Alabama School Library Become Prom Boutique

Sparkman Library turned into prom boutique for tornado victims. (WAFF, Hunstville, AL)

Excerpt:   Some teenage tornado victims are getting the chance to attend their high school proms thanks to the generosity of others.

A week ago, prom was the last thing on Sparkman High junior Nicole Nunez's mind. Her home was one of hundreds destroyed by several powerful tornadoes that tore through Alabama.

Kristen Tate, a teacher at Lynn Fanning Elementary School in Meridianville, has become a fairy godmother of sorts. Tate, with the help of volunteers, turned Sparkman High's library into a full-service prom boutique, offering free dresses to girls affected by the tornadoes. The dresses were all donated and run from a size double zero to 26.

"It exploded," said Jackie Tate, Kristen's mother. "It started off with just a handful of dresses, and now we have about 3000 dresses that we are placing in these girl's hands."

The Detroit Public Library Takes a Page from the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates

Check out the headline.



Nepotism rampant at Detroit libraries. (Detroit News, 5/6/2011)

Excerpt: Administrators say they take pride in the "family atmosphere" at the Detroit Public Library, but questions of nepotism, cronyism and mismanagement are dogging the cash-strapped system.

Three top library executives have had family members on the payroll, including until recently the human resources director's two children. The system gave a library commissioner's nonprofit agency $15,000 to sponsor neighborhood events. And another commissioner's daughter was given a $150,000 event planning contract in 2009.

Employee unions question that contract because she didn't have a college degree and was hired by the woman her father would support two months later for the vacant executive director's job.

Hiring relatives is so common at the library that about one in six staffers have relatives among the 376 employees, according to an internal review obtained by The Detroit News.

"This nepotism and cronyism has led to the downfall of the city," said Reginald Amos, a retired Detroit Fire Department deputy chief and resident who said the family hires remind him of ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's administration. "It's the friends-and-family plan. It's not about serving the people. It's self-serving."

The revelations come amid increasing questions about the library system's leadership, which doled out a 6 percent raise to union employees over the past two years but now faces an $11 million shortfall that could mean massive branch closures and layoffs.

Related articles:
The news just keeps getting worse. (5/6/2011)
The Detroit Public Library needs some good news (and this isn't it).  (5/5/2011)
Rainy day fund keeps fewer branches from closing.  (4/29/2011)
Proposal to close 18 of 23 Detroit branches sparks anger. (4/22/2011)
Few expenses spared in South Wing remodeling of library.  (4/22/2011)
Downward spiral.  (4/16/2011)
Library reduces staff by 20%. (3/4/2011)
Budget woes. (2/5/2011)

Yeah, the Pirates won in spite of those ugly uniforms.

Learn house history reserach at the Jersey City Public Library. (The Jersey Journal, 5/7/2011)

Excerpt from interview with Cynthia Harris, manager of the Library’s New Jersey Room and John Beekman, the New Jersey Room’s assistant manage: A house history is almost a genealogy of a home from its construction (or birth) throughout its existence (or life). It refers to learning all that can be determined about the property, even pre-natal facts such as who owned the land upon which it was ultimately and eventually built. It encompasses the house’s construction, what it may have looked like over the years, who its previous owners and tenants may have been, and its current state. Tidbits such as the taxes paid on the property in 1908 are also fun to learn.

Related article:
Local history treasure trove @ the Grand Rapids Public Library.  (4/2/2011)

Older Workers Struggle to Re-enter Job Market

Seasoned but slighted by the market.  (Boston Globe, 5/7/2011)

Excerpt:   The US economy added far more jobs than expected last month, according to data released yesterday by the Labor Department, but there are still more than 13 million people out of work. The unemployment rate for workers over age 55 is lower than the overall national average, partly due to the number of people in that age bracket who decide to retire, but those forced out of work before their planned retirement, and who don’t have enough to live on, are putting added strain on the government and the economy.

Change in the number filing early for Social Security, 2007-2009.

• 63 year olds:  +20%
• 62 year olds:  +42%

Excerpt:  Not only are those people collecting less money, they’re also not paying taxes on employment income and are more likely to apply for other government aid, said director Andrew Sum.

“Throwing these older workers out of the labor market comes at a very high cost,’’ he said.

Gallup Poll question:  "At what age do you expect to retire?"

• 1995.  12% answered beyond 65.
• 2010.  34% answered beyond 65.

