Thursday, Nov. 20
Dane County Executive Joe Parisi emails employees telling them that their contracts will be terminated on Dec. 13. Parisi says the contracts violate Act 10, the 2011 state law that eliminates many bargaining rights for most public employees and has been upheld by courts.
The Madison Water Utility proposes hiking water rates by 30%, a monthly increase of $3.30 for the average customer. The utility wants to use the money to make infrastructure improvements.
United Way of Dane County projects that it will raise $19.6 million by the end of the year, an almost 9% increase over last year. Of that money, American Family and its employees gave more than $2.2 million.
Friday, Nov. 21
The Wisconsin State Journal reports that Gov. Scott Walker's administration is projecting a $2.2 billion deficit for the 2015-17 budget cycle. It's good to know all those cuts to workers' pay, municipalities and education, and the subsequent protests, weren't for nothing.
Edgewood College announces that Catherine Zdeblick donated $500,000 to the college in honor of her son, who was autistic and who died unexpectedly after his freshman year at Edgewood. The gift will help pay for a $13 million residence hall for adult students with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome, autism, traumatic brain injuries and cerebral palsy.
Sunday, Nov. 23
The State Journal reports that the incoming Assembly will have less experience than any Legislature since the 1960s. Fifty-six of the 99 Assembly members were not in office during the 2011 turmoil of Act 10.
