Wisconsin 2009-11 State Budget = Garbage

Included in the recently passed 2009-11 state budget, includes a provision that will impact us in a negative manner locally. The garbage tax, also known as tipping fees, the amount of money the state charges for taxing garbage, increased to $7.10 per ton, a whopping 120% increase, making Wisconsins garbage tax the highest in the nation. This tax hike amounts to $44,353 per year for the city of Two Rivers alone, imagine what it will be for your community. Unfortunately, the majority of these new garbage tax dollars will be raided and used to support other state spending, while state shared revenue, our money that is returned to our communities to provide basic services we expect, along with unfunded state mandates, continues to dwindle. State government has been no friend to local units of government. Elected and appointed officials state wide and here locally contacted our state legislators with opposition to the increased garbage tax, but it fell on deaf ears. When local units of government are forced to pass this cost on, thank 2nd Assembly Representative Ted Zigmunt, even though he heard opposition, he voted to pass this measure, included in the State budget. Give Rep. Zigmunt a call at 800-362-9472, and let him know how you feel.

Wind For Wisconsin

Thought I'd share this article with all, please share your opinions on the issue, both positive or negative.

Wind Siting Reform and Local Control
SB 185/AB 256 would direct the PSC to establish statewide siting standards for wind
energy projects. Projects fewer than 100 MW in size would still be reviewed and
approved by a local unit of government after the rules are adopted.
The status quo is the only approach to wind siting that would leave local control
completely unchanged. The status quo has stalled over 600 MW of potential wind
projects forfeiting thousands of Wisconsin jobs and millions of investment dollars.
The bill draft requires the PSC to establish an advisory committee of diverse interests
to advise the Commission on the rules. Representatives from local units of government
will be part of that advisory committee.
In 2006 the WTA passed a resolution at its annual convention entitled “Uniform
Standards for Public Health or Safety of Wind Energy Systems.” The resolution called
for uniform standards, and was the impetus for wind siting reform legislation.
The bill draft from the previous legislative session was negotiated with the Wisconsin
Counties Association and the Wisconsin Towns Association. The WTA was in favor of
wind siting reform last session while the WCA was neutral.1 The bill draft for the
current legislative session is substantively similar.
An amendment from the Wisconsin Realtors Association (supported by Wind for
Wisconsin) allows local governments to deny a project application if a project would be
sited in an area that has been primarily designated for future residential or commercial
development.2
Under SB 185/AB 256, local units of government would maintain their central role in
the regulatory process for wind energy systems. Applications for wind energy projects
under 100 MW in size would still be subject to review and approval at the local level.
Local governments would be responsible for enforcing permit standards. Local
governments would maintain control over their roads including restoration
requirements and regulating driveway use (access roads).
In the coming weeks, the state Legislature will have a chance to make it easier for cleanenergy
creating wind turbines to proliferate in Wisconsin…Critics likely will charge that the
bill is an attack on local control. However, it still lets local governments make wind-siting
decisions, and allows those who disagree with them to appeal to the PSC and the courts.3
-Eau Claire Leader-Telegram
1 The WTA has registered in opposition in 2009. The WCA has remained neutral.
2 Maps adopted under s. 66.1001(2)(b) on or before June 1, 2009.
3 http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-opinions.asp?id=BJP8BE09JFU

What World is Wisconsin 2nd Assembly District Representative Live In?

Recently, 2nd Assembly Rep. Zigmunt stated to business leaders in Manitowoc County that he could not commit as to whether he would support or reject the proposed state budget. I guess either he has since made up his mind or was afraid to tell local business leaders what he really thought. Below is the column published in the Sunday edition of the Lakeshore Chronicle as written by Rep. Zigmunt, calling the proposed budget mostly positive. The budget I'm seeing is one with many tax increases, moving backwards in the welfare reform arena, new fees and I could go on. Like I said, what world is he living in? Read for yourself below.



The budget produced by the committee contains $3.2 billion in spending cuts, the deepest in our state's history. This includes a 6 percent spending reduction in the Legislature's operating budget and 5 percent across-the-board reductions for all state agencies. The GOP claim that this budget increases spending by 7.7 percent is false. Their figure is a distortion caused by the one-time influx of federal stimulus dollars being disbursed through state agencies, departments and the Legislature.
This budget minimizes the impact of the national economic crisis on Wisconsin's middle class and working people. More than 99 percent of all Wisconsinites will see no income tax increase. There is no general sales tax increase, no payroll tax, and this budget holds the line on property taxes.
There is funding in the budget for grants totaling $1.4 million for municipalities, including infrastructure projects for Bellevue. These projects will create jobs, as well as improve our infrastructure, our environment and our community. Working with local officials to identify the needs of our community, I asked JFC for some of this funding for several projects in the Second Districtt and I'm glad that some were approved.
There are several provisions in the budget that will create jobs and grow Wisconsin's economy as well. Included are angel and venture capital tax credits to support and expand business development. Funding for the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin program and removal of the animal slaughter fee will help farmers. Increased support for training and retraining programs at technical colleges will prepare our workforce for jobs of the future.
This budget is not perfect. I asked that some provisions be removed or amended, and had some success with the prevailing wage provision in particular. I worked for a compromise that will save communities and businesses money while still providing a fair wage for workers
The Joint Finance Committee's budget will be presented to the Assembly for a vote, then to the Senate, and finally to the governor to be signed into law. We are on schedule to have this budget done on time, when the new fiscal year begins on July

The Green Green Grass of Home

Is this the southbound or northbound lane of Memorial Drive(State Highway 42) between Manitowoc and Two Rivers?

