Sen. Tom Tiffany's Sand Mine Bill a Hot Potato

Sand mine bill author concedes changes are needed. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/26/2013)

First of all, mining industry waterboy Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) admits that municipal officials have raised valid objections to SB349 that need to be addressed.

More tellingly, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Burlington) sez the bill won't be scheduled for a vote until spring 2014 --  "at the earliest," according to Journal Sentinel reporter Lee Bergquist.

Not helping matters any further, Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) has expressed his opposition to the bill, and other (unnamed) Republican state senators "have raised questions about support for the bill".

Related posts:
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)

First a WEDC Grant, Then a Sales Tax Exemption: Sen. Mike Ellis at Work

Aviation Funding in Wisconsin Budget Raises Questions. (Media Trackers, 6/19/2013)

Reporter Brian Sikma wonders how did $2,000,000 worth of grants for companies who construct or repair passenger transportation aircraft or manufacture parts find their way into the budget bill in the first place.

Oh, it happens all the time in Wisconsin in a June of an odd-numbered year, Brian.

The grants, removed as part of a technical amendment to the budget, were to be administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

Well, lookee here.  Gulfstream Aerospace has a maintenance and repair facility in Appleton, which is located in Sen. Mike Ellis's district.

Sales tax break for aviation companies up for vote. (WAOW, 10/28/2013)

Excerpt: The Republican-backed bill would benefit companies like Gulfstream in Appleton and Cessna in Milwaukee. Those companies and others say having to pay the sales tax puts them at a competitive disadvantage because aircraft owners are taking their business to other states that don't charge the tax.

The bill is sponsored by Sen. Mike Ellis and will result in the loss of $3,000,000 in revenue to the state annually.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Library Legacy

Budgets Challenge Libraries, a ‘Point of Integration’ for Immigrants.  (The New York Times, 10/27/2013)

Excerpt: Now if only the candidates who will win next week’s general election would take this place as seriously. Financing New York City’s three public library systems is an annual set piece of political theater, where City Hall proposes reduced budgets that are deplored and haggled over until the City Council restores much of the sum. According to a report last January by the Center for an Urban Future, since 2008 the Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens libraries have endured cuts of nearly $65 million.

Bloomberg has been mayor since 2002.  His net worth is $31,000,000,000.

New York Public Library

Brooklyn Public Library

Queens Library

Related post:
New York Public Library sends out call to "Stop the Cuts".  (5/22/2013)
If it's New York City budget time, there must be another cut in library funding.in Mayor Bloomberg's budget.  (5/8/2013)