Friday, December 14, 2012

2012 Presidential Election in Dane County: From the Very Liberal to the Sorta Liberal


Dane County Clerk's Office

Related posts:
City and County of Sheboygan.  (12/13/2012)
Manitowoc County:  2012 recall and Presidential elections.  (12/13/2012)
City and county of Eau Claire.  (12/13/2012)
Appleton, Kaukauna, Kimberly, Little Chute, Grand Chute, and the rest of Outagamie County.  (12/3/2012)
Oshkosh, Neenah, Menasha, and the rest of Winnebago County.  (12/1/2012)
Anointed 2016 GOP Frontrunner Has a Challenge on the Home Front -- Revised.  (11/18/2012)
The reddest part of Oklahoma is the Panhandle.  (11/18/2012)
City of Wausau, surrounding communities, and the rest of Marathon County.  (11/18/2012)
City of Green Bay and Brown County Presidential & U.S. Senate election results.  (11/17/2012)
City and County of Racine Presidential & U.S. Senate election results.  (11/17/2012)
2012 Presidential election mapped.  (11/16/2012)
Redistricting in Wisconsin:  the plumber control the spigot.  (11/15/2012)
Romney sez it's Christmas in November. (11/14/2012)
How young people (18-29) voted for President in 2012.  (11/14/2012)
Meet the Optimizer, Larry Grisolano.  (11/13/2012)
The really BIG money.  (11/12/2012)
Money can't buy you happiness.  (11/12/2012)
Eric Litke can't see the forest for the trees.  (11/12/2012)
Yes, Frank, a methodology that puts Gallup solidly in last place for accuracy.  (11/11/2012)
City of Middleton vs. Town of Middleton.  (11/10/2012)
U.S. Rep. John Fleming sends a warning to Speaker Boehner.  (11/10/2012)
How they voted in the Southwest Wisconsin Library System.  (11/9/2012)
Romney's 1st slogan choice was "Let's get small".  (11/9/2012)
How Brown, Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha counties pushed Tammy Baldwin to victory.  (11/9/2012)
Comparing the results of the 2010 and 2012 elections in Wisconsin's 44th Assembly district.  (11/8/2012)
From recall to Presidential elections:  What a difference 5 months make. (11/8/2012)
States with the largest and smallest percentages of votes for Obama.  (11/8/2012)
Hurricane Sandy and the New York/New Jersey voter turnout.  (11/8/2012)
The GOP problem expressed in two quotes.  (11/7/2012)
Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight Forecast and the election results.  (11/7/2012)
Anointed front runner has a problem on the home front.  (11/7/2012)
Thank you to the women of the U.S.A.  (11/7/2012)
Nebraska and Indiana:  the shame-faced members of the Big Ten.  (11/7/2012)
The lonely blue:  Nebraska's Thurston County.  (11/7/2012)
Dear Republicans, meet your future.  (11/7/2012)
You got that wrong!  (11/6/2012)

Save the Date: Reception for State Superintendent Tony Evers


Tony Evers for State Superintendent

Tony has served the students, parents and citizens of Wisconsin for over 34 years as a teacher, principal, superintendent, regional administrator, Deputy State Superintendent, and State Superintendent. He has served in schools and lived in communities across Wisconsin, from Tomah to Oakfield, Verona to Oshkosh.

Leisure and Hospitality Industry Leads Job Growth







And where are the lowest paying jobs?



Thursday, December 13, 2012

Bar Graphing the Results of the 2012 Presidential and U.S. Senate Elections: City of Sheboygan and the Rest of Sheboygan County





Sheboygan County's reddest
 Hello, Washington and Ozaukee counties!


