Blog Archives

Consequences of Obama Care

5/21/2013

So much we do not know and yet we seem to have no way to stop the train wreck of Obama Care. This is one more example of losing local control. Just what Obama wants.

Article from the Daily News May 21, 2013

Outsourcing substitutes? Provision in health care law may be necessary for district.

By LINDA MCALPINE Daily News Staff

Government and the private sector have long been outsourcing jobs and services, and now the West Bend School District is considering it for substitute teachers.

The district employs an average of 120-130 teachers on a substitute basis, but members of the school board’s Personnel and Finance Committee on Monday night discussed contracting with a company in Minnesota that would provide substitute teaching services.

Valley Elliehausen, school district chief operations officer, told the committee that outsourcing of these positions should be considered as a strategy to address aspects of the Affordable Care Act that will be phased in by the federal government starting in 2014.

Elliehausen said the act will require employers to offer minimum essential insurance coverage to employees who work 30 hours or more per week. Current substitute teachers in the district are not offered that benefit.

“It would be a manpower nightmare for us to keep track of the hours our subs work in order to ensure they do not meet that time threshold,” she said.

Keeping the hours less than 30 per week would be critical under the Affordable Care Act, as penalties are being proposed for employers not be in compliance.

Subs:A ‘win-win’ for West Bend School District

If the district did not comply with the act as it is proposed, it could face as much as $1.6 million in penalties, based on the number of employees that would be impacted by the 30-hour time threshold, Elliehausen said.

The outsourcing vendor being considered is Teachers On Call, headquartered in Bloomington, Minn., with an office in Madison.

According to the company’s website, it would take care of recruiting and interviewing, verifying work history and credentials, and conduct a background check on prospective substitute teachers.

It would then coordinate substitute teachers for the district on a daily basis. Since the subs would no longer be employed directly by the West Bend School District, Teachers On Call would also assume taking care of the payroll and overseeing benefits for the substitute teachers.

“Outsourcing would be a win-win,” Elliehausen said. “It would broaden the pool of substitute teachers the district has access to and it would also benefit the substitute teachers as they would have increased access to more job openings and receive benefits such as bonuses.”

Rick Parks, committee chairman and school board member, said the district “is really left with no choice but to consider a step like outsourcing.”

The school board will likely discuss outsourcing next month. No decision on it will be made until then.

0 Comments

WI Stewardship Funds

5/16/2013

0 Comments

How much public land and tax dollars are needed so each WI resident is able to recreate?

Recently the WI Joint Finance Committee voted 12-4 to cut bonding for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. In addition the DNR has been told to sell 10,000 acres of state land by June 30, 2017. Since 1690 the DNR has purchased or bought easements to more than 560,000 acres in Wisconsin.

I understand the program costs taxpayers $1.5 million a week in interest costs. Do yo, like me find that a waste of tax dollars?

At a recent Washington County Republican Women's breakfast men and women attendees were asked our thoughts on the issue of stewardship funds and a majority agreed too much land has been taken out of private hands. Now is time to make some funding cuts.

I would like to thank Senator Alberta Darling, Rep. John Nygren, Rep. Dan LeMahieu and others on the Joint Finance Committee for their brave decision.

0 Comments

Are you appauled by Obama's Administration? I am.

5/16/2013

0 Comments

I saw this piece in the New York Post, a paper which I normally do not read, and had to include it in my blog. Written by Michael Goodwin on May 15, 2013.

O's scandals take nation by storm.
As a metaphor for big government, it is hard to top the Justice Department’s seizing of journalists’ phone records from The Associated Press.

Unless, of course, you think the best example is the Internal Revenue Service turning the screws on groups it viewed as conservative and, therefore, unworthy of fair treatment.

Or maybe the winner is the sneaky spreading of ObamaCare’s tentacles, with insurance companies now predicting the law will drive up the cost of individual premiums by as much as 400 percent.

There are no losers in this race to the bottom — except the American people. It is tempting to ask whether they’ve had enough Hope & Change, but the question is premature. With 44 months to go in the reign of the Great Mistake, the gods are not done punishing us.

Meanwhile, back at the White House, the growing cloud of trouble must have the bunker boys longing for the good old days. You know, those idyllic days of yesteryear, a k a early last week, when Benghazi was the only scandal on the horizon.

Everything was much simpler then. All the president had to do was cry “Politics!” and the Pavlovian media mutts declared Benghazi a “partisan witch hunt” and started digging into really important things, such as whether Republicans are evil or just stupid.

