Friday, June 29, 2012
Wisconsin Republicans say that 5-4 ruling to upheld the federal Affordable Care Act will strengthen their resolve for to push for repeal, while Democrats praise the ruling.
In a highly anticipated ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court today upheld the Affordable Care Act, the health care reform law that President Barack Obama signed into law in 2010 and his top priority in the first two years of his administration. The high court, by a 5-4 vote, upheld the entire law. The controversial law — known as "Obamacare" to critics — expands health care coverage to millions of uninsured Americans. In Wisconsin, the reaction was divided along political lines. Republicans said the ruling would motivate them even more to push for the repeal of the law, while Democrats lauded the decision. Gov. Scott Walker, in a statement, said Wisconsin will not take any action to implement the provisions of the federal law. "I am hopeful that…
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Academic experts weigh in on what the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act in its entirety means for citizens and the political parties.
With the U.S. Supreme Court Thursday upholding the Affordable Care Act as constitutional, elected officials and hopefuls alike should be pretty satisfied, according to one Wisconsin professor. "The general status quo is that Republicans are against the health care law and Democrats are for it," said Charles Franklin, an expert in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and director of the Marquette University Law School poll project. "So, really, the high court's decision should make both sides politically happy because they can stick to their talking points." For the Obama Administration, they can say they did the right thing because the law passed constitutional muster, he added. Mitt Romney, whom President Barack …
Friday, April 22, 2011
Racine and Waukesha counties also among those with outdated software that lacks memory to hold both original and recount votes.
A three-year delay in federal approval of updated ballot-counting software means the upcoming Supreme Court recount will cost Milwaukee County as much as $500,000 more than it would had the software been approved. The county has had $200,000 in its budget to buy the new software since the purchase was approved in 2008, said Lisa Weiner, elections administrator for Milwaukee County. “We have had to roll over the money for the past three years," Weiner said. "I’m not sure that we will be able to do it again if the software is not approved.” All or parts of 31 of the state’s 72 counties use the same outdated software and are awaiting approval to purchase the same new system. Racine and Waukesha counties are also affected. The cost estimate is…
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
The margins were slim in both villages.
While Wisconsin residents wait for the final outcome to determine the state Supreme Court race between incumbent David Prosser and Assistant State Attorney Joanne Kloppenburg, votes from citizens in Mount Pleasant and Sturtevant have already been counted. Prosser came out the clear winner in both villages though less than 1,000 votes separated him from Kloppenburg in Mount Pleasant and he only came out on top in Sturtevant by 131 votes. The final count in Mount Pleasant was Prosser, 4,643; Kloppenburg, 3,770. Sturtevant ballots counted 697 votes for Prosser and 566 for Kloppenburg. State Supreme Court justices serve 10-year terms.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Voter turnout was almost 30 percent across the village.
Nearly 30 percent of registered Sturtevant voters turned out for the 2011 spring election and voted to retain Steve Jansen as Village President for the next two years. Of the 3176 registered voters, 1304 cast ballots. Jansen came out ahead with 642 votes compared with 496 votes for challenger Barry Johnson. "I'm very thankful and grateful to the voters of Sturtevant for their confidence in me," Jansen said. Village voters overwhelmingly rejected Racine Unified School District's three-part referendum. "It doesn't surprise me given the times we live in," Jansen stated. "It was just way too much." The first question regarding $83.5 million for new school buildings and renovating five others was turned down, 784 to 427. Voters also said "no" …
Polling in Mount Pleasant and Sturtevant is steady, workers report.
Poll workers at Assembly of God Church on Airline Road in Mount Pleasant handed out ballot 598 just before 12:30 pm this afternoon. "Turnout was expected to be higher and I think that's being proven here," said Diane. She didn't want to give her last name. But Brenda Carter, who was voting on her lunch hour, said higher turnout is exactly what is needed. Aside from voting being a responsibility, Carter said she wanted to cast her ballot on behalf of education. "I support the referendum because education is just so important," she said. "We have to start somewhere." For Walter Davis in Sturtevant, he made sure to vote because the state Supreme Court is going to be deciding important issues, including the controversial budget repair bill. He…
Friday, April 1, 2011
Rayne's World is a new opinion column for Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant Patch. It will run every Friday.
I have never owned a business. I have never held political office, local or otherwise. I have never been a member on any kind of board. And at 36, I have yet to finish my bachelors degree. Instead of balancing budgets, I balance check books. Instead of reconciling deficits, I have reconciled credit card debt. The only election I have ever won is that of Homeroom Representative at Horlick High School. I am flawed, make mistakes and have even been known to flip flop once or twice, but I do believe myself to be an independent thinker. I choose candidates to support based on whether or not their beliefs line up with mine, and I hope I express my perceptions here authentically. And even if you do not appreciate the content of my writing, I do …
Jack Sparry
11:22 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
The Anti-Alinsky, so you are telling me that the reason why the Romneycare is ok because it was passed in one state? It still means that in Romney vision, he wanted a health care law passed. If the health care law Obama passed was different, you would have a valid point that there is a difference. According to Scott Walker, he will not pass the law in WI. So what is everyone argument. If Romney … more ›