Underheim's Last Days

Underheim quietly ends nearly 20 years in Assembly

By Bethany K. Warner of The Northwestern

Gregg Underheim won't miss the knocking on doors, the fund-raising, or editorials about what he's doing – or not doing – in Madison.

What he said he will miss come January, when his nearly 20 years as the state Assembly Representative for the 54th district ends, is having influence in areas that concern him.

"My opinion matters on stuff that I care about," Underheim said, "I don't have that anymore."

Underheim, who was first elected in a special election in 1987, announced in early 2006 that he would not seek reelection this fall, opening the door for a new representative, Democrat Gordon Hintz, to win the seat.

Underheim said his decision not to seek reelection was in large part based on Northwestern editorials that, he said, would bring "pointed criticism" no matter what issue was brought up.

"It wasn't worth the hassle," Underheim said. "It wasn't worth the stress."

He said also that knocking on doors during campaigns was draining.

Knocking on doors though, is what won Underheim the seat in the first place and likely kept him in office.

"I think he was elected and reelected in a district that has been trending Democratic because he spent so much time in the district. He was really exceptional at maintaining contact with constituents of this district. During the campaign, you'd see him everywhere. That tended to build up a great deal of good will that he could call upon when he was seeking reelection," said Jim Simmons, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Early on, Underheim said he realized that to stand out in the Assembly, he needed to become a specialist in certain area. Underheim picked the healthcare marketplace and ended up serving on the Assembly Health Committee since 1989, and as chairman since 1995.

One of the things that Underheim is most proud of having accomplished during his time in Madison was the health care transparency legislation that required more data about healthcare cost and quality to be made public.

"Had I not been in the legislature, I don't think we'd be there today," Underheim said.

Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, who worked with Underheim in the Assembly, said the transparency bill was hard legislation to push.

"It was a tough battle. He had to take on some pretty heavy hitters," Olsen said. "He was very passionate about what he believed in. He could play hardball with the best of them."

Underheim teamed up with Sen. Carol Roessler, R-Oshkosh, often. In addition to having overlapping districts, Roessler also chaired the Senate health committee, bringing them to work together more.

"He will be missed in regards to healthcare. I think he was really innovative and had great ideas. I'm really sorry those won't be pursued anymore," said Michelle Litjens, the chair of the Winnebago County Republican Party.

Roessler, who's election to the state Senate opened up the Assembly seat that Underheim held, said that he was a good legislator to work with.

"He was willing to work hard for the job. He understood what it would take for the electorate to know him and feel comfortable with him. He knew it would take a lot of footwork. He was eager to learn. He had an energy, dedicated to learning the issues," Roessler said.

Though they come from different political persuasion, Hintz said he's enjoyed talking or debating about issues with Underheim. Hintz lost to Underheim in his first bid for the seat in 2004.

"I think Gregg has always been professional in terms of where he stood. When he gave his word on what he was going to do, he stayed pretty consistent," Hintz said.

Ending his time in the legislature, Underheim was hoping to go to work for the University of Wisconsin system, but thinks now he may become a lobbyist.

This fall, Underheim broke ranks with the Republicans, speaking against the definition of marriage amendment.

"Any time you wind up voting against the majority of your party, it takes somebody to stand up and say what you believe. That's the sign of somebody who has the convictions of their beliefs," Olsen said.

While it frustrated some Republicans, Litjens said Underheim was cordial even when there was a disagreement.

"I think a lot of people respected him for that. You could disagree on one issue and agree on some many others, it didn't matter," Litjens said.

Image borrowed from the Oshkosh Northwestern PIC, Photo by Andy Manis

Posted December 27, 2006

www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061227/OSH0101/612270361/1128/OSHnews

Editorial on Underheim

Posted December 28, 2006

Oshkosh Northwestern Editorial: Underheim's long service appreciated

Gregg Underheim's service to Oshkosh and Wisconsin will be missed.

The nearly 20-year Republican Assemblyman for the 54th state Assembly district makes way for Democrat Gordon Hintz early next month. Underheim opted not to seek reelection.

Underheim had a noble dedication to getting meaningful health care legislation passed.

In an age when "health care" is more mantra than mission for many politicians, Underheim helped get a law passed that require more public information about prices and ratings. Empowering the consumer in this day and age is not easy.

Underheim often carried the water for his party on controversial votes, a practice which often put him at odds in an increasingly moderate district.

One notable exception was his Constitutionally-grounded opposition to the state marriage-definition amendment, which passed in November. He spoke eloquently for what he believed.

One of his strongest and most politically-endearing attributes was in wearing out his shoes.

Underheim was a die-hard door-knocker. He believed and demonstrated that visiting people on their front porches, if only for a moment and if only to ask for one vote, impresses people.

They don't forget a politician who trades automated phone banks in favor of trudging through the rain to shake their hands at home.

From www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061228/OSH06/612280404/1190/OSHopinion

Democratic Party Press release against Leschke

HERE COME THE SPECIAL INTEREST ADS

Hold your nose and your wallets as Lobbyists buy Julie Pung Leschke


Two of the biggest lobbyists in Madison, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) and Wisconsin Realtors Association (WRA) have pumped in thousands of dollars on radio and cable TV to buy Oshkosh Assembly candidate Julie Pung Leschke.

The political ads, known as “issue advocacy” are a way for wealthy individuals and corporations to skirt Wisconsin campaign finance laws and buy political candidates.


“Issue advocacy ads as are a way for lobby groups to get around the law and buy elections. WMC and the Realtors have been consistent in opposing campaign reform because they have spent millions of dollars on these phony baloney issue ads,” said Jim Smith, Director of the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee (ADCC). “They view Wisconsin campaign laws as an inconvenience that should not apply to the wealthy and powerful.”


As a member of the Winnebago County Board in 2000, Julie Pung Leschke voted against a campaign reform referendum that was supported by 92% of the voters. This fall, Pung Leschke has refused to reply to the ethics reform questionnaire from the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, the League of Women Voters and Common Cause even though the groups extended the deadline for candidates to respond.


“Julie Pung Leschke’s documented opposition to ethics and campaign reform makes her an ideal pawn for these powerful lobbyists,” Smith said. “She won’t tell people what she stands for; she won’t even tell people she’s a Republican. Her plan is to sit back and let the lobbyists do their dirty work. Then they’ll own her.”

An estimated $40,000 in advertising is being spent by the two lobbying group to prop up Leschke’s camp.


“These lobbyists spend more in a month than a lot of families in Oshkosh make in a year, just to buy off Julie Pung Leschke,” added Smith. “They don’t care about the people of Oshkosh; their job is to protect some of the wealthiest interests in the state. They do their job well; the lobby effort to cut shared revenue to Oshkosh forced the city to institute an unfair garbage fee.”

From the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee, PO Box 814, Madison, WI 53701, (608) 258-9225, For Release: October 10, 2006, Contact: Jim Smith (608) 258-9225
www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/Oct06/Oct11/1011adccpungleschke.pdf

Julie Pung Leschke Data

According to cached records from Julie's website:

PAGE 1

Your Voice - I have a strong commitment to Oshkosh and will bring independent thinking, ethical behavior and limited government spending if elected.

Tough on government spending - I'm committed to keeping a watchful eye on government spending. We work too hard to see our tax dollars squandered on wasteful projects. I'm determined to control government spending and keep our hard-earned money in our own pocketbooks.