10 Best Places for Older Workers.

DPA Report: The Economic Impact of Expenditures By Travelers On Wisconsin

LINK to report

Tourists spent $12.3 billion in Wisconsin last year. (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 5/6/2011)

Excerpt: Traveler spending statewide increased 1.8% in 2010, according to a new study conducted for the state Department of Tourism by Davidson-Peterson Associates, a consulting firm based in Kennebunk, Maine. Spending fell 7.8% in 2009.

Yeah, Virg, it's in the dictionary, but it's labeled 'offensive'

Sauk County Board member won't apologize for anti-Semitic remark.  (Wisconsin State Journal, 5/6/2011)

Excerpt:  During a late night county board meeting in March, Hartje was asked to describe the county's dealings with a contractor to fellow supervisors.

"We jewed 'em down some," Hartje said.

Some have asked him to apologize. But Hartje has refused, saying the word "jewed" is in the dictionary. He said the word is different from other racial slurs because it is a "business word."

Time and Money Running Out for Des Plaines Bookmobile

Des Plaines Library may cut bookmobile in 2012. (Daily Herald, 5/5/2011)

Excerpt:  It costs Des Plaines $132,660 annually — roughly 2 percent of the total library budget — to operate the mobile library, housed in a 36-foot-long bus carrying a collection of roughly 13,000 items. The collection includes popular fiction and nonfiction books for adults and children, music CDs, audiobooks, DVDs and magazines. Des Plaines has been providing the service for 14 years.

The bookmobile’s circulation for 2009 was 51,612, while the main library’s was 1.2 million for the same year. In 2010, the bookmobile’s circulation dipped to 48,333, while the main library’s remained unchanged.

The bus makes 40 stops monthly during the school year, and 32 during summer, hitting each stop twice a month. The bookmobile is used mainly by youth, who make up 65 percent of checkouts.

Yet the bookmobile is more than just a mini library on wheels. The jobs of three part-time staff members — collectively earning roughly $81,000 annually in salary and benefits — are tied into its operation, Rozovics said.

Those employees will likely be let go.

Related articles:
Des Plaines Public Library to City Council:  "Your love is like a see-saw".  (11/3/2010)
Library to remain open with limited hours, minimum staffing.  (10/30/2010)
'Back to basics' sez mayor to library.  (10/19/2010)
A bleak December may be in store for Des Plaines Public Library users.  (10/14/2010)
Mayor grouses about library's possible need for loan.  (9/29/2010)
Mayor offers veiled threat to library board.  (10/27/2009; note comment.)

Wal-Mart, Amazon, Best Buy, Hulu, Dish Network Consider Taking on Netflix

Netflix's days without competition may be numbered. (San Jose Mercury News, 5/6/2011)

Excerpt:  Netflix (NFLX) has attracted more than 20 million subscribers, more than 20,000 movies and television shows for its online service, and more than its share of headaches in Hollywood.

There's one thing it has yet to attract: competition. Netflix is the only company that streams a large selection of movies and TV shows online for a monthly fee.

That will probably change. Retail giants such as Wal-Mart Stores, Amazon.com, and Best Buy, Internet television provider Hulu, and satellite broadcaster Dish Network are weighing plans to launch online subscription video services or expand nascent ones to take on Netflix, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Such moves would win cheers in Hollywood, where many are worried that Netflix is amassing too much clout. Some also believe that Netflix's fast-growing customer base is buying fewer DVDs and watching less television, contributing to the financial struggles of studios.

"This is a battleground that's just starting to brew," said Dave Sanderson, head of the global media practice for Bain & Co. "Over the next two or three years you're going to see a proliferation of options, and then a handful of winners emerge."

The Detroit Public Library: The News Just Keeps Getting Worse

Hiring relatives common at Detroit library. (Chicago Tribune, 5/6/2011)

Excerpt: An internal review shows hiring relatives is a common practice at the cash-strapped Detroit Public Library system.

The review was obtained by The Detroit News, which reports Friday that about one in six staffers have relatives among the 376 employees.

The News says three top library executives have had family members on the payroll, including until recently human resources director Trinee Moore's two children.

Moore says staffers are qualified, and safeguards have been implemented to prevent preferential treatment. She says a committee of managers makes hires, and layoffs come by seniority.

Check out our crossword, sudoku and Jumble puzzles >>

Moore says she had no role in the hiring of her children, and the library isn't different from other workplaces where employees refer relatives.

Others say hiring relatives has created problems.

