Retiring Guy's Digest: 2012-10-28

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.

Construction photos @ Madison Public Library website

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.

Optional rooftop garden

New Central Library project history.

Designing a new central library: "Everyone has to feel comfortable and safe here". (11/17/2010)

Interview with principal architect of Central Library project. (11/5/2010)

Design development juggling acts for a renovated Madison Central Library. (10/15/2010)

Conceptual designs for new Central Library. (10/25/2010)

One possible message: Don't settle for less. (8/5/2010)

Downsizing the Madison Central Library renovation project. (7/17/2010)

Possible temporary location has asbestos problem. (6/18/2010)

Architectural firm selected for Madison Central project. (5/26/2010)

State Journal editorial board sez Madison City Council made right decision on Central Library. (5/10/2010)

Council vote on library goes under the radar. (5/8/2010)

And the beat goes on. (4/14/2010)

Mayor Responds to Critics on Library Issue. (4/13/2010)

Board Endorses Renovation Plan. (4/6/2010)

Keeping the dream of a new Madison Central Library alive. (3/31/2010)

Some Council Members Not Ready to Move Forward on Mayor's Renovation Plan. (3/30/2010)

Council President Pro Tem to Introduce Resolution Approving Madison Central Library Renovation Project. (3/28/2010)

'Dissatisfaction' with Collapsed Madison Central Library Project. (3/25/2010)

Fiore Departure Seen as Beneficial to Madison Central Project. (3/23/2010)

Matter of Principle" Dooms New Central Madison Library. (3/20/2010)

Madison Central: The Dream Dies, It's Now Time to Renovate. (3/19/2010)

Dispute over Construction Costs Threatens to Derail New Central Madison Library. (3/17/2010)

Madison Public Library Project Faces Delay in 2011. (3/9/2010)

Construction, Cost Concerns May Delay Madison Central Library Project. (1/25/2010)

New Madison Central Library Wins Council Approval. (11/11/2009)Capital Times Endorses New Madison Central Library. (11/10/2009)

Madison Council Begins Review of Mayor's Budget on Tuesday. (11/6/2009)

More Questions About Madison Central Library Project. (11/1/2009)

New Madison Public Library's First Change Order: Rooftop Garden.
(10/28/2009)

Call for Referendum on New Madison Central Library Not Attracting Support. (10/21/2009)

Madison Board of Estimates Rejects Library Referendum. (10/13/2009)

Some Madison City Council Members Want Referendum on New Central Library. (10/9/2009)

Three former mayors support new Madison Central Library. (10/5/2010)

Wisconsin State Journal Editorial on New Madison Central Library. (9/13/2009)

New Madison Central Library: Let the Positioning Begin. (9/1/2009)

New Madison Central Library on Mayor Dave's Front Burner. (8/30/2009)

New Madison Central Library: Build or Renovate? (7/7/2009)

Motley Brown Not Reason Enough. (6/11/2009)

Fiore Plan Receives Unanimous Support. (6/5/2009)

Fiore Plan Gets Nod from Committee. (5/15/2009)

Public Forum Focuses on Central Library Options. (4/24/2009)

Developer Sweetens the Deal. (4/21/2009)

Visualizing a Remodeled Madison Central Library. (4/4/2009)

Renovation Plan Put on Table for Madison Central Library. (3/26/2009)

Residents Critique Proposals to Rebuild Downtown Library. (1/9/2009)

Competing Developers Defend Their Central Library Plans. (1/8/2009)

Comparison of Downtown Madison Library Proposals. (12/17/2008)

Two Proposals for New Madison Central Library. (12/3/2008)

Best Headline of the Week. (9/6/2008)

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).

LINK

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

LINK

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)

32nd Senate District.

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.

Campaign website

The Republican challenger: Bill Feehan

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

The 30th Senate District

Public libraries in the 30th.
Brown County Public Library
Central
East
Farnsworth Public Library, Oconto
Marinette County Libraries

Peshtigo Library
Stephenson Library, Marinette

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.