Independent thinking for Oshkosh - Bringing good jobs to our area - and keeping them - is vital for working families who are struggling to pay the high cost of health care. I want to make sure Wisconsin creates the kinds of jobs that will help our children stay in the state and build a better future.

Fresh ideas to reform government - I was raised to believe in the importance of honesty and integrity and will help restore the tarnished reputation of Wisconsin government. I'll fight for new laws governing awarding of state contracts, investing and uncovering of waste, fraud and abuse and requiring accountability at every level of state government.


PAGE 2

Ready to represent your voice for Oshkosh ! -- Tough on government spending. Independent thinking for Oshkosh. Fresh ideas to reform government.

I’m running to serve the 54th Assembly District because I care about the future of Oshkosh. I’ll listen and work for you with diligence and integrity. I’ll work to reduce taxes and government spending. I’ll work to retain jobs we already have and create a better employment climate ensuring a prosperous future for Oshkosh. I’ll work to create collaborative solutions in healthcare to ensure high quality while controlling costs and providing consumer choice. I’ll work towards innovations in education that create excellence at every level and prepare our children for success. Please explore my site and learn more about the campaign. Please contact me if you have any questions. I look forward to your vote on November 7th and earning the honor of representing your voice in Madison.


PAGE 3

Julie Pung Leschke for Oshkosh, 2015 Menominee Drive, Oshkosh, WI 54901
To contact via email: julie@julieforoshkosh.org To contact via phone:230.8683 (VOTE)


PAGE 4

Who's Julie -- I've lived, worked, and raised a family in Oshkosh for over 20 years. I graduated from Oshkosh North high school and returned to Oshkosh after college graduation. My family includes my husband John and four sons Tommy, Jimmy, Jack and Joe.

I've been active in our community serving as a Winnebago County Board Supervisor, Teacher for the Suzuki Talent Education Center, Executive Director of the Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra, Organizer/Director of the local Choice Bank of Oshkosh, and practice manager for Anesthesia Services of the Fox Valley.My civic involvement includes working with the YMCA, Regional Domestic Abuse Serivces Board, Progress Oshkosh, Forward Oshkosh and Unified Catholic Schools.

I look forward to representing your voice in Madison.From Oshkosh. For Oshkosh.


PAGE 5

Julie Responds to Attacks

Radio Ad (“Oshkosh Roots, Oshkosh Values”); First aired approx. Friday, October 13th
“In a recent interview on “Eye on Oshkosh,” she said she opposed campaign finance reform, and it’s not hard to see why.”
I said no such thing. Of all the various different forms of “campaign finance reform” that were discussed, I only opposed public financing, which I equate to a “campaign tax” on an unwilling populace.


Lit Drop Piece (“Oshkosh Roots, Oshkosh Values”); First dropped on Saturday, October 14th
“Julie Pung Leschke and her supporters are running false and misleading ads against me.”
This is a lie. To this point in the campaign, Julie’s ads (and mail/lit pieces for that matter) had not even made reference to Gordon, either by name or inference. The only ad that mentions my opponent is a radio that began airing on Thursday, October 26th

“Julie Pung Leschke supports a RISKY TAX SCHEME that benefits the wealthy and corporations over homeowner.” (no citation)

He doesn’t identify what “tax scheme” Julie supports, but all of her tax plans (Taxpayer Protection Amendment, Repeal of Pension Tax, and Health Savings Accounts) benefit any one who 1.) pays income taxes; 2.) has a pension; 3.) wants to save for health care expenses.
“Burden working families with HIGHER LOCAL PROPERTY TAX BILLS by abandoning the state’s commitment to fund education costs and state aid to Oshkosh.” (no citation)

Julie has not proposed any cuts in K-12 education and state aid (shared revenue).

“Continue CORPORATE TAX LOOPHOLES allowing companies to locate their headquarters out of state, saving millions for big business and forcing you to pick up the tab.” (no citation)

Again, he does not identify what “loopholes” he is talking about and where Julie said she allegedly said this.

“Her plan will lead to even MORE UNFAIR FEES LIKE THE GARBAGE FEE.” (no citation)
What plan is he talking about?


Lit Drop Piece (“Julie Pung Leschke, Wrong for Students”); First dropped on UW-O Campus in mid-October

Claim: Back Massive Tuition Increases and Cuts in Financial AidJulie Pung Leschke supports risky tax schemes like TPA that would have increased tuition by $200 million and severely limited financial aid if it had been enacted 20 years ago (Click Here).

Truth: This study examines the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) and was released on March 4, 2006. I support the Taxpayer Protection Amendment, which is a completely different version and was introduced on April 27, 2006. This is comparing apples and oranges.
“I will not vote for a budget that cuts the UW System budget, and I support the goal of a tuition freeze in the near future because our UW students and families simply cannot afford tuition increases that surpass their own paycheck increases!” (Advance Titan, October 16, 2006).

Claim: Wants to Shrink the Size of UW-OshkoshJulie Pung Leschke supports proposals like TPA that Chancellor Wells said would reduce UW-Oshkosh by 873 students in one budget and shrink enrollment by 27% after six years (Wells 4/6/06 TPA Testimony).

Truth: Again, this is an examination of a TPA version that is different version than the one I support. The Taxpayer Protection Amendment would tie increases in state spending to increases in personal income. In other words, it wouldn’t reduce or shrink anything. When you receive increases in your salary year-to-year, is your budget reduced or shrunk?

Claim: Would Let Pharmacists Deny Women Birth ControlJulie Pung Leschke is supported by extremist interest groups that want to allow pharmacies to deny birth control to women based on their personal beliefs, inserting their ideologies into your medical decisions (AB 207, Patient Abandonment Bill).

Truth: Well, which one is it? Do I want to let pharmacists deny women birth control or am I merely supported by groups who want to let pharmacists deny women birth control?
Actually, neither is true. I don’t think pharmacists should be able to deny women contraception, and Assembly Bill 207 would not allow for such denials. According to the Legislative Council, last year’s conscience clause legislation (AB 207) provides various employment, liability, and disciplinary protections for health care professionals, health care facilities, and certain others who refuse to participate in sterilization procedures, abortions, assisted suicide, and certain other procedures if the refusal is based on moral or religious grounds.

The bill itself states, “Throughout the bill, ‘participate in’ is broadly defined, but does not include prescribing, dispensing, or administering contraceptive articles, as defined in current law (emphasis added).” Contraceptive article is defined in s. 450.155 (1)(a) of the Wisconsin Statutes as “any drug, medicine, mixture, preparation, instrument, article or device of any nature used or intended or represented to be used to prevent a pregnancy.” In other words, this legislation would not allow for the denial of contraception.

Claim: Backs Efforts to Suppress Students VoteJulie Pung Leschke supports making it harder for students to vote and will support Republicans in the legislature in their efforts to stifle your voice (Oshkosh Northwestern, Sept. 1, 2000).

Truth: I support an effort to require that voters provide photo identification when they vote on Election Day and provide a state-issued identification free-of-charge for those who do not have one. This has everything to do with identity and nothing to do with proof of residency.
Voters currently must provide a proof of current residence when voting if they are not registered, and this bill would not change that.

Claim: Supports the marriage and civil unions banJulie Pung Leschke supports writing discrimination into the Wisconsin Constitution that will impact not only gay people but heterosexual couples, and brand Wisconsin as a state of intolerance (Eye on Oshkosh, Oct. 2).

