Government

Two Walker administration officials have been touring the state getting feedback on what residents would like to see  to improve the business climate and lower taxes. Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and Revenue Secretary Rick Chandler talked with Northwoods residents Friday at Nicolet College in Rhinelander. Kleefisch says property taxes paying for schools is dealt with in different ways in other states....  

Two top state officials met face-to-face with local residents to talk about ways the state can lower the tax burden. A fact-finding event, both officials said that input would be part of a report they will file. Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and Revenue Secretary Rick Chandler met with business, non-profit, education and economic development representatives, among others. Chandler said Wisconsin has fallen to the tenth highest taxed state in the nation. He says the Republican administration would like tax reform to be a main component when building a better business climate...  

Wisconsin municipalities spend more than the national average on policing, a new report finds.  The Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance finds communities spent an average of $288 dollars per person in 2011 – the 12th highest rate in the nation. 

Stephanie Rubin, policy research analyst for the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, says that spending went up more than 18 percent between 2007 and 2011. 

 The Rhinelander School District's Assistant Superintendent has sued the school district saying he was not compensated properly following a 2007 settlement agreement. The lawsuit was filed last Thursday in Oneida County Circuit Court.  David Wall is saying the district did not abide by the terms of the agreement by not giving him annual wage and benefits increases of 3.8 percent. The 2007 agreement with administrative members included performance increases, though the floor was set at 3.8 percent. Wall was given a new, three year contract in 2012.

The state Department of Transportation would like the local counties to cut back on the use of road salt as supplies are running low. Oneida County Highway Commissioner Freeman Bennett says the counties are contracted by the state to keep the roads clear. Wednesday, DOT officials said the long, hard winter has taken a toll on salt supplies. Bennett says they will be adjusting how much salt is applied on certain roads....  

State lawmakers are expected to hear testimony Thursday on a bill that could spell changes for Common Core education standards. 

State Superintendent Tony Evers is appealing to parents and educators to speak out against the legislation, which would put standards in the hands of a legislative committee. 

In a video message Evers called this a Waterloo moment in Wisconsin education. 

  Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and state Revenue Secretary Rick Chandler will be in Rhinelander Friday to talk about tax reform. KIeefisch says the roundtable is designed to get input on state taxes...  

A growing backlog of cases in the Vilas County District Attorney's office has led the Lac du Flambeau tribe to offer $25,000 to help fund a part-time Administrative Secretary position.

The tribe presented the money this week to Vilas county officials. The money is matched by Vilas county contribution over three years.

Many of the cases in waiting are from Lac du Flambeau.

Though a new Department of Tourism ad doesn't feature much of northern Wisconsin, a Northwoods tourism leader says it will do good things for this region and the state.

The ad revealed this week, shows a remake of the former "Airplane" movie scene with Robert Hays and Kareen Abdul-Jabbar in a cockpit touring the state by air.

Vilas county officials are investigating the death of a 49 year old St. Germain man.

Sheriff Joe Fath says Wade Willey was found Saturday evening dead and frozen to the ground. Fath says Willey was last seen about 1:00 a.m. Saturday. Fath says they think Willey succumbed to the extremely cold weather. Fath says alcohol may have been a factor in the death.

The Vilas County Coroner and the Sheriff's office continue to investigate.