Can't tell, because you can't see over the median.

Just received a message fro Two Rivers City Manager, Greg Buckley, that he was informed by the Manitowoc County Highway Department, that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation will only pay for grass cutting the medians along Memorial Drive once in 2009. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation said this is due to budget cuts, and the state legislature hasn't even finished the newest train wreck budget.

The states new motto should have been, take take take, as that's what they do best, take our money, and flow none of it back to our communities.

Below is a letter written by Two Rivers City Manager Greg Buckley to the state Department of Transportation, it pretty much sums it all up.

Wake up State Legislators, the next election is right around the corner!

Mr. Vieth--

I am writing to express our city's concerns about a recent directive from WisDOT to significantly cut back on maintenance mowing of the medians on the above-cited section of STH 42 here in Manitowoc County.

Manitowoc County Highway Superintendent Gary Kennedy recently informed me that, due to budget constraints, WisDOT has stated that it will only pay the County to mow these medians once in 2009.

Letting the center medians in this stretch of lakefront highway, which we consider the "front door" to Two Rivers, and one of the most beautiful drives along Lake Michigan in all of Wisconsin, is simply unacceptable to our community.

Believe me, we know about budget constraints at the local level; our small city has cut its workforce by about 15 percent over the past five years. But the Highway 42 corridor between Manitowoc and Two Rivers is too much of a high visibility area to "let go" to tall grass and weeds.

And unkempt medians surely won't look good alongside the highly-popular Mariners Recreational Trail, which runs along the lake side of STH 42 for 5 miles between our two communities. The cities of Two Rivers and Manitowoc already mow State ROW all along this trail (constructed in 2001-02 with DOT Enhancements dollars), and local citizens have "adopted" 25 flower beds along the trail, creating beauty that is enjoyed by trail and highway users alike. (For more information, go to https://webmailcluster.perfora.net/xml/deref?link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marinerstrail.net, the web site of the Friends of Mariners Trail group.)

It's the kind of local community partnership that DOT should be proud of--but we need for your department to
keep funding the maintenance of those medians--it's too dangerous a job for volunteers, and not something our city can just "pick up" as an added maintenance responsibility.

This isn't some rural section of interstate, where "haying" the shoulders once or twice a year is good enough. It's a four-lane highway corridor in an urbanized area, a lakeshore corridor that is Manitowoc and Two Rivers' "calling card" for visitors. On behalf of the City of Two Rivers, I urge DOT to provide the necessary resources to keep it mowed.

I am cc'ing representatives of our Two Rivers Business Association, Chamber of Commerce of Manitowoc County, and Manitowoc Area Visitor and Convention Bureau, as well as our area legislators, on this communication, so they are aware of this concern.

Thank you for your consideration; I look forward to hearing back from you.

Best Regards,



Greg BuckleyCity ManagerCity of Two Rivers, WI Tel. 920-793-5532Fax 920-793-5563grebuc@two-rivers.org

Wisconsin Legislators Fail To Listen To The Very People Who Elected Them, Part 1

Our law makers, who make up the Joint Finance Committee, passed along party lines, 12 democrats for and 4 republicans against, a recommendation to be included in the next state budget, that will be decided by the democrat controlled assembly and senate. The recommendation that will double the tipping fee, or as we know it, the tax on garbage brought to the landfills. Governor Doyle and many of our legislators have embarked on the path of finding new sources of revenue to repair the deficit in our state budget, rather than making necessary spending and program cuts. If both houses of our legislature passes this measure and the Governor signs it into law, additional costs will be thrown on the backs of every Wisconsin resident at a time when we can least afford it and making the Wisconsin landfill tax the highest in the country. How desperate state government must be when they are taxing our garbage, worse yet, what's next? Taxed garbage that must be removed from municipalities, hospitals and schools, in reality, if you send a child to school, put garbage to your curb and have visited a medical facility, you will have paid this same tax three times, now how is that right?
Local governments, municipalities, counties, villages and towns have buckled under the states mandates, yet they keep coming, unlike shared revenue, our money meant to be redistributed to us, which help offset the cost of providing local services we all expect. Recently Two Rivers City Council passed a resolution opposing the increased garbage tax, and this was forwarded to our state legislators, not surprising, we received no feedback or response, I guess this isn't surprising, but we must not accept this poor representation. Local units of government must start saying NO, it is our responsibility to you. Keep your local elected officials engaged, tell them how you feel, local units of government are the true last form of democracy, where you can go and still be heard, unlike our state government.