Truth: I plan to vote “yes” on the marriage amendment, but since I have not yet served in the Legislature, I did not cast a vote on it during either of the two previous legislative sessions. My vote on the amendment counts no more than anyone else’s vote. It’s interesting that Republicans have been accused of making this a wedge issue when I have not addressed the issue unless asked about it. It is Gordon who is making it a wedge issue.


Lit Drop Piece (“Mad About the City Garbage Fee”); First dropped on Saturday, October 21st)

Interestingly, this piece began appearing on the same day in which the Oshkosh Northwestern announced that the preliminary 2007 budget would scrap the garbage fee “Julie Pung Leschke and her supporters burden working families with higher property tax bills by abandoning the state’s commitment to fund education and state aid to Oshkosh.” When or how did I say I would abandon these funding examples? This is possibly more lies about TPA, which DOES NOT CUT ANYTHING!”


Radio Ad (“Oshkosh Roots, Oshkosh Values”); First aired approx. Friday, October 13th
“When things got tough for the Oshkosh Symphony, Julie Pung Leschke quit just 6 weeks after she started.”

I resigned after 3 months, not 6 weeks, and it wasn’t because “things got tough.” “And now, she opposes ethics reform in Madison.” I support: Senate Bill 1, also known as the “Ethics Reform Bill” (LWV Survey) A ban on campaign contributions during the budget (LWV Survey) A prohibition on convicted legislators becoming lobbyists (LWV Survey) Full disclosure for independent expenditures.



PAGE 6 (Supporters)

A List of individuals listed as supporters: Susan Albrecht, Thomas & Marianne Allen, Carla Altepeter, Susan Andrews , Jim Backus, Tom & Elizabeth Baum, Dan Becker, Bruce & Kathy Berndt, John J. & Polly M. Blossom, Dr. Marc C. & Kathleen M. Blum, Fran Born, Mike & June Brefczynski, John Buckstaff, Jill & Clark Caflisch, Dick & Marilyn Campbell, Williard Carlson, Hugh Carver, John & Diane Casper, Jim & Sheila Cauley, John M. Cleaver, Jr.Bob & Marcy Coglianese, LeRoy & Marge Dahms, Martine D'Amour, Jon & Jo Dell'Antonia, Richard & Agnes Downs, Jim & Mary Ellerbusch, Dale Feinauer, Lori Frassetto, Phil Florek, Dr. Mike & Amy Foley, Terry & Jeanne Footit, Tom Fojtik, Pat & Patti Frohrib, Ben Ganther, Fritz & Betsy Ganther, Roger & Diana Gerlach, Donald & Anita Gerth, Paul & Sherri Getchel, Bill & Sandy Hammond, Mike Hanneman & Karen Dustrude, Bob & Judy Hergert, Mike & Julie Hert, Jim & Cindy Janes, Dr. David & Kristin Janssen, Ron & Jane Johnson, Lisa Jensen, Jack & Theresa Kelly, Mike & Gail Knier, Terry Laib, Ron & Scherie Lampe, Randy Larsen, Peg & Paul Larson, Phyllis Leach, Cindy & Mike Leib, Bill & Gloria Lennon, Andy & Carrie Leschke, David Leschke, Jack Leschke, Dr. Jack & Shirley Leschke, Joe Leschke, Dr. John Leschke, Lucy Leschke, Tommy Leschke, Tony & Michelle Litjens Charlene & Bill Lowe, Sherry Lynch, John & Sally Mathison, Tom & Marcia McDermott, Dr. Donald & Sylvia McDonald, Dr. Jeff & Sherri McLaughlin, Audrey McNeely, Dr. Stephen & Janice Merfeld, David & Jan Metzig, Jim & Patti Michelson, Ron Montgomery, Tim & Polly Moore, Norm Mueller, Tamara & Larry Mugerauer, Jack & Ginna Nelson, Nate Nelson, Mark Nielsen, Rod & Patti Oilschlager, John & Joni Pagel, Diane Penzenstadler, John & Patty Plude, Lucy & Bill Plummer, Jenna Poeschl, Jim & Jody Poeschl, Keith & Julie Pollnow, Barry & Julie Puhl, Robert & Maryellen Pung, Brian & Mary Pung, Dr. Curt & Kathy Radford, Steve & Ruth Rankin, Dr. Tom & Angie Reinardy, Dave & Amy Resop, Chris & Dave Richards, Mary C. Robl, Bruce & Nancy Rounds, Dennis & Kellie Ruedinger, Dorothy Ruland, Dennis R. Rumlow, Tom Rusch, Eileen Scalise, Jim & Stacey Schiek, Randy Schmiedel, Verona Schneider, Ben and Nancy Schneider, Tom Shepeck, Dr James and Victoria Siepmann, Tom & Jennifer Sitter, Dr. E.T. & Patricia Sonnleitner, Stan Spanbauer, David and Sara Spanbauer, Glenn & Jean Steinbrecher, Jack & Gail Steinhilber, Dr. & Mrs. Leslie H. Stone, Paul Swanson, Frank & Kristen Tower, Mark & Christine Troudt, Steven P. Verwiel, Nella Warfield, Sue & Roger Winninghoff, Larry & Patricia Wirth, Richard & Bonnie Jean Wolfgram, Bill and Beth Wyman, Ernie and Donna Zmolek.

Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy G. Thompson, State Senator Michael Ellis, State Representative Dean Kaufert, State Senator Carol Roessler, State Representative Gregg Underheim, David Albrecht, Winnebago County Board Chair, Pat Brennand, Winnebago County Board Supervisor, Barry Busby, Winnebago County Coroner, Paul Esslinger, Oshkosh City Council Member, Diane Fremgen, Winnebago County Clerk of Courts, Stan Kline, Winnebago County Board Supervisor, Kathleen Lennon, Winnebago County Board Supervisor, Dennis McHugh, Oshkosh City Council Member, Ken Robl, Winnebago County Board Supervisor, Meredith Scheuermann, Oshkosh City Council Member, Ben Schneider II, Oshkosh Board of Education Member

National Federation of Independent Business - Wisconsin (NFIB), Tavern League of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Restaurant Association, Wisconsin Right to Life

Taken from the Julie For Oshkosh Campaign Website from the 2006 Assembly Race. The site is down but was cached.

Ethics Reform Agreement

From Governor's Office 12/14/06

http://wispolitics.com/1006/_12_1_.14.06___Ethics.pdf

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today joined with Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch (R-West Salem), Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson (D-Beloit), Assembly Minority Leader Jim Kreuser (DKenosha), Assembly Majority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon), Representative Mark Pocan (DMadison), and Representative Mark Gundrum (R-New Berlin) to announce an agreement to pass major, bipartisan ethics reform early in 2007.

“This agreement is not only a major breakthrough on significant ethics and elections reform, it’s a very hopeful sign that Republicans and Democrats can work together,” Governor Doyle said.

“This reform is strong, far reaching, and most importantly, bipartisan. It is a great step forward for Wisconsin, and I look forward to signing it into law.”

“The public has demanded that Republicans and Democrats work together and we have done that with a fair, bi-partisan solution to restore integrity to our political process,” Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch said.

“These reforms are a good first step toward reaffirming the public’s trust in the integrity of this great institution,” Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson said.

“This legislation creates a strong, independent body that will aggressively address ethical issues,
and help restore the public’s confidence in their government,” Representative Mark Gundrum said.

"This reform measure provides the elements we need to ensure clean government in Wisconsin, as well as strengthens some aspects of previous proposals,” Representative Mark Pocan said.

“This is clearly a victory for good government in our state."

