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Wisconsin GOP Picks Kremlin Over The Heartland PDF Print E-mail
News - Articles for State & Local
Written by Democratic Party of Wisconsin   
Tuesday, 13 December 2016 11:17

putinRussian espionage was used to meddle with our Presidential Election, and Ryan, Priebus, Johnson, and Duffy should stand up for our country and call for an immediate investigation into Russia's actions. It is not a Democratic or Republican priority, it is an American priority.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 December 2016 12:57
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Christmas Eve Music and Fun from Our Valley to Your Radio PDF Print E-mail
News - Articles for State & Local
Written by Kathleen Vinehout, State Senator 31st District   
Tuesday, 13 December 2016 10:42

christmas-santaThe Big River Radio Wave will present a show on Wisconsin Public Radio this Christmas Eve that is a combination of music, comedy and rural holiday wisdom. The show includes the rich local talent from western Wisconsin – names that many in the area will recognize.


ALMA, WI - Looking for a homegrown Holiday treat for Christmas Eve? Look no further than your radio for a special holiday performance from Wisconsin’s beautiful west coast.

Big River Radio Wave’s Christmas Show airs on Wisconsin Public Radio across Wisconsin on Christmas Eve. The show comes straight from our valley to your radio.

The show originates at the renovated Big River Theater in Alma, Wisconsin. In fact, the creator and host, Mac Cherry, is my neighbor.

This year’s Holiday show weaves local musicians, storytellers, and comedians with their very special bit of advice. The show is upbeat, funny and filled with rural holiday wisdom, like comedian Tim Harmston’s counsel for “navigating the political divide at Christmas.”

Big River Radio Wave Christmas Show features the La Crosse band String Ties. Voted “the Best Band of the Coulee Region,” their music celebrates the hills of the upper Mississippi (according to their Facebook page) through an acoustic blend of Gospel, Swing, Folk and Old Time Country.

I caught up with Mac Cherry when we were both snowbound on a recent Sunday afternoon.

I asked Mac about the origins of the show. He told me, “We had the theater for a few years. We had different types of talent appear, good names in the area…having lived in the Twin Cities and moved from Milwaukee, I was surprised and impressed with all the indigenous talent...plus we had national talent coming from the Cities. Folks, who wanted to come to our area, perform and stay for a while. I thought it would be kind of fun to do a variety show with so much rich talent available.”

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Local Taxpayers Still Paying for Republican K12 Cuts PDF Print E-mail
News - Articles for State & Local
Written by Wisconsin Assembly Democrats   
Tuesday, 13 December 2016 10:27

school-closedProperty Taxpayers continue to vote to increase taxes to make up for state budget cuts.


MADISON - On Monday, Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) released an updated memo he requested from the state’s Legislative Fiscal Bureau on operating referenda passed for school districts that include the most recent November election results.

The memo shows since Governor Walker and Republicans have begun enacting their cuts to education, taxpayers in 139 school districts have agreed to raise their own property taxes through non-building school operating referenda by nearly $630 million since 2011. The updated numbers show that since May 2016 when Rep. Hintz originally released the memo, 23 more referenda have received approval with $20,380,000 in additional authority approved across the state.

gordon_hintz“Wisconsin used to be a place where legislators from both sides of the aisle recognized that sufficiently funding public schools was a major priority,” said Rep. Hintz. “Governor Walker and Republicans have clearly demonstrated they don’t hold those same values. But taxpayers are showing through overwhelming approval levels and hundreds of millions of dollars in referenda, that funding public schools is still important to them.”

Since taking control of state government, Governor Walker and Republicans have rapidly shifted priorities in the state. They have placed a strong emphasis on diverting hundreds of millions in state resources toward tax breaks that primarily benefit the wealthy and on expanding the school choice program. During this time, public school classrooms have been one of the biggest victims, receiving over one billion dollars in funding cuts.

“Taxpayers know what happens in states that don’t invest in education,” Rep. Hintz said. “This updated memo again demonstrates that Wisconsinites are willing to use money from their own pockets to avoid our children having to struggle under cuts to our public school classrooms. If Republicans were appropriately funding schools this simply would not be happening.”

“It is a constitutional obligation in Wisconsin to adequately fund equal opportunity, public education,” said Rep. Hintz. “Enough is enough. Our local schools should not have to go to referendum just to keep their doors open. Republicans in Madison should do their jobs and not push that cost onto the property taxpayer.”

Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 December 2016 10:35
 
GOP Failing On Wisconsin Jobs PDF Print E-mail
News - Articles for State & Local
Written by Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Brandon Weathersby   
Friday, 09 December 2016 14:15

manufacturingFor 5 years, Wisconsin Republican's failed agenda has left Wisconsin trailing the national average in private sector job growth, while they continue to funnel tax-payer money to their big campaign donors and companies that ship our jobs overseas.

