Meet the Members of the Montana House Republican Leadership Who Made Their State a Laughingstock

"Building a Better Montana" 

Through Proper Dress

Photo credit:  Montana State Legislature

Montana Dress Code Has Female Legislators Sporting New Look:  Clenched Jaws.  (The New York Times, 12/13/2014)

It appears that some of the male legislators need advice on tie selection.

Montana State Legislature

Now for the face-saving.

Montana House to modify controversial Legislature dress code.  (Billings Gazette, 12/15/2014)

What happens when party leadership goes its own way.

In early December, the House Republican leadership issued a one-page dress code that said representatives, staff and reporters “are required to dress in formal business attire during the session.” It had a series of specific bullet points. No formal House dress code existed previously, only an informal one. 

The dress code has been widely condemned by newspaper editorials in Montana, drawn attention from national media including the New York Times and been ridiculed on social media. 

Kellogg's Wants You to Put Out the Box at Bedtime

With a night campaign, Kellogg's Aims for Snappier Sales.  (The New York Times, 12/17/2014)

I smell more than a whiff of desperation here.

“Waiting quietly as the rest recharge is the most important box in the world,” says the voice of the actor Kyle MacLachlan, who speaks softly as if wishing not to wake the sleeping. Cereal falls in slow motion against a black background. “Crispy flakes, sons of the sun itself.” 

A bowl of cereal seems to sit on the horizon line as the sun dramatically rises behind it. “Tomorrow,” sung by Andrea McArdle from the original Broadway cast recording of the musical “Annie,” plays. Milk cascades onto the cereal and, as a boy is seen sleeping in his bed and his parents in theirs, the voice-over continues. “A magic formula of protein and grain that helps turn little boys to soccer players, moms to supermoms.” 

As the voice-over concludes, “Tomorrow is yours to claim, set yourself with Kellogg’s tonight,” the brand’s tag line, “See you at breakfast,” appears at the end.

What cereal executives have been reading lately:

• Decline in cereal sales bite into Kellogg's results.  (Fortune, 10/30/2014)
• Americans aren't eating their Wheaties.  (CNN Money, 9/18/2014) 
• Cereals Begin to Lose Their Snap, Crackle, and Pop.  (The New York Times, 9/10/2014)
• Why Don't Americans Like Breakfast Cereal Anymore? The once-loved product whose sales went soggy.  (Adweek, 8/14/2014)
• Cereal killers:  Americans' new breakfast habits.  (CNBC, 8/23/2013)

Meet Santa's Felonious Elves

So much for the naughty or nice question!

Dueling Headlines, or, Just because Sam Brownback says it, doesn't mean it's so

Wichita Eagle, 12/14/2014

The New Republic, 10/1/2014

McClatchyDC, 9/19/2010

He's their puppet.

A New Yorker magazine article last month revealed that the Koch brothers have been quietly bankrolling the tea party movement, which has boosted the success of insurgent conservative candidates in several Republican primary races this year. 

Democrats point out that Koch-related interests have given Brownback, a Republican, hundreds of thousands of dollars over his 16-year career, more than any other candidate. They claim that the Kochs may have played a key role in Brownback's most important race — in 1996, when he won a close contest to take Bob Dole's open Senate seat.

Related posts:
KC Healthy Kids needs to work on its timing.  (12/20/2014) 
Sam Brownback: "The sun is shining in Kansas and don't let anyone tell you different."  (12/11/2014)
Why it's probably best not to be in Kansas anymore.  (12/11/2014)
So....does this make Sam Brownback a liar?  (12/10/2014)
Scott Walker takes his tax cut cues from Sam Brownback.  (11/13/2014)
Scott Walker, Sam Brownback, and Rick Scott: The comeback copycats.  (10/25/2014)
Governors Sam Brownback and Scott Walker use the same playbook.  (9/15/2014)
You don't have to inhale deeply to catch a whiff of Wisconsin here.  (9/15/2014)
It's not a pretty picture for Kansas Governor Sam Brownback.  (7/18/2014)
As Kansas becomes increasingly irrelevant, a goofy sideshow.  (2/14/2014)

Scott Walker Silent on Latest Jobs Growth Numbers

1.5% growth rate ranks Wisconsin 32nd among the 50 states.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/18/2014)

The data was released on Thursday, December 18.

