Koch brothers investing in state-level Wisconsin lawmakers

 

August 20, 2016

by Louis Weisberg

After apparently shrugging off the 2016 presidential election, Charles and David Koch are focusing their campaign dollars further down the ballot to maintain control over state governments, according to the Center for Media and Democracy;

CMD intern David Armiak reported that the billionaire brothers, who are the bedrock of the modern Republican Party, have already spent $400 million this year on influencing campaigns around the nation. Some of that money is believed to have gone to Verona Swanigan’s failed campaign to oust Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm.

Chisholm and other district attorneys conducted a “John Doe” probe of Koch-backed groups they suspected of illegally coordinating their campaign activities with those of Gov. Scott Walker during his recall race. Justices who’ve received millions of dollars in campaign contributions from those same Koch-backed groups ruled unconstitutional the law under which the probe was conducted. They ordered the case closed and, in what many called an unprecedented move, they ordered the files destroyed.

The DAs appealed the case the U.S. Supreme Court, which is expected to hear it.

As this election year heats up, Wisconsin is once again in the Koch brothers’ sites.

Below are candidates for state office — all Republicans —  in whom the industrialist titans have already invested this year, Amiak's research revealed.

• Joel Kitchens (WI-01) is receiving campaign help from Americans for Prosperity’s door-to-door operation. Kitchens also received $500 from KochPAC to Joel Kitchens for Assembly.
• André Jacque (WI-02) received $500 from KochPAC to his Jacque for Assembly.
• Majority Leader Rep. Jim Steineke (WI-05) received $500 from KochPAC to his Steineke for Assembly.
• Gary Tauchen (WI-06) received $500 from KochPAC to Tauchen for Assembly.
• Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Daniel Knodl (WI-24) received $500 from KochPAC to Knodl Assembly 24.
• Mark Born (WI-39) received $500 from KochPAC to Born For Assembly
• Michael Schraa (WI-53) received $500 from KochPAC to Michael Schraa for Assembly.
• Mike Rohrkaste (WI-55) received $500 from KochPAC to Rohrkaste for Assembly.
• Speaker of the House Rep. Robin Vos (WI-63) received $500 from KochPAC to his Friends & Neighbors of Robin Vos.
• John Spiros (WI-86) received $500 from KochPAC to Spiros for Assembly.
• John Macco (WI-88) received $500 from KochPAC to Friends of John Macco.
• John Nygren (WI-89) received $500 from KochPAC to Taxpayers for Nygren.
• Above is from:  http://wisconsingazette.com/2016/08/20/koch-brothers-investing-in-state-level-wisconsin-lawmakers/

NLRB rules that grad students are employees, opens door to unionization

In a major decision that opens the door for graduate students across the country to unionize, the National Labor Relations Board ruled Tuesday that grad students who work as teaching and research assistants are employees covered by federal labor laws.

The 3-1 decision — which stems from a petition filed by a group of graduate students at Columbia University in New York who wished to join the United Auto Workers union — reverses a 2004 decision involving Rhode Island's Brown University that had held that grad students are not employees because they are primarily students.

The majority wrote that the Brown decision "deprived an entire category of workers of the protections of the (National Labor Relations) Act without a convincing justification."

The decision states: "The Board has the statutory authority to treat student assistants as statutory employees, where they perform work, at the direction of the university, for which they are compensated. Statutory coverage is permitted by virtue of an employment relationship; it is not foreclosed by the existence of some other, additional relationship that the Act does not reach."

Above is from:  http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-nlrb-grad-students-unionize-0824-biz-20160823-story.html

Pink Tax to end in 2017

 

ILLINOIS -- A big break for women in the state. Governor Bruce Rauner signed a bill eliminating the tax on feminine hygiene products starting in January.

The decision makes Illinois the third state to do away with the sale tax, following in the footsteps of New York and Connecticut. 

Lawmakers and support groups say women should not pay a tax on a necessary product which is only used by them.

Women were paying more than 6% for sanitary napkins and tampons. California's state assembly is close to sending a plan to its governor and eleven other states proposed legislation this year.

Above is from:  http://www.illinoishomepage.net/news/capitol-news/rauner-approves-pink-tax

Michigan Wind Farm Project

 

Wind turbines: The money and the myths

Detroit Free Press 8 hours ago

When Exelon approached Dean Kritzman about leasing his land for the energy company’s most recent wind turbine project, Kritzman didn’t hesitate to say yes. He saw it as a win-win-win situation: the turbine would produce renewable energy, Sanilac County would reap tax revenue benefits and he would get a personal lease payment each year. Kritzman, 81, of Marion Township has lived on his land for 55 years and doesn’t mind seeing the three turbines that are already about four miles from his home every day. “I will tell you, you can see those turbines from three to four miles away,” Kritzman said. “I can look out and see ones from my home on a clear day and see if they are turning.” While some folks ...

Read more:   http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2016/08/20/michigan-wind-turbines-money-and-myths/89041958/

Mainstream Renewable’s activities in Chile & Africa

Mainstream Renewable Power's international expansion plans received a major boost today as it emerged as one of the biggest winner in Chile's latest clean energy auction, securing contracts to build almost 1GW of new wind power capacity.

The company has been awarded seven 20-year contracts totalling 986MW of capacity that are expected to mobilise $1.65bn of new wind energy investment.

