A discussion about the future of Wisconsin's busiest interchange and its place in southeastern Wisconsin's transportation system was held on February 4, 2010 at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. The Zoo Interchange provides connections between I-94, I-894 and US 45 in western Milwaukee County near the Milwaukee County Zoo, with more than 350,000 vehicles using it daily.
Senator Jim Sullivan and Tom Carlson, former Secretary of Transportation, spoke on transportation issues preceding the panel discussion. Panelists included Kenneth Yunker, executive director, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Craig Thompson, executive director, Transportation Development Assoc. of Wisconsin, Gretchen Schuldt, co-chair of Citizens Allied for Sane Highways, a coalition opposing freeway expansion in Milwaukee, Dan Devine, West Allis mayor and former Milwaukee Co. board member, and Ryan Luck, Project Construction Chief for Emergency Bridge Replacement, WISDOT.

Ag Day at the Capitol was held on February 3, 2010 at Monona Terrace in Madison. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau sponsored the annual event in which farmers and farm groups from across the state met to learn more about state issues and meet with their state legislators. Paul Zimmerman, Executive Director of Public Affairs, Wisconsin Farm Bureau briefed the group on issues. A panel of speakers included Casey Langan, Director of Public Relations, Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Bill Bruins, President, Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Representative Amy Sue Vruwink, Shelly Mayer, Executive Director, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, Representative Mike Huebsch, Jeff Lynn, Director of Government Relations, Wisconsin Farm Bureau, and Ron Kuehn, Dewitt Ross and Stevens.

The Wisconsin Stakeholders of the Clean Energy Roadshow met February 1, 2010 at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, Milwaukee, WI. The stakeholders meeting followed the Clean Energy Roadshow news conference.

Cardinal Stritch, in collaboration with Mount Mary College hosted a forum on January 28, 2010 at the University Club in Milwaukee entitled “American Indian Leadership: Living Our Legacy.” Preston Cosgrove, Coordinator of the Helen Bader Leadership Speaker Series introduced the panel on American Indian leadership which included Ada Deer, the former chair of the Menominee Tribe and former head of the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs, Rick Gonzalez, Alumni of Cardinal Stritch University, James DeNomie, Host/Producer of Voices from the Circle, Richanda Kaquatosh, Coordinator W.E.I.N.D.I.A.N.S. Program, and Dr. Sharon Durtka, International Educational Consultants of WI.

The Common Cause Forum “Whatever Happened to Good Government in Wisconsin" met on January 25, 2010 at Marquette University in Milwaukee. The moderator was Professor Barrett McCormick - Chair, Marquette Political Science Department, with panelists Political Science Professor John McAdams of Marquette University, Former Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann, State Representative Jeff Stone, State Senator Jim Sullivan and Executive Director Jay Heck of Common Cause in Wisconsin.

The Racine Tea Party held its first bonfire in Franksville. The event featured Joe the Plumber, Vicki McKenna and Dr. Tracey Purath. State Representative Robin Vos and Tim Dake of the Wisconsin Grandsons of Liberty announced a Healthcare Freedom Amendment to the State Constitution.

League of Women Voters Milwaukee County met on Saturday, January 16, 2009 at the Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee for a luncheon meeting to discuss "Milwaukee Public Schools: Governance, Structure, Programs & Finance."  The keynote speakers were Sister Joel Read, Retired President, Alverno College and Co-chair of the GMC's Education Committee, and Mayor Tom Barrett.

The Community Advocates Public Policy Institute hosted a “Making Parity Real” symposium on January 15, 2010 in Green Bay. The symposium explored mental health and addiction treatment in Wisconsin. It was hosted by David Riemer, Public Policy Institute director; and Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) and Rep. Sandy Pasch (D-Whitefish Bay), co-sponsors of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Act (SB-362 / AB-512), which in the last month has been voted out of both the Senate Committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue (5-2) and the Assembly Committee on Health and Healthcare Reform (8-5).
The Making Parity Real series asks local mental health/addiction stakeholders which state policy changes are most needed to ensure that men and women suffering from mental illness and addiction have access to the treatment they need to get well. Issues include the quantity, cultural competency and location of mental health and addiction treatment providers; strategies to reduce stigma; the adequacy of public and private funding sources; the ability of non-medical providers to administer treatment; and other non-financial barriers to receiving treatment services. Stakeholders include area treatment providers, advocates, the recovery community, consumers and law enforcement officials.
Based on information learned during this series the Public Policy Institute plans to present state lawmakers and policymakers with recommendations to close Wisconsin’s treatment gaps.