Related articles:
The Detroit Public Library needs some good news (and this isn't it).  (5/5/2011)
Rainy day fund keeps fewer branches from closing.  (4/29/2011)
Proposal to close 18 of 23 Detroit branches sparks anger. (4/22/2011)
Few expenses spared in South Wing remodeling of library.  (4/22/2011)
Downward spiral.  (4/16/2011)
Library reduces staff by 20%. (3/4/2011)
Budget woes. (2/5/2011)

Paper Passion: Coming Soon to a Fragrance Counter Near You!

Karl Lagerfeld To Launch Fragrance That Smells Like Books.    (Forbes, 4/19/2011)

Excerpt:   You know print is in danger when it suddenly is exotic enough to inspire a perfume. Designer Karl Lagerfeld — the eccentric creative director at Chanel and Fendi, as well as his own eponymous label — has announced a new fragrance called Paper Passion, which will smell … like books. (Whether it will smell like the freshly printed and bound trade books you find at Barnes & Noble or the musty old things you unearth while rifling through used-book bins is uncertain.)

Photo of Lagerfeld's personal library.

From State Senator Pam Galloway's 2010 Campaign Contribution Profile

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign

Follow the Money

$45,452,83 (click on table to enlarge)

Couldn't get the dang thing to load.

Hmm, just 2 search results for "Breast Center of Central Wisconsin"?

Actually, I was trying to follow the money here.

Up to Half of Denver Public Library Branches Might Be Shuttered

Denver library system suggests own tax district as it faces cuts. (Denver Post, 4/22/2011)

Excerpt:  Up to half of Denver's library branches could close if the system is forced to cut $2.5 million from its budget next year, according to a proposal submitted to the city as part of the budget process.

But library officials say they have solutions that would keep the branches open and full of new material: Turn the system into a library district independent of the city that can tax homeowners.

"There is no other choice but to shrink the system," said City Librarian Shirley Amore.

The library already has reduced hours across the system, with 18 of 23 branches open only four days a week. The cuts would force many branches to be open only two to three days a week.

"That's not sustainable, and it just doesn't make good business sense," she said. "We would have our resources locked up and idled like a book museum."

Closing seven to 12 libraries would maintain acceptable service standards at the remaining locations, according to the library commission's recommendations.

Locations of proposed closures have not been determined, Amore said.

"I suspect once people hear about this there will be a hue and cry," she said. "People love their libraries. People don't want to see their libraries go away."

Related article:
Cuts in hours, materials budget.  (11/16/2010)

The Detroit Public Library Needs Some Good News (and This Isn't It)

 Another Detroit Ambassador

New Main Library fiasco: $7,000 for business cards for all employees. (Detroit News, 5/5/2011)

Excerpt: A purchase order from March 2010 showing the cash-strapped Detroit Public Library spent more than $6,500 to buy business cards for all its employees — including clerks and janitors who questioned why they need them.

Library spokesman A.J. Funchess said each employee got 250 cards "to be an ambassador to their communities.

"It shows everyone matters here at the library," Funchess said. "Everyone is representing the library."

"As employees, we are all a part of the same system."

Many of the cards quickly became obsolete. One year later, the library has lost 71 staffers to layoffs and retirements. Dozens more of the remaining 376 staffers could soon be laid off as the system is grappling with an $11 million shortfall and could close at least 10 of its 23 neighborhood branches.

Related articles:
Rainy day fund keeps fewer branches from closing.  (4/29/2011)
Proposal to close 18 of 23 Detroit branches sparks anger. (4/22/2011)
Few expenses spared in South Wing remodeling of library.  (4/22/2011)
Downward spiral.  (4/16/2011)
Library reduces staff by 20%. (3/4/2011)
Budget woes. (2/5/2011)

Library Statue Stolen, Likely Sold for Scrap

Police say statue may be sold for scrap value. (Boston Globe, 5/5/2011)

Excerpt:  For almost a decade, the barefoot and pigtailed girl could be seen holding a book in front of the Revere Public Library. But sometime on Easter Sunday, police believe thieves pried the 60-pound bronze statue from its marble base with the thought of selling it to a scrap metal shop.

“I’m disappointed,’’ said Revere Mayor Tom Ambrosino, who noted that the theft of the statue was the latest robbery targeting public property that could be scrapped for cash. In the last two years, Ambrosino said, people have stolen guard rails, fire hydrant caps, and manhole covers. Even a tidal gate that was installed to prevent flooding at Revere Beach was stolen. “It’s a sign of the times. People are stealing anything that has metal or copper in it.’’

