TUE News Summary: Reports finds continued problems at youth prisons; WILL sues over wedding barn issue

Lincoln Hills youth prison not keeping inmates’ cells ‘suicide resistant,’ monitor finds
… report is the first from a court-appointed monitor … “Most youth rooms were not clean and organized,” Teresa Abreu, the monitor, wrote. “Several rooms had multiple blankets/sheets covering large areas of the room making it difficult for staff to assess whether there is contraband that can be harmful to youth inside the rooms or assessing youth activity while in bed. … Most rooms had graffiti and etching on the glass which makes it difficult for staff to clearly see the youth through the window. Additionally, room checks should be more frequent and accurately documented on an individual basis.” … Guards continue to use pepper spray in situations when they shouldn’t, Abreu wrote. … [found low morale in 25 staff interviews] “the majority said they are tired, frustrated and barely see their families and friends,” she wrote. They do not feel safe or properly trained. … spoke to about 40 inmates, who said they lacked meaningful programming and spent too much time confined in their rooms. … Evers toured the youth prison Friday, fulfilling a campaign pledge … told reporters he had a good visit and talked to both guards and inmates. “Certainly there’s a problem with staffing issues and we reviewed those issues,” Evers said. … discussed his tour in [GMC] speech … “Even though they’ve done some horrible things, the fact of the matter is they’re still kids and we still have to remember that.” DOC Sec. Carr statement: “I know we can do better. However, I am proud of the work our staff has done so far and appreciate their cooperation and dedication through this process.” Rehash Briggs’ attempted suicide. Baldauff for Evers, Juvenile Law Center’s Lindell comment. By Beck and Marley, MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
https://jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/14/2571003002/

WILL sues the state over wedding barn issue
WILL’s Vebber for Farmview Event Barn and The Weddin’ Barn filed suit in Dunn Co., naming Gov. Evers, AG Kaul, DOR Sec. Barca, arguing that the venues should not be required to hold liquor licenses [costing $thousands$ to acquire], follows then-AG Schimel opinion that barns are public spaces controlled by law – a departure from common practice. Suit seeks clarity on existing law, “With this administration, we don’t know where they’re going to go on this yet,” Vebber said. “We want a court to come in and say, ‘Hey, this is what the law means and everybody can move forward on that.'” Farmview’s Bahn: “I don’t want to be a tavern. I’m not open for people to just drive in when they want to and go up to the bar.” Tavern League of WI, alcohol wholesalers have advocated for licensing wedding barns. Legislative study committee in 2018 failed to agree on corrective language. Homestead Meadows’ Nagy vowed to be “very involved” in seeking remedy. By Ferral, THE CAPITAL TIMES
https://madison.com/ct/c9c50e7e-14fb-5911-9e79-d74f27801e92.html

Evers Sells Vision to Local Leaders
Governor urges business leaders to help two parties find common ground on tough issues. … [Monday] at the University Club. … at the annual meeting of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, detailed a vision for the state centered around education, criminal justice reform, transportation policy and healthcare funding. … also took a number of questions … on Foxconn, voucher schools and Wisconsin’s Latino community. “This is a pro-business administration that cares about the people of Wisconsin,” said Evers, putting a twist on … Walker’s “open for business” tagline. … “At the end of this going to be an incredibly complex budget,” Evers predicted. … [despite Fitzgerald’s pondering tossing Evers’ budget and creating his own, Evers is] optimistic that “common ground” can be found on a number of issues. “At the end of the day I think that there is more that unites us than divides us,” he said. … [Evers budget is] certain to [accept federal Medicaid expansion] “We need that money to expand healthcare in Wisconsin.” … [said refusing] the funding has cost Wisconsin taxpayers more than $1 billion. … [certain to boost] education funding. … Drawing a few laughs, Evers told the audience: “for the first time ever, [Speaker] Robin Vos has agreed with me, two-thirds funding is important.” … “It’s really time for the state of Wisconsin to form a better relationship with the greater Milwaukee area … Issues around shared revenue are huge,” said Evers, while Mayor Tom Barrett … applauded so quickly that he was the only one to do so, drawing laughter from the room. … Evers, fresh from a visit to Lincoln Hills youth prison, said criminal justice reform would be a key component of his administration. … touted a program in Texas that yields $9 in savings for every $1 in spending and reduces recidivism. By Jannene, URBAN MILWAUKEE
https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2019/01/14/eyes-on-milwaukee