Competitive Wisconsin, Inc., the Wisconsin Business Council and the University of Wisconsin-Madison presented a “brown-bag” lunchtime speaker, UW-Madison Political Science Professor Charles Franklin on January 15, 2010 at the State Capitol. Professor Franklin specializes in the statistical analysis of polling and election results. Professor Franklin is also co-founder of Pollster.com where he provides frequent commentary and leads in the development of new ways to visualize polling results graphically, and creator of PoliticalArithmetik, "Where Numbers and Politics Meet."
Professor Franklin gave a brief presentation on current publicly available polling on a range of issues and topics that Pollster.com is tracking.
The goal of this series is to take advantage of some of the nationally and internationally renowned faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and create an opportunity for dialogue between them and legislative and administration staff on timely topics of interest to Wisconsin’s decision makers.

The Partnership for a Stronger Economy met on January 14, 2010 at the Iowa County Courthouse in Dodgeville, hosted by Rep. Steve Hilgenberg (D-Dodgeville) and Rep. Phil Garthwaite (D- Dickeyville). The taskforce was presented with local rural economic development initiatives to discuss regulatory fairness and reform and report on early progress of the taskforce.
The goal of the Partnership is to listen to individuals from across the state who are on the front lines of job creation to identify new initiatives to grow Wisconsin’s.
The Partnership is comprised of a diverse group of organizations including Wisconsin AFL-CIO, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, New North Inc., Wisconsin Business Council and the Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corporation and several private business owners.

The WBA Business Credit Availability Forum was held in conjunction with Wisconsin Economic Forecast Luncheon on January 14, 2010 at the Monona Terrace in Madison. The goal of the forum was to outline the factors impacting credit availability to businesses in Wisconsin. UW-Madison Professor Jim Johannes provided a background briefing on current lending trends. A panel discussion was held including representatives from the banking industry, government and other sectors.

The Wisconsin Economic Forecast Luncheon included business sector updates and forecasts. Jeff Mayers of WisPolitics.com and host for the luncheon presented a political forecast. UW-Madison Business School Dean Michael Knetter and Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Senior Economist Sam Kahan also spoke at the event which took place at Monona Terrace in Madison on January 14, 2010.

The Wisconsin Promise Education Conference took place on January 13, 2010 at the Monona Terrace in Madison. The Madison West High School Taiko Drummers performed. Keynote speaker Stephanie Pace Marshall spoke on “The New Story, Map, and Landscape of Learning and Schooling: A Call to Leadership.” 

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker (R) talked about his goals for the 2011 property tax levy, a pension obligation bond plan that produced savings, success on transit issues, controlling costs to benefit taxpayers and ways to maintain the county’s park system. Walker spoke at TAPCO in Brown Deer.

U.S. Representative Paul Ryan addressed the Financial Executives International-Madison Chapter at The Madison Club, Madison on January 11, 2010.

Local business and civic leaders gathered with education research experts at the University Club in Milwaukee on January 11, 2010 to discuss a new model for urban school reform. Business leaders and research experts from the Consortium on Chicago School Research (CCSR) at the University of Chicago discussed the CCSR, its findings, and the role it plays in contributing to school reform through research.
Nick Montgomery, Policy Analyst and Director of the Data and Practice Collaborative for CCSR, and Emily Krone, Senior Manager for Outreach and Publications for CCSR, spoke on CCSR’s role assisting with Chicago school reform by identifying what matters for student success and school improvement, creating critical indicators of progress, and conducting theory-driven evaluation to identify how programs and policies are working.
In addition to the school reform discussion, John Kissinger, Regional Vice President at GRAEF-USA Inc. and Mayor Tom Barrett provided updates on the Earn & Learn program.

The Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce and the Kenosha Area Business Alliance met at the Kenosha Country Club in Kenosha on January 11, 2010. U.S. Senator Russ Feingold spoke about key issues before the Senate including healthcare, the economy and employment.

U.S. Senator Russ Feingold held his first listening session of 2010 in Washington County on January 4, 2010 at the Schauer Arts and Activities Center in Hartford. Senator Feingold has pledged to hold listening sessions in all of Wisconsin’s 72 counties each year of his six-year term and this will be the Senator’s 18th year of holding listening sessions. These sessions will mark the first and second listening sessions of 2010 and the 1225th and 1226th since 1993.

U.S. Senator Russ Feingold held his second listening session of 2010 in Ozaukee County on January 4, 2010 at the Milwaukee Area Technical College – Mequon Campus. Senator Feingold has pledged to hold listening sessions in all of Wisconsin’s 72 counties each year of his six-year term and this will be the Senator’s 18th year of holding listening sessions. These sessions will mark the first and second listening sessions of 2010 and the 1225th and 1226th since 1993.

