On Janesville schools face a very different future
Posted on March 15 at 3:16 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
It's not 360 secretaries, it's 360 secretaries, aides and clerks. There are a lot of aides in the elementary schools (or at least there were 25 years ago when I was in school). While I'm on the subject of reading (and comprehending) the numbers, it's also not 110 central-office staff it's about 90 (10 is about 11% of 90). And it's not 178 janitors, it's 178 janitors, maintenance and food services employees.
I won't get into whether you could save money by contracting out these services, because I really don't know. I'd just prefer people actually show they understand what they're reading.
On Former Sen. Feingold rallies Wis. labor protesters
Posted on February 18 at 3:45 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
To the Walker voters who think he's doing what those who voted for him wanted: I know people who voted for him who are completely against this move (and if you are honest with yourself I'm sure you do too). I don't know anyone who didn't vote for him who are for this. I think it's safe to say if he had said he was going to do this during the election he would never have been elected.
There are right ways to get things done and wrong ways, this is a wrong way. Don't go bringing up the Health Care fight in Washington; if it were the same thing it doesn't make it right. "They got away with it first" is rarely a valid excuse for doing something wrong. You want to pass a bill that eliminates unions and grants enormous power over medicaid to the executive branch? Fine, give more than a week so that people can actually understand what is in the bill. If what you are doing is right then you can afford to take an extra week or two to let your opposition be heard.
Posted on February 8 at 3:53 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
If you know anyone in healthcare, I'd ask them. In my experience if you get them while they are off the clock, they'll let you know who the good doctors are. If that's not an option you really do need to "shop around" and be willing to meet a few doctors. Sometimes you'll just click with one. Check both Internal Medicine and Family Medicine doctors. In your first meeting make sure you ask questions about how they practice. You might also want to find one that has similar interests (i.e. you might want a runner). Good luck. And if you find a good one let your friends know. Several of my co-workers and I have the same Dr. because one of us thought he was a good doctor. I had recommended my prior doctor to a lot of people. I live in Madison, or I'd recommend my current one, although he is definitely not for everyone.
On Former St. William priest Del Klink remembered as funny, friendly
Posted on January 29 at 10:23 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
He definitely seemed to be one of the good ones. I only met him a couple of times, but he was one of the nicest priests I've ever met. St Williams was very lucky to have him while they did.
On 25 years ago - Challenger disaster
Posted on January 12 at 9:50 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
It was my 11th birthday. We were coming back from gym class at Lincoln Elementary when the teacher told us. I think a good part of the rest of the day was spent watching the news updates, although my memory could be faulty. If not for 9/11, it would probably still be the "where were you" moment for my generation. Now I barely remember it.
On More than 12,000 Wis. voters don’t match
Posted on October 29 at 9:27 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
People looking for rapant voter fraud are going to find it in the smallest of places and declare it an outrage. Does voter fraud occur? Absolutely. Does voter supression occur? Absolutely. One side wants everyone eligble to vote able to vote and is willing to allow some ineligible votes to ensure no one's right to vote is infringed. The other side wants no ineligible votes cast and is willing to stop eligible voters from voting to ensure that no ineligible votes are cast. There is no perfect system. We should continually strive to make it better, but we are going to have both situations for the foreseeable future. In a close election it could sway the outcome, but over time both sides will end up on the wrong side. Of course the close elections are the ones we remember most (and get most upset about). Personally I doubt these 12k are as big a deal as some make it out to be. Of course, if their goal is to move the process closer to perfection, then I applaud the efforts of those involved.
On Undergraduate tuition increase working
Posted on October 27 at 11:39 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
criticalthinking,
Two things. First, I was quoted 19% of Madison's funding comes from the state. I rounded to 20%. I have no idea if it is accurate (I don't work for the University). Second, from what I can tell everyone pays the tuition surcharge. Student's who's families make less than $80k a year are "eligible" for grants to eliminate the "surcharge", but they still must pay it. Just being eligible for aid does not mean they get it. A single child who's family makes $75k a year could potentially not get the grant depending on circumstances. I don't believe it is guaranteed for those under $80k.
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Other than that, I agree with your post completely. Need based support is important. The university is an important part of the state. I am very thankful that my parents paid to let me get a degree from Madison.
On Undergraduate tuition increase working
Posted on October 27 at 11:19 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Nobody knows how much waste there is or isn't in the University (although I'm sure some have insight into pockets of what they consider "waste"). The point is support from non-tuition sources has waned. Especially state support. At the same time, tuition is low compared to peer institutions. We've always prided ourselves on the value we provided, but we had state support for that value in the past. That is no longer the case. Lacking state support, tuition should move more in line with our peers. That is what the Madison Initiative is attempting to do.
On Undergraduate tuition increase working
Posted on October 27 at 10:16 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
The problem is that we're at a point where you almost need a college degree to be a barista. Too many jobs are requiring a formal education when the right employees could be more effective getting job training rather than classroom training. This leads to too many people going to college which means demand goes up which leads to higher prices.
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At the same time the government support has dropped dramatically. UW-Madison now gets only about 20% of it's funding from the state (according to a UW Foundation employee who called me looking for a donation last night). What are the universities supposed to do? The only way to continue to provide a decent education is to raise more money.
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I don't like it being called a "surcharge" and I wish they'd just call it a tuition increase, which is what it is. Even with the increase Wisconsin has one of the lowest tuition rates in the Big Ten (number 9 if I recall correctly).
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On Why was Walker named Governor of Year?
Posted on January 3 at 3:22 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
MOC0428-
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The reasons for the recall are as varied as the people signing the petitions. The state constitution does not require a "legal" reason for the recall. A recall can be for any reason as long as the office holder is in office for at least a year. It is an additional check on those who govern. I am thankful it is there. Regardless of whether you feel it is proper, well over 500k feel it is. Each one of their voices is as valid as yours. It's not wasting money; it's democracy in action, just as valid as voting in an election.