UP: John E. Nelson. A bus driver for Madison Metro, Nelson was in the media spotlight this week for being the highest-paid city employee last year, thanks to a union contract that gives senior drivers first crack at overtime shifts. Nelson made $159,258 in 2009. Employees making less than Nelson were Police Chief Noble Wray, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and city attorney Michael May. Some question whether it's safe for a bus driver to work as many as 80 hours a week. Others wish they could be bus drivers too.
DOWN: Unemployed. More than 100,000 unemployed Wisconsin residents are in danger of losing their benefits by the end of the month unless Congress passes emergency measures.
