leading the fight for health care reform in Wisconsin. Its campaign “got healthcare?” has been recognized as one of the most effective health care reform efforts in the country.
The cost of this ongoing campaign has depleted Citizen Action’s resources just as the shape of national health care reform is about to be decided. Now more than ever, Citizen Action needs your support so it can continue meeting with people in Congress and keeping the public informed.
RSVP by Tuesday, Oct. 20 via phone (414-228-7186) or email: mlpincus@wi.rr.com
Street parking on one side only (see posted signs); carpooling encouraged.
Suggested donation is $20, but all contributions are gratefully accepted. Unable to attend? Make a tax-deductible donation at https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/193/donate.asp?formid=donatec3
A Tea Party for the Real Revolution — Support Citizen Action of Wisconsin
October 22, 2009
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Join us for a Health Care Reform Fund Raiser/ Tea Party
Open House on Thursday from 6 to 8:30 pm, Oct. 22 at the home of Martha & Mitch Pincus 7045 N. Belmont Lane, Fox Point
Great food, great people, great cause!
Bring your appetite and be prepared to mingle as you enjoy
a liberal spread of cheeses, fruit, tea cakes, sandwiches, teas and wines.
Special guests include Executive Director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin Dr. Robert Kraig, who has spoken extensively on health care reform, and State Representatives Sandy Pasch and Jon Richards along with Dr. Sheldon Wasserman
Citizen Action, a grassroots advocacy organization, is leading the fight for health care reform in Wisconsin. Its campaign “got healthcare?” has been recognized as one of the most effective health care reform efforts in the country.
The cost of this ongoing campaign has depleted Citizen Action’s resources just as the shape of national health care reform is about to be decided. Now more than ever, Citizen Action needs your support so it can continue meeting with people in Congress and keeping the public informed.
RSVP by Tuesday, Oct. 20 via phone (414-228-7186) or email: mlpincus@wi.rr.com
Street parking on one side only (see posted signs); carpooling encouraged.
Suggested donation is $20, but all contributions are gratefully accepted. Unable to attend? Make a tax-deductible donation at https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/193/donate.asp?formid=donatec3
Sunday, October 11, 2009
INFORMATION ON INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR HE ERADICATION OF POVERTY ON OCTOBER 17
STILL NOT TO LATE TO HAVE A EVENT THIS WEEKEND
Take a Stand against Poverty
In honor of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17, CARE is encouraging our supporters to stand in solidarity with poor and marginalized women around the world.
One way that you can join CARE in the global movement to end poverty is by reading Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's book, "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide," which will be available on September 8, 2009. This moving book shares poignant tales of women's struggles and triumphs in the face of poverty and discrimination. Through the compelling stories, the authors brilliantly illustrate the connections between women's empowerment and social and economic progress. You'll meet inspiring women in the developing world including Goretti Nyabenda of Burundi, a CARE project participant featured in the book's chapter, "A CARE Package for Goretti."
We're inviting you to read "Half the Sky" with your book club, women's group, alumni chapter or family and friends. Then, start a conversation about the challenges and opportunities women and girls face, and take action together with CARE!
Click here to order "Half the Sky" through Amazon. CARE will receive at least 4 percent of revenue when purchases are made through this link.
Click here for CARE's "Half the Sky" discussion and action guide.
Click here to learn more about CARE's recommended reading list and to sign up for special updates on "Half the Sky," opportunities to interact with the authors, and creative ideas to help you take action.
Together, we have the power to help women around the world build a better future for all.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We also encourage you join us for these exciting events:
Atlanta
Take a Stand against Poverty
Saturday, October 17, 2009
7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
American Cancer Society Center Theater
250 Williams Street, Atlanta, GA 30030 (map)
Reserve your tickets today!
Please join us for a night of friends, music, food, a global market place and more. You'll hear internationally-renowned speakers, including CARE's President, CEO Dr. Helene Gayle and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention's Director Thomas Frieden and CNN Newsroom anchor Fredricka Whitfield and be entertained by The Burundi Drummers and a surprise Grammy-nominated, multiplatinum-selling band!
Purchase the $75.00 VIP ticket for admission to the event, PLUS a "back stage" meet and greet with the band after the show, PLUS get your name in program! Must purchase by Sept 24 for inclusion in printed program. General admission tickets are $50.00 per person. Reserve your tickets today! All proceeds raised support CARE’s global poverty-fighting work.
Presented by CARE and ONE.
Birmingham
Stand Up and Take Action! Hunger Banquet
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Rogue Tavern
2312 2nd Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203 (map)
Suggested donation of $5.00. Click here for more information and to R.S.V.P.
Join CARE, ONE and Bread for the World as we host Birmingham's 4th Annual Stand Up and Take Action – and Guinness World Record attempt!
We will share a simple meal, learn more about global hunger, stand up as one global community against hunger and poverty and take action.
Miami
Climate Change as a Human Security Concern: From Evidence to Action
NEW DATE: Monday, November 16, 2009
6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
University of Miami, please check back for building and room
Coral Gables, FL 33124 (map)
Free. Please R.S.V.P with the number in your party today.
We hope you'll join us at a colloquium on climate change that seeks to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and public policy, and generate specific action proposals designed to mitigate climate change challenges. Specifically, we'll take a look at Latin America and the Caribbean, where the global economic downturn and the potentially devastating effects of climate change threaten the region's population as well as the economic viability and governability of entire countries. We look forward to your questions and participation in what we hope will be a a lively discussion! Refreshments will be served.
Hosted by the Department of International Studies of the University of Miami's College of Arts and Sciences in collaboration with CARE.
Home | Search | Site Map | Feedback | Privacy | Terms | Global Sites | Log In | RSS Feeds | CARE en Español
Take a Stand against Poverty
In honor of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17, CARE is encouraging our supporters to stand in solidarity with poor and marginalized women around the world.
One way that you can join CARE in the global movement to end poverty is by reading Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's book, "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide," which will be available on September 8, 2009. This moving book shares poignant tales of women's struggles and triumphs in the face of poverty and discrimination. Through the compelling stories, the authors brilliantly illustrate the connections between women's empowerment and social and economic progress. You'll meet inspiring women in the developing world including Goretti Nyabenda of Burundi, a CARE project participant featured in the book's chapter, "A CARE Package for Goretti."
We're inviting you to read "Half the Sky" with your book club, women's group, alumni chapter or family and friends. Then, start a conversation about the challenges and opportunities women and girls face, and take action together with CARE!
Click here to order "Half the Sky" through Amazon. CARE will receive at least 4 percent of revenue when purchases are made through this link.
