Saturday, November 3, 2012

"Considering the source, I take it with a box of Morton's and an umbrella as well."

Seems a fitting comment when considering the future of telephone polling.  (The title of this post is a smartass remark used occasionally by Grant Lee -- real name -- a graduate school professor of mine.)

And this development is not unique to Pew Research.

Sorry, Wrong Number.   Surveying Americans by phone is increasingly problematic. As a result, pollsters are trying to incorporate new—but imperfect—alternatives.  (National Journal, 7/19/2012)

Some numbers from the article.

34%.  Cell-phone only households.  (2nd half of 2011*.)
20%.  Cell-phone only households.  (2nd half of 2008.)

60%.  Adults 25-29 in cell-phone only households.
8.5%  Adults 65+ in cell-phone only households.

*According to Chetan Sharma (paragraph 4), it's now up to 40% of households.

A Discouraging Number to Consider When Your Fresh-Out-Of-College Son is Looking for a Permanent Fulltime Job with Benefits


Percentage of U.S. jobs added since January 2009 that are hourly.  (60% overall.)

For Some After the Storm, No Work Means No Pay.  (The New York Times, 11/2/2012)

Andy is now working at his second full-time temporary job since he graduated in May.

Madison Central Library Progress Report: 2nd Revised Edition

Originally published June 5, 2012.  (Updated August 17, 2012, and November 3, 2012)

Link to MCPL Design Review
View of roof/site

From a different angle, obviously.  I left my jet pack at home.

June 5, 2012
Retiring Guy @ the top of Overture Center parking ramp

In the above view, Approach from Henry Street,  the building in the left center background is, as far as I know, a figment of someone's imagination.   (Use Google Maps to search 109 West Mifflin Street and see a street view of the one-story, four-unit, terra-cotta building currently at this location.)

June 5, 2012
Retiring Guy @ intersection of W. Mifflin & N. Henry

August 17, 2012

Bonus round
Hat tip to Carol Froistad for this photo.

November 1, 2012


Mifflin Street Elevation

June 5, 2012
Retiring Guy @ intersection of W. Mifflin and N. Fairchild

November 1, 2012


August 17, 2012

November 1, 2012

August 17, 2012

November 1, 2012


Fairchild Street Elevation

Jun 5, 2012

August 17, 2012

November 1, 2012

Floor plans:  Lower, first, second, third.





Related posts: 
Progress report.  (8/18/2012)
Work in progress. (6/5/2012)
Construction kickoff ceremony.  (3/28/2012)
Findorff awarded Madison Public Library construction contract.  (3/1/2012)
City of Madison to Rebid Central Library Project. (12/22/2011)
Madison Community Foundation awards $500,000 grant for new Madison Central Library.   (12/16/2011)
Retiring Guy takes a last look at the 1960s-era Madison Central Library.  (11/13/2011)
Madison Central Library prepares for move to temporary facility. (11/9/2011)
Madison Public Library misses cut on $4.5 million tax credit.  (9/14/2011)
Board to consider Plan B financing.  (9/1/2011)
Central library to relocate in November.  (7/27/2011)
Central library reconstruction project to proceed.  (4/29/2011)
Negotiations continue.  (4/27/2011)
Central library not a major issue with candidate or mayor Soglin. (4/19/2011)
Soglin wants to make sure ducks are in a row for Central Library Project.  (4/16/2011)
Latest design review.  (4/8/2011)
Midway Design presentation for Madison Central Library.  (2/25/2011)
Final design for renovated central library unveiled.  (12/8/2010)
Interview with principal architect of Central Library project.  (11/5/2010)
And the beat goes on.  (4/14/2010)

Friday, November 2, 2012

Wisconsin Budget Project: Guess Who Pays More with a Flat Income Tax Rate?



Read Tamarine Cornelius' report.

Who Would a Move to a Flat Tax Benefit? The Best Off.  (Wisconsin Budget Project Blog, 10/31/2012)

Experts To Wisconsin: Save the Income Tax, Close the Loopholes.  (Citizen for Tax Justice,  9/7/2012)

Excerpt:  To that end, a joint House [i.e. Assembly]-Senate committee convened a hearing on income tax reform this week that was generally understood to be designed to give cover to legislative leaders' goal of replacing the state's graduated income tax with a flat-rate income tax (thus undermining the most progressive feature of any tax system, the graduated income tax).