Just When You Thought You Heard It All

Have you ever had that moment where you thought you heard or saw it all, well now it seems one of our fine state legislators wants to legislate the extremely personal decision between marriage and divorce. While I strongly believe in marriage, it has no place being legislated in our state government. Look at what condition our state finances are in, how about we in the next election for Wisconsin state legislators, ask for a divorce, using our votes, electing new members to state offices. Read Below for yourself.



Pridemore introduces legislation to reduce divorce
rate in Wisconsin
Madison- State Representative Don Pridemore (R-Hartford) has introduced part two of his “Families
First” package. Called “The Divorce Rate Reduction Act”, it will give married couples considering
divorce a greater opportunity to reconcile their marriage.
“Research shows us that states that have a longer wait time to divorce have a lower divorce rate. ”,
Pridemore said. “Right now in Wisconsin, it is easier to get out of a marriage than it is a car loan”.
Pridemore added.
The legislation proposes a one year wait time from the date of service of the summons to the date the
court may grant a divorce. The legislation also includes an exemption for victims of domestic violence.
“We need to be sure we allow those who are in a dangerous situation, a path to an immediate
resolution”. Pridemore said.
Pridemore’s “Families First” package consists of legislation designed to encourage marriage and
families in lieu of expensive government programs that don’t work. According to a study done by the
“Institute for American Values”, the state of Wisconsin pays $737 million dollars per year directly
related to the broken family and unwed childbearing.
“It’s not just about the money, children are safer, and have a higher rate of graduation and a lower rate
of incarceration when they live with married parents. Furthermore, married women are far less likely to
be victims of a violent crime than are single women and married men live longer and healthier lives.”
Pridemore added.
State Representative Pridemore plans to introduce the entire “Families First” package by the end of
May.
State Representative Don Pridemore

Wind Energy in Manitowoc County

The following letter was written by Wisconsin State Representative Bob Ziegelbauer and addressed to the Wisconsin Senate Committee on Commerce, Utilities, Energy and Rail, in regards to a joint hearing on the state setting wind tower siting regulations.

As you will read, Mr. Ziegelbauer is opposed to the state setting controls on wind tower siting, as he and the current county board seem happy keeping local control. Is Manitowoc Counties current ordinance appropriate.

I noted with interest, the letter was authored by Manitowoc County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer, yes the same Bob Ziegelbauer that is also the States 25th Assembly Rep. This is one example of why in my opinion, holding these two offices conflict.

The need and future requirements for alternative energy will not and should not go away.


Bob Ziegelbauer, County Executive
Manitowoc County Courthouse 1010 S. 8th Street Manitowoc WI 54220
Office: 920.683.5107 Cell: 920.323.7497
bobziegelbauer@co.manitowoc.wi.us www.bobziegelbauer.com
Office of the County Executive
Joint Hearing
Accountability Respect Customer Service
Senate Committee on Commerce, Utilities, Energy, and Rail
Senator Jeff Plale, Chair
Assembly Committee on Energy and Utilities
Representative Jim Soletski, Chair
Tuesday, May 11, 2009
11:00 a.m., 411 South
Opposition to SB 185 and AB 256
Dear Senator Plale, Representative Soletski, and Committee Members:
I’m here today to speak in opposition to these proposals which work to undermine the
confidence people have in the value of local government and the even-handedness of their State
government.
In the Manitowoc County area we are very interested in efficient new energy technologies. We
host two valuable highly efficient nuclear plants (and if you’re really serious about producing
low cost electricity for a long time we would love to put one more between those two). Our
workers manufacture the towers that support the wind turbines. And, the City of Manitowoc
operates a new clean coal power plant in the middle of town, a block from my house, three
blocks from the Courthouse.
We are “all in” on the energy economy.
The issue here is actually a fairly simple one. “Do you trust people in their local communities to
make serious land use decisions on important issues?” These bills say very clearly that you do
not.
Nearly five years ago when it became clear that the demand for wind power sites would include
our area, Town and County government embarked on the intense process of trying to make the
difficult land use policy decisions contemplated under existing state law. After a failed first
attempt to create a suitable county wind power ordinance, the County Board took a “time out” by
declaring a moratorium on projects while it convened a special study committee to write a new
ordinance. That committee, a balanced mix of citizen and elected officials encompassing all the
principal points of view, took significant public input and agonized over the implications of
making wind tower siting decisions.

After more than a year of serious deliberation their work product, a comprehensive wind power
ordinance was overwhelmingly passed into law by the Manitowoc County Board in 2006. That
both sides of the debate came away from the process a little unhappy with the results speaks
highly of the quality of the work they did. It continues to be tested, defined, and refined
according to the appropriate due process that is available at the local level for these issues. This
would throw all that work away.
These bills are ultimately a power grab, couched in the usual excuses; artificially created
minimum requirements for alternative power generation, speculative theories about man made
global warming, impatience with local decision making, and frustration with due process.
I’m here today to stand up for those local officials and the process of making local decisions
throughout the State. Their work and the work of similar groups of local officials, who took their
responsibilities seriously and in good faith waded in to try address controversial issues in their
communities should stand; not be washed away because “Monday morning quarterbacks” from
150 miles away don’t like the result.
These proposals tell local officials to get out of the way, dodge the tough issues, and because
people in Madison know better, you’ll decide.
I urge you not to pass these bills.