Click here for CARE's "Half the Sky" discussion and action guide.
Click here to learn more about CARE's recommended reading list and to sign up for special updates on "Half the Sky," opportunities to interact with the authors, and creative ideas to help you take action.
Together, we have the power to help women around the world build a better future for all.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We also encourage you join us for these exciting events:
Atlanta
Take a Stand against Poverty
Saturday, October 17, 2009
7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
American Cancer Society Center Theater
250 Williams Street, Atlanta, GA 30030 (map)
Reserve your tickets today!
Please join us for a night of friends, music, food, a global market place and more. You'll hear internationally-renowned speakers, including CARE's President, CEO Dr. Helene Gayle and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention's Director Thomas Frieden and CNN Newsroom anchor Fredricka Whitfield and be entertained by The Burundi Drummers and a surprise Grammy-nominated, multiplatinum-selling band!
Purchase the $75.00 VIP ticket for admission to the event, PLUS a "back stage" meet and greet with the band after the show, PLUS get your name in program! Must purchase by Sept 24 for inclusion in printed program. General admission tickets are $50.00 per person. Reserve your tickets today! All proceeds raised support CARE’s global poverty-fighting work.
Presented by CARE and ONE.
Birmingham
Stand Up and Take Action! Hunger Banquet
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Rogue Tavern
2312 2nd Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203 (map)
Suggested donation of $5.00. Click here for more information and to R.S.V.P.
Join CARE, ONE and Bread for the World as we host Birmingham's 4th Annual Stand Up and Take Action – and Guinness World Record attempt!
We will share a simple meal, learn more about global hunger, stand up as one global community against hunger and poverty and take action.
Miami
Climate Change as a Human Security Concern: From Evidence to Action
NEW DATE: Monday, November 16, 2009
6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
University of Miami, please check back for building and room
Coral Gables, FL 33124 (map)
Free. Please R.S.V.P with the number in your party today.
We hope you'll join us at a colloquium on climate change that seeks to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and public policy, and generate specific action proposals designed to mitigate climate change challenges. Specifically, we'll take a look at Latin America and the Caribbean, where the global economic downturn and the potentially devastating effects of climate change threaten the region's population as well as the economic viability and governability of entire countries. We look forward to your questions and participation in what we hope will be a a lively discussion! Refreshments will be served.
Hosted by the Department of International Studies of the University of Miami's College of Arts and Sciences in collaboration with CARE.
Home | Search | Site Map | Feedback | Privacy | Terms | Global Sites | Log In | RSS Feeds | CARE en Español
CAPITALISM :A LOVE STORY AND OTHER EXCELLENT MOVIES TO BE FULLY INFORMED
The past weekend I saw the new Michael Moore film "CAPITALISM : A LOVE STORY ". I HIGHLY RECOMMEND SEEING THIS MOVIE. He really brings out many different facts and information and gives clear cut reasons why this nation is in the mess it is in also gives suggestions on ho to fix this country. One theme is w the people and public need to get more active and not let our leaders in Washington DC get away with they have been and doing. For the have teamed up with Wall Street leaders to wreck this nation.
I learned about Death Peasants insurance policies where companies take out life insurances policies on employees and make the company the beneficiary when a person passes away. Wal-Mart made $81,000 on former employees death. Also learned how not all pilots are making six figures income.
Below is entry or email I received from Micheal Moore's website, I will post them here or you can go to www.michaelmoore.com to receive it yourself.
I highly recommend all Americans to go see this movie plus SICKO also by Michael Moore as well as MAXED OUT:HARD TIMES,EASY CREDIT AND THE ERA OF PREDATORY LENDERS.
*************************************************************************************
This week, the new 'Mike & Friends Blog' section will be added to MichaelMoore.com. In additional to my blog, I have asked a few people, like Rep. Marcy Kaptur (the Democrat from Toledo who has deservedly become the star of my movie!) and Leah Fried (who helped organize the sit-down strike at Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago), to blog here on my site. Here's a sneak peek of my first blog post. Enjoy! -- MM
Sunday, October 11th, 2009
Pilots on Food Stamps
By Michael Moore
We're on the descent from 20,000 feet in the air when the flight attendant leans over the elderly woman next to me and taps me on the shoulder.
"I'm listening to Lady Gaga," I say as I remove just one of the ear buds. I know not this Lady Gaga, but her performance last week on SNL was fascinating.
"The pilots would like to see you in the cockpit when we land," she says with a southern drawl.
"Did I do something wrong?"
"No. They have something to show you." (The last time an employee of an airline wanted to show me something it was her written reprimand for eating an in-flight meal without paying for it. "Yes," she said, "we have to pay for our own meals on board now.")
The plane landed and I stepped into the cockpit. "Read this," the first officer said. He handed me a letter from the airline to him. It was headlined "LETTER OF CONCERN." It seems this poor fellow had taken three sick days in the past year. The letter was a warning not to take another one -- or else.
"Great," I said. "Just what I want -- you coming to work sick, flying me up in the air and asking to borrow the barf bag from my seatback pocket."
He then showed me his pay stub. He took home $405 this week. My life was completely and totally in his hands for the past hour and he's paid less than the kid who delivers my pizza.
I told the guys that I have a whole section in my new movie about how pilots are treated (using pilots as only one example of how people's wages have been slashed and the middle class decimated). In the movie I interview a pilot for a major airline who made $17,000 last year. For four months he was eligible -- and received -- food stamps. Another pilot in the film has a second job as a dog walker.
"I have a second job!," the two pilots said in unison. One is a substitute teacher. The other works in a coffee shop. You know, maybe it's just me, but the two occupations whose workers shouldn't be humpin' a second job are brain surgeons and airline pilots. Call me crazy.
I told them about how Capt. "Sully" Sullenberger (the pilot who safely landed the jet in the Hudson River) had testified in Congress that no pilot he knows wants any of their children to become a pilot. Pilots, he said, are completely demoralized. He spoke of how his pay has been cut 40% and his own pension eliminated. Most of the TV news didn't cover his remarks and the congressmen quickly forgot them. They just wanted him to play the role of "HERO," but he was on a more important mission. He's in my movie.
"I hadn't heard anywhere that this stuff about the airlines is in this new movie," the pilot said.
"No, you wouldn't," I replied. "The press likes to talk about me, not the movie."
And it's true. I've been surprised (and slightly annoyed) that, with all that's been written and talked about "Capitalism: A Love Story," very little attention has been paid the mind-blowing stuff in the film: pilots on food stamps, companies secretly taking out life insurance policies on employees and hoping they die young so the company can collect, judges getting kickbacks from the private prison industry for sending innocent people (kids) to be locked up. The profit motive -- it's a killer.