Imagine my surprise when I found no summaries of the four hearings or any published testimony from the invited speaks.


I suppose this special committee's business falls under "Reforming Government" on the list of Governor Walker's 5 main priorities for the 2013-15 budget.

Who's Running for State Office in Wisconsin 2012: 32nd Senate District (General Election Edition)



Lists of libraries are found at posts for AD94, AD94, and AD96.

The Democratic incumbent.

Biography.   Born Oshkosh, July 4, 1969; married; 2 children. 

Graduate Buffalo Grove, IL H.S.; B.A. in political science and public administration, UW-La Crosse 1992. 

Former congressional aide and legislative aide. 

Member: UW-La Crosse Alumni Assn. (fmr. pres.); La Crosse Co. League of Women Voters; La Crosse Co. Democratic Party (former chp.); UW-La Crosse Chancellor’s Community Council; Viterbo University Bd. of Advisors; Family and Children’s Center Community Bd.; Wis. Technology Council; Riverfront La Crosse Community Advisory Bd. 

La Crosse Co. Bd. 1990-92. 

Elected to Assembly 2000-10; elected to Senate in special election August 2011. Minority Caucus Sergeant at Arms 2005.

Defeated Dan Kapanke in August 9, 2011, recall election.



The Republican challenger:   Bill Feehan 

Wisconsin Eye interview (9/25/2012)


Q&A with candidates Jennifer Shilling and Bill Feehan.  (La Crosse Tribune,  10/21/2012)

Shilling, Feehan square off at UWL debate.  (WXOW, 10/23/2012)

Related posts (General Election Edition).
Assembly District 1.
Assembly District 2.
Assembly District 3.
Assembly District 4.
Assembly District 5.
Assembly District 6.
Assembly District 7.
Assembly District 8.
Assembly District 9.
Assembly District 10.
Assembly District 11.
Assembly District 12.
Assembly District 13.
Assembly District 14. 
Assembly District 15.
Assembly District 16.
Assembly District 17.
Assembly District 18.
Assembly District 19.
Assembly District 20.
Assembly District 21.
Assembly District 22.
Assembly District 23.
Assembly District 24.
Assembly District 25.
Assembly District 26.
Assembly District 27.
Assembly District 28.
Assembly District 29.
Assembly District 30.
Assembly District 31.
Assembly District 32.
Assembly District 33.
Assembly District 34.
Assembly District 35.
Assembly District 36.
Assembly District 37.
Assembly District 38.
Assembly District 39.
Assembly District 40.
Assembly District 41.
Assembly District 42.
Assembly District 43.
Assembly District 44.
Assembly District 45.
Assembly District 46.
Assembly District 47.
Assembly District 48.
Assembly District 49.
Assembly District 50.
Assembly District 51.
Assembly District 52.
Assembly District 53.
Assembly District 54.
Assembly District 55.
Assembly District 56.
Assembly District 57.
Assembly District 58.
Assembly District 59.
Assembly District 60.
Assembly District 61.
Assembly District 62.
Assembly District 63.
Assembly District 64.
Assembly District 65.
Assembly District 66.
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Assembly District 68.
Assembly District 69.
Assembly District 70.
Assembly District 71.
Assembly District 72.
Assembly District 73.
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Assembly District 75.
Assembly District 76.
Assembly District 77.
Assembly District 78.
Assembly District 79.
Assembly District 80.
Assembly District 81.
Assembly District 82.
Assembly District 83.
Assembly District 84.
Assembly District 85.
Assembly District 86.
Assembly District 87.
Assembly District 88.
Assembly District 89,
Assembly District 90.
Assembly District 91.
Assembly District 92.
Assembly District 93.
Assembly District 94.
Assembly District 95.
Assembly District 96.
Assembly District 97.
Assembly District 98.
Assembly District 99.
Senate District 2.
Senate District 4.
Senate District 6.
Senate District 8.
Senate District 10.
Senate District 12.
Senate District 14.
Senate District 16.
Senate District 18.
Senate District 20.
Senate District 22.
Senate District 24.
Senate District 26.
Senate District 28.
Senate District 32.

Who's Running for State Office in Wisconsin 2012: 30th Senate District (General Election Edition)


Public libraries in the 30th.
Brown County Public Library
Central
East
Farnsworth Public Library, Oconto
Marinette County Libraries
Academic library
Cofrin Library, UW-Green Bay

The Democratic incumbent

Biography.  Born Green Bay, December 18, 1947; married; 3 children, 10 grandchildren. 