The 2 most recent press releases on the Office of the Governor website.

• Working for Wisconsin: Governor Scott Walker Discusses Property Tax Relief, Participates in Property Tax Relief Tour.  (12/17/2014)
• Governor Scott Walker and First Lady Tonette Walker Take Part in Menorah Lighting Ceremony.  (12/16/2014)

KC Healthy Kids Needs to Work on its Timing

Photo credit:  KC Healthy Kids

Group Will Seek To Get Rid Of Kansas Sales Tax On Food.  (Kansas City Public Media, 12/18/2014)

Some kids may eat healthier, but if their families participate in any state-funded health and human services programs, where's the gain?

Even in good financial times, legislators have rejected attempts to exempt food from the sales tax. It probably will be an even tougher sell in the coming session given the state’s mounting budget problems. 

With a steep drop in tax collections due in large part to the income tax cuts championed by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback, legislators will be faced with the urgent task of cutting $280 million from this year’s already approved budget when they convene in January. They also must deal with a projected deficit in the neighborhood of $600 million as they craft the budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2015. 

Exempting food from the sales tax would lower revenue collections by about $390 million a year.

Related posts:
Sam Brownback: "The sun is shining in Kansas and don't let anyone tell you different."  (12/11/2014)
Why it's probably best not to be in Kansas anymore.  (12/11/2014)
So....does this make Sam Brownback a liar?  (12/10/2014)
Scott Walker takes his tax cut cues from Sam Brownback.  (11/13/2014)
Scott Walker, Sam Brownback, and Rick Scott: The comeback copycats.  (10/25/2014)
Governors Sam Brownback and Scott Walker use the same playbook.  (9/15/2014)
You don't have to inhale deeply to catch a whiff of Wisconsin here.  (9/15/2014)
It's not a pretty picture for Kansas Governor Sam Brownback.  (7/18/2014)
As Kansas becomes increasingly irrelevant, a goofy sideshow.  (2/14/2014)

Employment Opportunity at the Queens Library

Queens Public Library President Thomas Galante Fired by Board.  (Epoch Times, 12/18/2014)

A host with the most -- the Perle Mesta of library directors

Galante, who had served as senior management at the library since 1986, had spent tens of thousands on renovations, meals, and entertainment. The revelation led to the dismissal of several board members who sided with Galante.

Related posts: 
Now I wish I'd been following this story more closely.  (9/13/2014)
Is everybody happy?  (3/13/2014)
Queens library director on hot seat. (2/4/2014)

Wisconsin's 2015-17 cost-to-continue bucket's got a hole in it -- to the tune of $824,000,000

According to this latest memo from Legislative Fiscal Bureau.  (Funny how this type of report always seems to be released on a Friday.)

A starting point of trust.

Opening balance as of the end of FY2014-15:  -$132,000,000.  The LFB erases this amount as staff assumes "that any potential deficit will be addressed".  So in reality, the looser sphere on which we live, the total shortfall appears to be $956,000,000.  But then I'm no expert in financial accounting.

Page 2 of the 2-page memo.

2015-17 legislative session posts:
Tax cuts?? Presidential campaign??   (11/24/2014)
After the election, Walker shares the specifics of moving Wisconsin forward.  (11/15/2014)
Republican legislative agenda as reported  by the Journal Sentinel.  (11/10/2014)
Continuing to bend over for the Koch Brothers is a different position?  (11/10/2014)
Dear Senator Fitzgerald:  Better for whom?  (11/7/2014)
Wisconsin's Republican legislative leaders say "meh" to job creation.  (11/7/2014) 
Meet Mary "No Theatrics Here" Lazich, newly elected Wisconsin State Senate President.  (11/7/2014) 
A giddy Robin Vos announces his legislative agenda.  (11/5/2014)
Take note as the arrogant, selfish Scott Walker contradicts himself.  (11/5/2014)
Scott Walker keeps a promise not to make a promise.  (11/5/2014)