Especially when your pilot started his day at 6am working at the local Starbucks.
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I learned about Death Peasants insurance policies where companies take out life insurances policies on employees and make the company the beneficiary when a person passes away. Wal-Mart made $81,000 on former employees death. Also learned how not all pilots are making six figures income.
Below is entry or email I received from Micheal Moore's website, I will post them here or you can go to www.michaelmoore.com to receive it yourself.
I highly recommend all Americans to go see this movie plus SICKO also by Michael Moore as well as MAXED OUT:HARD TIMES,EASY CREDIT AND THE ERA OF PREDATORY LENDERS.
*************************************************************************************
This week, the new 'Mike & Friends Blog' section will be added to MichaelMoore.com. In additional to my blog, I have asked a few people, like Rep. Marcy Kaptur (the Democrat from Toledo who has deservedly become the star of my movie!) and Leah Fried (who helped organize the sit-down strike at Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago), to blog here on my site. Here's a sneak peek of my first blog post. Enjoy! -- MM
Sunday, October 11th, 2009
Pilots on Food Stamps
By Michael Moore
We're on the descent from 20,000 feet in the air when the flight attendant leans over the elderly woman next to me and taps me on the shoulder.
"I'm listening to Lady Gaga," I say as I remove just one of the ear buds. I know not this Lady Gaga, but her performance last week on SNL was fascinating.
"The pilots would like to see you in the cockpit when we land," she says with a southern drawl.
"Did I do something wrong?"
"No. They have something to show you." (The last time an employee of an airline wanted to show me something it was her written reprimand for eating an in-flight meal without paying for it. "Yes," she said, "we have to pay for our own meals on board now.")
The plane landed and I stepped into the cockpit. "Read this," the first officer said. He handed me a letter from the airline to him. It was headlined "LETTER OF CONCERN." It seems this poor fellow had taken three sick days in the past year. The letter was a warning not to take another one -- or else.
"Great," I said. "Just what I want -- you coming to work sick, flying me up in the air and asking to borrow the barf bag from my seatback pocket."
He then showed me his pay stub. He took home $405 this week. My life was completely and totally in his hands for the past hour and he's paid less than the kid who delivers my pizza.
I told the guys that I have a whole section in my new movie about how pilots are treated (using pilots as only one example of how people's wages have been slashed and the middle class decimated). In the movie I interview a pilot for a major airline who made $17,000 last year. For four months he was eligible -- and received -- food stamps. Another pilot in the film has a second job as a dog walker.
"I have a second job!," the two pilots said in unison. One is a substitute teacher. The other works in a coffee shop. You know, maybe it's just me, but the two occupations whose workers shouldn't be humpin' a second job are brain surgeons and airline pilots. Call me crazy.
I told them about how Capt. "Sully" Sullenberger (the pilot who safely landed the jet in the Hudson River) had testified in Congress that no pilot he knows wants any of their children to become a pilot. Pilots, he said, are completely demoralized. He spoke of how his pay has been cut 40% and his own pension eliminated. Most of the TV news didn't cover his remarks and the congressmen quickly forgot them. They just wanted him to play the role of "HERO," but he was on a more important mission. He's in my movie.
"I hadn't heard anywhere that this stuff about the airlines is in this new movie," the pilot said.
"No, you wouldn't," I replied. "The press likes to talk about me, not the movie."
And it's true. I've been surprised (and slightly annoyed) that, with all that's been written and talked about "Capitalism: A Love Story," very little attention has been paid the mind-blowing stuff in the film: pilots on food stamps, companies secretly taking out life insurance policies on employees and hoping they die young so the company can collect, judges getting kickbacks from the private prison industry for sending innocent people (kids) to be locked up. The profit motive -- it's a killer.
Especially when your pilot started his day at 6am working at the local Starbucks.
Join Mike's Mailing List | Join Mike's Facebook Group | Follow Mike on Twitter | Become Mike's MySpace Friend
Friday, October 09, 2009
The Institute for Wisconsin's Future newsletter on tax policy-September/October 2009
The Institute for Wisconsin's Future newsletter on tax policy
September/October 2009
National Tax Foundation Prescribes Poison Pill for Wisconsin
If national think tanks could be sued for malpractice, Wisconsin would collect a sizable settlement.
In its recent report, 2010 State Business Tax Climate Index, the Washington, D.C. based Tax Foundation lays out how Wisconsin could ‘improve’ its tax policies. It recommend taxing groceries, eliminating business development incentives, slashing the state investment in health, education and transportation, and making everyone pay a flat income tax rate.
“It’s a losing proposition for middle class families, business, students and senior citizens,” states Jack Norman,
Research Director for the Institute for Wisconsin’s Future (IWF)
Click here for IWF's critique of the Tax Foundation report.
Paying their share — capital gains tax collects from the most affluent
The Wisconsin capital gains tax was increased in the 2009 budget to help fill serious revenue gaps impacting state, local and educational services.
This tax affects a small minority of taxpayers, primarily the wealthiest households. There were 2.96 million federal tax returns filed in Wisconsin in 2007. Of those, 627,470 claimed capital gains.Of this limited number, almost 80% were from households with income over $200,000 per year.
The total amount of capital gains claimed in Wisconsin that year was $10.44 billion. For families with incomes below $50,000 the average capital gains were $2,800.
Even for families with income between $100,000 - $150,000, the average capital gains was $13,000. But for the wealthiest households with income over $200,000 – the capital gains averaged $147,862.
P.S. A capital gain is the amount of profit made from the sale of stocks, bonds or other non-residential property.
http://www.irs.gov/taxstats/article/0,,id=171535,00.html
Wisconsin group calls for one penny sales tax to help K-12 schools
Schools are scrambling to meet basic operating costs across Wisconsin. The 2009 -2011 state budget reduced aid for schools – a lot. According to the Wisconsin Taxpayers Allance (9/8/09) "...94 districts saw aid drop 15% or more." An added problem is local spending caps. "Further complicating school budgets this year, the governor and legislature reduced the amount of new revenue that school districts can raise locally. Last year, the state allowed districts to raise revenue by $275 per student each year. For the next two years, however, the limit falls to $200, the same as in 1995-96."
The fallout is serious. Several small rural school districts are facing bankruptcy. Classes are getting larger, school materials are in short supply and important student programs are being cut back and sometimes eliminated altogether. The Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools is initiating a campaign to raise the state sales tax by one penny and channel the funds directly to K-12 schools.