The deals formed the centrepiece of the largest and most competitive clean energy auction in Chile's history, with the tender process seven times oversubscribed as 84 companies submitted 85,000GWh of bids for just over 12,000GWh of available power.

The company said the round marks the first time Mainstream has participated independently in a Chilean bid and all projects are 100 per cent owned by the Ireland-based developer.

The move further cements Mainstream's presence in the Chilean market, where it has led the development of over 2GW of wind and solar capacity since 2009. In addition, the company is poised to complete 300MW of new wind projects next year through a joint venture with Actis after securing contracts in last year's auction.

Mainstream's chief executive, Eddie O'Connor, welcomed the latest contract wins. "Today's win underpins Mainstream's standing as the leading independent renewable energy company in high-growth emerging energy markets," he said. "We had the industry foresight to take early positions in Chile and South Africa and we are rolling out similar plans across Africa, Central America and Asia. We look forward to developing these projects to the highest standard to deliver competitive priced energy into the Chilean system from 2021."

He added that he would be meeting with the CEOs of the main wind turbine manufacturers in the coming months to discuss the next generation of turbines required for the projects.

He also argued the latest auction provided further evidence of the growing cost competitiveness of renewable energy around the world. "Around the world, renewable energy is winning on price and on delivery," he said. "We continue to find innovative ways to fund our projects as we add to our exciting emerging markets project pipeline - just like the recently announced $117.5m equity funding for our African platform, which included investors such as the IFC and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund."

• Above is from: 

http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2468225/mainstream-renewable-power-wins-big-in-chilean-energy-auction

Wednesday’s Boone County Board meeting

  See the update on several of the votes.

NEWS ALERT-Posted this am by Boone County Board member Cathy Ward on FACEBOOK. Thank you Cathy Ward for keeping us all informed!

"BOONE COUNTY BOARD HIGHLIGHTS - No decisions yet on the use of Public Safety Sales Tax money, no decision on Fees for Not-for-Profit groups - more to come soon on both important issues - but the board did vote to put stop signs on Caledonia Road at the Dawson Lake Road intersection. More than 250 people living in that area had asked the roads committee for six months to reduce the speed or put up stop signs to slow down traffic on what many consider a speedway. The board also approved putting an anti-corruption referendum on the November ballot and a resolution for term limits. Much debate on several issues. Love to see so many, many people coming to our meetings to see politics in action. What amazes me is that some board members seem to believe that once they are elected, their opinions must be right because they were elected. Amazing. What I don't like from some is arrogance, rudeness and total disdain for the people who elected us - and I'm so glad so many people now see this. Just heard a great statement. 'Those who elected us are our employers. Those we serve are our customers.' All should remember that."

 

UPDATE:·

HOW BOONE COUNTY BOARD VOTED - Several of you fb friends and lots of Boone County friends asked about the vote last week. Double checked with Boone County Clerk Mary Steuer today.

Board members : Chair Bob Walberg, and members Sherry Giesecke , Karl Johnson, and Brad Stark voted no on a stop sign on Dawson Lake and Caledonia Road.

250 people from the area had signed petitions asking us to help slow down motorists for months. .

Those voting yes were Jeff Carlisle, Denny Ellingson, Ken Freeman, Ray Larson, Cory Lind, Jessica Muellner and me.

When asked by dozens to put an anti-corruption referendum on the ballot, Board chair Bob Walberg, Karl Johnson, Cory Lind and Brad Stark voted no. Interesting.

Those voting yes were Jeff Carlisle, Denny Ellingson, Ken Freeman, Sherry Giesecke, Ray Larson, Jessica Muellner and me.

Board member Sherry Branson was absent.

Lots of challenging issues coming up. I'll keep you posted.

Cathy Ward

Candlewick Lake drinking water concerns

Residents say they want to be reimbursed for dirty water, damages to homes

 

By Emily Waldron | ewaldron@wtvo.com

Published 08/16 2016 10:28PM

Updated 08/17 2016 08:59AM

 

POPLAR GROVE

During a board meeting Tuesday night, Candlewick Lake residents demanded repayment for the damages caused to some of their homes by dirty water.

The community’s water provider – Aqua America – came to the meeting to try to provide answers to residents.

Over a dozen residents got up to speak, asking questions about why they never received notice from Aqua about the wells needing repairs. Aqua says they sent out automated phone calls, however that is a service residents need to sign up for.

Many also wanted to know if there would be any kind of reimbursements on their water bills, or some kind of repayment to fix appliances in their homes that were ruined by the dirty water. Aqua openly stated that they will not be offering any reimbursements.

Residents in attendance said they pay anywhere from $100-300 per month for Aqua's water.

"They're not looking at compensating us,” said resident Tina Hamilton. “In fact, they have informed us that no, the price is going to keep going up."

Another woman says the dirty water could have forced her husband – who has stage 4 kidney disease – onto dialysis.

"I heard tonight that they were adding some sort of chemical to the water to counteract Iron, and my concern is, is that safe for my husband to drink? We weren't notified of anything being added to our water,” said resident Linda Manliguis.

The Candlewick Board says they're now looking into creating a committee of some kind to oversee Aqua's operations within the community in the future. They have not said whether they will consider switching from Aqua to another water provider.

Above is from:  http://www.mystateline.com/news/candlewick-residents-confront-aqua-again