Number of Paid Full-Time-Equivalent (FTE) Staff in U.S. Public Libraries (Oklahoma-South Carolina)

Tulsa City-County Library Budget Cuts $1 Million. (Library Journal, 7/2/2013)
Stillwater residents gather at public library to rally against proposed budget cuts.  (Stillwater News Press, 4/27/2011)
 

City budget affects library.  (City of Newberg website.)
Mulnomah County Library patrons, staff adjust to service cuts.  (7/18/2012)

Pennsylvania libraries feeling the pressures of continued budget cuts.  (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 6/28/2014)
Schlow Library Closing for a Week to Off-Set Cuts in State Funding.  (statecollege.com, 5/10/2014)
Funding cuts closing book on 3 Reading Public Library branches.  (Reading Eagle, 9/26/2009)

Central Falls closes its public library.  (Retiring Guy's Digest, 7/6/2011) 
Group running Providence branch libraries to send out layoff notices.  (Providence Journal, 5/27/2011)

Source:  Institute of Museum and Library Services, Public Libraries in the United States Survey (1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2011)

Related posts:
U.S., Alabama-California.  (12/6/2014)
Colorado-Georgia.  (12/7/2014)
Hawaii-Iowa.  (12/8/2014)
Kansas-Maryland.  (12/9/2014)
Massachusetts-Missouri. (12/10/2014)
Montana-Ohio.  (12/15/2014)

Marquette County WI: Public Access Internet Computers (1999-2013) and Print Serial Subscriptions (1996-2013)

2010 population:  15,404

Public libraries in Marquette County

• Endeavor Public Library
• Montello Public Library
• Neshkoro Public Library
• Oxford Public Library
• Packwaukee Public Library
• Ethel Everhard Memorial Library, Westfield

This line-graph series is the result of my wondering if there's any pattern to the number of print serial subscriptions held by public libraries in relation to the increasing number of public access Internet computers provided by public libraries since 1999. (Earliest year for which Wisconsin statistics are available.)

Note: The 1996, 1997, 1998 Wisconsin public library annual reports asked for the following information: Libraries with Internet access. (Answered yes or no.) Libraries with electronic services. (Answered yes or no.) In 1999, public libraries reported the number of public access Internet computers for the first time in the annual report.

Source:  Wisconsin Public Library Service Data

Percentage change, 1996-2013:  -59.5%

Winnefox Library System

Other posts in series

(with percentage change in print serial subscriptions from peak year)

Adams County, -35.6%.  (11/12/2014)

Ashland County, -1.3%.  (11/13/2014)

Barron County, -18.5%.  (11/14/2014)

Bayfield County,+106%.  (11/15/2014)

Brown County, -22%.   (11/16/2014)
Buffalo County, -18%.  (11/17/2014)
Burnett County, -4.4%.  (11/18/2014)
Calumet County, -23.1%.  (11/19/2014)
Chippewa County, -37.6%.  (11/20/2014)
Clark County, -9.0%.  (11/21/2014)
Columbia County, -11.3%.  (11/22/2014)
Crawford County, -3.6%.  (11/23/2014)
Dane County, -16.1%.  (11/24/2014)
Dodge County, -21.2%.  (11/25/2014)
Door County, -37.1%.  (11/26/2014)
Douglas County, -19.1%.  (11/27/2014)
Dunn County, -21.2%.  (11/28/2014)
Eau Claire County, -39.5%.  (11/29/2014)
Florence County, +429%.  (11/30/2014)
Fond du Lac County, -32.5%.  (12/1/2014)
Forest County, -20.8%.  (12/2/2014)
Grant County, NA.  (12/3/2014)
Green County, -1.6%.  (12/4/2014)
Green Lake County, -11.0% . (12/5/2014)
Iowa County, +9.1%.  (12/6/2014)
Iron County, +50.9%.  (12/7/2014)
Jackson County, +48.3%.  (12/8/2014)
Jefferson County, -27.9%.  (12/9/2014)
Juneau County, +46.3%.  (12/10/2014)
Kenosha County, -37.9%.  (12/11/2014)
Kewaunee County, -28.0.  (12/12/2014)
La Crosse County, -30.2%.  (12/13/2014)
Lafayette County, -1.0%.  (12/14/2014)
Langlade County, -53.0%.  (12/15/2014)
Lincoln County, -45%.  (12/16/2014)
Manitowoc County, -28.5%.  (12/17/2014)
Marathon County, -50.1%.  (12/18/2014)
Marinettte County, NA.  (12/19/2014)
Marquette County, -59.5%.   (12/20/2014)