Currently, the state does not regulate the second-hand purchase of metals and leaves it up to municipalities to establish ordinances.

Wendy McClure on "The Wilder Life"

Author Wendy McClure immersed herself in the Ingalls Wilder mythos. (The Capital Times, 5/5/2011)

Excerpt:  In the almost 80 years since Laura Ingalls Wilder published her first book, “Little House in the Big Woods” in 1932, the factual and fictional accounts of Ingalls Wilder’s life have made their way into the fabric of our popular culture. McClure’s recently published memoir, “The Wilder Life,” explores her pilgrimage to find her way back to “Laura World” — “a world almost as self-contained and mystical as Narnia or Oz” — that was at the center of her childhood.

McClure’s fascination with Laura World began when she was a little girl in Oak Park, Ill., reading paperback editions of the Little House series that she picked up from the public library. As childhood passions tend to do, McClure’s fascination faded as she grew up. “Eventually I would love other books,” she writes. “I’d swoon through my lit classes, major in English, collect thin books of poetry, feel very close to Margaret Atwood and Elizabeth Bishop. But only with the Little House series was I ever truly a fan, with wide swaths of my imagination devoted to the prairies of Laura World.”

1st Quarter Comparison of Home Entertainment Revenues

The Netflix Effect? DVD sales fall 20%.  (Mashable, 5/4/2011)

Excerpt:  DVD sales fell 20% in the first quarter of 2011, suggesting that video streaming from Netflix and others may be having an impact on the business.

The Digital Entertainment Group, which monitors DVD sales, has a different spin: The organization blames the lack of blockbuster releases and the fact that Easter came later this year than last year — when it fell during the first quarter — for the shortfall.

Legislative Fiscal Bureau Analysis of Taxes and State Aid Payments for Counties and Municipalties

It's an 81-page report, takes a while to download.

.
Where Retiring Guy lives.

Where Retiring Guy works.

What keeps him company on the Tuesday and Thursday drive times this week.

With Loss of $1.3 Million in State Funding, Santa Clara County Library Initiates Non-Resident User Fee

 LINK

Santa Clara County Library system to begin $80 annual fee for non-residents. (San Jose Mercury News, 5/4/2011)

Excerpt:  Since 1988, the state has offered a subsidy of about 30 cents for each transaction when nonresidents use county libraries. But the governor's proposed budget would eliminate all state funding for public libraries, about a $1.3 million reduction in revenue for the county system in the next fiscal year.

There are eight library branches within the county system, which serves residents of Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Saratoga and the unincorporated areas of the county.

But plenty of library users would be on the hook for the $80 fee: Out of the 356,107 county library card holders, 153,548 -- or 43 percent -- live outside the library district. The percentage is greater for individual branches. For example, 56 percent of the people who use the Campbell library live outside the district, including 29 percent from San Jose.

If your library is open more hours than libraries in neighboring communities, they will come.  Nonresidents decide to use the county system for a variety of reasons, sometimes because the branch is closer to their house than their own city library. But one important reason is the county branch libraries are open between five and seven days a week. San Jose libraries are open four to four-and-a-half days a week. There is now a proposal to cut those San Jose branch library hours to three days a week.

Related article:
California's depressing library landscape. (4/11/2011)

What Participants at the Wisconsin Ebook Summit are Tweeting

LINK to all reports
in 140 characters or less

One-Day Conference for Wisconsin Library Directors and Trustees, May 26, 2011

The Long and Intrusive Arm of Wisconsin's Joint Finance Committee

 LINK

State budget committee recommends dissolving four regional transit authorities. (Wisconsin State Journal, 5/3/2011)

Excerpt:  A legislative committee voted 12-4 Tuesday to add to the state budget a provision dissolving four regional transit authorities, including one in Dane County that had developed a plan for improved bus service.

Rep. Robin Vos, R-Rochester, co-chairman of the Joint Finance Committee, said the authorities are unpopular, unelected "abominations" that would raise taxes.

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi said he was disappointed because better transit options would help attract business investment and handle traffic congestion in the state's fastest-growing county.

 LINK

Milwaukee Public Library Director Paula Kiely Among the Women of Influence for 2011 Selected by Milwaukee Business Journal

Congratulations, Paula!

Women of Influence winners announced for 2011. (Milwaukee Business Journal, 4/22/2011)

Excerpt:   “This is a great group of honorees,” said Mark Kass, editor of The Business Journal. “They are making a real difference in our community, both at work and in community endeavors.”