“The autonomy and strength of the new board is a welcome change,” Assembly Majority Leader
Jeff Fitzgerald said. “Clear guidelines and independent rulings will certainly lead to stability in the process where the goal is to prevent violations in the first place.”

“The people of Wisconsin have made their voice heard on this issue – they want change, they want reform. Today we are standing together and saying in unison that we hear them and we are ready to act. I’m proud of the work we’ve done and the bill we’ve created. I hope this is only the first of many cooperative, bipartisan efforts that we’ll be announcing over the next two years.” Representative Jim Kreuser said.

Under this agreement:

􀂾 The State Elections Board and the State Ethics Board will be merged to create an independent non-partisan Government Accountability Board, free from political appointees. Instead of the members being selected by politicians and political parties, a panel of Court of Appeals judges will select a pool of retired judges. The Governor will make appointments from that list and be confirmed by the Legislature.

􀂾 The Board will be given the necessary resources to conduct any investigations it authorizes. The board will not need approval from the Legislature or the Governor to proceed with any investigation it authorizes.

􀂾 The Board will have the authority to investigate criminal and civil matters. The board will be able to prosecute a civil matter itself while criminal matters it investigates can be referred to a District Attorney for prosecution.

􀂾 The Board will be empowered to review existing Ethics and Election Board rulings and opinions in order to provide clear, consistent guidelines. The Board’s mandate will be to ensure the effectiveness and independence of our ethics rules and election practices.

􀂾 The Board will oversee both a Division of Ethics and Integrity and a Division of Elections, with campaign finance matters now being handled by the Division of Ethics and Integrity. The staff of the Division of Elections will now be able to focus exclusively on managing, monitoring and administering elections, while campaign finance and ethics matters will be handled together. Right now, campaign finance issues are handled by the State Elections Board while ethics matters are handled by the Ethics Board.

􀂾 Governor Doyle will call a Special Session for January for the Legislature to act on the bill. The Legislature will hold hearings on the bill and will vote in January.

Young Hintz - "The Best and Brightest"

Apparently Tommy Thompson didn't always speak against Gordon Hintz:

The Hidden Cost of Low-Wage Work

Hardworking Families Rely on Medical Assistance and other Support

178,000 Wisconsin families that earn low wages still need public assistance even though they
are working all year round. The federal and state costs of programs to support these workers
are substantial: $837 million per year.

A new report from the Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS), When Work Doesn’t Pay, takes a
close look at the “hidden public costs” of low wage jobs. The report shows that through five
important programs, Medical Assistance (from BadgerCare, Medicaid, and the State Child
Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP)); Wisconsin Shares child care subsidies; Food Stamps; the
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC); and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), the
public pays to fill in the gap between what work pays and what families need. The report also
shows that some employers may be increasingly taking advantage of Wisconsin’s strong safety
net—using publicly funded assistance programs, especially medical assistance, as essentially a
private subsidy.


Hard, consistent work does not always pay enough or provide health insurance to
sustain a family.

Of the $1.85 billion spent on public support programs, 45 percent—$837 million—supports yearround working families. Despite these families’ commitment to work, they must rely on the state to make ends meet. By far the most important and expensive support to year-round working families is medical assistance ($315 million). With employer provided health insurance in decline, the medical assistance costs of low-wage jobs will continue to grow.


Lower wage jobs mean higher costs for the public.

More than half of the year-round working families enrolled Wisconsin assistance programs earn
less than $10 per hour. The gap between what families earn and need is exacerbated by
industries that both pay low wages and do not provide health insurance. In these low wage/low
benefit industries, workers rely especially on state provided health insurance.


Health care, retail and social service sectors all generate high public costs.

The health care sector has the highest number of workers receiving public benefits. Of the $837 million spent annually on public benefits for year-round working Wisconsin families, $187 million, or 22 percent, is spent on workers in the health care industry.

Within health care, the residential care subsector contributes the overwhelming majority of
these costs. More than one-in-four of residential care workers receives public support and the
subsector alone accounts for $94 million of the total public expense.

The retail sector generates the second highest public cost in the state. Workers in this sector
account for $75 million of the public expense.

Finally, the social service sector generates costs that are most out of scale with the size of the
industry. While the sector accounts for only 2.1 percent of Wisconsin jobs, it accounts for 4.5
percent of working families that rely on public benefits.

“The irony of the high costs in health care and social services is obvious and bitter,” says report
author Laura Dresser. “The very workers committed to taking care of others have wages and
benefits so low that they must rely on public programs to help make ends meet.”

Read entire report here:
www.cows.org/pdf/rp-low-wage-jobs.pdf.

From http://wispolitics.com/1006/061205COWSWagePR.pdf

It's time to chart the course for Wisconsin's environment

By Stephen M. Born

Another election season has come and gone. In Wisconsin, there was little intelligent discussion about our environment and how we should protect, manage and use our incredible natural resources to maintain the quality of life and recreational opportunities most Wisconsinites cherish.

I often imagined I could hear Gaylord Nelson reminding the political aspirants that "the economy is just a subsidiary of the environment."

Gov. Jim Doyle and his agencies, along with a new Legislature and new local leadership, now have a responsibility to lay out their vision for Wisconsin's environment, including what actions they plan and what resources they propose to commit.

Several policy issues need to be addressed, but our political and civic leaders must also ensure that the pieces fit into an integrated management program. Goals should include managing for sustainability; ensuring a viable future for our working agricultural lands and forests; protecting our state's biological diversity; promoting healthy and livable communities; reducing our contributions to greenhouse gas emissions; conserving and protecting our priceless land and water resources; and pursuing these goals through transparent, democratic, scientifically based and fair decision-making.

Land use issues should be at or near the top of the list. How we use, develop and conserve our land determines the future of our water resources, wetlands, wildlife, working landscapes, transportation options, communities, public health and more.

Wisconsin enacted "smart growth" comprehensive land use planning legislation in 1999, and many local governments across the state have engaged their citizens in charting their communities' futures. Political leaders should commit to stay the course, provide the requisite resources to complete the planning and implement the plans.

Given our growing population and expanding communities, reauthorization of the state Stewardship Program also is a high priority. And we must ensure that existing programs to protect dwindling lake and river shorelands and threatened wetlands are carried out. That should be non-negotiable.

Water defines Wisconsin. We need to fully implement the Clean Water Act - especially for urban and agricultural runoff management, which dramatically affects our water quality. Adequate, well-targeted funding of the nonpoint source management program, including a focus on manure, agricultural land and nutrient management, is essential; without funds our innovative programs are a charade.

We must also protect our state's buried treasure, ground water. Working with neighboring states, we also need to follow up on plans and charters to protect the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. And it's time for water-rich Wisconsin to conserve water aggressively to assure future supplies, protect aquifers and move toward a sustainable balance between supply and demand.

There are many opportunities to pursue conservation and sustainable sources of energy and build on clean energy legislation enacted in the last session. We need to revitalize long-range energy planning for the state. Part of that planning should involve rethinking our continuing dependence on and expansion of coal-fired generating plants. It should include creative planning for a truly multimodal, environmentally and energy-sensitive transportation system. Taking such actions will also reduce our "carbon footprint" and contributions to global warming.
Other issues also need continuing attention, including air quality in urbanizing areas and mercury, pharmaceutical and other possible contaminants in our waters.

Protecting threatened and endangered species and stemming the horde of invasive non-native plants and animals is a less recognized priority with significant consequences to our environment.