The Public Policy Forum held a luncheon on December 16, 2009 at the Italian Conference Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to discuss the impacts of stimulus funding in Southeast Wisconsin. Leaders from the public and private sectors were on hand for the event including the following: Pat Goss, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, Art Harrington, Attorney, Godfrey & Kahn, Sharon Robinson, Director of Administration, City of Milwaukee, State Representative Jeff Stone, and Mark Wagner, Vice President Government Relations for Johnson Controls. The panel was moderated by Dave Umhoefer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigative reporter.

The University of Wisconsin School of Business and American Family Insurance held an event as part of their Forward Thinking Speaker Series on December 14, 2009 at the Memorial Union Theater on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The theme of the series was "National Health Care Reform: Acting Nationally, Impacting Locally – What Will it Mean for You?" and was moderated by Sarah Carlson, News Anchor for NBC-15 in Madison, Wisconsin. The event was hosted by Dave Anderson, CEO of American Family Insurance and Mike Knetter, the Dean of the Wisconsin School of Business, and featured a panel comprised of the following healthcare officials: Dr. Frank Byrne, President, St. Mary's Hospital, Dr. Jeffrey Grossman, President and CEO of University Medical Foundation, Donna Katen-Bahensky, President and CEO of the University of Wisconsin Hospital, Dr. Geoffrey Priest, Chief Medical Officer of Meriter Hospital, Lon Sprecher, President and COO of Dean Health Insurance, and Jim Woodward, President and CEO of Meriter Hospital.

The Great Madison Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) held their final 'Eggs & Issues' program of 2009 on December 8, 2009 at the Concourse Hotel & Governor's Club in Madison. During the program, the topic was the economy and its impact on GMCC members. Panelists included: Jim Imhoff, Chairman and CEO of First Weber Group, Marshall Heyworth, COO for QTI Consulting, Inc., Tim Cooley, City of Madison Economic Development Director, and Jennifer Alexander, GMCC President.

A public hearing was held on December 3, 2009 in Ripon, Wisconsin to discuss Rosendale Dairy's request to expand their Fond du Lac County operation. The proposed expansion would double their number of dairy cows to 8,000 and increase the number of acres where they spread manure.

Continued coverage of the public hearing on the Rosendale Dairy Expansion, held December 3, 2009 in Ripon, Wisconsin.

Thrive held their biannual Collaboration Council event on December 2, 2009 at the Monona Terrace in Madison. During the event, the results from Thrive's Second Annual State of the Madison Region Report were announced and participants and regional leaders identified opportunities for the Madison region.

The Madison Rotary Club featured invited speaker David Wilson, Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Colleges and Extension to speak about the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin Idea in the 21st Century during their meeting on December 2, 2009 at the Inn on the Park in Madison.

The Milwaukee Area Labor Council held a meeting on December 2, 2009 in Milwaukee that highlighted the need for health insurance reform. Their panel of guests included Lois O'Keefe from the office of Representative Gwen Moore, and Susan Giaimo, a visiting assistant professor of political science from Marquette University, Representative Sandy Pasch, Fredierick Deboe, a family practice physician, JoAnn Anton, from the office of Senator Herb Kohl, and Vivian DeBech from the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans.

Democrats for Education Reform held a forum on December 1, 2009 as part of their Reforming Urban Education Speaker Series in Milwaukee. The featured speaker was Jon Schnur, Former Co-Chair of the Obama for President Education Policy Committee. Also at the event was Katy Venskus, the State Director for Democrats for Education Reform and Joe Williams, Executive Director of Democrats for Education Reform.

Rob Henken, Public Policy Forum of Milwaukee Executive Director, spoke on the topic of the Milwaukee County and city budgets at the Milwaukee Rotary Club's meeting held on November 24, 2009 at the Milwaukee County War Memorial.

The top executive of AT&T in Wisconsin spoke on the topic of how innovation in the telecommunications industry can help spur economic growth in Wisconsin. He spoke during the meeting of the Wisconsin Innovation Network on November 24, 2009 in Madison.

Hosted by WISCAPE on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus on November 17, the fall 2009 Wisconsin Idea Forum brought together policymakers, practitioners, students, scholars, and the public to discuss the current state of student financial aid in Wisconsin and the implications of the state’s changing student and workforce demographics. Participants included, Rebecca Martin, Senior VP for Academic Affairs, University of Wisconsin System; Carolyn "Biddy" Martin, Chancellor, University of Wisconsin–Madison; Amy Kerwin, Chief Guaranty Officer, Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation; Milly Dillman, State Coordinator, KnowHow2Go Wisconsin; Mary Gulbrandsen, Executive Director, Fund for Wisconsin Scholars; Amy Bechtum, Director, Office of the Wisconsin Covenant; Kevin Ingram, Director, Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Program, Dept. of Public Instruction, State of Wisconsin; Connie Hutchinson, Executive Secretary; Higher Educational Aids Board, State of Wisconsin.