The Dangers of Smoking

Madison Police Department incident reports

Not in this victim's case.

Meet Michael Golownia, Hapless and Balding Marijuana Delivery Guy

Head-on crash caused by alleged drunken driver in Rock County, police say.   (Wisconsin State Journal, 12/18/2014)

Alleged drunken, but certifiably crazy driver.

• seen driving erratically
• crossed center line numerous times
• rear-ended a vehicle
• crashed head-on into an oncoming vehicle
• attempted to flee from scene of accident
• unable to get his car out of ditch
   

Police found 44 grams -- about an ounce and a half -- of marijuana in Golownia's car, as well as "evidence of narcotics delivery".

It his 4th OWI.

Jeb Bush on Top with 14% in Latest ABC News/Washington Post Poll

"Lean", of course, has nothing to do with body size.

There’s Work Ahead if Bush Does Run;He’s at 14% in a Fragmented GOP Field.  (ABC News/Washington Post poll, 12/16/2014)

In case you were unable to figure this out for yourself.

Having 14 percent support means that 86 percent of leaned Republicans aren’t Bush backers.

A steadily growing and font-size shrinking list of 2016 Republican primary posts:
Scott Walker's next dance moves.  (12/17/2014)
McClatchy-Marist poll of 1,140 national adults (December 3-9, 2014).  (12/16/2014)
Let's take a look at the flip side: Jeb Bush to "inactively explore" run for president.  (12/16/2014)
In the comfort of his Chevy Chase den, Charlie Cook predicts the possibility of big things for Scott Walker in Iowa.  (12/15/2014)

Headline news: 1,259,031 Wisconsin voters would have made P. T. Barnum proud.  (11/19/2014)

The two are so easily confused.  (11/13/2014)

Less than a week after the election, Scott Walker is already promoting his Presidential bona fides.  (11/10/2014)

Scott Walker's flights of fancy: He thinks he's gonna be President.  (10/9/2014)

"Undecided" leads, Scott Walker brings up the rear in McClatchy-Marist Republican Presidential Primary poll.  (10/5/2014)

Remember this hilarious Scott Walker headline from 2012?   (8/31/2014)

Scott Walker wonders why Iowa Republicans aren't playing his song.  (8/28/20140

Bobby Jindal's Tea-Party pandering gets him nowhere.  (8/21/2014)

Tight gubernatorial race outs Scott Walker's Presidential ambitions on Hold.  (8/15/2014) 

Scott Walker joins the 2016 Republican Presidential candidate wooing game of Hispanic voters.  (8/9/2014) 

Fox News poll has got the love for Rick Perry.  (7/28/2014) 

CNN/ORC poll: 2016 Republican primary preferences.  (7/28/2014) 

Scott Walker looks to Iowa and wonders.  (7/18/2014)

Scott Walker:  "Try not to talk about 2016 right now."  7/13/2014)

New Hampshire Republicans to Chris Christie: "C'mon, baby, (re)light our fire"!  (7/13/2014)

Quinnipiac polls: Chris Christie's favorables take a tumble after George Washington Bridge scandal hits the news .  (7/10/2014)