Sheboygan County Clerk website (rotate counterclockwise)

Related posts:
Manitowoc County:  2012 recall and Presidential elections.  (12/13/2012)
City and county of Eau Claire.  (12/13/2012)
Appleton, Kaukauna, Kimberly, Little Chute, Grand Chute, and the rest of Outagamie County.  (12/3/2012)
Oshkosh, Neenah, Menasha, and the rest of Winnebago County.  (12/1/2012)
Anointed 2016 GOP Frontrunner Has a Challenge on the Home Front -- Revised.  (11/18/2012)
The reddest part of Oklahoma is the Panhandle.  (11/18/2012)
City of Wausau, surrounding communities, and the rest of Marathon County.  (11/18/2012)
City of Green Bay and Brown County Presidential & U.S. Senate election results.  (11/17/2012)
City and County of Racine Presidential & U.S. Senate election results.  (11/17/2012)
2012 Presidential election mapped.  (11/16/2012)
Redistricting in Wisconsin:  the plumber control the spigot.  (11/15/2012)
Romney sez it's Christmas in November. (11/14/2012)
How young people (18-29) voted for President in 2012.  (11/14/2012)
Meet the Optimizer, Larry Grisolano.  (11/13/2012)
The really BIG money.  (11/12/2012)
Money can't buy you happiness.  (11/12/2012)
Eric Litke can't see the forest for the trees.  (11/12/2012)
Yes, Frank, a methodology that puts Gallup solidly in last place for accuracy.  (11/11/2012)
City of Middleton vs. Town of Middleton.  (11/10/2012)
U.S. Rep. John Fleming sends a warning to Speaker Boehner.  (11/10/2012)
How they voted in the Southwest Wisconsin Library System.  (11/9/2012)
Romney's 1st slogan choice was "Let's get small".  (11/9/2012)
How Brown, Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha counties pushed Tammy Baldwin to victory.  (11/9/2012)
Comparing the results of the 2010 and 2012 elections in Wisconsin's 44th Assembly district.  (11/8/2012)
From recall to Presidential elections:  What a difference 5 months make. (11/8/2012)
States with the largest and smallest percentages of votes for Obama.  (11/8/2012)
Hurricane Sandy and the New York/New Jersey voter turnout.  (11/8/2012)
The GOP problem expressed in two quotes.  (11/7/2012)
Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight Forecast and the election results.  (11/7/2012)
Anointed front runner has a problem on the home front.  (11/7/2012)
Thank you to the women of the U.S.A.  (11/7/2012)
Nebraska and Indiana:  the shame-faced members of the Big Ten.  (11/7/2012)
The lonely blue:  Nebraska's Thurston County.  (11/7/2012)
Dear Republicans, meet your future.  (11/7/2012)
You got that wrong!  (11/6/2012)

Bar Graphing the Vote in Manitowoc County: 2012 Recall and Presidential Elections


June 5, 2012 recall election
Scott Walker 23,085 (63.9% of the vote)
Tom Barrett  12,682

November 6, 2012 Presidential election
Mitt Romney     21,604 (50.7% of vote)
Barack Obama  20,403

No breakdown, unfortunately, of the totals for each of the 43 units.

Bar Graphing the Results of the 2012 Presidential and U.S. Senate Election Results: City of Eau Claire and the Rest of Eau Claire County





Eau Claire County Clerk's office

Related posts:
Appleton, Kaukauna, Kimberly, Little Chute, Grand Chute, and the rest of Outagamie County.  (12/3/2012)
Oshkosh, Neenah, Menasha, and the rest of Winnebago County.  (12/1/2012)
Anointed 2016 GOP Frontrunner Has a Challenge on the Home Front -- Revised.  (11/18/2012)
The reddest part of Oklahoma is the Panhandle.  (11/18/2012)
City of Wausau, surrounding communities, and the rest of Marathon County.  (11/18/2012)
City of Green Bay and Brown County Presidential & U.S. Senate election results.  (11/17/2012)
City and County of Racine Presidential & U.S. Senate election results.  (11/17/2012)
2012 Presidential election mapped.  (11/16/2012)
Redistricting in Wisconsin:  the plumber control the spigot.  (11/15/2012)
Romney sez it's Christmas in November. (11/14/2012)
How young people (18-29) voted for President in 2012.  (11/14/2012)
Meet the Optimizer, Larry Grisolano.  (11/13/2012)
The really BIG money.  (11/12/2012)
Money can't buy you happiness.  (11/12/2012)
Eric Litke can't see the forest for the trees.  (11/12/2012)
Yes, Frank, a methodology that puts Gallup solidly in last place for accuracy.  (11/11/2012)
City of Middleton vs. Town of Middleton.  (11/10/2012)
U.S. Rep. John Fleming sends a warning to Speaker Boehner.  (11/10/2012)
How they voted in the Southwest Wisconsin Library System.  (11/9/2012)
Romney's 1st slogan choice was "Let's get small".  (11/9/2012)
How Brown, Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha counties pushed Tammy Baldwin to victory.  (11/9/2012)
Comparing the results of the 2010 and 2012 elections in Wisconsin's 44th Assembly district.  (11/8/2012)
From recall to Presidential elections:  What a difference 5 months make. (11/8/2012)
States with the largest and smallest percentages of votes for Obama.  (11/8/2012)
Hurricane Sandy and the New York/New Jersey voter turnout.  (11/8/2012)
The GOP problem expressed in two quotes.  (11/7/2012)
Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight Forecast and the election results.  (11/7/2012)
Anointed front runner has a problem on the home front.  (11/7/2012)
Thank you to the women of the U.S.A.  (11/7/2012)
Nebraska and Indiana:  the shame-faced members of the Big Ten.  (11/7/2012)
The lonely blue:  Nebraska's Thurston County.  (11/7/2012)
Dear Republicans, meet your future.  (11/7/2012)
You got that wrong!  (11/6/2012)