Continued coverage of the WISCAPE: Fall 2009 Wisconsin Idea Forum with Julie Underwood, Dean of the School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Dennis Winters, Chief Economist, Office of Economic Advisors, Dept. of Workforce Development, State of Wisconsin; John Hoffmire, Director, Center on Business and Poverty, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Continued coverage of the WISCAPE: Fall 2009 Wisconsin Idea Forum with John Klacik, Director of Student Financial Assistance, Higher Education Coordinating Board, State of Washington; Wayne Sparks, Former Director, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Washington State University.

State Representative Gary Hebl and representatives from CWA 4603 of Milwaukee, League of Wisconsin Municipalities, and Wisconsin Association of PEG Channels met on November 17, 2009 at the State Capitol to discuss the passage of 2008 Act 42, the Video Competition Act, and how Rep. Hebl's Cable Consumer Repair Bill addresses their concerns.

Health care experts from Wisconsin addressed a forum on health care held on November 17, 2009 at the Madison Club in Madison, Wisconsin. Panelists from the forum included: Nick Turkal, CEO of Aurora Health Care, State Senator Alberta Darling (R) River Hills, Karen Timberlake, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and Larry Schreiber, President, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin.

A briefing was held at the State Capitol on November 17, 2009 in regards to education reform and mayoral governance. The briefing included a presentation by Professor Kenneth Wong from Brown University. Professor Wong has researched and written on urban school issues, including the success of mayoral governance of public school systems.

WMC, in partnership with the Marshfield Clinic, Pfizer Inc. and the Rauser Agency, and WPS Health Insurance hosted a series of briefings on November 11, 2009 at the Brookfield Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Brookfield Wisconsin. The briefings focused on the current status and substance of healthcare reform at both the state and federal level. The briefings featured Michael Tanner, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute, as well as an update from WMC staff on Wisconsin-specific healthcare legislation and WMC activities.

Milwaukee County Supervisors Marina Dimitrijevic and Chris Larson co-hosted a public meeting on November 5, 2009 at the South Shore Park Pavilion in Milwaukee to discuss the 2010 Milwaukee County Budget.

Steve Walters interviewed several Wisconsin officials regarding President Obama's visit to Madison where he discussed strengthening education in our state. Included are: Arlene Silveira, Madison School Board; Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison); Rep. Sondy Pope-Roberts (D-Middleton) ; Rep. John Lehman (D-Racine); Sen. Lena Taylor (D- Milwaukee); Rep. Jason Fields (D-Milwaukee); Rep. Tom Nelson (D-Kaukauna); Rep. Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee); and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett (D).

United States President Barack Obama visited Wright Middle School on November 4, 2009. Introduced by Governor Jim Doyle, the President spoke to students, faculty, and parents about the importance of education and the Race to the Top legislation.

The Coalition to Stop the MPS Takeover held a rally in the Rotunda of the Milwaukee City Hall on November 3, 2009. Speakers at the rally included: Wendell Harris: NAACP, Milwaukee Branch; Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Voces de la Frontera; Melissa Tempel, Educators’ Network for Social Justice; Kate O’Neil, Caucus of Rank and File Educators (Chicago); Tom Mueller, MICAH; Amy Stear, 9to5; Thomas Harris, People United for MPS; MPS School Board President Michael Bonds; Mike Langyel, President of the MTEA; Charisha Allen, Mothers of the Struggle; Charlie Dee, AFT 212; Alderman Tony Zielinski; and Tom White, President, Wisconsin State Conference of Branches – NAACP; Mary Glass, Chair of BNA; Jerry Hamilton, NAACP President – Milwaukee.

Continuing coverage of the Coalition to Stop the MPS Takeover's rally in the Rotunda of the Milwaukee City Hall on November 3, 2009.

Prominent business leaders and public officials will offered their views of the future, the challenges, opportunities, and potential pitfalls, during a forum held on November 2, 2009 at the Marquette University Alumni Memorial Union in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Panelists and speakers include Governor Jim Doyle, Badger Meter CEO Rich Meeusen, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, UWM Chancellor Carlos Santiago, MillerCoors Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility Kim Marotta, Foley & Lardner Attorney Barry Grossman, and Siemens Water Technologies Corporation Senior Vice-President Anselmo Teixeira.

Continued coverage of the Milwaukee 2015: Water, Jobs, and the Way Forward forum held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 2, 2009.

Continued coverage of the Milwaukee 2015: Water, Jobs, and the Way Forward forum held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 2, 2009.

