Category Archives: State Lawmakers

November 4, 2011 · 11:37 am

Concealed Carry In South Milwaukee

The sign above was posted on the front door of my church, Trinity Lutheran of South Milwaukee, last week, with the advent of the concealed carry law in Wisconsin on Tuesday.

The city, too, has also banned concealed weapons in city-owned buildings, including the City Hall complex and the library.

I’m wondering what other businesses, churches and organizations are doing to react to the law. Are weapons banned at your church or favorite restaurant or shop? Let me know what you’re seeing. And do you agree with the decision? Also, are you carrying, or expecting to carry, in the near future? If so, when and where? And why?

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October 26, 2011 · 9:04 pm

All Aboard!? Honadel, “The Mine Train” And Other Local Headlines Of Interest

South Milwaukee Rep. Mark Honadel is helping lead the charge to get new mining legislation passed through the Assembly by the end of the year.

The bill would help speed development of an iron mine near Ashland.

Check out the story in the Ashland Current. From it:

Republicans in the State Assembly say they’ll push ahead with a rewrite of Wisconsin’s mining laws and could have something passed by the end of this year.

Ever since the State Senate set up a special committee to study and rewrite Wisconsin’s mining laws, many assumed that any mining bill would have to start there first. But South Milwaukee Republican Representative Mark Honadel says the Assembly won’t wait.

“I think the iron mine train starts today,” Honadel says.

The iron mine in question is being proposed for a stretch along Iron and Ashland Counties. It would be the largest in the state. The company proposing it thinks Wisconsin’s current mining laws are onerous. Honadel says they will be changed.

“Part of our agenda is to make the bill a little more friendly to anybody that wants to come here and mine but yet keep our air and water permits intact to protect our beautiful Wisconsin Northwoods,” Honadel says.

And check out these other local headlines:

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October 14, 2011 · 10:19 pm

Larson Introduces Wisconsin Jobs Initiative

State Sen. Chris Larson has introduced a bill that would restore more than $34 million in funding cut from the Wisconsin Technical College System as part of the 2011-13 budget.

Learn more about the Wisconsin Jobs Initiative in this press release. From it:

Governor Walker and legislative Republicans recently cut funding to WTCS by 30 percent, forcing schools to scale back important job training programs. This has created waitlists of one to six years for most, if not all, of Wisconsin’s job training programs, including nursing, welding, automotive maintenance, and accounting. As a result, many local businesses, including Caterpillar and Molded Dimensions, have family-supporting jobs available but lack the qualified skilled workers to fill them.

“Since announcing this legislative initiative, we have been hearing more and more reports from our local businesses about the need to fund education, especially at our technical colleges,” said Sen. Larson. “The Wisconsin Jobs Initiative fills this vital need and we should pass it immediately.”

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September 8, 2011 · 8:50 am

Wisconsin Wins: Honadel Proposes “Tryout Period” For Unemployed Job Seekers

South Milwaukee Rep. Mark Honadel has proposed a unique jobs bill that would give recipients of unemployment a chance to take part-time “training jobs” as a potential path to full-time employment — all while continuing to receive unemployment benefits.

Check out the press release here. From it:

“We must be open to new, creative solutions to get people back to work,” Honadel said.  “My plan will help match employers with potential employees for training that may lead to full-time jobs.”

What do you think of the proposal? Post your comments below!

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August 11, 2011 · 12:09 pm

Honadel Seeks To Curb Mob Violence

South Milwaukee Rep. Mark Honadel is “exploring new legislation that would bring stiffer penalties for those who take part in mob violence,” according to a press release I received.

Check out the full release here. From it:

Other states are enhancing their laws pertaining to mob action, including Illinois where legislation was introduced in June. The need to update the laws is due in part to changing technology that enables the ease and speed to organize through social networking groups.

Honadel is in the process of drafting a bill and looks forward to working with his colleagues on bringnig forward this important legislation.

I applaud Mark for this. Anything to help deter what happened at State Fair or on July 3 should be pursued.

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June 12, 2011 · 7:44 pm

Updating the Mining Bill Being Authored by Mark Honadel …

The Journal Sentinel has an interesting story about the controversial mining bill being authored in the Assembly by South Milwaukee Rep. Mark Honadel.

Interestingly, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce is running ads in favor of the bill … and it hasn’t even been introduced it.

Check out the story here.

And check out my previous post on this pending legislation.

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