Gives New Meaning to the Gift That Keeps on Giving

The challenge for the Des Moines Public Library Foundation Board, of course, is to quickly restore confidence with its donor base as well as the community at large. This letter is a good first step. If I were a donor, however, I'd be eager to read the follow-up correspondence describing the "more stringent checks and balances" that will be implemented.


Ex-aide allegedly stole from Des Moines library foundation.  (Des Moines Register, 12/3/2012)

Stephen Haider, former Foundation executive assistant, accused of charging $18,550 in unauthorized expenses to the nonprofit’s credit card for restaurant, bar, cellphone and limousine expenses.

Announcement of Dory Briles as Foundation Executive Director, effective 4/12/2012.  You have to feel some sympathy for Dory at the timing of this bad news.

Among other activities and events, the Foundation sponsors the annual Iowa Author Awards.

Iowa Council of Foundations.  A membership based organization that serves grantmakers that provide funding to support charitable projects and programs in Iowa.

Donors Forum of Wisconsin.  A regional association of grantmakers who support and promote effective philanthropy through membership, professional development and information sharing. Comprised of innovative, dynamic, engaged members

Council of Foundations.  A national nonprofit association of more than 1,700 grantmaking foundations and corporations.

The Council of Foundations provides this 1-page review of Philanthropy in Wisconsin.


The Marquette University Funding Information Center just announced the publication (print and online) of the 31st edition of Foundation in Wisconsin: A Directory.  Click on demo to sample the online version.

The Grantsmanship Center.  Top Giving Foundations: Wisconsin.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Side by Side: States with Right-to-Work Laws/2012 Presidential Election Results

Similar, though not exact, pattern.

Glittersnipe

  1. Mississippi
  2. West Virginia
  3. Arkansas
  4. Kentucky
  5. Alabama
  6. Tennessee
  7. Louisiana
  8. New Mexico
  9. South Carolina
  10. Oklahoma




Beware of Men Wearing Overcoats in Houston



Definitely on the list of "Library Rules" -- behaviors and activities that are prohibited on library property.

The attractively designed scene of the crime.


A Cozy Little Group We Have Here


State ag department hire was disciplined in earlier job. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/11/2012)

Andrew Adee's creative bookkeeping
  • 15 payroll reports claiming
  • 126 hours for which he didn't work
Outcome (2006)
  • 60-day suspension
  • Restitution

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

In the News: Wisconsin Government Accountability Board's Preliminary Report on Impacts and Costs of Eliminating Election Day Registration

Ending same-day voter registration would cost $5.2 million, board finds. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/10/2012)


The report is organized into 7 sections, not including the.....
  • Executive summary
    • Same-day registration in Wisconsin has been in effect since 1976.
    • Cost areas & total preliminary cost estimate

  • Current voter registration procedures
    • 3 different time periods in which eligible WI electors may register to vote.
      • Open registration period 20 days before an election (this year's deadline was 10/17)
        • By mail
        • In person at their municipal clerk's office
        • Via special registration deputy
      • Late registration period:  
        • 19 days (?) before an election until the Friday before an election is when voter registration can only take place in the municipal clerk’s office.
        • RG note:  Early registration this year took place from October 22 to November 2.  
        • Sidebar:  Less early voting in Wisconsin?  (Salon, 10/29/2012)
      • Election day registration