STORY TOPICS

WHITE HOUSE ^top^
– Democrats: Let Mueller do job, News reports say Trump hid details of meetings with Putin … Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union that Trump should be judged by his actions in response to questions about whether he was compromised by Russia and that investigations should “get past the innuendo.”
https://arkansasonline.com/news/2019/jan/14/democrats-let-mueller-do-job-20190114/

– John Nichols: 6 Questions William Barr Must Answer Before the Senate Weighs Confirming Him as Attorney General, If he fails to establish that he is committed to protect the Mueller probe and the rule of law, he simply has to be rejected. … how could he impartially oversee Robert Mueller’s work? … If the Justice Department ethics office recommends that Barr recuse himself from such oversight, would he do so? … Could Barr commit to ensuring that the investigation continues without [DOJ] interference … could Barr commit to making public Mueller’s [complete] findings … Does Barr think presidential documents could be subpoenaed [as Nixon was compelled to do] … Does Barr agree with statements made from legal scholars on both sides of the political aisle, that a sitting President could be indicted?
https://thenation.com/article/questions-william-barr-confirmation-attorney-general/

STATE GOVERNMENT ^top^
– Evers showing signs of support for request to move GBCI … As we’ve reported for a couple years now, Republican State Representative David Steffen (R-Howard) is pushing to close the prison, redevelop the land, and build a new prison elsewhere. … “This is incredibly encouraging, the fact that our new governor has already identified this as something that he’s open to and willing to work on, right away, what a great start to the new session,” said Rep. Steffen. … “It is the number one inmate-on-staff assaults, of all 36 facilities, it is the most expensive facility in terms of repairs, most expensive in terms of deferred maintenance.” … hopeful the provision to decommission GBCI will be included in the next state budget. … we’ll know more between March and July. Allouez Pres. Rafter: “people are coming together to solve a problem, for that I am very encouraged.” Evers did not respond.
https://wbay.com/content/news/504342321.html

– Evers calls for state jobs agency to focus on entrepreneurship
https://madison.com/ct/4f7b43dd-d88b-54ee-b355-b43d3e9d333e.html

– ‘This is a pro-business administration’: Tony Evers talks up his policy goals
https://jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/14/tony-evers-talks-entrepreneurship-wedc-emphasises-startups/2568651002/

– Evers Talks Transportation Agenda, Criminal Justice Reform, Governor Also Calls For Regional Economic Development Approach
https://wpr.org/evers-talks-transportation-agenda-criminal-justice-reform

– Evers to consider gas tax increase, but would rather avoid a hike
https://bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2019/01/14/evers-to-consider-gas-tax-increase-but-would.html

– Evers wants to emphasize entrepreneurs, innovators … on Monday announced the formation of a new [WEDC] committee … that will focus on helping entrepreneurs. … [CEO HOgan] looks forward to developing the committee and working with them to “develop new and innovative ways to enhance our increasingly vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.” … Evers has been critical of the agency, but says he won’t propose doing away with it in his first budget.
https://fox6now.com/2019/01/14/governor-tony

– Evers calls for state jobs agency to focus on entrepreneurship … “Entrepreneurial traits like diversity, creativity, and resilience are critical components of success in our constantly-evolving global economy,” Evers said in a statement. “In order for Wisconsin’s economy to thrive, we must foster a culture that supports entrepreneurship and innovation.” [WEDC CEO] Hogan … looks forward to creating a committee that will work with entrepreneurs and foster innovation … “I appreciate that Governor Evers is focusing on this important issue.” Evers has said he will not try to axe the agency in his first budget, said lame-duck law “hampers my ability to lead on economic development, so we’re going to need to work around it,”
https://madison.com/ct/4f7b43dd-d88b-54ee-b355-b43d3e9d333e.html

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ^top^
– Sean Duffy On The New Reality TV Style Politicians … “You have to control the camera, that’s always important,” he said. “If you control the camera and you want to be real it can pretty beneficial, but there can be a downside as well…you gotta be authentic when you do it.” 27:21 audio
https://thefederalist.com/2019/01/14/congressman-sean-duffy-on-the-new-reality-tv-style-politicians/

– Trump and lawmakers paralyzed over shutdown as both sides remain dug in … “This is a crisis of Trump’s creation,” Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., said as she returned to the Capitol on Monday. “I hope my colleagues think about all of the people living paycheck to paycheck.”
https://duluthnewstribune.com/news/government-and-politics/4556878-trump-and-lawmakers-paralyzed-over-shutdown-both-sides-remain