Keynote address by Pedro Noguera, PhD., an expert on the ways schools are influenced by social and economic conditions in the urban environment. Noguera spoke at the Annual WEAC Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, held October 29, 2009.

WisconsinEye covered this breakout sessions at WEAC's Annual Convention on October 29, 2009, held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, called "It's About History AND Literacy: Integrating the Teaching of Wisconsin History" by Bobbie Malone from the Wisconsin Historical Society.

WisconsinEye covered this breakout sessions at WEAC's Annual Convention on October 29, 2009, held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, called "Correctional Education: Transforming Lives," by Margaret Done, DeNeal Ericksen, and Kay George, all from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and Correctional Education Association.

Supreme Court Justices N. Patrick Crooks and Ann Walsh Bradley and Former Lt. Governor Margaret Farrow spoke about reforming Supreme Court elections on October 26, 2009 during a public forum at the Waukesha County Technical College.

The Wisconsin Safety Council, the educational division of the business association Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, held a symposium for businesses October 23 on how to prepare for an influenza pandemic at the WSC Headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin.

On October 23rd, Rep. Black and Sen. Miller's Groundwater Work Group offered an informational tour in Plover and Oxford. Visits to the properties of Jerry & Gloria Duerr, Terry Romeo and Brian Wolf were on the tour. In addition, the tour went to the Little Plover River Wetlands Lab and the Rural Water Association. Rep. Corey Mason and Sen. Luther Olsen were also in attendance.

The Groundwater Work Group Informational Tour continues.

Governor Jim Doyle and First Lady Jessica Doyle hosted a ceremony honoring the recipients of the 2009 Governor's Awards in Support of the Arts. The ceremony took place at the Executive Residence in Madison on October 22, 2009.

Attorney J.B. Van Hollen hosted the 2009 Working Summit on Public Safety on October 22, 2009 at the Chula Vista Resort in the Wisconsin Dells. Attendees were given the opportunity to discuss their concerns, thoughts, and ideas with the Attorney General, Department of Justice staff, and colleagues from throughout the State.

ABC for Health's 15th anniversary of advocacy and benefits counseling for children and families included a panel discussion, “Wisconsin and Health Care Reform: Perspectives from Regulators, Policy Makers & Advocates” with speakers: Secretary of Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services Karen Timberlake, Commissioner of Insurance Sean Dilweg, Rep. Donna Seidel, Senator Mark Miller and ABC for Health’s Executive Director Bobby Peterson. The event took place on October 22, 2009 at the Best Western Inn on the Park in Madison, Wisconsin.

On October 21, 2009, Wisconsin Freight Rail Day was celebrated at the Inn on the Park in Madison, Wisconsin. Roger Breske, the Wisconsin Railroad Commissioner opened the event, which featured Tony Hatch, Wall Street Railroad Financial Analyst, as the keynote speaker.

Continued coverage of Wisconsin Freight Rail Day, held Octoer 21, 2009 at the Inn on the Park in Madison, Wisconsin.

Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton delivered the keynote address at the Racine Branch NAACP's 59th Freedom Fund Dinner on October 16, 2009 at the Racine Marriott.

Premier Gary Doer, who has been designated as the next Canadian ambassador to the United States, addressed opportunities for Wisconsin-Manitoba collaboration under a newly signed memorandum of understanding at the October 15 luncheon meeting of the Wisconsin Innovation Network in Madison.

The Joint Legislative Council, The Supreme Court Office of Judicial Education, and The Midwestern Office of Council of State Governments sponsored a symposium entitled "Adapting to Innovation: Historical Perspectives and Emerging Technologies" on October 14, 2009 in Madison. The first part of the symposium includes welcoming remarks from: Shirley S. Abrahamson, Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court; State Rep. Marlin D. Schneider, Co-Chair of the Joint Legislative Council; and Mike McCabe, Director of the Midwestern Office of Council of State Governments. Sen. Mark Miller moderated "Lessons Learned? Society's Reactions to Historical Innovations," a presentation by Bruce E. Seely, PhD, Dean of the College of Sciences and Arts at Michigan Technological University. Dr. Seely provided a historical perspective on technological innovations and how law and society have responded to them.

Continued coverage of the "Adapting to Innovation: Historical Perspectives and Emerging Technologies" symposium held on October 14, 2009 in Madison. Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson moderated "Getting Inside Your Head: The Science of Brain Imaging," a presentation by Richard J. Davidson, PhD, William James and Vilas Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Davidson described the technology and science behind brain imaging and its emergence as a tool to determine human thoughts and emotions, disorders, and behavioral tendencies.