Quinnipiac polls: Since May 2013, Jeb Bush's unfavorables outpace his favorables .  (7/9/2014)

Do Republicans have a problem with women voters?  (7/9/2014)

Based on 15 months of Quinnipiac polling, Scott Walker is the only Republican candidate with any momentum.  (7/9/2014)

Republican 2016 Presidential primary preferences are flattening.  (7/9/2014) 

Scott Walker edges out Rick Santorum and Bobby Jindal in New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary poll.  (6/20/2014)

Another Presidential poll, another 5% for Walker.  (6/16/2014)

Hello, Wisconsin independent voters, Scott Walker is polling at 6% in Iowa.  (5/23/2014)

If that's the case, Walker should immediately announce that he's not a candidate for the 2016 Republican Presidential nomination.  (5/23/2014

The Marquette University Law School poll asks the question, Do Wisconsin voters want to see Walker run for president in 2016? (5/22/2014)

"Scott Walker" tied with "None" for 1st choice in CNN/ORC Republican Presidential preference poll.  (5/8/2014)

Another Presidential primary poll, another 5% showing for Scott Walker.  (5/1/2014)

I hope Scott Walker had a good Easter cuz Donald Trump is outpolling him in New Hampshire. (4/20/2014)

Fox News: Scott Walker polling neck-and-neck with Rick Santorum.  (4/17/2014)

Iowa Republican caucus voters not singing Scott Walker's song.  (4/10/2014)

Scott Walker still "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again".    (4/4/2014)

While Mary Burke campaigns for Governor, Scott Walker continues to run for President.  (3/28/2014)

The Washington Examiner offers a boost to Scott Walker Presidential campaign without a hint of irony.  (3/26/2014)

Let's do an ID update on this Townhall straw poll.  (3/25/2014)

Scott Walker for President 2016: Pundits like the idea but the public sez "meh".  (3/16/2014)

Scott Walker is in a bind.  (3/15/2014)

Christie/Walker meme, part 3.  (3/8/2014)

Christie/Walker meme, part 2.  (3/7/2014)

Christie/Walker meme, part 1.  (3/7/2014)

The chattering class falls hard for Scott Walker, but the voters are still scratching their heads.  (3/6/2014)

So he, too, can embarrass himself.  (12/30/2013)

Library Advocacy Headline of the Day

Chicago Tribune, 12/17/2014

The 5 contenders for 2 seats:

• Christian Barcelona.  The Internet policy dispute made him do it.  ("The library is a place where children come to learn, and I don't think there should be any chance they'd be exposed to adult material.") 
• Charles Jason Kaple.  "It's a very emotional issue that needs to be looked at rationally.  I'm a very strong believer in First Amendment rights, but whether that means they did all they could to prevent the things we all want to prevent, I'd need more information."
• Salvatore LoMonaco.  "Orland Park is a community that's very family-oriented, and I want to see it stay that way.  But I want to see what the issues really are, what solutions they explored and see if perhaps I can give some common-sense ideas."  (Retiring Guy notes that he's frequently seen that underlined adjective of late.)
• Joanna Leafblad.  (Not quoted.)
• Joshua Rogers.  (Not quoted.)

Related posts: 
OPPL's revised Internet policy.  (1/1/2014)
Orland Park Public Library Trustee Position Description.  (12/5/2013)
The Orland Park Public Library fights back.  (12/5/2013)
Excedrin headache moment at the Orland Park Public Library.  (11/25/2013)
At least this headline doesn't include the words "library" AND "porn".  (11/19/2013)
Mayor offers a suggestion in Orland Park Public Library Internet controversy.  (11/17/2013)
A closer look at the Orland Park Public Library board president resignation.  (11/15/2013)
Amping up the controversy in Orland Park.  (11/12/2013)
Notes and Whatnot on "Challenges in Governance" (Library Style).  (11/8/2013)
The Orland Park Public Library's computer lab a "pervert's dream".  (11/5/2013)

As Opposed to the One Who Isn't?