Now that Doyle has been re-elected, a follow-up "report card" to citizens on progress on his Conserve Wisconsin initiative, launched last year, is warranted.

Finally, we need plans and actions to increase civic engagement in environmental stewardship. Citizens across the Badger State play important roles in caring for our environment through watershed associations, lake districts, hunting and fishing organizations, land conservancies and "friends" groups. The state should invest in and facilitate these burgeoning efforts at civic environmentalism. We also need to renew our state's once-strong commitment to environmental education.

The time to chart the course and take action for tomorrow's Wisconsin is now.

Stephen M. Born is emeritus professor of planning and environmental studies at UW-Madison.Published: December 1, 2006

http://www.madison.com/tct/opinion/column/index.php?ntid=109546&ntpid=2#

Kaufert, Doyle and a Fox Valley opening

Switch hitter?

Ex-Gov. Tommy Thompson may not have invented the strategy, but he sure perfected it, and now his longtime rival, Gov. Jim Doyle, is tearing a page from the Tommy playbook.

The Democratic governor, you see, is looking for a Republican or two to hire in hopes of giving his party control of the Assembly.

Doyle is taking a look at Rep. Dean Kaufert, who is smarting because his fellow Republicans rejected his bid to become Assembly speaker and bounced him out of leadership.

An early exit by Kaufert, a lawmaker for 16 years, would give GOP leaders heartburn since he represents a swing district in the Fox River Valley. In January, Republicans will control the Assembly by a 52-47 margin. The Dems will control the Senate 18-15.

Would Kaufert jump ship? Read his comments and decide for yourself.

"John Kerry won my district," Kaufert said of the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate. "But you've got to look beyond that. I've got to look out for my future too. . . . You've got to look out for the team, the Republican team. But after the events recently, I've got to look out for myself, too."

Translation: Kaufert's references are available on request.

Actually, Doyle probably knew that already, since his guys broached the subject with Kaufert a couple of days after he was re-elected on a 52%-48% margin.

Kaufert said a pal who is close to the guv called him to congratulate him on his victory and to ask whether he would be open to joining the administration. Kaufert's response: He'd listen to any offer but would be particularly interested in a cabinet post heading revenue, tourism or commerce. Deputy secretary would be OK, too.

Besides, Kaufert noted, he already has a good relationship with the top guy.

"I'm one of the few Republicans who, I think, the governor has my cell phone number."

He just might want to keep that line open.


Cary Spivak and Dan Bice can be contacted by phone at (414) 223-5468 or e-mail at sb@journalsentinel.com. Read their blog at www.jsonline.com/links/spiceblog.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=537638 12/7/06

Owens & Kaufert - No Special Interest Left Behind Act

Censored in 2004, Part 1 Media Rants By Tony Palmeri January, 2005 issue of The Valley Scene

No. 8: Who Paid for the No Special Interest Left Behind Act? Even though it was opposed by every major environmental organization in the state along with Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, Governor Doyle and a bipartisan majority of legislators early in 2004 gave us the "Job Creation Act," a big developer's dream that creates no jobs but lowers no fewer than twenty of the state's environmental standards. Turns out that the governor and legislature received substantial contributions from the special interests behind the bill, including construction, energy, manufacturing, real estate, road building, banking, oil and gas, papermaking industries, and SBC. When Doyle visited Nicolet Papers in DePere to sign the legislation into law, the northeast Wisconsin media did not think it relevant to point out that he alone was the recipient of $1.6 million from these interests during1993-2003, and that more than $6 million went to legislators.

Northeast Wisconsin legislators received generous contributions from these special interests, including $147,370 to John Gard (who claims to represent Peshtigo), $85,554 to Mike Ellis, $50,608 to Carol Roessler, $42,592 to Steve Wieckert, $41,893 to Terri McCormick, $32,599 to Gregg Underheim, $28,399 to Dean Kaufert, and $18,452 to Carol Owens. All data is from the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. Clearly it is with good reason that Curt Andersen of the Green Bay News Chronicle calls the Job Creation Act the "No Special Interest Left Behind" Act

Owens, Rylance, and OCAT

M I N U T E S (Amended at the 7/7/04 Commission meeting, see underlined areas below)
Oshkosh Cable Television Advisory Commission Regular Meeting May 5, 2004

Chairman Witte then asked for any communications from cable subscribers or the general
public. Mr. Urben then distributed a citizen complaint filed by Dan Rylance at 602 E.
Parkway. Mr. Rylance’s complaint was against a program produced by a local resident
producer (Gordon Doule) on his show “Vox Pop” shown the week of April 10 on CATV
2. Mr. Rylance noted he felt the comments of Mr. Doule and his guest (State
Representative Carol Owens) was “homophobic, cruel and totally lacking in fairness to
the gay/lesbian community of Oshkosh.” Mr. Urben then showed a tape of the specific
area of the program in which Mr. Rylance took exception. Chairman Witte then asked if
either Mr. Rylance or Mr. Doule would care to address the Commission. Mr. Rylance
reiterated the basis of his complaint. He then asked if Dr. Denis Clark from UWOshkosh
could speak on the matter. Dr. Clark also expressed her outrage towards the
comments said on the Vox Pop program. She noted the comments on the program could
be construed as hate speech and slanderous language that could endanger her reputation.
Mr. Doule then spoke and expressed his reasoning for his comments. Upon further
questions, Mr. Rylance noted they would like an invitation to appear on Vox Pop with
Mr. Doule to explain their side on the matter. Mr. Doule noted he would be agreeable to
this.

Chairman Witte then opened the discussion to the Commission. Ms. Asbury was
personally offended by the comments on the program, and questioned whether the
program was libelous or if there should be equal time for opposing views.....

http://www.ocatonline.com/pdf/catv_minutes_05-05-04.pdf

Owens Vs Smart Growth Planning

Repeal of 'Smart Growth' law sought -- Land-use plans cost too much, opponents say
By LISA SINKlsink@journalsentinel.com Posted: July 28, 2003

A group of Republican state lawmakers is trying to repeal the "Smart Growth" law that requires all communities to develop comprehensive land-use plans by 2010.

In legislation introduced last week, the lawmakers - many representing towns in rural areas - say the entire idea should be scrapped.

Only 94 of Wisconsin's 1,600 local towns, villages, cities and counties have completed required plans, including just five in the Milwaukee metropolitan area. About 600 governments are working on plans, said Sarah Kemp of the state's Office of Land Information Services, which collects the plans.

Critics say they are worried about local control and property rights erosion.

State Rep. Carol Owens (R-Oshkosh), who is backing the repeal bill, said a one-size-fits-all mandate hurts towns that are not under development pressure and can't afford to hire planners to do the work. "This is not cheap," she said.

But the chairman of the Assembly Committee on Property Rights and Land Management said she backs the planning law and blocked the repeal bill from going to her committee.

"I've come to believe that there's some people who would like to do away with zoning, too, and if you do away with planning, you'll get rid of zoning and it just ain't so," said state Rep. Sheryl Albers (R-Reedsburg). "Planning is a good thing."

But costly.

In the Town of Nekimi where Owens lives, officials in the community of about 1,400 residents spent $10,000 to $20,000 to hire a consultant to develop the comprehensive land-use plan, she said.


Protecting autonomy

Owens said she was concerned that state and county officials would try to impose their planning ideas on towns.

"When this is all in place and they (county and town plans) do not match up, somebody's going to have to change their plan," she said. "Towns' plans may be altered to fit everyone else's plan."

That is not true, said proponents of Smart Growth and comprehensive planning.