Then the dam broke. First, it was the sensational Benghazi hearing, where previously muzzled whistleblowers detailed the administration’s bungles before, during and after the terror attack. Throw in reports showing the infamous Susan Rice talking points were rewritten 11 times, going from fact to fiction, and Benghazi suddenly became the important story it should have been all along.

If that were all, it would have been enough. But the near-simultaneous revelations in recent days about the IRS playing political favorites, the massive phone grab at the AP news operation, and ObamaCare’s cost impact combined to demonstrate something I believed for a long time.

The Obama administration is both corrupt and incompetent. It is a double whammy that spells trouble for the nation, at home and abroad.

The corruption is not like that in Albany, where officials stuff their pockets with taxpayer cash. The corruption in Obama-Land is the selective use of government power to reward friends and punish opponents. Or, as the president calls them, enemies.

Political allies — think Solyndra and unions — get special goodies, while those who oppose the regime’s agenda are demonized and singled out for scrutiny. The IRS targeting of groups with “Tea Party” or “patriot” in their names and those that advocate less spending smacks of the tactics of banana republic strongmen. Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro would be proud.

But America is a nation of laws and not of men, of individual liberty and not of centralized power. And that national dynamic explains the firestorm of anger aimed at the White House. The headlines have sparked a wide and genuine outcry over Obama’s push against the nation’s roots.

He’s been doing it for four years, and mostly getting away with it, but suddenly, there is a critical mass of evidence against him. Maybe the AP case made the media realize they were not exempt from Obama’s overreach.

Whatever the reason, what we see so far is certainly not the end of it. You can bet other nasty, intrusive surprises are hiding in the vast deep of the expanding bureaucracy.

The ultimate danger is a lack of accountability. The idea that ordinary citizens hold the power has no meaning when the political class circles the wagons and the press looks the other way while the president accumulates more power and control.

That is where we have been, but hopefully, not where we are going. Their liberty DNA kicking in, more and more citizens, including some in the media, finally are expressing shock and anger at how big, clumsy and crooked our government is. They are welcome to the discovery, belated though it is.

For those of us not shocked by the inevitable, there is vindication but no satisfaction. Each example of Obama’s chickens coming home to roost just makes more obvious how much damage he’s already done.

The repair begins by throwing open the doors and windows of Washington. We’ll need a lot of sunshine to disinfect this rot.

0 Comments

Fundraiser Going Strong

5/15/2013

0 Comments

Hallie Lofy, 9, and Grace Rochon, 8, sit at the JK Lee Black Belt Academy on Tuesday afternoon in Germantown

A 9-year-old Richfield girl’s cousin was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and while her cousin was being treated at Children’s Hospital she kept asking her mom what she could do to help.

Hallie Lofy’s 2year-old cousin, Bradan Hermes, was diagnosed with an extrarenal malignant rhabdoid tumor, a rare form of cancer that affects 5-15 children a year in North America.

Bradan died about a month ago, but Lofy and her friend Grace Rochon, 8, are raising money to buy a blanket warmer for the HOT Unit at Children’s Hospital in his honor.

Lofy and Rochon are tae kwon do students at JK Lee Black Belt Academy in Germantown. To get their black belt, they must complete a community service project, so the girls decided to do something for Children’s Hospital.

“(Bradan) had an aggressive type of cancer and me and my brother kept asking my mom how we could help him,” Lofy said. “Our first idea was to get a mini-refrigerator in each room because there was only one refrigerator, but somebody had done that.” “So, we came up with the idea of blanket warmers,” Rochon added. Michelle Lofy, Hallie Lofy’s mom, said a blanket warmer was on Children’s Hospital’s wish list of needs. She said when children are cold when they get chemotherapy or get out of surgery and the warming cabinet is used before the blankets are given to patients.

A warming cabinet costs $5,000 and they are about halfway to their goal. Hallie Lofy and Rochon have sold pizzas, homemade jam and salsa to reach their goal.

Rochon said they are creating calendars featuring tae kwon do forms, or patterns, to learn for each belt.

“We’re going to do a calendar and each month has a different form on it to help students practice,” Michelle Lofy said.

Hallie Lofy and Rochon will also make customized plaques that can be used to hang medals, according to Michelle Lofy.

Michelle Rochon, Grace Rochon’s mom, said she loves the project because Grace and Hallie have been doing a large portion of the work and it’s neat to see how excited they are about the project.

Grace Rochon said it feels good to help other people and Hallie Lofy said it means a lot because she was really close to Bradan.