Not a birthday card to be selected by a parent who has 2 sons.   (Oh, but then I suppose there are situations.....)

Today's is younger son Eddie's 24th birthday.

As you might have suspected, it was a quiet day at Radio Shack

Photo by Retiring Guy

Having time between meetings, I made my first visit to East Towne Mall in more than a year.  Compared to its retail cohort on the west side of Madison, East Towne's decor seems stuck in the late 20th century.  I felt as though I should be Christmas shopping for kids' clothes and toys.  ("Where are the Legos?")

It's also instructive to note the similarities and difference in the retail mix between the 2 locations.  Both malls have the same anchors:  JCPenney, Sears, The Boston Store, and Dick's Sporting Goods.    As for auxiliary stores, East Towne includes Gordman's (off-price department store), Shoe Carnival (microphone specials, a la Kmart's blue-light specials), and Just Fine Alternation (now regretting that I didn't take a pic of the 2 mannequins, wearing clothes that predate the mall's 1971 construction, just inside the shop's entrance).  West Towne, on the other hand -- and this is probably all you need to know -- includes Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn among its auxiliary tenants. 

Related Radio Shack posts:
When Radio Shack was hot.  (9/17/2014)
The decline of Radio Shack and the use of figures of speech.  (8/20/2014)
Boogeying its way to doomsday. (5/7/2014)
Radio Shack too far behind to eat Amazon's dust.  (3/4/2014)
It's possible that the Radio Shack slide continues.  (2/5/2014)

Marinette County WI: Public Access Internet Computers (1999-2013) and Print Serial Subscriptions (1996-2013)

2010 population:  41,749

Public libraries in Marinette County

• Marinette County Library
• Coleman
• Crivitz
• Goodman
• Niagara
• Peshtigo
• Stephenson (Marinette)
• Wausaukee
  

This line-graph series is the result of my wondering if there's any pattern to the number of print serial subscriptions held by public libraries in relation to the increasing number of public access Internet computers provided by public libraries since 1999. (Earliest year for which Wisconsin statistics are available.)

Not sure what to make of Marinette County's numbers.

Note: The 1996, 1997, 1998 Wisconsin public library annual reports asked for the following information: Libraries with Internet access. (Answered yes or no.) Libraries with electronic services. (Answered yes or no.) In 1999, public libraries reported the number of public access Internet computers for the first time in the annual report.

Source:  Wisconsin Public Library Service Data

 Nicolet Federated Library System

Other posts in series

(with percentage change in print serial subscriptions from peak year)

Adams County, -35.6%.  (11/12/2014)

Ashland County, -1.3%.  (11/13/2014)

Barron County, -18.5%.  (11/14/2014)

Bayfield County,+106%.  (11/15/2014)

Brown County, -22%.   (11/16/2014)
Buffalo County, -18%.  (11/17/2014)
Burnett County, -4.4%.  (11/18/2014)
Calumet County, -23.1%.  (11/19/2014)
Chippewa County, -37.6%.  (11/20/2014)
Clark County, -9.0%.  (11/21/2014)
Columbia County, -11.3%.  (11/22/2014)
Crawford County, -3.6%.  (11/23/2014)
Dane County, -16.1%.  (11/24/2014)
Dodge County, -21.2%.  (11/25/2014)
Door County, -37.1%.  (11/26/2014)
Douglas County, -19.1%.  (11/27/2014)
Dunn County, -21.2%.  (11/28/2014)
Eau Claire County, -39.5%.  (11/29/2014)
Florence County, +429%.  (11/30/2014)
Fond du Lac County, -32.5%.  (12/1/2014)
Forest County, -20.8%.  (12/2/2014)
Grant County, NA.  (12/3/2014)
Green County, -1.6%.  (12/4/2014)
Green Lake County, -11.0% . (12/5/2014)
Iowa County, +9.1%.  (12/6/2014)
Iron County, +50.9%.  (12/7/2014)
Jackson County, +48.3%.  (12/8/2014)
Jefferson County, -27.9%.  (12/9/2014)
Juneau County, +46.3%.  (12/10/2014)
Kenosha County, -37.9%.  (12/11/2014)
Kewaunee County, -28.0.  (12/12/2014)
La Crosse County, -30.2%.  (12/13/2014)
Lafayette County, -1.0%.  (12/14/2014)
Langlade County, -53.0%.  (12/15/2014)
Lincoln County, -45%.  (12/16/2014)
Manitowoc County, -28.5%.  (12/17/2014)
Marathon County, -50.1%.  (12/18/2014)
Marinettte County, NA.  (12/19/2014)