– Ron Kind: Help offered during government shutdown … Many Wisconsinites have reached out to my office or stopped me while traveling throughout the state to ask how this shutdown will impact the services they rely on. While information on the shutdown remains fluid, I can provide a few answers to frequently asked questions about the shutdown: Answers FAQ about fed paychecks, taxes, passports, SNAP, taxes, USPS, SBA, FSA loans, SS/Medicare, VA.
https://lacrossetribune.com/70c2a988-65ce-523d-b07f-0813cdb34c73.html

– MacIver Newsmakers Podcast: Glenn Grothman on No Work Without Pay
http://maciverinstitute.com/2019/01/maciver-newsmakers

– New members, meet the ‘slush fund,’ Many Hill freshmen [including AOC, Omar, Romney] are already establishing leadership PACs despite association with abuse … [437 of 534] House and Senate members have one, and many say they can be helpful tools to support other politicians and the issues they care about. But the PACs are not subject to the same restrictions on personal spending as individual campaign committees … so-called The Accountability and Transparency Act that [Dem] Rice introduced with Wisconsin Republican Mike Gallagher and Washington Democrat Derek Kilmer was one of two bipartisan measures unveiled last Congress that aimed to prohibit the “personal” use of money raised through leadership PACs
https://rollcall.com/news/congress/new-members-meet-slush-fund

– Government Shutdown Leads To A Spike In Canceled Immigration Hearings … 10 states experiencing the most immigration hearing cancellations are California, New York, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Virginia, Maryland, Illinois and Pennsylvania. … [DOJ’s] Executive Office for Immigration Review, did not respond to requests for comment. A recorded message said that the press office is closed due to the government shutdown.
https://wpr.org/government-shutdown-leads-spike-canceled-immigration-hearings

AGRIBUSINESS ^top^
– Kind: Bailout funds earmarked for US farmers used to buy pork from Brazilian company … “By sending a $5 million check to Brazilian pork producers, the USDA is rubbing salt in the wound for the thousands of Wisconsin family farmers caught up in the President’s trade war,” said Rep. Ron Kind. “I am calling on Secretary Perdue to immediately stop sending Wisconsinites’ money to Brazil, and provide a full list of any foreign-owned companies getting the assistance American farmers so badly need.”
https://wisfarmer.com/story/opinion/editorials/2019/01/14/kind-calls-out-usda-using-bailout-funds-buy-pork-jbs/2575064002/

– Kind criticizes USDA for use of bailout funds
https://leadertelegram.com/news/local-briefs/kind-criticizes-usda-for-use-of-bailout-funds/article_b9dc3370-65f7-50a0-9d75-1bf76e383b79.html

– Rep Kind says it’s a farm crisis … told attendees at the La Crosse Chamber of Commerce monthly forum … “We had record bankruptcies last year and it’s looking to continue that trend this year. The shut down is just piling on. We’ve had historically low commodity prices over the last four years. The last thing they (farmers) need is for the Farm Service administrative offices and programs they deliver to be shut down right now,” Kind said. With :49 video
https://wxow.com/news/top-stories/2019/01/14/rep-kind-says-its-a-farm-crisis/

– Some WI Producers Worried About Tight Supply Of Hay For Livestock
https://wpr.org/some-wisconsin-producers-worried-about-tight-supply-hay-livestock

– CAFO meeting set in Jefferson Feb. 7
http://wdtimes.com/174fa362-1822-11e9-a268-ff7f591d8727.html

COURTS ^top^
– Lawyers for man accused in Jayme Closs kidnapping have had run-ins with state regulators … Charles Glynn and Richard Jones are representing Jake Thomas Patterson … Jones was reprimanded by state regulators in 1992 for having a sexual relationship with a client he was representing in her divorce. … In 2000, Glynn was convicted of felony theft after authorities discovered he had taken nearly $80,000 from clients … sentenced to three years of probation, including four months in jail. … Supreme Court reinstated his law license in 2011 after Glynn asked the court to do so. Prior to being licensed, in June 1991, Glynn pled guilty to using a lobbyist’s credit card to pay $871 for Amtrak trip to Baltimore for himself and then-Sen. Ulichny in 1988. PD’s Kraft: “Mistakes that were addressed decades ago are not relevant to what is important now — which is effectively representing our client.”
https://jsonline.com/story/news/local/wisconsin/2019/01/14/2571053002/