Continued coverage of the "Adapting to Innovation: Historical Perspectives and Emerging Technologies" symposium held on October 14, 2009 in Madison. Rep. Marlin D. Schneider moderated "Locational Privacy: Who's Watching?" a presentation by Katherine Albrecht, Ed.D., Consumer Privacy Advocate. Dr. Albrecht shared information about how technological innovations used to locate property or individuals can infringe on personal privacy and the implications of the widespread use of these technologies by the government and private entities.

The Rotary Club of Madison met at Inn on the Park in Madison on October 14, 2009. Madison Police Chief Noble Wray spoke about gang and crime prevention in Madison.

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker participated in a dialogue about the future of the metro-Milwaukee Region and highlights of the 2010 County budget. The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce event took place on October 12, 2009 at the MMAC Offices in Milwaukee.

Annual Future Wisconsin conference was held October 10, 2009 at the Bluemound Gardens in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin and featured various speakers including Wisconsin Right to Life, First Freedoms Foundation, Americans for Prosperity, State Representatives Jim Ott and Rich Zipperer and State Senator Glenn Grothman.

Continuing coverage of the annual Future Wisconsin conference, held October 10, 2009 at the Bluemound Gardens in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Continuing coverage of the annual Future Wisconsin conference, held October 10, 2009 at the Bluemound Gardens in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

The Monroe Cultural Coalition hosted a forum on News Media and Democracy on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at the Monroe Arts Center in Monroe, Wisconsin. Peter Fox, executive director of Wisconsin Newspaper Association, moderated the panel discussion with guests: James Baughman, (former) director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at UW-Madison; Brady Williamson, attorney with Godfrey & Kahn; Tom Bier, station manage for Channel 3 - Madison; Jeff Rogers, editor of The Monroe Times; and Scott Thompson, attorney, owner, and talk show host of Green County Broadcasting or Big Radio.

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson met with Wisconsin farmers on October 7, 2009 at Hinchley Dairy Farm in Cambridge, Wisconsin. Johnson was joined by Wisconsin Farmers Union President Doug Caruso to discuss rural health care issues, the dairy crisis and other agriculture topics.

The Women in Science & Engineering Leadership Institute at UW-Madison sponsored "The Flexibility Stigma: How to make flexibility policies truly usable" public form, a Denice D. Denton Distinguished Lecture, on October 2, 2009 in Madison. The panel presentation and discussion included guests: Roberta Gassman, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development; Carolyn "Biddy" Martin, Chancellor of UW-Madison; Laurie Benson, co-Founder and former CEO of Inacom Information Systems, Owner of LB Unlimited; and Duncan Highsmith, former President and CEO of Highsmith, Inc.

The "Wisconsin Farmers: What to Eat" seminar took place on October 1, 2009 at UW-Madison. John Shutske, associate dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and leader of the Agricultural and Natural Resources program with UW-Extension Cooperative Extension, introduced the panelists: Bill Bruins, President of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau and dairy farmer near Waupun; Richard Cates, Member of DATCP Ag Board and pasture-based beef farmer near Spring Green; Louise Hemstead, Chief Operating Officer of Organic Valley Coop and an organic dairy farmer near La Farge; and Tom Lochner, Executive Director, Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association. This event was the first in a series titled "What to Eat: A Seven-Discourse Meal," presented by the UW-Madison agroecology program.

Continued coverage of the "Wisconsin Farmers: What to Eat" seminar held on October 1, 2009 at UW-Madison.

A public forum centered on the question “How can MPS better educate the children of Milwaukee?” took place on October 1, 2009 at Riverside University High School, in Milwaukee. Mayor Tom Barrett, state Department of Administration Secretary Michael Morgan and MPS School Board Director Larry Miller participated in a panel discussion hosted by Milwaukee Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, and Alderman Ashanti Hamilton.

Continued coverage of a public forum centered on the question “How can MPS better educate the children of Milwaukee?” held on October 1, 2009.

Cheryl Thole and Dennis Hinebaugh from the National Bus Rapid Transit Institute, and Maria Choca Urban from the Center for Neighborhood Technology, were featured speakers at the transit seminar held at Warner Park in Madison on October 1, 2009.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett provided remarks about the city's efforts to cultivate green jobs at the "Green Jobs: Growing Wisconsin Employment" forum. The event took place on September 29, 2009 at Discovery World in Milwaukee.

Dedication ceremony for the Governor Lucey State Monument, held September 28, 2009 at the Fairyville River View Park in Fairyville, Wisconsin.

As part of the Smith & Gesteland MBA Speaker Series, Edgewood College hosted a panel discussion on the health care debate. Hannah Rosenthal, Wisconsin Physician Service, moderated the discussion with panelists: Cindi Rutten, Director of Employee Wellness at MATC-Madison; Roberta Pawlak, PHD, Nursing Professor, Edgewood College; Jo Musser, ThedaCare and Former Wis. Insurance Commissioner; and C.C. Henderson, President and CEO, Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. The event took place on September 24, 2009 in Madison, Wisconsin.