The law requires every town, village, city and county to draft a plan by 2010 that deals with issues related to housing stock, transportation, utilities and other planning aspects.

But the state does not require local officials to follow any specific planning concept.

"If you want to do a plan for sprawl, that's your prerogative," Cohen said.

"The law is in no way designed to block development or to take away property rights."

Convincing critics, however, has been difficult.

Ever since the Smart Growth law was passed as part of the 1999 state budget bill, opponents have grumbled about the requirement, with some sounding themes of Big Brother conspiracies.
Bob Bowman, a town supervisor in Cross Plains in Dane County, said that the planning mandate is "basically a blueprint for socialism. This is the Soviet system."

Bowman, who supports a repeal of the law, said government should not interfere with the free-market economy by legislating where homes, businesses, factories or office parks should be built.


Officials misinformed

Tom Larson of the Wisconsin Realtors Association, which backs Smart Growth, said there is considerable confusion about the law.

In north central Wisconsin, some communities in Rusk, Price, Taylor and Clark counties have balked at the law. Some towns have returned state grants. Others have called for the law's demise.

Larson said some residents there "blame the law as being the cause for just about everything bad that's happened to anyone north of Highway 29."

Complaints about shoreline preservation, land stewardship and agricultural preservation are blamed on Smart Growth, Larson said.

"It's misdirected at comprehensive planning," he said.

In southeastern Wisconsin, Ozaukee County Board supervisors griped about the rules and talked of repeal. But they backed off, saying they were afraid rewriting the law would cause even more problems.

Larson and Cohen, whose groups backed the planning, say they would favor making exceptions for some rural areas that are not in the fast-growing areas and that are concerned about costs.
"We're working on ways to ease that burden," Cohen said.

That would please Rep. Jeff Wood (R-Chippewa Falls), who has heard many complaints from constituents.

"I understand there is a compelling need for long-term comprehensive planning," Wood said. "However, I feel current law needs to be amended to straighten out ambiguities and to prevent future litigation."

Owens and Sex Ed

State changes framework for sex-ed classes
Posted: Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 - 01:04:15 am By Rebekah DanaherDaily News Staff writer

Gov. Jim Doyle signed a bill today requiring marriage and parental responsibility to be included in sex education.The bill was introduced by Rep. Carol Owens, R-Oshkosh, as an amendment to a law she initiated a couple years ago. The new legislation, Assembly Bill 309 - forwarded to the Senate last June and passed in March - clarifies that marriage must be taught in any grade level that human growth and development topics are addressed.

Under the previous law, sex ed instruction could include human sexuality, reproduction, family planning, AIDS, prenatal development, childbirth and adoption. And Owens thought she had successfully included marriage in her previous legislation until Beloit resident Pam Charles contacted her about a debate occurring in Beloit.

In 2004 and into early 2005, the School District of Beloit Board of Education was reviewing a human growth and development curriculum proposal from an ad hoc advisory committee, on which Charles served. After one disagreement arose in the district about whether marriage was required to be taught in grades 5 and 6, Charles referred to the state statute that would seemingly support marriage instruction.

The district challenged it and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) backed the district's interpretation of the law, saying the statute wasn't clear and even sent a letter to Owens saying so. Charles said she had contacted the representative, feeling Owens' intent in writing the original bill was not being honored.

“It was clear to me that what she wanted, was to teach that this is very serious business, that bringing children into the world is very serious and that child bearing is preferably something we do as an adult,” Charles said.

Owens credits Charles for alerting her to the issue and for pointing out the need for additional clarification. At odds with the DPI's interpretation of the statute, Owens said she had little recourse other than to introduce another bill that would indisputably require marriage to be taught in any grade that sexual reproduction is taught.

AB 309 reads clearly that should any curriculum include reproduction, sexuality or any human growth and development “the school board shall ensure that instruction in marriage and parental responsibility is provided in the same course, during the same school year.”

Owens said it is critical that students understand the potential consequences that come with being sexually active. With school boards changing membership constantly, Owens said it is a matter that needed to be written into the statute.

“It isn't just my district I represent here, it's the state of Wisconsin,” she said. “Any time there's a problem we should fix it.”

“When kids learn how reproduction is done they also need to know that with sexual activity comes consequences and responsibility,” Charles said. “I want them to become educated to the ideal circumstances for bringing children into the world. We need to give them all the facts of life.”

Sen. Judy Robson, D-Beloit, voted against the bill when it came through the Senate but was not immediately reached for comment late Friday. The bill passed the Assembly by voice vote so there is no accessible record of how Rep. Chuck Benedict, D-Beloit, voted.

A different bill he co-sponsored last fall would have also altered Owens' original legislation, but in a different way. The proposal Assembly Bill 690, written by Rep. Tamara Grigsby, D-Milwaukee, would have required school boards to include specific information such as self-esteem, communications with parents, sexual anatomy and physiology, recognition of unwanted sexual advances, information about counseling and medical resources for victims of sexual assault, sexual stereotypes and protective behavior.

Marriage, parental responsibility, prenatal development, adoption, abstinence, and prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases would have been taught beginning in grade 7 in the Democrats' bill.That bill failed to make it out of committee and with AB 309's success and marriage now part of the statute, a spokesperson for Owens said opponents of the measure would have to try another tactic to amend the statute.

Carol Owens and Cell Phones

Forget cell phones, ban kids from cars
Posted: Aug. 8, 2003

State Rep. Carol Owens, the Republican from Oshkosh, has proposed a ban on cell phones while driving.

Drivers are unusually dangerous, I guess the argument goes, when they are gabbing about things like that darned state trooper pulling out from behind the bushes they just flew by.

Or how they can't, for the life of them, remember which road they took home from the tavern last night.

People yakety-yak-yak on cell phones all the time, and once in a while someone yaks right through a stop sign or a red light. Surely, a cell phone ban will be worth it if we can save just one life.

But why stop at one?

Thirty percent of drivers in one recent study talked on cell phones. But 71% ate, drank or spilled food and beverages. A full 86% experienced some sort of "external distraction."

I hereby propose a ban on tube tops.

And one other thing. The new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the University of North Carolina proves that the distraction of talking on a cell phone is nothing compared to the distraction of kids.

Kids - let's face it - are frighteningly dangerous.

Babies alone distract your average parent-cum-driver 8.4 times per hour, according to the new study.

Which, looking on the bright side, is still only half the number of times most babies wake up their parents in the middle of the night.

It is true that the length of your average cell phone conversation is much longer than the average length of time it takes to threaten your child with stopping the car and letting him walk home.

But - dialing aside - over 98% of the time a person is talking on a cell phone they are able to keep their eyes on the road, according to the study. About 22% of the time people are distracted by babies, on the other hand, they are looking either at the child itself or for something else inside the car.

Based solely on the last long-distance car trip I took with my three small children, I suspect that something else might be the gun I kept wishing I had to shoot myself.

Distractions are defined in the study as "screaming or other loud noises, sudden movements, crying, whining or complaining, kicking the seat, grabbing onto the driver, emotional conversations or outbursts, asking the driver to 'look' at something, etc."

That "etc," I'm presuming, includes Kid Number Two telling Kid Number Three that he is too dumb to play "I Spy" and Kid Number Three going into a crying jag that, ironically, abates only when Dad - beyond distraction and well into apoplexy - drives the mini-van into a tree.

So, Rep. Owens, do you think it would be OK if I used my cell phone then?

I didn't really ask her that, of course.