Why a sales tax? A one penny sales tax hike can produce about $850 million annually. Wisconsin is a relatively low sales-tax state and the sales tax has been providing a declining share of state General Purpose Revenue, which leaves room for increases.
Why now? Read on....
Eau Claire students say cuts have an impact
While the Eau Claire school board has yet to adopt the 2009-10 budget, students already are feeling the impact of cuts approved last spring.
Brittany Landorf, one of two student representatives on the board, told members Monday students are feeling the effect of larger class sizes, and some are having issues with class schedules.
Wisconsin school referenda in tough times
With most Wisconsin school districts contemplating or committed to sizable local property tax increases for 2009-10 and looking at continued service and program cuts combined with more property tax increases in 2010-11, this is not the best time to be asking the voters to approve a referendum. Personal budgets are tight, the economy is uncertain and there is a delicate balance between program and service cuts as demonstrations of fiscal responsibility and program and service cuts undermining quality to the extent that it is difficult to garner further support (the “starve the beast” idea).
Yet because the problems caused by the latest state budget were piled on top of 16 years of struggles due to the broken state school finance system,some districts feel they have no choice. These include districts seeking building projects and districts who feel they cannot endure any more cuts and continue to provide the quality of education they are committed to.
http://madisonamps.org/2009/09/09/wisconsin-school-referenda-in-tough-times/
Paying more for less —
Appleton school district cuts not enough; property taxes expected to rise 10 percent
Despite cutting staff and assigning more students to each teacher, school district officials expect they will need nearly 10 percent more property revenue in the next budget. State aids for 2009-10 will be $3 million less than last year, shifting more of the budget-balancing burden to local property taxes.
"In order to sustain education programs we have in Appleton, we need to raise revenues," Don Hietpas, chief financial officer, said. Hietpas said the board already had made $3 million in reductions last spring after a February referendum failed, but then the state cut funding to schools — after Appleton and other districts locked in staffing for this fall.
"We are doing more with less," Supt. Lee Allinger said. "We have not staffed our programs with less staff than we are now, for the number of kids we have." Appleton has reduced its spending in technology, curriculum, capital projects, site and department budgets and co-curriculars by 18 percent over the last two years. Federal stimulus dollars provide some relief, but for a two-year period only.
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090918/APC0101/909180431/1979
Racine Rep Cory Mason pushes millionaire tax for job training fund
State Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, unveiled a bill that he says will train and educate thousands of Wisconsin workers. It would be financed by a 1% income tax increase on Wisconsin residents earning $1 million or more, producing $145 million, which would be leveraged by $135 million in federal matching funds.
The measure, called the Wisconsin Jobs Initiative, was presented at the State Capitol in a press conference by Mason and State Reps. Tamara Grigsby, D-Milwaukee, and Kim Hixson, D-Whitewater.
“Everywhere I turn in my district, people ask what can be done to get them back to work," Mason said. "What I am proposing today will train and educate at least 40,000 Wisconsin residents statewide and give employers the skilled workers they need."
http://racinenews.org/2009/09/08/representative-mason-announces-wisconsin-jobs-initiative/
Right wing tantrum and Milwaukee County budget conflict turns ugly
Milwaukee police cite a man for shoving a woman and throwing another man to the ground. All this was captured on video by FOX 6 News outside a rally at Serb Hall of the Citizens for Responsible Government. Those protesting outside were union workers opposed to budget cuts proposed by Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker.
One of the union protesters, Bill Mollenhauer, said, "I'm glad that they're issuing a citation. I think something needs to be done to the perpetrator that violently shoved my wife and then threw me into a bush."
http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-091005-budget-fight,0,6774221.story
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"Spending more, adding extracurricular activities and increasing the percentage of students deemed advanced on state tests could help Wisconsin school districts that want to attract more students," according to David Welsch, an assistant professor of economics at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and lead author of a study, which is slated for publication in the Economics of Education Review. DUH!
http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/62482962.html
Please forward this newsletter to whomever you think might be interested. For more information email Karen Royster at: kroyster@wisconsinsfuture.org
Like to join the mailing list, click on this link to the sign up form.
If you do not want to receive this newsletter, click on the link below.
September/October 2009
National Tax Foundation Prescribes Poison Pill for Wisconsin
If national think tanks could be sued for malpractice, Wisconsin would collect a sizable settlement.
In its recent report, 2010 State Business Tax Climate Index, the Washington, D.C. based Tax Foundation lays out how Wisconsin could ‘improve’ its tax policies. It recommend taxing groceries, eliminating business development incentives, slashing the state investment in health, education and transportation, and making everyone pay a flat income tax rate.
“It’s a losing proposition for middle class families, business, students and senior citizens,” states Jack Norman,
Research Director for the Institute for Wisconsin’s Future (IWF)
Click here for IWF's critique of the Tax Foundation report.
Paying their share — capital gains tax collects from the most affluent
The Wisconsin capital gains tax was increased in the 2009 budget to help fill serious revenue gaps impacting state, local and educational services.
This tax affects a small minority of taxpayers, primarily the wealthiest households. There were 2.96 million federal tax returns filed in Wisconsin in 2007. Of those, 627,470 claimed capital gains.Of this limited number, almost 80% were from households with income over $200,000 per year.
The total amount of capital gains claimed in Wisconsin that year was $10.44 billion. For families with incomes below $50,000 the average capital gains were $2,800.
Even for families with income between $100,000 - $150,000, the average capital gains was $13,000. But for the wealthiest households with income over $200,000 – the capital gains averaged $147,862.
P.S. A capital gain is the amount of profit made from the sale of stocks, bonds or other non-residential property.
http://www.irs.gov/taxstats/article/0,,id=171535,00.html
Wisconsin group calls for one penny sales tax to help K-12 schools
Schools are scrambling to meet basic operating costs across Wisconsin. The 2009 -2011 state budget reduced aid for schools – a lot. According to the Wisconsin Taxpayers Allance (9/8/09) "...94 districts saw aid drop 15% or more." An added problem is local spending caps. "Further complicating school budgets this year, the governor and legislature reduced the amount of new revenue that school districts can raise locally. Last year, the state allowed districts to raise revenue by $275 per student each year. For the next two years, however, the limit falls to $200, the same as in 1995-96."
The fallout is serious. Several small rural school districts are facing bankruptcy. Classes are getting larger, school materials are in short supply and important student programs are being cut back and sometimes eliminated altogether. The Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools is initiating a campaign to raise the state sales tax by one penny and channel the funds directly to K-12 schools.