This is the 12th year that The Business Journal has honored Milwaukee’s most influential women.

The 2011 class of Women of Influence winners:

Public Policy

•Paula Kiely, Milwaukee Public Library
•Robyn Shapiro, Drinker Biddle & Reath

Behind the Scenes

•Victoria Clyde and Roberta Wallace, Milwaukee County Zoo
•Katie Falvey, Marcus Corp.
•Angela Pittman Taylor, Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc.

Community Supporter

•Judy Jorgensen, community volunteer
•Eileen Schwalbach, Mount Mary College
•Rose Spang, Northwestern Mutual
•Carol Voss, IndependenceFirst

Corporate Executive

•Cathy Buck, Froedtert Hospital
•Kris McMasters, Clifton Gunderson LLP
•Nancy Sennett, Foley & Lardner LLP
•Dawn Tabat, Generac Power Systems Inc.

Entrepreneur

•Susan Haise, Neroli Salon & Spa
•Ann Pieper Eisenbrown, Pieper Properties Inc.

Family Business

•Debra Alder, The Alder Cos.
•Cherry Welch-Perkins, Mr. Perkins Family Restaurant

Innovation

•Jean Baker, Quarles & Brady LLP
•Mary Lou Ballweg, Endometriosis Association
•Mary Haynor, Horizon Home Care & Hospice Inc.

Inspiration

•Jayne Hladio, U.S. Bank
•Bernadine Juno, Hebron House of Hospitality Inc.
•Paula Traktman, Medical College of Wisconsin

Mentor

•Karen Coy-Romano, University of Wisconsin-Parkside
•Jill Pelisek, UWM Lubar School of Business

Nonprofit Leadership

•Lisa Froemming, Columbia St. Mary’s Foundation
•Sherrie Tussler, Hunger Task Force Inc.
•Mary Lou Young, United Way of Greater Milwaukee

Home Price, Male Chauvinist Pig

Children’s books ‘powerful conduit’ for gender stereotypes. (The Raw Story, 5/3/2011)

Excerpt: Children's books are biased towards stories that feature male lead characters, even when the characters are animals, according to the largest study of 20th century children's books undertaken in the United States.

Children's books are a "dominant blueprint of shared cultural values, meanings, and expectations," the authors of the study noted. The under-representation of female characters sends the message that "women and girls occupy a less important role in society than men or boys."

The study appeared in the April issue of Gender & Society, a highly-ranked peer-reviewed journal  [or 'peer-reviewed, highly ranked', as stated on the journal website] published by Sociologists for Women in Society. It examined nearly 6,000 books published from 1900 to 2000.

"We looked at a full century of books," said Prof. Janice McCabe, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Florida State University and lead author of the study. "One thing that surprised us is that females' representations did not consistently improve from 1900 to 2000; in the mid part of the century it was actually more unequal. Books became more male-dominated."

The study found that 57 percent of children's books published per year contained males as central characters. Only 31 percent featured female lead characters.

Library Funding Controversy in Des Moines County Iowa

 Des Moines County

Library stalemate continues. Des Moines County supervisors continue to balk at fees for Burlington, Mediapolis facilities. (The Hawk-Eye, 4/27/2011)

Excerpt:  Supervisors are in the middle of an ongoing controversy with the Burlington and Mediapolis libraries over about $6,000, which is little more than 5 percent of the total $138,156 the libraries are charging to provide rural residents with services.

Based on a formula instituted by both libraries about five years ago, Burlington is billing $104,999 and Mediapolis $33,157. The libraries, in a show of solidarity, have sent the county a joint contract and asked it be signed by May 16. Supervisors thus far have not indicated whether they plan to approve the contract.

Instead, supervisors have said the county will only pay $31,390 to Mediapolis and $99,402 to Burlington.

To make the county's $26.09 million budget balance, supervisors earlier this year asked all county departments to reduce their financial requests by 5 percent. Supervisor Bob Beck said it is only fair the libraries make the same sacrifice.

"We have gone to extreme measures to make our budget work," Beck said. "And for us to ask someone for 5 percent, I don't think it out of line.

"There is still a pretty hefty sum that is going to come out of the county funds to pay for library services, which I think are more than generous. I don't apologize a bit for asking for a 5 percent reduction to balance our budget.

"If we give the library concession, can you imagine what our labor is going to say when they come forward (to negotiate contracts)."