What I really asked her, in so many words, was whether in order to do this safety thing right she thinks we ought to ban children as well.

She laughed, it seemed to me, a little bit nervously.

It's not like kids wouldn't be allowed near cars at all. If you really needed to get your kid to school, for instance, or the hospital, Owens' law could maybe allow you to strap them to the roof, or maybe put them in the trunk along with the cell phone. That way, if they needed you, they'd have a way to call for help.

Or, in a bizarre world where cell phones would be the scapegoat rather than speeding or inattentiveness or plain old mistakes, at least leave a message for you at home.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=160726

Carol Owens and "What's in a name"

What's in a name: A lesson still unlearned

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, The, Jul 26, 2001

By EUGENE KANE of the Journal Sentinel staff
Thursday, July 26, 2001

There's this movie Rep. Carol Owens (R-Oshkosh) needs to rent from her local video store as soon as possible.

It's called "Once Upon a Time . . . When We Were Colored." It's a 1996 release about a not-so-recent time in American history when blacks were regarded as second-class citizens who didn't deserve a proper name.

Maybe she'll learn something.

Owens, 69, represents the obviously isolated community of Oshkosh, which may or may not explain why she's never seen the movie. And, why she might be the only person left since Archie Bunker who doesn't realize you don't call African-Americans "colored people" anymore.

During a recent radio interview about efforts to draw more women into the Republican party, Owens began to explain why so many Milwaukee-area women are Democrats.

"There's a large colored population in Milwaukee, so we have pretty good colored representation," said Owens, according to the Associated Press.

She went on to offer her observations about demographics in Milwaukee that require a higher demand for social services:

"And I don't want to take this down that road, but they seem to have the most serious problems," said Owens.

"There's many, many families with no head of household. Unwed mothers, you know, the population of unwed mothers is much higher."

Racist or clueless?

After her remarks were publicized, there was an outcry from some Democratic state lawmakers that Owens' words were "blatantly racist."

Actually, it sounds more like she's just clueless. Owens was described by a colleague as "a nice, elderly grandma and doesn't have a mean bone in her body."

It would be good to hear Owens explain herself. I placed a call to her office Wednesday and was told she was in a meeting but would call me back.

By deadline, she had not.

This story received good play in Milwaukee. I'm told it was the topic of conversation on some local talk-radio shows that usually never deal with racial issues -- unless, of course, it's a way to let white callers rail against "political correctness gone amok" and bait blacks who don't want to return to the 1950s.

Truthfully, this name thing gets confusing for some blacks, too. Some black friends of mine don't like "African-American"; others prefer "black" but think it should be uppercase (that's not newspaper style).

And, as many callers pointed out, the largest civil rights organization in the country goes by the name of the NAACP: the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

A few dense souls tried to make this a "reverse discrimination" issue, proclaiming it hypocritical to blast Owens while the NAACP exists. Ridiculous; the NAACP is probably the single most important organization in the lives of black Americans because of its history of tearing down social barriers over the last 50 years. The group has earned the right to call itself whatever it wants. (Most blacks simply call it "the N-Double A-CP.")

The Owens incident doesn't have much to do with what blacks call themselves. It's more about the backward attitudes and opinions of a state legislator with control over budget strings that impact the city of Milwaukee -- the place where most blacks in the state live.

If Owens truly wanted to weigh in on the problems of poverty in black America and the absence of working fathers in some communities, she should have done her homework.

Because she wasn't up to speed on something as simple as the accepted term for blacks in the year 2001, you have to figure nothing else she had to say on the subject could possibly have much relevance either.

That might seem unfair, but it's like my father used to tell me: Sometimes it's better to remain silent and let folks just think you don't know anything than open your mouth and eliminate all doubt.

Call Eugene Kane at 223-5521 or e-mail him at ekane@onwis.com

www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4196/is_20010726/ai_n10716804

Owens (53) calls for compulsory good manners toward teachers

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 18, 2000
Legislator calls for compulsory good manners toward teachers By Dennis Chaptman, Journal Sentinel staff

Madison - Schoolroom smart alecks and class clowns, beware. If a state legislator has her way, a new law would polish all of you sassy little brats into Emily Post prodigies who address your teachers by proper courtesy titles instead of snotty monikers. Rep. Carol Owens (R-Oshkosh) said her proposal would instill some old-fashioned manners in children who may have lost respect for their instructors. "I drafted this legislation to help restore respect in the classroom," Owens said. "Some kids, not the majority, have lost a sense of showing respect for adults."

The proposed law would require students to address their teachers with courtesy titles, such as Mr. Smith, Mrs. Wilson and Ms. Palmer. The legislation says if children in kindergarten through 12th grade do not use the courtesy titles, they should refer to teachers as "ma'am" or "sir." Owens said her bill is modeled after similar legislation in Louisiana and Alabama. But an official of Wisconsin's largest teachers union criticized the idea, saying that compelling children to parrot courtesy titles would do little to encourage truly respectful behavior. "The concept of respect in schools cannot be solved by having children say, 'Yes, ma'am' and 'No, sir,' " said Katie Stout, director of instruction and professional development for the Wisconsin Education Association Council.

Stout said Owens' idea is simplistic. "Learning respect begins in the home and in larger society," Stout said. "Society has spent the last decade or two bashing teachers. Why should we be surprised when children don't show respect?" The bill leaves disciplinary measures for students who violate the law up to local school districts. The measure says that punishment may not be in the form of suspension or expulsion, but does encourage school officials to use community service projects to reinforce the rules.

The requirement would be gradually phased in each year until the 2007-'08 school year. "This proposal could be easily incorporated into existing codes of conduct," Owens said. "And the use of community service projects would provide positive reinforcement to help students show the respect deserved for teachers." Owens' proposal is unnecessary, said Nancy Walsh-Boeder, a teacher at McFarland Elementary School in suburban Madison who developed and published a curriculum based on character-building and respect.

Walsh-Boeder said local school officials - and not legislators - should be able to determine their own needs when it comes to respect. "I don't think that a state law is necessary," she said. "I don't think that respect is something that you mandate. Respect is earned. Children learn to respect adults when adults respect them." The curriculum developed by Walsh-Boeder and another McFarland teacher, Beverly Schmid, emphasizes social skills and features monthly themes including responsibility and respect. "In the last eight to 10 years, we've seen more children coming to school without the social skills to react appropriately with others," Walsh-Boeder said. "We teach the children to respect themselves."

Ken Cole, executive director of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, also questioned the need for a state law mandating that schoolchildren use courtesy titles. "Why would you bother with a state law on such a thing?" he asked. "Even if a local school board passed a policy saying all teachers had to be referred to this way, teachers and administrators would see it as micro-managing. This is an issue that is up to teachers." Stout said if the measure were ever adopted, it would be doomed to fail in the classroom. "We certainly aren't interested in following the lead of Louisiana and Alabama on educational issues," she said. "The potential is to raise cynicism in children. We can get children to say the words, but that doesn't mean they will respect their teachers, parents or their schools."