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2017 Looks Like a Great Time to Move to a Better Home PDF Print E-mail
News - Articles for State & Local
Written by Bruce Nemovitz, Realty Executives   
Friday, 09 December 2016 09:31

home-gbProperty values, at least in the 4-county Milwaukee-Metro area, have rebounded after the recession and next year is showing so many positive signs for sellers. It may be the perfect time to make that move to a better lifestyle.


BROOKFIELD, WI - Just think about where the real estate market and stock market have been in the recent past and how far they have come! We tend to focus on now and forget just how fortunate the past 8 years have been in our respective markets. The Dow Jones average during the bear market of March 9th, 2009 hit a low of 6,507. Today’s market as I write this article, it has risen to 19,504.02! That is roughly a 300% increase from low up to today’s all-time high. Our real estate market has followed that same pattern but not with the same incredible increase. Most areas in the 4-county Milwaukee-Metro area reached a high price point in May of 2006. Then the recession began, with prices dropping about 20%-25% to a low point in 2012. We have now recouped most of that loss and almost back to 2006 highs. Now that is impressive!

So where do we go from here? How do we use our knowledge of real estate pricing patterns to our advantage? Do we hold on putting off our move so we can cash in on more appreciation or do we make our move now and enjoy the fruits of the last 8 years appreciation in property values?

bruce-jeanne-nemovitzI purposely coupled Dow Jones and real estate for a reason. Both are connected by investor predictions and confidence. When the stock market increases, it is a future prediction by investors that tomorrow will be better than today. Since the market has shot up in past years it is the consensus that next year may be a great year for investors and the economy. The real estate market is considered critical to our economy succeeding or failing. Therefore it is my belief that next year will be a great year for sellers! I believe property values will increase about 6%-8% for the entire year of 2017. I also believe stock prices will probably follow that same trend.

Did you know when you sell your property; in most cases you will pay no taxes to the government as to your gain? If you have lived in your home for 2 of the last 5 years, and it is your primary residence, you are exempt up to $250,000 in gain if you are single, and up to $500,000 in gain for a married couple. If you sell next year, your equity in your home is a powerful asset to use in any way you wish. Many will sell and then buy or move into an apartment. So many folks are waiting and trying to “time” the market, meaning holding off making a move until the exact right time for the greatest financial gain. That thinking may work for some, but for too many a needed move is postponed until a move becomes essential. Then a planned move may not be possible and you may be in crisis management. There is nothing worse than to have a condition dictate a quick move from your long-time home!

2017 may be the best year to put your lifestyle front and center. Whether you decide to stay in your home or make your move, your financial wellbeing will not suffer either way. I anticipate appreciation but also anticipate a rise in mortgage interest rates. This could be a catalyst to bring out buyers who have been on the fence. Therefore, when interest rates rise, the initial change is positive for sellers. But if that rate continues to escalate it then will work in reverse as to the equity in your home. Each percentage of interest increase will lessen the buying power for purchasers and eventually begin to lower home prices. I believe we will see a slow rise in rates, but 2018 may then stabilize or possibly reverse the upward trend of home prices. There will also be many homes owned by baby boomers going on the market as downsizing will be the theme for our 60-70 year old cohort. More homes also mean lower prices. This parade of homes entering the market has already begun. It will gain momentum in the coming years. This too may stabilize home prices or reverse the upward trend.

In summary, 2017 is showing so many positive signs for sellers. It may be the perfect time to make that move to a better lifestyle. You can invest the money you don’t use in the stock market which should mirror the home sale market. Either way, if a move is in your future; your timing could not better as a home seller. I wish you all the best and a very happy and prosperous New Year!

****

Bruce Nemovitz is a Senior Real Estate Specialist, as well as Certified Senior Advisor. Bruce has sold residential homes in the four county Milwaukee-Metro areas for 35 years. He has published a book called “Moving in the Right Direction”, A Senior’s Guide to Moving and Downsizing. Bruce has just written his second book for the children of seniors, “Guiding Our Parents in the Right Direction”, Practical Advice about Seniors Moving from the Home They Love. This book is now available at www.GuidingOurParents.com. Past articles about moving and downsizing and other important information can be found at www.BrucesTeam.com.  Bruce received the 2010 “Realtor of the Year” from the 3,800 membership of the GMAR (Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors). Bruce is a featured speaker at several senior communities in the Milwaukee-Metro area. His discussions center on the challenge of moving from a long time home into a senior apartment or community. He has been listed in Milwaukee Magazine’s 5-Star Agents list for the last three years in a row. As such, he’s one of only a handful of Realtors who are continually included in the top 7% in client satisfaction in the Milwaukee Metro area. He’s rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, and was a finalist for Concordia College’s Ethical Business Leadership Award.  He works with his wife Jeanne at Realty Executives Integrity.

Last Updated on Friday, 09 December 2016 10:10
 
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