Tom "Terrific-for-the-Frac-Sand-Mining-Industry" Tiffany Probably Thinks Ken Schmitt is Full of Bullroar

Frac sand resolution gains traction.  (Chippewa Herald, 12/17/014)

Here's a longer excerpt from the article.

He said the study, which would be the first of its kind in the state, would look at the environmental, health and economic impact of the sand mine industry.

County Board chairman Paul Michels [who has contributed $750 to Scott Walker, a total of $1,885 to Republican candidates] said he is all for public safety. “But I’m not an advocate of duplication of public services,” he said, asking Schmitt if a study would be a duplication. Schmitt said not to his knowledge.

“How many counties will it take to get any movement, to get any action?” asked board Vice Chairman Henry Shakal [whose wife contributed $100 to a Republican candidate in1996].

“More always helps,” Schmitt replied, adding that Chippewa County is known in the state as a frac sand area. He said he has passed the petition on to people in four or five other counties, but has not heard if those counties will consider asking the state to fund such a study.

I've shared it before, and I'll share it again.



Other mining posts:
Trempealeau County Residents Wonder If Their Drinking Water is Contaminated.  (10/16/20140
2010: Scott Walker pledges to get government out of the way.  (9/30/2014) 
More hills posed to go away.  (9/27/2014)
A personal account of the impact of frac sand mining.  (9/26/2014) 
Report: Communities At Risk: Frac Sand Mining in the Upper Midwest.  (9/26/2014) 
Makes you wonder: Do campaign contributions pay for a license to pollute?  (9/15/2014)
Maybe it has something to do with the hardhat.  (8/9/2014)
In other words, Kevin, people don't want to live near a frac sand mining operation.  (8/7/2014) 
UPDATED: Scott Walker continues his "Thank You for Your Contributions" tour.  (8/3/2014)
What a mere $8,000 will buy you in the Scott Walker House of Favors,  (3/30/2014)
Frac sand mining and property values: Homeowners vs. landowners.  (3/30/2014)
Nevertheless, transparency would have been in the general pubic's best interest.  (3/15/2014)
Wisconsin Towns Association has second thoughts about that "gentler" frac sand mining regulation bill. (3/4/014)
Scott Walker likely to support Tom Tiffany's new mining bill.  (2/27/2014)
The vision of Trempealeau County as one big mining operation -- nipped in the bud.  (2/20/2014)
Glenwood City Council members defeat their recall challengers by a hair.  (12/18/2013)
Wyoming's Republican Governor has a message for Wisconsin mining industry's "Tom Terrific".  (11/24/2013)
The mining industry's "Tom Terrific" gets pushback from his Republican colleagues.  (11/18/2013)
In so many words: Dear Sen. Tiffany, Your bill sucks, Sincerely, Pepin County Board.  (11/13/2013)
Follow the Gogebic money.  (11/7/2013)
Sand mine industry leaders put our minds at ease.  (11/5/2013) 
Scott Walker donor promises jobs, permanence for Independence and Whitehall residents.  (10/29/2013) 
Sen. Tom Tiffany's sand mine bill a hot potato.  (10/28/2013) 
Another Walker campaign donor for SB349.  (10/25/2013)
Expensive to the Tune of $430,505.49 (as of June 30, 2013).  (10/25/2013) 
The Nipper Chronicles: The frac sand mining masters speak.  (10/18/2013)
Things aren't so tranquil in Glenwood City Wisconsin lately  (10/10/2013)