Why a sales tax? A one penny sales tax hike can produce about $850 million annually. Wisconsin is a relatively low sales-tax state and the sales tax has been providing a declining share of state General Purpose Revenue, which leaves room for increases.
Why now? Read on....
Eau Claire students say cuts have an impact
While the Eau Claire school board has yet to adopt the 2009-10 budget, students already are feeling the impact of cuts approved last spring.
Brittany Landorf, one of two student representatives on the board, told members Monday students are feeling the effect of larger class sizes, and some are having issues with class schedules.
Wisconsin school referenda in tough times
With most Wisconsin school districts contemplating or committed to sizable local property tax increases for 2009-10 and looking at continued service and program cuts combined with more property tax increases in 2010-11, this is not the best time to be asking the voters to approve a referendum. Personal budgets are tight, the economy is uncertain and there is a delicate balance between program and service cuts as demonstrations of fiscal responsibility and program and service cuts undermining quality to the extent that it is difficult to garner further support (the “starve the beast” idea).
Yet because the problems caused by the latest state budget were piled on top of 16 years of struggles due to the broken state school finance system,some districts feel they have no choice. These include districts seeking building projects and districts who feel they cannot endure any more cuts and continue to provide the quality of education they are committed to.
http://madisonamps.org/2009/09/09/wisconsin-school-referenda-in-tough-times/
Paying more for less —
Appleton school district cuts not enough; property taxes expected to rise 10 percent
Despite cutting staff and assigning more students to each teacher, school district officials expect they will need nearly 10 percent more property revenue in the next budget. State aids for 2009-10 will be $3 million less than last year, shifting more of the budget-balancing burden to local property taxes.
"In order to sustain education programs we have in Appleton, we need to raise revenues," Don Hietpas, chief financial officer, said. Hietpas said the board already had made $3 million in reductions last spring after a February referendum failed, but then the state cut funding to schools — after Appleton and other districts locked in staffing for this fall.
"We are doing more with less," Supt. Lee Allinger said. "We have not staffed our programs with less staff than we are now, for the number of kids we have." Appleton has reduced its spending in technology, curriculum, capital projects, site and department budgets and co-curriculars by 18 percent over the last two years. Federal stimulus dollars provide some relief, but for a two-year period only.
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090918/APC0101/909180431/1979
Racine Rep Cory Mason pushes millionaire tax for job training fund
State Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, unveiled a bill that he says will train and educate thousands of Wisconsin workers. It would be financed by a 1% income tax increase on Wisconsin residents earning $1 million or more, producing $145 million, which would be leveraged by $135 million in federal matching funds.
The measure, called the Wisconsin Jobs Initiative, was presented at the State Capitol in a press conference by Mason and State Reps. Tamara Grigsby, D-Milwaukee, and Kim Hixson, D-Whitewater.
“Everywhere I turn in my district, people ask what can be done to get them back to work," Mason said. "What I am proposing today will train and educate at least 40,000 Wisconsin residents statewide and give employers the skilled workers they need."
http://racinenews.org/2009/09/08/representative-mason-announces-wisconsin-jobs-initiative/
Right wing tantrum and Milwaukee County budget conflict turns ugly
Milwaukee police cite a man for shoving a woman and throwing another man to the ground. All this was captured on video by FOX 6 News outside a rally at Serb Hall of the Citizens for Responsible Government. Those protesting outside were union workers opposed to budget cuts proposed by Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker.
One of the union protesters, Bill Mollenhauer, said, "I'm glad that they're issuing a citation. I think something needs to be done to the perpetrator that violently shoved my wife and then threw me into a bush."
http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-091005-budget-fight,0,6774221.story
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"Spending more, adding extracurricular activities and increasing the percentage of students deemed advanced on state tests could help Wisconsin school districts that want to attract more students," according to David Welsch, an assistant professor of economics at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and lead author of a study, which is slated for publication in the Economics of Education Review. DUH!
http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/62482962.html
Please forward this newsletter to whomever you think might be interested. For more information email Karen Royster at: kroyster@wisconsinsfuture.org
Like to join the mailing list, click on this link to the sign up form.
If you do not want to receive this newsletter, click on the link below.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
A INTERESTING WINNEBAGO COUNTY PARKS COMMITTEE ON MONDAY OCT. 5
http://www.co.winnebago.wi.us/countyclerk/docs/pra091005.pdf
Click on the blog entry title and you will see the agenda for the meeting.
Among items to be discussed will be the future plans of the County Park Beach facility.
There was a letter to the Editor last eek discussing the facility and what should be done with the facility.
Click on the blog entry title and you will see the agenda for the meeting.
Among items to be discussed will be the future plans of the County Park Beach facility.
There was a letter to the Editor last eek discussing the facility and what should be done with the facility.
WCA WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER
Volume 3, Issue 30www.wicounties.org | search newsletter archive
Benrud Appointed Vice Chair of WCHA
La Crosse County Supervisor Arlene Benrud has been appointed vice-chair of the Wisconsin County Highway Association. Supervisor Benrud fills the remainder of an unexpired term of a former board member.
To Ponder...
Amount state and local governments are forecast to spend on health information technology systems and services in 2014, a 4.6 percent compound annual growth from the $7.6 billion being spent in 2006: $9.6 billion.
Source: INPUT
Printable View
In This Issue
What Local Governments Need to Know About the 2010 Census
Applications Now Being Accepted for County Ambassador Program
Diverse Coalition Formed to Create an Economic Development Strategy for Wisconsin
September Update on Wisconsin Way Released
Sign Up Today for October Seminar on Managing Budgetary Crisis
Open Records Request Editorial
NACo Partners with National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
DNR's Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement & Control (UWDAC) Grant Application Announcement
Benrud Appointed Vice Chair of WCHA
To Ponder...
U.S. Census
What Local Governments Need to Know About the 2010 Census
In 2010, the U.S. Census will define who we are as a nation. Taken every 10 years, the census affects political representation and directs the allocation of billions of dollars in government funding. As an elected official, you work daily to secure the best interests of your constituents and to ignite positive change for your community.
By becoming a 2010 Census partner, you can help ensure that everyone in your community is counted so that your community receives its fair share of important services and resources.
To learn more about what your local government can do to become a 2010 Census partner, click here. Additional information on the census can be found here.
WCA Presidential Initiatives
Applications Now Being Accepted for County Ambassador Program
During her speech at the WCA Annual Conference, President Alice Connors announced the creation of the County Ambassador Program (CAP), which aims to get county officials more involved in the Association's efforts to educate members of the Legislature on the important functions served by county government, as well as supplement the work of WCA's Legislative Team.