But, Owens said, her measure would sow the seeds of respectful behavior starting in kindergarten. "My goal is to teach kids respect from the beginning of their education," she said, "and in the process, bring politeness and courtesy back into society as a whole."

from www.nospank.net/n-f94.htm

The Company Carol Owens (53) Keeps

Carol has aligned herself with this individual -- Teno Groppi. Take a look at his material here -- http://www.baptistlink.com/godandcountry/


From http://wismd.blogspot.com/2005/12/my-coments-as-mc.html

Good afternoon and welcome to the Wisconsin Marriage Defenders Pro Family Rally! I’m Teno Groppi and we’re here to stand against the encroachment upon the traditional American institution of marriage. We have a great rally lined up, with State Representatives Mark Gundrum and Carol Owens, Family Research Institute Director Julaine Appling, and popular patriotic speaker Dr. Gene Howard. We’re here to support the bills and representatives who advocate traditional marriage and to send a message to Madison that Wisconsin supports traditional marriage. A number of us, including myself, Terry Knutson, Richard Ives, Kip Zeimer, Ron Burns, and others, were spurred to action because of rallies put on by Action Wisconsin and a group called “Queers on the Water” earlier this summer. They are boldly invading our community and we must answer the bell and fight back.Let’s open our rally with prayer by Dr. Howard and our national anthem, sung by Mrs. Janis Hammond:

A crowd like this is exactly why we support legislation on the State and local level. The Supreme Court, President, and Congress in Washington could hardly care about several hundred at a rally in Oshkosh, but our State level representatives have to care about a crowd like this. I wish more of our representatives were like Mark Gundrum and we could trust them to do right without having to beg them with letters, calls, emails, or rallies, but unfortunately many legislators lack that kind of character and we have to hold their feet to the fire with these things.Now let’s enjoy a patriotic number

Before I introduce our first speaker, I want to say a few words about the one area we may have some disagreement, and if the speakers want to give differing views, that’s fine, you can make up your own mind. That’s how America is supposed to work.What we might disagree on is how to handle family and marriage issues at the Federal level. We’re all strongly supportive of our state efforts, like AJR-66 (more later), but I am one who is against a Federal amendment for several reasons. It would require approval of 3/4 the States and a 2/3 majority vote in Congress. It would give the far-away Federal gov’t more authority over our personal lives. Even if they defined marriage properly now, if we ever got an administration headed by President Kerry or Hillary, they would take that same authority we gave them and try to use it against us. A much better alternative on the Federal level was just exercised with the Hostetler bill which used an existing provision of the Constitution to limit courts so they can’t force states to accept homosexual marriages from other states.

It only requires a normal majority vote in Congress and uses our checks and balances system to limit the invasion of gov’t into family matters rather than allowing the Federal gov’t to grow even more intrusive. The Constitution is not the problem, the rouge courts are. They ignore the Amendments we already have - don’t expect them to heed a new one.This same technique could be used to write better bills to prevent courts from ruling for homosexual marriages altogether, without all the trouble ands risk of a Federal amendment. If we struggle to get half of Congress to pass a Hostetler-type bill, why would we think we could get a 2/3 vote for a Federal amendment, unless they had an ulterior motive, such as accumulating power at the Federal level? The State gov’t is much closer to Wisconsin citizens than the federal gov’t in Washington is, and several hundred voters speak much more loudly to local officials than Federal ones. We don’t want a cure that’s potentially as dangerous as the disease.

To change gears now ...Someone said there was a sign here earlier in the week that asked, “What’s wrong with homosexual marriage?” And if that sign is still here, leave it up, because we’re about to get some answers to that from our opening speaker. We’re thrilled to have with us today a tireless crusader for family values. Julaine Appling is the Executive Director of the Family Research Institute and she has a program on WVCY radio, 690 AM in Oshkosh and 107.7 FM from Milwaukee. Here’s our opening speaker, Julaine Appling … Thank you for such eye-opening facts Julaine. I trust many of us heard some things we haven’t heard before. At this time let’s hear another musical number …

We’re very happy to have some State legislators on hand this afternoon, the first to speak will be Rep. Carol Owens. She and Carol Roessler took a verbal pounding at the “Queers on the Water” rally, and I’m glad one of the Carols is here to have her chance to speak back. Carol Roessler couldn’t make it because she has to tend to medical needs of one of her parents, certainly a valid reason to a pro-family forum. She was mocked for not having good family values because she’s been divorced, but can I tell you one big difference is that she is not advocating divorce as something wonderful and recommending it for others. But the pro-homosexual group is advocating their ‘value’ as something that ought to be promoted to society. Carol Owens doesn’t promote that kind of warped ‘value’ either, in fact she’s a co-sponsor of AJR-66, the bill to define marriage in Wisconsin as between one man and one woman. And she’s going to give us a few words about that. We’re elated to have WI State Rep. Carol Owens: ...One more special number:

Many homosexual advocates say all they want is to allow people who love each other to be able to marry, and they’re not in favor of some of the more frightening things we’re concerned with, like polygamy, incest, or pedophilia, but a few things put the lie to that claim. First of all, if loving people should be able to marry, what if a brother and sister wanted to marry? How about a brother and a brother? Or cousins? Or a father and a daughter? What if a dozen people all wanted to marry each other? Homosexuals want to support marriage allowance exceptions for themselves, but not for these other situations. Why, the intolerant bigots! Those hypocrites! Don’t be too alarmed at that terminology, we’ve been called that and worse. Tony Palmeiri called our side the Taliban. Worse yet, the “Gay Rights Platform”, which was proposed by over 200 “gay” rights groups, and read into the Congressional Record, wants to do away with laws against prostitution, laws against incest, and even laws against adult-CHILD sex. They will NOT stop at just homosexual marriage, they want prostitution, incest, pedophilia, and other perversions to follow. If we spank a kid they call it child abuse, but they want to legalize sex with children and think that’s normal.I’m glad not everyone thinks that’s normal, and one of the men fighting for traditional values, and taking a lot of heat from the enemy is State Rep. Mark Gundrum. Rep. Gundrum is the principal author of AJR-66. We’re grateful to have him here this afternoon and looking forward to what he has to say and we want to encourage him to keep up the good fight. Here’s Rep. Mark Gundrum …

We’re grateful to Rep. Gundrum for taking a public stand here today. With 80% of Wisconsinites supporting traditional marriage, there’s no reason more politicians shouldn’t have that kind of backbone.Homosexuals say they simply want equal rights. They HAVE equal rights. They have the same rights as the rest of us, free speech, religious liberty, the right to bear arms, the right to a speedy trial, and all the rest, including the right to marry someone of the opposite sex. They are not seeking equal rights, they are after special privileges. They don’t simply want the right to practice their lifestyle. If they did, it would never become a public issue, because most of us avoid contact with that lifestyle. The only way their sexuality becomes an issue is when they try to shove it down our throats and force us to accept it. Whether we like it or not, this has become the issue of our day. We HAVE to confront it, because it IS confronting us.We’ve got a man who is going to give us the Bible perspective of marriage and sexuality. Without the Bible, there is no standard to determine right and wrong. Public opinion can change. Things like abortion and homosexuality that used to be considered wrong, are often considered right today. Things that are considered wrong today, such as incest and pedophilia, could very conceivably be considered acceptable in the future.

Dr. Gene Howard is an evangelist who is going to show us what the Bible says about this topic. Dr. Howard is also an experienced patriotic speaker. He’s spoken for U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, for candidate Alan Keyes, he’s spoken at gun-rights events, and most recently spoke at the Constitution Party national convention in Valley Forge, PA. He’ll also be conducting the morning services tomorrow at Wyldewood Baptist church at 3030 Witzel Av. at 9:30 and 10:45 AM, and you’re all invited. He also bears an uncanny resemblance in looks and voice to the late actor John Wayne - however he’s speaking for himself this afternoon. Here is, my friend, Dr. Gene Howard …