EDUCATION ^top^
– Evers Aims To ‘Fully Fund’ Public Schools: Evers’ inaugural: “We talked about what’s best for our kids is best for our state. And that means we need to fully fund our public schools at every level.” GBSD Supt. Lagenfeld: “I’ve never felt more hopeful about the investment in children, in public education in the state.” Senate Ed chair Olsen: “I don’t know if our dollar amounts are the same as his dollar amounts, but I’m hoping that this could be a good compromise area. … he’s been in education his whole life. That is, I think, his main priority. Gov. Walker, he had many other priorities to deal with.” WILL’s Flanders: “Remember that there’s 35,000 kids that are using vouchers, that are using alternatives. And for those families, those seem to be the best means of education.” Evers would require voucher costs appear on residents’ property tax bills — something top voucher cities, Milwaukee and Racine, are already doing on their own.
http://wuwm.com/post/gov-tony-evers-aims-fully-fund-public-schools

– These Are The Democrats Supporting The LA Teachers Strike: Sens. Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are among the likely presidential contenders supporting the strike: includes AOC, Progressive Caucus co-chairs Pocan and Jayapal
https://huffingtonpost.com/entry/5c3d2db6e4b0922a21d7dc4f

– Milton School Board puts referendum on ballot, supports pool repairs
https://gazettextra.com/news/education/milton-school-board-puts-referendum-on-ballot-supports-pool-repairs/article_910cb058-e5a7-50ca-a30a-24efaa4298ec.html

ENVIRONMENT ^top^
– La Crosse officials hope for middle ground [with DNR] on marsh lead cleanup
https://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/la-crosse-officials-hope-for-middle-ground-on-marsh-lead/article_3e6ea730-274f-52d0-b53f-d7a69b3cf7e0.html

IOWA ^top^
– 2019 Iowa legislative session gavels in with focus on bipartisan cooperation … emphasis on mental health, education funding, and workforce training.
https://dailyiowan.com/2019/01/14/2019-iowa

– Partial U.S. government shutdown impacts Iowa agriculture
https://dailyiowan.com/2019/01/14/partial-u-s

– Iowa gun-rights amendment hits setback because of ‘bureaucratic oversight error,’ A GOP-led initiative to add the right to bear arms to the state Constitution will be setback until at least 2022, lawmakers learned Monday.
https://dailyiowan.com/2019/01/14/iowa-gun

LAW AND ORDER ^top^

– Report: Pepper Spray, Solitary Confinement Continue At Wisconsin Youth Prisons
https://wpr.org/report-pepper-spray-solitary-confinement-continue-wisconsin-youth-prisons

– Priest abuse: Fourth case involved sleeping victim
https://wausaudailyherald.com/story/news/2019/01/14/wisconsin-priest-abuse-fourth-charge-filed-against-thomas-ericksen/2565251002/

MANUFACTURING ^top^
– Milton’s Freedom Graphic Systems named finalist for state Manufacturer of the Year
https://gazettextra.com/news/local/milton-s-freedom-graphic-systems-named-finalist-for-state-manufacturer/article_52d04a76-455a-5e01-9d75-a1b11a2e04ec.html

MILITARY ^top^
– ‘Mission Wisconsin’ aims to recruit veterans
http://rivernewsonline.com/main.asp?SectionID=6&SubSectionID=59&ArticleID=84023

FORESTRY AND MINING ^top^
– Oneida County stumpage revenue surpasses $2 million, Gillette-Wickham property to stay on the silent side
http://lakelandtimes.com/Content/News/News/Article/Oneida-County-stumpage-revenue-surpasses-2-million-/9/9/45132

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY ^top^
– While state cigarette smoking rates are down, local health officials are most worried about e-cigarettes
https://leadertelegram.com/news/front-page/while-state-cigarette-smoking-rates-are-down-local-health-officials/article_a804e4d8-8d23-54c9-bd6b-5aa34936b486.html

REAL ESTATE ^top^
– ‘It’s hideous’: Bay View residents bristle at towering three-story mansion being built by Ald. Tony Zielinski … When finished, the house will feature floor-to-ceiling windows on its front side and a clear view of Lake Michigan across Bay View Park. The garage will be nearly as big as many of the surrounding houses. … neighborhood full of post-World War I bungalows and colonials.
https://jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2019/01/14/bay-view-residents-bristle-ald-zielinskis-new-three-story-mansion/2539995002/

