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17 Jul 2011 11:01

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Politics: Scott Walker: Yeah, we made mistakes on handling that union thing

  • The mistake I made early on is, I looked at it almost like the head of a small business: identify a problem, identify a solution and go out and do it. I don’t think we built enough of a political case, so we let … the national organizations come in and define the debate while we were busy just getting the job done.
  • Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker • Discussing, during the National Governor’s Association meeting in Salt Lake City, the whole anti-union saga that has engulfed his state for a good four or five months now. Walker has faced tons of criticism from the left over the law, which passed in a sneaky behind-the-back way at the end of a lengthy holdout by numerous Democrats in the state senate — and was later upheld in court after a proxy battle over a judge’s election favored Walker’s law. Many Republicans who voted for the measure face a recall vote in August, and Walker could face one of his own in 2012. source

15 Jun 2011 10:25

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Politics: Scott Walker: We always knew we could ignore open meetings law

  • I think it was something that we just believed that the legislature has always had the ability to do no matter if it was Democrats or Republicans in charge.
  • Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker • Reacting to the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision (read it here) allowing Walker’s collective bargaining bill to go through because the state’s opening meetings law doesn’t apply to legislators. What did they have the ability to do, Scott, ignore the spirit of the law by holding a vote with two hours notice, because they felt it didn’t cover them, and wait for the state Supreme Court to prove them right? As you might guess, Democrats aren’t exactly thrilled by this decision. Not only the decision itself, but the fact that a law designed to prevent things like this essentially doesn’t apply to legislators, and now the Democrats will have to rewrite the state constitution to put that protection back in. Republicans on the other hand, are thrilled. This situation is a total mess, no matter what way you look at it. source

09 Apr 2011 17:11

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U.S.: What’s next in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election dramarama?

  • state Despite the much-wider difference in vote count after Waukesha County’s tally suddenly jumped, it’s still close enough that a statewide recount could take place.
  • county Another option, which would cost JoAnne Kloppenburg money, would be a recount in Waukesha County alone. Incumbent Justice David Prosser is open to this.
  • federal And some, including U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, want Attorney General Eric Holder to scrutinize Waukesha County’s results. Which would be fun. source

06 Apr 2011 09:42

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World: Hotly-contested Wisconsin judicial election faces recount

  • vote A vote for a State Supreme Court seat between incumbent David Prosser and Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg ended with fewer than 600 votes separating Prosser and the progressive Kloppenburg.
  • importance The vote is a key one — and a proxy battle — for Scott Walker, whose contentious anti-collective-bargaining act will likely face the State Supreme Court. The court currently favors conservatives to liberals, 4 to 3. source

31 Dec 2009 17:05

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U.S.: Montana Supreme Court: Jack Kevorkian should move here

  • We find nothing in Montana Supreme Court precedent or Montana statutes indicating that physician aid in dying is against public policy.
  • A decision by the Montana Supreme Court • Regarding the fate of Robert Baxter, who wanted to die with a doctor’s aid. He later died on his own. In other words, assisted suicide is now legal in middle-of-nowhere Montana. Montana: It’s where people go to die (with a doctor’s help). source

22 May 2009 15:46

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U.S.: Was Prop. 8 legal in California? The state supreme court weighs in

  • The backstory After the California Supreme Court overturned a law that made gay marriage illegal because it was discriminatory, those who opposed the law quickly put a ballot measure in place that would amend the constitution to define gay marriage as between a man and woman. Despite the gay rights movement’s best efforts, the law passed with 52% of the vote.
  • A second act? However, all may not be lost for gay marriage supporters. Immediately after Proposition 8 passed, it was challenged in court. The court heard summary judgments from both sides in March, and will decide whether the amendment was legal in the first place. The court will announce its decision Tuesday; rallies are planned no matter what happens. Get your popcorn ready. source

14 Apr 2009 10:02

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U.S.: Now’s a bad time to be a gay Iowa politician, due to death threats

  • Why the hate? Because gay marriage is legal in Iowa. State Sen. Matt McCoy, a Democrat from Des Moines, recently took a death threat by phone, apparently because he’s openly gay. Homosexuality in Iowa is a touchy issue at the moment due to the fact that the State Supreme Court recently legalized gay marriage in the state. We’re sure the guy behind the death threat is also behind this. source
 

09 Jan 2009 19:01

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U.S.: The other senator from Illinois isn’t happy about Burris

  • The rules of the United States Senate are clear. … At this point, we’ve clearly reached an impasse.
  • Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin • senior U.S. Senator from Illinois, on the appointment of Roland Burris without a signature from Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. Burris’ appointment by Rod Blagojevich was valid, according to the Illinois Supreme Court. • source