Michelle Lofy said even though Bradan won’t be able to benefit from the blanket warmer, she hopes other kids will take comfort and parents will be comforted because their child is more comfortable.

“Grace and I didn’t know Bradan and it was because they were in class together they asked us about the project,” Michelle Rochon said. “It’s a tragic thing, but they’re trying to look on the bright side of it. He’s touched so many lives in such a short time. Through this cabinet he will continue to live on and be remembered.”

(Story from the West Bend Daily News)

0 Comments

Wisconsin Property Tax Freeze Update

5/14/2013

1 Comment

In just a few short weeks your state legislators will cast their votes for Governor Walker’s budget, which if passed will put more of your hard earned money back in your pocket.

Not only does the Governor’s budget call for a $343,000,000 income tax reduction, but it also continues the property tax freeze.

Simply stated, this budget will give back to the hardworking taxpayers who helped turn a $3.6 billion budget deficit into a surplus.

But your help is needed.

Please take a moment to contact your state legislators, encourage them to support Governor Walker’s budget. It takes only a minute but it will have a huge impact in moving his budget (and our state) forward. Click on the link below.

Urge Lawmakers to Pass Governor Walker's Budget

1 Comment

Senator Ron Johnson on Gun Control

5/13/2013

0 Comments

Recently I sent an email to Senator Ron Johnson stating my opposition to gun control. Here is his response to my comments.

Dear Diane,

Thank you for contacting me with your opposition to gun control legislation.

I want legislation that will best prevent crimes like the tragedy in Newtown. But I didn't come to Washington to vote for bills that create more problems than they solve and, in the process, further degrade our freedoms.

That's why I supported the common sense proposal from Sen. Chuck Grassley. Forty-two other Republicans and nine Democrats supported it because it would have strengthened the enforcement of our current laws. In 2010, 73,000 individuals failed the current background checks — 48,000 of them were felons or fugitives. Only 62 cases were sent to prosecutors. Only 44 were actually prosecuted. The legislation I supported would have helped put these gun-seeking criminals in jail.

In contrast, the president's attempt to pressure Americans into supporting ill-considered gun control is a classic example of Washington's misguided intrusion into our lives. If the president and his supporters were truly serious about moving in a positive direction, once their proposal failed, they would have voted for the bipartisan alternative I supported.

When I ran for the Senate, I said we have enough gun laws and that we should enforce the laws we already have. That is how I have voted since I was elected. This vote was consistent with that record.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts. It is important for me to hear the views and concerns of the people I serve. It is an honor representing you and the good people of Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate.

Sincerely,

Ron Johnson
United States Senator

0 Comments

How Much Soda Is OK?

5/11/2013

0 Comments

Some Wisconsin legislators are working to allow you to have an unlimited size of soda. If the state Joint Finance Committee gets its way, the Big Gulp will have the freedom to remain, well, … Big.

WISN 12 News reports the panel, which includes Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend), placed a provision in the budget bill that would prevent any city or county from limiting the size of a food or drink being sold.

The infamous New York City ban on sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces is being challenged in court, but if successful it would dramatically slash the 7-11 Big Gulp (128 ounces) and the McDonald's Supersize (40 ounces) among others.

Do you want government control over what you choose to purchase to drink? How much soda at one swipe is OK? Soda makers offer, in addition to the standard 12-ounce can, 16-, 20- and now 24-ounce servings in stores. And in many fast food and fast casual restaurants, diners have access to the fountain for as long as they are in the establishment.

I say keep the government out of what I drink. I can drink as much as I want at home, why not at a restaurant. What do you think?

0 Comments

Richfield Lioness Award 4 Scholarships

5/10/2013

1 Comment

The Richfield Lioness Club is pleased to announce the winners of four $1000 scholarships. On May 7th, at a banquet held at the Copper Dock in Richfield, the club awarded 4 deserving area high school seniors a college scholarship check. In attendance were members of the Lioness club, guests, scholarship winners and members of their families.

The Lioness members congratulate the winners and wish them success in their future education.
In the photo, left to right:
Kiersten Bauer, Marissa Meier, Amy Konkol, Jacquelyn Nevinski
Thank You,
Laura Holmes
Pres RLC

Kiersten Bauer

Kiersten’s mother is the role model and mentor for Kiersten's chosen field of nursing. She enrolled at UW-Eau Claire with the goal of becoming a pediatric nurse. While in high school, she participated in Cross Country, Choir, band and was a teaching assistant for a history class. Volunteer work consisted of tour guide at the Richfield Historical Society Mill House, Operation Christmas Child, Toys for Tots and International Children’s Fund. Kiersten’s part time jobs include McDonald’s, Silver Shop Jewelry Store and various nanny positions. Her hobbies include ATV riding, snowboarding and reading. She has saved for college for several years and is determined to succeed.