At this time, President Connors is calling on all members of the county family to get involved in this initiative by joining the CAP Team. Members of the CAP Team will come to Madison four times during the legislative session to meet with Legislators and state agency officials on issues before the Wisconsin State Legislature impacting counties.
As President, she will appoint members of the CAP Team and hopes to have at least one team member from each of the 99 Assembly Districts and 33 Senate Districts. She encourages each of you to give great consideration to joining this effort. All county supervisors, executives, administrators, constitutional officers and department heads are encouraged to apply.
The application deadline for the CAP Team is October 23, 2009. For information on how to apply, as well as the application itself, click here.
Economic Development
Diverse Coalition Formed to Create an Economic Development Strategy for Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA), Competitive Wisconsin, Inc., and the Wisconsin Counties Association announced at the WEDA 2009 Fall Conference a partnership to create a long-term economic development strategy for Wisconsin.
Experts from the left- leaning Center on Wisconsin Strategy and the conservative Wisconsin Policy Research Institute agree that Wisconsin does not have an economic development strategy. The partners will hire an independent third party organization to an analysis of Wisconsin's overall regional, national and global economic development competitiveness. This analysis will offer recommendations to align and advance local, regional and statewide economic development efforts.
The study will be conducted by an independent third party consultant with expertise in economic development policy, planning, innovation, industry clusters and comparative market analysis. The study will build on the excellent economic development research that has been done by a variety of other organizations throughout the state, but, more important, will make solid program and policy recommendations to move Wisconsin forward. These recommendations will create the framework for a new, bold statewide economic development plan.
Full Story...
The Wisconsin Way
September Update on Wisconsin Way Released
Leaders of the Wisconsin Way continue aggressive outreach efforts meeting with individual local elected, civic and business leaders around the state and with numerous organizations and associations to discuss and get their input on the Draft Blueprint for Change. At a number of these meetings, individuals have suggested that it is a good time to provide the thousands of Wisconsin Way participants and supporters with a brief overview of what has been accomplished thus far and what is coming next.
To view the latest update on the Wisconsin Way, click here.
For more information about the Wisconsin Way, to view the Draft Blueprint for Change or to download a print ready version of the September Update please visit www.wisconsinway.org.
WCA Educational Seminar
Sign Up Today for October Seminar on Managing Budgetary Crisis
Sign up today for the October WCA Educational Seminar, "How to Effectively Manage Budgetary Crisis Utilizing Furloughs, Layoffs and Reductions in Force." The seminar will be held October 26, 2009 at the Holiday Inn in Stevens Point.
For more information on this seminar, click here.
County Administration
Open Records Request Editorial
Read an editorial by Christa Westerberg on open records requests that appeared in the Wisconsin State Journal by clicking here.
NACo Updates
NACo Partners with National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Trilogy and the National Association of Counties are proud to announce their partnership with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A) with the Network of Care for Aging and Disabilities.
The award winning Network of Care project first started as a California pilot in Alameda and Sacramento Counties in partnership with the state department of aging, and quickly spread throughout the state then onto many places across the nation. The formal partnering with NACo, N4A, and Trilogy - the developers of the Network of Care - is a terrific boost for counties and Area Agencies on Aging.
Full Story...
Environment and Land Use
DNR's Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement & Control (UWDAC) Grant Application Announcement
The Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement and Control (UWDAC) grant program was created in the 1997-1999 Biennial State Budget that provides a 50 percent cost sharing opportunity up to a maximum of $5,000 to urban areas* for a variety of wildlife damage and abatement control measures for white-tailed deer and Canada geese. The funds available this year equal $25,000.
The program intends to foster and encourage the gathering of public input for solving wildlife damage problems, monitor and establish population goals, and describe and undertake control methods approved by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Application forms for matching funds from the Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement and Control grant program are available from the Department of Natural Resources. The 2009 program will consider the following criteria when awarding grants:
Full Story...
Wisconsin Counties Association
22 East Mifflin Street, Suite 900
Madison Wisconsin 53703
Benrud Appointed Vice Chair of WCHA
La Crosse County Supervisor Arlene Benrud has been appointed vice-chair of the Wisconsin County Highway Association. Supervisor Benrud fills the remainder of an unexpired term of a former board member.
To Ponder...
Amount state and local governments are forecast to spend on health information technology systems and services in 2014, a 4.6 percent compound annual growth from the $7.6 billion being spent in 2006: $9.6 billion.
Source: INPUT
Printable View
In This Issue
What Local Governments Need to Know About the 2010 Census
Applications Now Being Accepted for County Ambassador Program
Diverse Coalition Formed to Create an Economic Development Strategy for Wisconsin
September Update on Wisconsin Way Released
Sign Up Today for October Seminar on Managing Budgetary Crisis
Open Records Request Editorial
NACo Partners with National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
DNR's Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement & Control (UWDAC) Grant Application Announcement
Benrud Appointed Vice Chair of WCHA
To Ponder...
U.S. Census
What Local Governments Need to Know About the 2010 Census
In 2010, the U.S. Census will define who we are as a nation. Taken every 10 years, the census affects political representation and directs the allocation of billions of dollars in government funding. As an elected official, you work daily to secure the best interests of your constituents and to ignite positive change for your community.
By becoming a 2010 Census partner, you can help ensure that everyone in your community is counted so that your community receives its fair share of important services and resources.
To learn more about what your local government can do to become a 2010 Census partner, click here. Additional information on the census can be found here.
WCA Presidential Initiatives
Applications Now Being Accepted for County Ambassador Program
During her speech at the WCA Annual Conference, President Alice Connors announced the creation of the County Ambassador Program (CAP), which aims to get county officials more involved in the Association's efforts to educate members of the Legislature on the important functions served by county government, as well as supplement the work of WCA's Legislative Team.
At this time, President Connors is calling on all members of the county family to get involved in this initiative by joining the CAP Team. Members of the CAP Team will come to Madison four times during the legislative session to meet with Legislators and state agency officials on issues before the Wisconsin State Legislature impacting counties.
As President, she will appoint members of the CAP Team and hopes to have at least one team member from each of the 99 Assembly Districts and 33 Senate Districts. She encourages each of you to give great consideration to joining this effort. All county supervisors, executives, administrators, constitutional officers and department heads are encouraged to apply.
The application deadline for the CAP Team is October 23, 2009. For information on how to apply, as well as the application itself, click here.
Economic Development
Diverse Coalition Formed to Create an Economic Development Strategy for Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA), Competitive Wisconsin, Inc., and the Wisconsin Counties Association announced at the WEDA 2009 Fall Conference a partnership to create a long-term economic development strategy for Wisconsin.
