This Just In...

A look back at the people and events that made news the past week.
Week-ends is a regular weekly feature of This Just In...



HEROES OF THE WEEK


Returning vets


Men in high heels


Michael and Eileen Schmalz


Norma Haddad and the family that assisted her.



VILLAINS OF THE WEEK


Phillip A. Geissler and LaVonne Tillery


Organ donation company


Con artist


Georgia high school baseball pitcher and catcher



QUOTES OF THE WEEK


"I kicked him between his legs with both feet."
84 year old Norma Haddad, describing how she survived a carjacking in downtown Milwaukee.


“It was like hearing about a death in the family. This is a kick in the gut. GM repeatedly told me that Janesville was the best work force and most productive plant. Everyone here did everything right. Did GM just wake up yesterday and realize gas prices were high? Why didn't they get some lines in here that could withstand these prices?”
Governor Doyle responding to the news that General Motors will close its plant in Janesville by 2010, eliminating about some 2,500 jobs.


“Did Gov. Doyle just wake up? GM has been in decline for years and Gov. Doyle made the deal with a declining company- something businesses typically are careful of. What has Wisconsin done to make itself more competitive? Toyota, Honda and Hyundai are doing fine despite high gas prices. Where has the State of Wisconsin been when it comes to attracting the new manufacturing facilities of the successful auto makers? If I recall correctly, the last time Honda was looking for a site for a new plant Gov. Doyle did nearly nothing to even get Honda to consider Wisconsin (possibly because with our high tax rates we would not be competitive).”


" OK Hello... GM is not the only plant in the world that is going under... what is it with everyone only looking at company's who employ alot of people.. GM workers aren't the only workers who need help with gas prices, house payments, or any financial needs. This whole economy is down and they are only worried about GM workers. What about others.. there is no help for others... Let's just worry about GM workers not having a job... It's everyone... This state has no idea who needs help.... "
Online comments to the Beloit Daily News website.


“He didn’t give me any reason to think this was a decision that was easily reversed.”
Congressman Paul Ryan,  after talking to the GM chief.


“While I support vigorous investigations of oil companies’ practices to fight price gouging, the simplest and surest way to lower the price of gas is to lower the price of oil. And the surest way to reduce the price of oil is to increase its supply.”
Former Assembly Speaker John Gard who is running against Congressman Steve Kagen, announcing  a series of proposals  to tackle gas prices, including increases in oil refineries and domestic oil drilling.


“The Republicans haven’t done one single thing since 2001, and there are two reasons for the high gas prices: Bush and Cheney.”
Congressman Steve Kagen.



OUTRAGE OF THE WEEK


Barack  Obama and porta potties.



MOST UNDER-REPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK


Wisconsin has dropped out of the top ten highest-taxed states in the nation.

But why?

State Representative Frank Lasee explains in one of his releases:

It has been widely reported that Wisconsin has FINALLY dropped out of the top ten highest taxed states in the nation. Good news? Well, it all depends on how you figure it…

According to the Wisconsin Taxpayer’s Alliance and liberal professor Andrew Reschovsky, three states, Alaska, Wyoming, and New Mexico have suddenly become high taxed states. Leapfrogging Wisconsin in tax burden. They all appear ahead of Wisconsin. But individuals in these states enjoy a lower tax burden than we do in Wisconsin. Yet governments in these states have more money to spend per person than we do here.

Their individual tax burden is lower and their governments have more to spend per person than we do here in Wisconsin. How can this be possible? Because they are harvesting natural resources (wisely so). Taxes paid by everyone who is using oil, natural gas, copper and other minerals are providing more government tax money to spend without causing people in these states to pay more. The governments in Wyoming, New Mexico and Alaska get to spend the taxes paid by out of staters and the people of these states don’t have to pay as much for their government. This is a good reason to lift the federal and state prohibition on drilling for oil in Wisconsin. Citizens in Michigan and Indiana are enjoying the benefit (to a much lesser extent than the other three states) of oil production. Why shouldn’t we?

One of the issues of relying on these taxes is when the price or demand decline, revenue declines as well. If your state politicians are wise, they bank the funds in a rainy day account for the day that either supply or demand for oil or minerals go down. Alaska’s permanent trust fund has grown to $40 Billion since it was started in 1976. It is funded by 25% of mineral and oil taxes paid. Also, Alaska citizens get yearly checks from the trust fund ($ 1,700 in 2007, $1,100 in 2006). Go figure, their state government sends their citizens money instead of taking it away.

There are studies from reliable sources and well-educated economists that show that states and countries that tax less (after a reasonable level of government services have been reached), enjoy greater prosperity over those that tax more. More businesses are created, more jobs are created and income rises more quickly with lower tax burdens.

The tax issue in Wisconsin isn’t going away soon. I understand how it feels when our property taxes or state income taxes go up.

Holding the line on taxes or better yet, actually lowering the tax burden will benefit the most people in Wisconsin. Particularly workers, who would get to keep more of what they earn and have more job opportunities to boot.



MOST OVER-HYPED STORY OF THE WEEK


Obama and Clinton.....the Dream Ticket.

Right.



STRANGEST, MOST UNUSUAL STORY OF THE WEEK


There's always more than one.


Talk about having your nerve...


I don't know if the woman involved is a blonde


This is the 9-1-1 operator.......YES, HELP, I'M STUCK IN A PORTA-POTTY!


Madison may try homeless meters.


Better late than never?



REMEMBER: Your suggestions/nominations for any of these categories every week are welcome, especially for HEROES OF THE WEEK. If you know of anyone in the community deserving of recognition, please e-mail me.