UP: Block 100 Foundation. In the past week, both city staff and Madison's Landmarks Commission approved revised plans for the 100 block of State Street. The new $11.6 million proposal, by Overture benefactors Jerome Frautschi and Pleasant Rowland, preserves two landmarks and another historic building on the block, all of which had earlier been recommended for demolition. Landmarks chairman Stuart Levitan tells Frautschi's son Grant: "This is an extraordinary investment in downtown Madison, and I thank you for it." The project seems likely to sail through the city's approval process.
DOWN: Wisconsin's retirement fund. Unintended consequences from changes Gov. Scott Walker made to collective bargaining may end up costing the state's pension system $87.5 million next year. The legislation required employees to pay higher contributions to the $82 billion pension system, but that increased benefits paid out, which in turn will require public employees to pay even higher contributions in future years to maintain those benefit levels. Will this be highlighted on the governor's "It's Working" website?