Experts from the left- leaning Center on Wisconsin Strategy and the conservative Wisconsin Policy Research Institute agree that Wisconsin does not have an economic development strategy. The partners will hire an independent third party organization to an analysis of Wisconsin's overall regional, national and global economic development competitiveness. This analysis will offer recommendations to align and advance local, regional and statewide economic development efforts.
The study will be conducted by an independent third party consultant with expertise in economic development policy, planning, innovation, industry clusters and comparative market analysis. The study will build on the excellent economic development research that has been done by a variety of other organizations throughout the state, but, more important, will make solid program and policy recommendations to move Wisconsin forward. These recommendations will create the framework for a new, bold statewide economic development plan.
Full Story...
The Wisconsin Way
September Update on Wisconsin Way Released
Leaders of the Wisconsin Way continue aggressive outreach efforts meeting with individual local elected, civic and business leaders around the state and with numerous organizations and associations to discuss and get their input on the Draft Blueprint for Change. At a number of these meetings, individuals have suggested that it is a good time to provide the thousands of Wisconsin Way participants and supporters with a brief overview of what has been accomplished thus far and what is coming next.
To view the latest update on the Wisconsin Way, click here.
For more information about the Wisconsin Way, to view the Draft Blueprint for Change or to download a print ready version of the September Update please visit www.wisconsinway.org.
WCA Educational Seminar
Sign Up Today for October Seminar on Managing Budgetary Crisis
Sign up today for the October WCA Educational Seminar, "How to Effectively Manage Budgetary Crisis Utilizing Furloughs, Layoffs and Reductions in Force." The seminar will be held October 26, 2009 at the Holiday Inn in Stevens Point.
For more information on this seminar, click here.
County Administration
Open Records Request Editorial
Read an editorial by Christa Westerberg on open records requests that appeared in the Wisconsin State Journal by clicking here.
NACo Updates
NACo Partners with National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Trilogy and the National Association of Counties are proud to announce their partnership with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A) with the Network of Care for Aging and Disabilities.
The award winning Network of Care project first started as a California pilot in Alameda and Sacramento Counties in partnership with the state department of aging, and quickly spread throughout the state then onto many places across the nation. The formal partnering with NACo, N4A, and Trilogy - the developers of the Network of Care - is a terrific boost for counties and Area Agencies on Aging.
Full Story...
Environment and Land Use
DNR's Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement & Control (UWDAC) Grant Application Announcement
The Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement and Control (UWDAC) grant program was created in the 1997-1999 Biennial State Budget that provides a 50 percent cost sharing opportunity up to a maximum of $5,000 to urban areas* for a variety of wildlife damage and abatement control measures for white-tailed deer and Canada geese. The funds available this year equal $25,000.
The program intends to foster and encourage the gathering of public input for solving wildlife damage problems, monitor and establish population goals, and describe and undertake control methods approved by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Application forms for matching funds from the Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement and Control grant program are available from the Department of Natural Resources. The 2009 program will consider the following criteria when awarding grants:
Full Story...
Wisconsin Counties Association
22 East Mifflin Street, Suite 900
Madison Wisconsin 53703
Saturday, October 03, 2009
A ORGANIZATION THATS DOING GREAT WORK AND IS FLYING UNDER THE RADAR OF MOST NOT KNOWING THE GREAT JOB IT DOING
There is a non-profit organization here in Oshkosh that is doing great work advocating and providing services for individuals who need it very much and doing it with only three individuals working for the organization. They are doing are very excellent job for the organization-without much fanfare or much recognition by the public. Either for themselves or for the organization they work for.
The organization is ARC of Winnebago County. The individuals are Lea Kitz who is the Executive Director and staff members are Ashley Hesse and Bob Poeschl.
I say this by observing them for the last year and being a volunteer for the ARC’s main fundraiser Artists for Arc on Friday October 2. A great an innovative way to raise money which this organization surely needs.
This organization lead by Executive Director Lea Kitz works tirelessly and endlessly to be a advocate not only those thye directly help and serve but also for the general public.
This organization has held forums on key matters confronting this county, are participants in the monthly Art Gallery Walk and do a great more to help those with disabilities and without.
If your looking for a organization that needs help with a donation of any kind I ask you to consider contacting the ARC of Winnebago County located on Main Street in Oshkosh.
The organization is ARC of Winnebago County. The individuals are Lea Kitz who is the Executive Director and staff members are Ashley Hesse and Bob Poeschl.
I say this by observing them for the last year and being a volunteer for the ARC’s main fundraiser Artists for Arc on Friday October 2. A great an innovative way to raise money which this organization surely needs.
This organization lead by Executive Director Lea Kitz works tirelessly and endlessly to be a advocate not only those thye directly help and serve but also for the general public.
This organization has held forums on key matters confronting this county, are participants in the monthly Art Gallery Walk and do a great more to help those with disabilities and without.
If your looking for a organization that needs help with a donation of any kind I ask you to consider contacting the ARC of Winnebago County located on Main Street in Oshkosh.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
2009 WCA REPORT
SUPERVISOR MIKE NORTON’S REPORT FROM THE
2009 W C A ANNUAL CONFERENCE
SEPTEMBER 13 THRU SEPTEMBER 15- 2009
The First General Assembly
Was highlighted by guest speaker Joe Dittmar a survivor of 911 World Trade Center tragedy. Mr. Dittmar works in the insurance industry in South Tower of World Trade Center when the tragedy of 99 occurred. He gave a moving and entertaining account of the morning of September 11,2001. He went from the time right before the tragedy happened to how he and other survivirs were able to move down the World Trade Center until reaching Ground Zero, Concluded how close he and others where until the second tower was hit and the towers collapsed, he concluded his talk until he reached his home in Illinois.
CONCURRENT WORSHOPS
I attended four concurrent workshops :
1. NAC0/U.S. Communities Achieve Sustainability & Savings by Going Green & Saving $ Through Cooperative Government Purchasing Alliances - In this session learned how county governments can save money by use of nationwide purchasing alliance. While it uses national vendors it can find local vendors that part of the national chain to use to purchase many items from office equipment to health care supplies, The second part of the session dealt with a GOING GREEN Program a one stop source for public agencies to purchase green products and have a sustainability program.
It has a step by step guide to purchase ‘green products, a resource to have sample policies, and many other guides \for GOING GREEN in Winnebago County. It is a education program as well as a guide to purchasing green products.