  • Anticipated impacts and costs of complying with HAVA and the NVRA
    • Voter registration at DMV branches
    • Voter registration at public assistance agencies
    • Voter registration at armed forces recruiting stations

  • Information technology impacts
    • System changes to current GAB technical applications
    • Voter registration workflow options


  • Training
    • Local elected officials
    • Partner agencies

  • Oversight and reporting requirements
    • Public education 
    • Public outreach
Photo source:  Wikipedia

Hat tip to Mark Arend, particularly for pointing out the "illuminating" Grothman quote.  









Other "In the News" posts:
Compensation of Wisconsin legislators.  (12/6/2012)
Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board.  (12/4/2012)

Thank you for your 4 years of service in the Wisconsin State Assembly, Representative Spanbauer


And he leaves his colleagues with 2 excellent suggestions.

Spanbauer: Legislature should consider bills. (Oshkosh Northwestern, 12/10/2012)

2011 Assembly Bill 28 (Even with bipartisan support, this bill didn't get very far in the legislative process)

Legislative Reference Bureau analysis

Under current law, with certain exceptions, registrants under the campaign finance law are required to file regular reports with the appropriate filing officer or agency. The reports must identify: 

1) contributors of more than $20 cumulatively within a calendar year; 

2) the occupation and principal place of employment, if any, of each contributor whose cumulative contributions within a calendar year exceed $100;

3) the registrants from whom or to whom funds are transferred; 

4) other income exceeding $20; contributions donated to a charitable organization or the common school fund; 

5) loans exceeding $20, together with the identity of the lenders and guarantors, if any;

6) disbursements (expenditures) and obligations exceeding $20; and 

7) certain information from registrants making disbursements independently of candidates. 

However, if a registrant does not maintain an office or street address within this state, the registrant need only identify 
  • contributions, 
  • transfers, 
  • loans, and 
  • other income 
received from sources in this state and disbursements and obligations incurred with respect to elections for state or local office in this state. 

Same requirements for in-state and out-of-state registrants.  This bill deletes the exception for registrants who or which do not maintain an office or street address within this state, so that these registrants are required to report the same information as other registrants.

His 2nd suggestion is for a constitutional amendment to make ll county offices nonpartisan.  


Follow-up question, please: "Will you sign such a bill if it passes the legislature?"


But Kit assures us that they have been working on this legislation.  What?   Just for fun?

Walker says he's not pursuing Right to Work. (Fond du Lac Reporter, 12/10/2012)

Listen to what the Governor and his team have to say on other issues.  Same-day voter registration, for example.

Cullen Werwie, the governor’s spokesman said Walker does not intend to push the change, but he would likely support a bill that came to his desk eliminating same-day voter registration because of concerns expressed by poll workers and clerks.

Oh, and here's the headline of the article from which the above quote is taken.


Reminds me of a song.  (Without the eventual melding.)

It's probably best to be wary whenever Walker is quoted or described as not "pushing for" or "pursuing" a specific piece of legislation.  His buddies in the legislature can do this dirty work for him.

And if you really want to get into some "bridge" work......

Monday, December 10, 2012

Sen Mike Ellis Articulates Wisconsin Senate Republican Agenda


Sen. Michael Ellis column: Senate Republicans won't be distracted.  (Appleton Post-Crescent, 12/7/2012)

Senate Republicans top 3 priorities 
  • Job creation 
  • Improving our economy
  • Sustaining the economic viability of our middle class.

I'll Bet Some Voters in Wisconsin's 72nd Assembly District Now Wish They Had a Do-Over


After the election

1.  Supports nullification.  (Will you support legislation to nullify ObamaCare and authorize state and local law enforcement to arrest federal officials attempting to implement the unconstitutional health care scheme known as ObamaCare?)

2.  Lies to his staff.  (As revealed in  Krug denied to staff he backed arrest of federal officials, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/8/2012)

Won re-election by a margin of 109 votes.


