A look back at the people and events that made news the past week. Week-ends is a regular weekly feature of This Just In...
HEROES OF THE WEEK
Everyone participating (and there’s still time for you to get involved as well) in the Books for Soldiers project today at the Franklin Public Library.
VILLAINS OF THE WEEK
The mugger of an 81-year old woman outside a Milwaukee Walgreen’s AND all the Walgreen’s employees inside who watched, and did nothing to help. Watch the Channel 6 story. Click on the play button after opening this link.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
” I have two children in the Franklin school district, one in high school and one in grade school. As a parent, I can see the need for expansion of the middle school and the high school but we need to go back to the drawing board and realize that the average Franklin taxpayer can not afford the extra taxes that this referendum will cost.”
Bryan Maersch of Franklin on this web site, about his opposition to the referenda.
“It would prevent Racine from becoming the dumping ground like they tried to do in Franklin, I guess. It just seems like common sense. If enough communities band together, if all the advocates want to make the state look at changing things to keep people away from our kids more long-term.”
Racine Aldermanic candidate Fred Dooley. If elected, he promises to push for an ordinance in Racine similar to Franklin’s that strictly limits where released sex offenders can live and travel within the city.
"I'm here to stand up for all Latinos, who are going to need licenses to do all kinds of things, from driving a car to opening a bank account. This law will further marginalize a group that is already on edge."
Amanda Postel, speaking at a rally in Madison protesting the Real ID law that goes into effect April 1. The law requires that applicants for Wisconsin driver’s licenses show proof of U.S. citizenship.
"The 9/11 hijackers could have used their passports to board the planes, but only one did. Those murderers chose our driver's licenses and state IDs as their forms of identification because these documents allowed them to blend in and not raise suspicion or concern.”
Wisconsin Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, saying he authored the Real ID law to prevent another 911-type attack.
“One, there would be a film crew of 30, 40, 50 people who would come for two weeks to two months. They rent cars, eat in restaurants and stay in hotels. They use limousines and go to Menards to buy lumber to build sets. They’re spending money left and right. Two, you get curiosity seekers, creating tourism. And three, and most significant, when the movie hits the big screen ...”
Dave Clements, executive director of the La Crosse Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Clements said a production featuring a big movie star has been making inquiries about filming in this part of Wisconsin. They need tax breaks, however, to lure them to Wisconsin and they want them now. If they can’t film this year, they will move their cameras down river. Those tax breaks were made possible by Senate Bill 563 but won’t go into effect until January 2008. A new Senate Bill 24 would move up the tax credit date to Jan. 1, 2007. But Democrat state Senator Russ Decker, co-chair of the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee is holding up the bill.
OUTRAGES OF THE WEEK
Sex offenders being treated at the Sand Ridge facility near Madison are moaning and groaning that their pay has been cut below minimum wage. That takes a lot of nerve. They’re lucky to get that. I’m outraged that they’re outraged. Read about it here.
And the teacher who saw a student with a gun, and did nothing. The teacher should be terminated, but will get strong backing from the teachers’ union.
MOST UNDER-REPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK
From the Tax Foundation in Washington D.C.: Tax Freedom Day will arrive on April 30 this year, the 120th day of 2007. That means Americans will work four months of the year, from January 1 to April 30, before they have earned enough money to pay this year's tax obligations at the federal, state and local levels.
Americans work a significant number of days each year to pay for things other than government, but nothing else is so expensive. Americans will work longer to pay for government (120 days) than they will for food, clothing and housing combined (105 days). Since 1986 taxes have cost more than these basic necessities. In fact, Americans will work longer to afford federal taxes alone (79 days) than they will to afford housing (62 days).
Wisconsin’s Tax Freedom Day is May 2 this year, a few days later than the average Tax Freedom Day in America of April 30. Last year, Wisconsin's Tax Freedom Day fell on April 28. Read more about Tax Freedom Day here.
MOST OVER-HYPED STORY OF THE WEEK
This kid.
STRANGEST, MOST UNUSUAL STORY OF THE WEEK
And the most disgusting, despicable story of the week…..
REMEMBER: Your suggestions/nominations for any of these categories every week are welcome, especially for HEROES OF THE WEEK. If you know of anyone in the community deserving of recognition, please e-mail me.
THE VOTE IS NO APRIL 3