REGULATION ^top^
– Wedding barn owners, conservative legal group plan suit against Evers administration to settle debate over liquor licenses
https://jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/15/wedding-barn-owners-plan-suit-against-evers-administration/2569217002/

– Conservative Group Plans Lawsuit On Behalf Of Wedding Barns
https://wpr.org/conservative-group-plans-lawsuit-behalf-wedding-barns

– Hosting while black: [WalworthCo] Landowner who staged Grateful Dead event says fine is racially motivated … Nearly 300 people attended Wisco Family Love Fest in June at a tree farm about four miles from where Dead & Company performed two nights at Alpine Valley. … [host] John Neighbors, 37, said a friend suggested the event, for which they charged people $100 to spend up to three nights at his property on County Highway ES. Nearly 300 people spent the weekend partying, camping, listening to other bands, and shuttling back and forth to the Dead show. … fines totaling $3,900 for operating a campground without the proper permit … His attorneys, Daniel Necci and Cody Horlacher, say their client is the victim of selective prosecution and that the citations should be dismissed. … seeking $3.5 million in compensatory and punitive damages for racial discrimination. County zoning officer Sigmund said he was responding to complaint.
https://jsonline.com/story/news/local/wisconsin/2019/01/14/host-grateful-dead-related-weekend-says-fine-based-race/2530322002/

SMALL BUSINESS ^top^
– Meeting focuses on next step in Small Business Revolution … Thursday … next step in Deluxe’s “Small Business Revolution — Main Street” competition. … 6 p.m. in the UWGB-Marinette Campus cafeteria.
https://ehextra.com/Content/News/News-Articles/Article/Meeting-focuses-on-next-step-in-Small-Business-Revolution/12/35/52151

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ^top^
– State Laws Slow Down High-Speed Internet for Rural America: several states limit rural coops to delivering only electric service.
https://pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2019/01/11/state-laws-slow-down-high-speed-internet-for-rural-america

TRIBES ^top^
– Bad River Band calls for site remediation following Enbridge helicopter crash
https://kbjr6.com/homepage/2019/01/14/bad

UTILITIES ^top^
– Power line opponents assemble ‘a-plus team’ to question needs, benefits … Environmental Law and Policy Center is representing the Driftless Area Land Conservancy and the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation in their efforts to block the $500M [Cardinal-Hickory Creek] line between Dubuque and Madison. … a joint venture of American Transmission Co., Dairyland Power Cooperative and ITC Midwest. ELPC dir. Learner estimates the total cost will end up close to $2B, goals better achieved using in-state solar, storage, load management and energy efficiency. ELPC hired Wellinghoff, Konidena, Cusick. DALC to ask PSC for $80K intervenor funds to cover half cost of experts.
https://madison.com/wsj/d2c79b95-ef1f-50f5-b2b1-4c380f6b9227.html

– Area residents ask PSC to set rules for solar facility sites
http://wdtimes.com/8d6e71c8-1821-11e9-b739-9f3fb1dc834f.html

EDITORIALS ^top^
– CT Editorial: MTI right: Collective bargaining is issue for School Board candidates
https://madison.com/ct/febe781c-6636-52dd-bfaa-e800ea75566e.html

– KN editorial: Vaping ordinance a good step toward improving public health
http://kenoshanews.com/77f5b4d2-297e-5f82-adc2-d453c34ebfe1.html

COLUMNS ^top^
– Dave Zweifel: End cruel and senseless wildlife-killing games
https://madison.com/ct/182f9e52-b91e-52f4-93eb-d6057b493bf7.html

– Ambassador Tom Loftus: ‘Politico gerrymandus’: a cautionary tale of the gerrymandered politician
https://madison.com/ct/3dc0d059-4f58-571c-89ae-672fade0e39a.html

– George Mitchell: Revenue not keeping up with state transportation needs
https://rightwisconsin.com/2019/01/14/revenue-not-keeping-up-with-state-transportation-needs

– Kalena Thomhave: Why Scott Walker’s Welfare Legacy Will Outlast Him, Although Walker was ousted from the governorship by progressive Tony Evers, the state legislature has ensured that Wisconsin will remain a model for abusing the poor.
https://prospect.org/article/why-scott-walker‘s-welfare-legacy-will-outlast-him

– Bill Kaplan: How Shutdown Is Hurting State, Impact on farmers, Native Americans, food processing companies and more.
https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2019/01/14/op-ed-how

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