If the three-member board of supervisors refuses to pay the full amount, library officials have said rural residents could lose their cards. The decision to pull the cards likely would not be made until next month.

The New York Times Offers a Bin Laden Reading List

A Survey of Books About Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda. (Print headline: Reading Bin Laden and His World.  (The New York Times, 5/2/2011)

The following books about bin Laden, Al Qaeda, the Sept. 11 attacks and the war in Afghanistan are considered by New York Times book reviewer Michiko Kakutani to be "some of the more useful ones".

Written by CNN's national security analyst; published in 2011.

Written by a former Washington Post correspondent; published in 2004.

Written by a Pulitzer-Prize winning author; published in 2008.

By the author of The Longest War; published in 2001.

The author once headed the CIA Osama bin Laden unit; published in 2011.

The author is a writer for the New Yorker; published in 2006.

The author is a political scientist; published in 2009.

 

By the author of The Bin Ladens; published in 2004.

LINKcat status report

Today's Executive Action on the Budget Bill by Joint Finance (The DPI Edition)

The good news.  Funding for BadgerLink/Newsline restored.

The close-but-no-cigar award:  an 8-8 split on the vote to delete the provision to eliminate maintenance of effort.  Those who voted in favor, particularly the 4 Republican legislators, deserve our thanks.  If you are a constituent, please make sure they hear from you.  Our next opportunity to influence the budget process is during the upcoming floor sessions.

Thanks to everyone who made the pitch to their legislators.  The split decision should reinforce our resolve.

Link to full text of Budget Paper #562.

Option A. 3.  to delete the provision to eliminate maintenance of effort failed on a split vote of 8-8.
In favor: Sen. Olsen, Sen. Harsdorf, Sen. Taylor, Sen. Jauch, Rep. Meyer, Rep. Nygren, Rep. Grigsby and Rep. Shilling.
Opposed: Sen. Darling, Sen. Leibham, Sen. Grothman, Sen. Hopper, Rep. Vos, Rep. LeMahieu, Rep. Strachota and Rep. Kleefisch.


Option B 2a (delete provision to reduce aid to public library systems), 2b (delete provision to reduce funding for library service contracts) and 2c (delete the provision to reduce funding for BadgerLink/Newsline for the Blind) failed on a vote of 6-10.
In favor: Sen. Olsen, Sen. Harsdorf, Sen. Taylor, Sen. Jauch, Rep. Grigsby and Rep. Shilling.
Opposed: Sen. Darling, Sen. Leibham, Sen. Grothman, Sen. Hopper, Rep. Vos, Rep. Meyer, Rep. Nygren, Rep. LeMahieu, Rep. Strachota and Rep. Kleefisch.

Alternate option. B2c to restore Badgerlink/Newsline funding was adopted, 16-0.

Motion #80 (copy attached) failed on a vote of 5-11.

In favor: Sen. Olsen, Sen. Taylor, Sen. Jauch, Rep. Grigsby and Rep. Shilling.
Opposed: Sen. Darling, Sen. Harsdorf, Sen. Leibham, Sen. Grothman, Sen. Hopper, Rep. Vos, Rep. Meyer, Rep. Nygren, Rep. LeMahieu, Rep. Strachota and Rep. Kleefisch.

Motion #91 (copy attached) failed on a split vote of 8-8.
In favor: Sen. Olsen, Sen. Harsdorf, Sen. Taylor, Sen. Jauch, Rep. Meyer, Rep. Nygren, Rep. Grigsby and Rep. Shilling.
Opposed: Sen. Darling, Sen. Leibham, Sen. Grothman, Sen. Hopper, Rep. Vos, Rep. LeMahieu, Rep. Strachota and Rep. Kleefisch.

Television Ownership Drops to 96.7% of U.S. Households

From 1950, when Retiring Guy was in diapers.

Ownership of TV Sets Falls in U.S.  (The New York Times, 5/3/2011)

Excerpt:  There are two reasons for the decline, according to Nielsen. One is poverty: some low-income households no longer own TV sets, most likely because they cannot afford new digital sets and antennas.

The other is technological wizardry: young people who have grown up with laptops in their hands instead of remote controls are opting not to buy TV sets when they graduate from college or enter the work force, at least not at first. Instead, they are subsisting on a diet of television shows and movies from the Internet.

That second reason is prompting Nielsen to think about a redefinition of the term “television household” to include Internet video viewers.

Wisconsin Special Elections, Tuesday, May 3, 2011

GAB

60th Assembly District

83rd Assembly District

94th Assembly District