Graduate Green Bay West H.S.; B.S. UW-Green Bay 1971.

Full-time legislator. Former teacher. Former truck driver for Green Bay Department of Public Works. Former Teamster’s Union steward. 

Former member: Brown Co. Human Services Bd. (chp.); N.E.W. Zoo Advisory Bd.; Brown Co. Education and Recreation Com. (chp.); Great Lakes Compact Commission. 

Brown Co. Bd. Supervisor 1996-2002. 

Elected to Senate 2000; reelected since 2004. Assistant Minority Leader 2011, 2005, 2003; Majority Leader 2009 (eff. 12/15/10); Assistant Majority Leader 2009, 2007.

Won 2008 election with 66% of the vote.

Campaign website

Wisconsin Eye interview (9/21/2012)

The Republican Challengers:  John Macco

Macco defeated his primary opponent with 67% of the vote.


About.   John Macco was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin and has lived in the area his entire life. John is married to wife Suzan, and together they have two sons. 

After graduating from Green Bay Southwest High School, John helped his father, Jim Macco, found Macco’s Floor Cover Centers, Inc., which now has six locations throughout Northeast Wisconsin. John has worked in marketing and managed small businesses in the finance field. 

Currently, John is President of Macco Financial Group, Inc., a business he runs with his son. 

John has always understood the need for community involvement and has served on the Old Main Green Bay and Downtown Green Bay, Inc executive boards as well as various roles at his church, Central Church Green Bay.

Wisconsin Eye interview (9/21/2012)


Dave Hansen vs. John Macco.  (We are Green Bay, 10/26/2012)

Related posts (General Election Edition).
Assembly District 1.
Assembly District 2.
Assembly District 3.
Assembly District 4.
Assembly District 5.
Assembly District 6.
Assembly District 7.
Assembly District 8.
Assembly District 9.
Assembly District 10.
Assembly District 11.
Assembly District 12.
Assembly District 13.
Assembly District 14. 
Assembly District 15.
Assembly District 16.
Assembly District 17.
Assembly District 18.
Assembly District 19.
Assembly District 20.
Assembly District 21.
Assembly District 22.
Assembly District 23.
Assembly District 24.
Assembly District 25.
Assembly District 26.
Assembly District 27.
Assembly District 28.
Assembly District 29.
Assembly District 30.
Assembly District 31.
Assembly District 32.
Assembly District 33.
Assembly District 34.
Assembly District 35.
Assembly District 36.
Assembly District 37.
Assembly District 38.
Assembly District 39.
Assembly District 40.
Assembly District 41.
Assembly District 42.
Assembly District 43.
Assembly District 44.
Assembly District 45.
Assembly District 46.
Assembly District 47.
Assembly District 48.
Assembly District 49.
Assembly District 50.
Assembly District 51.
Assembly District 52.
Assembly District 53.
Assembly District 54.
Assembly District 55.
Assembly District 56.
Assembly District 57.
Assembly District 58.
Assembly District 59.
Assembly District 60.
Assembly District 61.
Assembly District 62.
Assembly District 63.
Assembly District 64.
Assembly District 65.
Assembly District 66.
Assembly District 67.
Assembly District 68.
Assembly District 69.
Assembly District 70.
Assembly District 71.
Assembly District 72.
Assembly District 73.
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Assembly District 75.
Assembly District 76.
Assembly District 77.
Assembly District 78.
Assembly District 79.
Assembly District 80.
Assembly District 81.
Assembly District 82.
Assembly District 83.
Assembly District 84.
Assembly District 85.
Assembly District 86.
Assembly District 87.
Assembly District 88.
Assembly District 89,
Assembly District 90.
Assembly District 91.
Assembly District 92.
Assembly District 93.
Assembly District 94.
Assembly District 95.
Assembly District 96.
Assembly District 97.
Assembly District 98.
Assembly District 99.
Senate District 2.
Senate District 4.
Senate District 6.
Senate District 8.
Senate District 10.
Senate District 12.
Senate District 14.
Senate District 16.
Senate District 18.
Senate District 20.
Senate District 22.
Senate District 24.
Senate District 26.
Senate District 28.