May 10, 2010

Wisconsin Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett want the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to begin the process of re-decking the Hoan bridge. They also want state officials to look at the feasibility of new ramps at both ends of the bridge. The two elected officials have sent letters to Madison asking for work to begin immediately on the Hoan.

D-O-T Secretary Frank Busalacchi earlier suggested replacing the bridge with a different type structure that would span the Port of Milwaukee.

Milwaukee County Supervisor Patricia Jursik calls that a bad idea. She says timing is critical when it comes to redecking the Hoan.

Vice President Joe Biden and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner spoke about Wall Street reforms and the middle class at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Tuesday in an effort to drum up support for President Barack Obama’s financial overhaul legislation.

These speeches came in the midst of negotiations in the U.S. Senate to compose a financial reform bill similar to one that has already been passed in the House of Representatives.  Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wis., Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Carlos Santiago also spoke.

The House reform bill included provisions for allowing shareholders more say on executive pay packages, strengthening the Securities and Exchange Commission’s oversight of financial firms and creating a consumer protection agency.

Such reforms have been controversial in both the House and the Senate, with many Republicans, including Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, wary that further regulations could hurt business.

Legal Momentum, the women’s legal defense and education fund, applauds Rep. Gwen Moore’s (D-WI)  introduction of H.R. 4978, which would help victims of family access critical help and support when leaving abusive situations.  The bill would strengthen TANF’s anti-violence protections and make this vital family assistance program more accessible to domestic and sexual violence victims.

Irasema Garza, President of Legal Momentum, says, “Too often, victims of domestic violence confront an awful choice: either stay with an abuser, or sleep on the street. The recession has made the situation all the more critical: as employment rates dropped during the recession, rates of domestic violence climbed. H.R. 4978 is a vital step towards ensuring that victims get the help and support they need to begin building lives free of violence.”

HOME-ENERGY REBATES: Voting 246 for and 161 against, the House on Thursday passed a bill (HR 5019) authorizing rebates of up to $8,000 per home for energy-efficiency projects.

Modeled on the “cash-for-clunkers” law that spurred car sales last year, the program would last through 2012, cost $6 billion and benefit three million households with upgrades in areas such as heating, air-conditioning and insulation. Payments would go to the contractor for crediting to the property owner. The bill also would provide $600 million for state programs in which mobile-home owners could receive up to $10,000 for replacing pre-1976 homes with new, energy-efficient units. The bill is now before the Senate.

A yes vote was to pass the bill.