Wisconsin one of 45 states facing money crunch in 2012

Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wisc.) wasn’t a household name across the U.S. when he won the midterm election, but he is now. Walker’s move to rein in employee costs for his state and the response by labor unions to mobilize the troops have made the governor a household name. Walker is facing a billion-dollar-plus money shortage, and his efforts to get teachers to pick up more of their pension and health insurance costs have spurred union outrage. Fact is, 45 states will run short in 2012, and most governors are looking for ways to balance the spending with the revenue.

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Coming soon to your state, a Wisconsin-style day of reckoning

Updated on Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 4:34PM by Kay B. Day, Editor

Updated on Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 5:40PM by Kay B. Day, Editor

Union heavyweights are making a power play in Wisconsin, with some school districts canceling classes because teachers called in sick and Democrats playing hooky from the state legislature. Like many other states, Wisconsin is struggling with budget realities, trying to ward off the day of reckoning that is already occurring. Liberals in that state are painting Republican governor Scott Walker as everything from a “Hitler” to a dictator, with some protesters carrying posters showing the governor’s face in the sights of a gun.

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Child killer gets $295,000 in suit over moldy mattress

A Wisconsin inmate got a $295,000 award from a federal jury because his prison mattress was moldy, violating his civil rights. Smoking Gun has the full story about Reggie Townsend, 29, who is doing "23 years for his role in a Milwaukee street shootout that left an 11-year-old girl dead. The child was hit by a stray bullet while inside her grandmother's home." A correctional officer was held accountable, but the state of Wisconsin will probably end up footing the tab. What's astounding: Townsend suffered absolutely no physical harm from the mattress. I'd suggest charging him and anyone else locked up a daily fee for room, board and medical. Do we do that, I wonder? And I'd suggest charging those jurors with stupidity. How easy would it have been to give the child killer a deluxe mattress and then send him on his sorry way, wishing him the worst prison experience ever? When an inmate sues for a mattress, and he's not harmed physically, he should get no more than a mattress. His victim got no mercy whatsoever. 

Update on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 12:14PM by Kay B. Day, Editor

The Wisconsin State Journal has a story that sheds more light on this matter. The jury award should go to the victim's family.