Wednesday, 4.9
Gov. Scott Walker tells reporters he would like to eventually earn a college degree, possibly through the UW's new flex-degree program. He dodges questions on whether he thinks a degree is needed to win the presidency.
Thursday, 4.10
The UW System reports that it has $1.7 billion in cash on hand and expects to finish the fiscal year with $1.1 billion in reserves.
Friday, 4.11
U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (R-Fond du Lac) announces that he won't seek re-election after 35 years in Congress. The 73-year-old moderate would have faced a primary challenge from state Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend).
Gov. Walker's campaign attorney files a petition with the Wisconsin Supreme Court seeking to bypass the state's Court of Appeals in stopping a John Doe investigation looking at allegations of illegal campaigning by conservative groups during the 2011 and 2012 recall elections.
Monday, 4.14
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the state has entered a new, 10-year contract for road signs with Interstate Logos, a subsidiary of Georgia-based Lamar Advertising, over appeals from Derse-Wisconsin Highway Business Signs of Milwaukee, which held the contract for 30 years. Derse had offered the state a cheaper rate than the Georgia company. State traffic engineer Bill McNary tells the paper: "Interstate Logos will provide better signs and better response in the maintenance of signs."
The Associated Press reports that a growing number of school districts are asking voters for permission to raises taxes to pay for salaries, utilities and other basic costs. In the April 1 election, voters approved 23 of 35 school district referendums. The referendums are needed in the wake of Act 10, which limits how much districts can raise taxes.
Tuesday, 4.15
Gov. Walker officially kicks off his re-election campaign by launching a TV ad, holding several rallies around the state and unveiling a new slogan, "Wisconsin is back on." Walker does not mention his 2010 campaign promise to create 250,000 private-sector jobs, which he has not met.
Isthmus reports that Kevin Briski, Madison's parks superintendent, is leaving to take a similar job in Florida. See Joe Tarr's story.
Wednesday, 4.16
The State Journal reports that the Madison Police and Fire Commission voted on April 7 to offer the police chief job to Mike Koval, pending a physical, but did not announce its decision until April 11, raising questions about process transparency. The paper also reports that most of the commission's meetings were held in the private office of attorney Scott Herrick, rather than a public space.