Amy Konkol

Amy graduates from HUHS in June where she has taken many science courses to prepare for her goal of becoming a Physical Therapist. She ran both cross country and track, is a member of H-Club, the National Honor Society and Student Council. To help save for college Amy worked at Camp Minikani and Hollister Co. Leisure time finds her running, hiking, fishing, swimming and playing tennis for fun. Amy regularly volunteers at Enchantment in the Park, Hubertus Haunted House and charity runs. She intends to major in Exercise Science to prepare for a Physical Therapy degree.

Marissa Meier

Marissa is one of three children and will graduate from Kettle Moraine Lutheran High, 19th in her class. Her majors at MSOE will be Biomedical engineering/math. Extracurricular activities include cross country, basketball, soccer, track, forensics, math team and academic bowl team for 2 years. Marissa has also given back to her community by collecting toys for Hope School, participating in a Pay it Forward project, teaching Sunday School and coaching Richfield Soccer. Part time jobs consist of babysitting, cleaning houses and daycare teacher. Some awards Marissa won include: Silver medal in power round at state forensics, JV captain of cross country team and 1st at state for math team.

Jacquelyn Nevinski

Jacquelyn’s plans include graduation from Concordia University one semester early due to having taken several AP courses during her high school career at Germantown High. She has prepared for her major in Radiologic Technology by taking biology, chemistry, physics and pre-calculus. However, she is musical as well. Jacquelyn is a pianist at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church and is in the Germantown High School band where she is a leader in the clarinet section. Jacquelyn has been inducted into both the National Honor Society and the Tri-M music honor society.

Her part time jobs include, Logger’s Park Miniature Golf and Batting Cages, Pick’ N Save, Thunder Road Custard and Amici’s Italian Restaurant.

In her spare time, she likes to read and sit down at the piano and play her music. Jacquelyn saved enough for two years of college so far.

1 Comment

WISCONSIN TOURISM EXPERIENCES GROWTH IN 2012

5/6/2013

0 Comments

WISCONSIN TOURISM EXPERIENCES GROWTH IN 2012

“Washington County Visitor Spending is Up $7.5 million Dollars

West Bend, Wisconsin. (May 6, 2013) - For the nearly 97 million travelers that visited Wisconsin it’s all about the fun and memories, but for the state’s taxpayers and residents, it’s all about the jobs and tax revenue those travelers support. A study conducted by Tourism Economics shows that impact of tourism on the state’s economy was $16.8 billion in 2012, up 5% from the previous year.

Locally, travelers to Washington County spent $100.3 million in 2012. Among the contributing factors for local tourism growth was a new destination marketing campaign that focused on area’s unique natural resources, quaint downtowns, golf courses and historical attractions.

“Tourism plays a critical role in our community and continues to grow, and from an economic standpoint, the numbers reflect that,” said Elaine Motl, Executive Director. “Last year’s numbers are very encouraging and we hope to capitalize on this momentum in the coming summer season with a strong promotional campaign that defines our brand and targets potential visitors with a message that resonates, “Escape Route Available”, targeting the busy professional or family who want to get away from it all.”

Statewide, traveler spending generated $1.3 billion in state and local revenue and $977 million in federal taxes.

“The past two years have been outstanding for Wisconsin’s tourism industry and the two-year $2 billion growth that is reported in the research confirms what we hear from businesses and destinations as I travel the state,” said Secretary Klett. “Investing in tourism promotion and marketing at both the state and local level is an effective way to attract visitors, enhance the state’s image and keep the economy growing.”

The Department of Tourism worked with a national research firm Longwoods International and Tourism Economics to produce the stats

For more information contact:
Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Elaine Motl, Executive Director
262-677-5069

Email to info@visitwashingtoncounty.com

0 Comments

Consequences of Obama Care

WI Stewardship Funds

Are you appauled by Obama's Administration? I am.

Fundraiser Going Strong

Wisconsin Property Tax Freeze Update

Senator Ron Johnson on Gun Control

How Much Soda Is OK?

Richfield Lioness Award 4 Scholarships

WISCONSIN TOURISM EXPERIENCES GROWTH IN 2012

About

Archives

Categories