Act 420: If Brown County, Then Outagamie County



Brown Co. won't rescind library bills to 5 counties.  (Green Bay Press-Gazette, 12/7/2012)

Supervisor Guy Zima proposes that

  • Bills to 5 adjacent counties be rescinded
  • Letters of apology sent


  • Representatives from Outagamie Waupaca Library System (OWLS) member libraries were present.
    • Tasha Saecker, Appleton Public Library’s Assistant Director; 
    • Elizabeth Timmins, Muehl Public Library’s Director; 
    • Tony Wieczorek, Kaukauna Public Library Director 
    took turns addressing the Board.   Saecker was also representing Kimberly-Little Chute Public Library’s Director, Beth Carpenter.

    Each read a letter, composed by their respective library boards, conveying a mutual message that generally fits into the following 3 options:

    Option 1
    • If the Brown County Public Library chooses NOT to withdraw its request for reimbursement......
    • ...then some Outagamie County public libraries will choose to cut off service to Brown County 
      • Walk-in service still allowed
      • Checking out and placing holds prohibited
    Option 2
    Option 3
    • If the Brown County Public Library chooses NOT to withdraw its request for reimbursement, BUT agrees to pay a similar bill sent from Outagamie County....
    • ....then full service to Brown County residents resumes..

    Collective position of Outagamie County representatives at Brown County board meeting
    • Brown County Library fail mto recognize reciprocity, the back and forth of cross-county use
    • Brown County Library’s action is legal but not in the best interest of the taxpayers 
    • Outagamie County supports the idea of cross-county payments when inequity exists.
    • Outagame County believes, in this case, there is no inequity, therefore there is no reason for Brown County to bill them for reimbursement.  
      • Brown County Public Library bills Outagamie County for $33,281.
      • Circulation at Outagamie County public libraries by Brown Country residents
        • 19,616 x $2.87 cost per circulation = .$56,298 x .70 = $39,409

    Related post:

    Sunday, December 9, 2012

    Community Partners: Rockford Public Library, Rock Valley College




    Rock Valley considers move to downtown Rockford Public Library.  (Rockford Register-Star, 11/28/2012)

    Excerpt: The RVC Learning and Opportunity Center offers remedial classes that serve as a bridge to college-level coursework and a smattering of courses for nontraditional students as well as financial aid, guidance counseling and other student services.

    Sounds like a great fit to me.

    St. Louis Public Library: Central to Your World




    History and mission

    Does Obama Have Republicans on a String?



    In Talks, G.O.P. May Have to Just Say Yes. (The New York Times, 12/8/2012)

    Excerpt:     In their book, “Getting to Yes,” Roger Fisher and William Ury introduce what may be the most important concept in the theory of negotiations: the best alternative to a negotiated agreement, or Batna. Knowing your true Batna — and your adversary’s — is critical in bargaining. A vivid example from the entertainment world illustrates the concept and offers some useful hints about how the current fiscal negotiations in Washington are likely to unfold.

    Everything You Need to Know About the Fiscal Cliff Plans, in Charts.  (The Atlantic, 12/5/2012)
    • Bowles-Simpson Plan ($4,000,000,000,000 -- trillions)
      • Revenue:            $2,000,000,000,000  (assumes Bush-era tax cuts for rich expire)
      • Discretionary:     $   600,000,000,000
      • Health care         $   480,000,000,000
      • Other mandatory $   320,000,000,000
    • Obama plan                 ($2,000,000,000,000)
      • Revenue               $1,400,000,000,000 (from high earners)
      • Health care            $   350,000,000,000 
          • Medicare negotiates better drug prices
          • Limting payment to nursing homes and other facilities
      • Other mandatory   $  250,000,000,000
    • Republican plan             ($2,200,000,000,000)
      • Revenue                $   800,000,000,000 (no specifics)
      • Health care            $   600,000,000,000 (mostly unidentified)
      • Discretionary         $   300,000,000,000
      • Other mandatory   $   300,000,000,000
      • Inflation calc.         $   200,000,000

    No Resolution to Outagamie-Brown Library Dispute


    Library dispute continues.  (Fox 11 News, 12/6/2012)

    Excerpt:   The billing dispute between Outagamie and Brown County libraries is far from over with barely three weeks to resolve it. 

    What looked like a potential agreement has taken yet another turn, and it could soon impact who can check out books where. 

    For now, come January 1st, the Appleton Library will stop lending to Brown County residents. 

    And three other Outagamie County libraries may follow suit.