2.WELLNESS INIATIVES
Learned different ways counties have used to get employees to use a wellness program. It was headed by someone from UMR a care management organization presented why a successful Wellness program is needed for a company or county to get savings from health care costs.
Different tactics where discussed on how to get employees part of a Wellness program -also the objectives of a successful program and how is success measured.
3.THE COUNTY ECONOMIC SUPPORT CRISIS - This workshop dealt with how counties are dealing with -because of the recession- the increasing amount of clients/cases needing economic support and the various programs that they are eligible to utilize. The two counties who had speakers- LaCrosse and Rock are let case managers work a little longer each week and utilizing procedures to make case managing these types more efficient like a procedure called “frontloading” where all the documents a client must have to see if eligible are scanned into a computer where a record is kept for all to utilize who need the documents including corresponding State of Wisconsin agency. Being part of the Human Service Board I will look into this as I already have asked Bill Topel the Winnebago County Human Services Director about what learned already.
4.STRATEGIC ISSUES FACING COUNTY SERVICES AFTER FAMILY IMPLENTATION :
This was a basic workshop on what Human Services should be looking at after family care. Basically evaluating what services should be offered and how many employees are needed and where needed in the department. I did not get much out of this session.
OTHER GENERAL ASSEMBLYS AND AWARDS DINNER-
In the second general assembly the convention heard from 3 perspective governor candidates for 2010 which all were too vague for me. Also heard from Mark O’Connell-Executive Director of WCA who made some news in that he is thinking of running for governor himself in 2010. The crowd also viewed a short video presentation on what WCA had done the past year.
The final general assembly on Tuesday morning the highlights were the heads of UW Extension Richard Klemme and Dr. David Wilson and Roberta Gassman the Secretary of the Department of Workforce Development giving us the economic outlook for Wisconsin. The two from LaCrosse County government the county board chairman and county administer stated that counties should be like them and trust county staff.
The awards dinner was highlighted by the installion of officers headed by Alice Connors from Calumet County who will be the new President of WCA she stated she will make
human resources a top priority on her agenda ,she is past president of Wisconsin County Human Services Association. State Senator Lena Taylor from Milwaukee ,a prospective Lt. Governor candidate in 2010
received the award FRIEND OF GOVERNMENT AWARD from the WCA.
But the highlight of the evening and maybe the whole convention was when Marge Rankin-Director of Parkview received the WCA FRIEND IN GOVERNMENT AWARD for her efforts on behalf of nursing homes in the last state budget. Marge Rankin was very surprised by the award for she told
me before the dinner that the county executive asked her special to stay for the dinner.
RESPECTFULLY SIBMITTED BY MIKE NORTON
SEPTEMEBR 21, 2009
2009 W C A ANNUAL CONFERENCE
SEPTEMBER 13 THRU SEPTEMBER 15- 2009
The First General Assembly
Was highlighted by guest speaker Joe Dittmar a survivor of 911 World Trade Center tragedy. Mr. Dittmar works in the insurance industry in South Tower of World Trade Center when the tragedy of 99 occurred. He gave a moving and entertaining account of the morning of September 11,2001. He went from the time right before the tragedy happened to how he and other survivirs were able to move down the World Trade Center until reaching Ground Zero, Concluded how close he and others where until the second tower was hit and the towers collapsed, he concluded his talk until he reached his home in Illinois.
CONCURRENT WORSHOPS
I attended four concurrent workshops :
1. NAC0/U.S. Communities Achieve Sustainability & Savings by Going Green & Saving $ Through Cooperative Government Purchasing Alliances - In this session learned how county governments can save money by use of nationwide purchasing alliance. While it uses national vendors it can find local vendors that part of the national chain to use to purchase many items from office equipment to health care supplies, The second part of the session dealt with a GOING GREEN Program a one stop source for public agencies to purchase green products and have a sustainability program.
It has a step by step guide to purchase ‘green products, a resource to have sample policies, and many other guides \for GOING GREEN in Winnebago County. It is a education program as well as a guide to purchasing green products.
2.WELLNESS INIATIVES
Learned different ways counties have used to get employees to use a wellness program. It was headed by someone from UMR a care management organization presented why a successful Wellness program is needed for a company or county to get savings from health care costs.
Different tactics where discussed on how to get employees part of a Wellness program -also the objectives of a successful program and how is success measured.
3.THE COUNTY ECONOMIC SUPPORT CRISIS - This workshop dealt with how counties are dealing with -because of the recession- the increasing amount of clients/cases needing economic support and the various programs that they are eligible to utilize. The two counties who had speakers- LaCrosse and Rock are let case managers work a little longer each week and utilizing procedures to make case managing these types more efficient like a procedure called “frontloading” where all the documents a client must have to see if eligible are scanned into a computer where a record is kept for all to utilize who need the documents including corresponding State of Wisconsin agency. Being part of the Human Service Board I will look into this as I already have asked Bill Topel the Winnebago County Human Services Director about what learned already.
4.STRATEGIC ISSUES FACING COUNTY SERVICES AFTER FAMILY IMPLENTATION :
This was a basic workshop on what Human Services should be looking at after family care. Basically evaluating what services should be offered and how many employees are needed and where needed in the department. I did not get much out of this session.
OTHER GENERAL ASSEMBLYS AND AWARDS DINNER-
In the second general assembly the convention heard from 3 perspective governor candidates for 2010 which all were too vague for me. Also heard from Mark O’Connell-Executive Director of WCA who made some news in that he is thinking of running for governor himself in 2010. The crowd also viewed a short video presentation on what WCA had done the past year.
The final general assembly on Tuesday morning the highlights were the heads of UW Extension Richard Klemme and Dr. David Wilson and Roberta Gassman the Secretary of the Department of Workforce Development giving us the economic outlook for Wisconsin. The two from LaCrosse County government the county board chairman and county administer stated that counties should be like them and trust county staff.
The awards dinner was highlighted by the installion of officers headed by Alice Connors from Calumet County who will be the new President of WCA she stated she will make
human resources a top priority on her agenda ,she is past president of Wisconsin County Human Services Association. State Senator Lena Taylor from Milwaukee ,a prospective Lt. Governor candidate in 2010
received the award FRIEND OF GOVERNMENT AWARD from the WCA.
But the highlight of the evening and maybe the whole convention was when Marge Rankin-Director of Parkview received the WCA FRIEND IN GOVERNMENT AWARD for her efforts on behalf of nursing homes in the last state budget. Marge Rankin was very surprised by the award for she told
me before the dinner that the county executive asked her special to stay for the dinner.
RESPECTFULLY SIBMITTED BY MIKE NORTON
SEPTEMEBR 21, 2009
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