The Public Policy Forum hosted a Viewpoint Luncheon entitled "Local Government Finance in Crisis: A View from the Trenches," to discuss the financial challenges facing the region's largest governments. Panelists included: Norm Cummings, Director of Administration, Waukesha County; Jerome Heer, Director of Audits, Milwaukee County; Wally Morics, Comptroller, City of Milwaukee; and Michelle Nate, Chief Financial Officer, Milwaukee Public Schools. The event, sponsored by Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, The PFM Group, and SysLogic, took place on September 21, 2009 at the Italian Conference Center in Milwaukee.

Common Cause in Wisconsin held a public forum regarding campaign finance reform on September 21, 2009 at the Educational Services Center in Janesville. WCLO Radio News Director Stan Stricker moderated a discussion with panelists: Sen. Judy Robson (D-Beloit); Rep. Kim Hixson (D-Whitewater); Rep. Chuck Benedict (D-Beloit); Tim Cullen, Common Cause in Wisconsin Governing Board Member; and Jay Heck, Executive Director of Common Cause in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin chapter of Americans for Prosperity and the Wisconsin GrandSons of Liberty sponsored a "tea party" rally on September 19, 2009 at Veterans Park in Milwaukee.

Continued coverage of the "tea party" rally held on September 19, 2009 at Veterans Park in Milwaukee.

Michael W. Grebe leads the Milwaukee area's largest foundation and recently assumed the position of chairman of the Greater Milwaukee Committee and co-chairman of M7 — putting him in position to affect many of the region's most significant issues. Grebe shared his thoughts on how the region's economy can improve at the Business Journal of Milwaukee's Power Breakfast on September 11, 2009.

Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman was a featured speaker at the Wisconsin Social Work Business Summit on September 11, 2009 at the Sheraton Hotel in Madison. Secretary Gassman spoke about Governor Doyle’s workforce agenda and the role of social workers as change agents in challenging times.

Energy experts from Wisconsin and across the Midwest met on September 10, 2009 to discuss energy policy and climate change. David W. Hadley, vice president of state regulatory relations at Midwest ISO, presented the keynote address. The forum took place at The Madison Club in Madison, Wisconsin.

Chris Cerf, Deputy Chancellor for New York Public Schools was the featured speaker at the 'Lessons for Milwaukee' luncheon on September 10, 2009 at Turner Hall in Milwaukee. This event was part of the Reforming Urban Education Speaker Series sponsored by Democrats for Education Reform.

A public forum on the future of Milwaukee Public Schools governance took place on Septmeber 10, 2009 at the Beulah Brinton Center in Milwaukee.

The Fox Cities and Green Bay area chambers of commerce sponsored a rally on health care reform on September 8, 2009 at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute, Wisconsin.  

The Brown County Medical Society and the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a health care forum at Green Bay’s Meyer Theatre on September 1, 2009. The event featured a panel of physicians and business leaders who addressed several critical health issues. A question and answer session from the audience followed the formal panel discussion and WisconsinEye was able to speak with two of the panelists, Nicky Plementosh, MD, Ob/Gyn and Thomas Wilkins, MD, president, Brown County Medical Society.

The groups Coalition to Preserve American Values and Citizens for an Open and Honest Government hosted a "Next Generation" Tea Party event on Sunday, August 30, 2009 in Wausau, Wisconsin.

The groups Coalition to Preserve American Values and Citizens for an Open and Honest Government hosted a "Next Generation" Tea Party event on Saturday, August 29, 2009 in Wausau, Wisconsin.

U.S. Reps. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) and Paul Ryan (R-Janesville) were featured speakers at a discussion about health care reform at the Milwaukee Press Club's Newsmaker Luncheon on August 28, 2009 at the Newsroom Pub in downtown Milwaukee. Moore and Ryan answered questions about health care reform from a panel of professional journalists.

The Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFPF) sponsored a Health Care Reform Town Hall Meeting on August 27, 2009 at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. ABC investigative reporter John Stossel served as the keynote speaker, and Sue Jeffers of KTLK Minneapolis served as the moderator. Panelists included: State Senator Dan Kapanke; Gerald Frye, President, Benefit Services Group, Inc.; Tim Nerenz, Executive Vice-President, Oldenburg Group, Inc.; Don Weber, Chairman & CEO, Logistics Health Inc.; Dr. Gary Susag, Internist, Gunderson Lutheran Medical Center.

The Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFPF) sponsored a Health Care Reform Town Hall Meeting on August 26, 2009 at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton, Wisconsin. ABC investigative reporter John Stossel served as the keynote speaker, and Vicki McKenna of WIBA Madison and WISN Milwaukee served as the moderator. Panelists included: Tim Nerenz, Executive Vice-President, Oldenburg Group, Inc.; Scott Klug, Former Congressman; Steve Schwartzer, President, Heartland Benefits Group; Dr. Pamela Galloway, Founder, Breast Center of Central Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary Kelli Trumble hosted a "Listen and Learn" session on August 25, 2009 at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center in Ashland, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary Kelli Trumble presented a Joint Effort Marketing grant to the Madeline Island Chamber of Commerce on August 25, 2009 in Bayfield, Wisconsin.

Department of Children and Families Secretary Reggie Bicha held a DCF anniversary community roundtable event at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center in Ashland, Wisconsin on August 24, 2009.

The Arts in Crisis Symposium was held at the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison on August 24, 2009. Michael M. Kaiser, President of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and author of The Art of the Turnaround, addressed the challenges facing non-profit arts and cultural organizations through fundraising, building more effective boards of trustees, budgeting, marketing, technology, and other areas pertinent to maintaining a vital organization during a troubled economy. The Madison event, part of a 50-state tour, was hosted by Overture Center for the Arts, Wisconsin Arts Board, Arts Wisconsin, Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission, and Madison Arts Commission.

AARP Wisconsin hosted a community conversation on health care in Middleton, Wisconsin on August 17, 2009.

The Republican Party of Ozaukee County held a "Tea Party Sail" aboard the "S/V Denis Sullivan" on Lake Michigan. Reince Priebus, Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, and Jim Konowalski, Chairman of the Republican Party of Ozaukee County were the featured speakers. The party embarked from Rotary Park in Port Washington, Wisconsin on Sunday, August 16, 2009.

The Republican Party of Ozaukee County held a "Tea Party Sail" on Sunday, August 16, 2009. Following the sail, Senator Scott Fitzgerald, Representative Mark Gottlieb, and Jim Konowalski, Chairman of the Republican Party of Ozaukee County spoke at Nisleit’s Country Inn in Port Washington, Wisconsin.

U.S. Senator Herb Kohl met with FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg for a tour of Babcock Hall Dairy Plant and a discussion regarding science, food safety, and public health. Kohl is the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over funding for the nation’s two main agencies tasked with keeping the food supply safe: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service within the Department of Agriculture. The event took place on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at UW-Madison.

Tim Sheehy, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce was the luncheon speaker at the Rotary Club of Milwaukee on August 11, 2009. Sheehy discussed the School Choice Program as one of the educational options available in the Milwaukee area.

The Milwaukee Green Jobs for Clean Water event took place at the Milwaukee County War Memorial on August 10, 2009. A panel of government officials discussed funding opportunities for Great Lakes restoration projects, and a panel of scientists, advocates and labor leaders, discussed ongoing green investment needs in the Milwaukee area. The panel discussions were followed by a keynote speech with John C. Austin, a Senior Fellow from the Brookings Institution. The event was sponsored by the Healing Our Waters - Great Lakes Coalition and the Wisconsin Blue Green Alliance; the Sierra Club, a member of HOW's steering committee, was the primary event organizer.

Healing Our Waters – Great Lakes Coalition, the Wisconsin Blue Green Alliance and the Sierra Club sponsored a tour of Great Lakes restoration sites as part of the Green Jobs For Clean Water Event on August 10, 2009 in Milwaukee. Tour highlights included presentations on contaminated sediment removal and benefits at a Kinnickinnic River sediment dredging site; needs, challenges and benefits related to possible corridor restoration in the Pulaski Park section of the Kinnickinnic River; and green infrastructure for stormwater management, public use, and opportunities for the next phase of neighborhood connections and river restoration at Chimney Park Stormwater site.

The Sierra Club, along with Clean Wisconsin, Sea Grant University of Wisconsin, New North and Healthy Lakes Healthy Lives hosted a community leadership forum in Green Bay, Wisconsin on August 3, 2009. The forum was organized for public officials and local experts to discuss how new federal funding can address Great Lakes restoration projects in northeastern Wisconsin while providing opportunities for green jobs. The forum opened with a keynote address by U.S. Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D., 8th District of Wisconsin, on issues such as health care, the environment, economic recovery, the cash for clunkers program and stimulus spending.

Following the keynote address, two panels were assembled. Making up the first panel was: Janet Smith, Chair of the Lower Fox River Basin Team Biota and Habitat Work Group; Charles J. Larscheid, Port and Solid Waste Director for Brown County; Larry Kriese, Project Manager of the West Shore Pike Habitat Restoration Program; Kendra Axness a Basin Educator for UW Extension; Steve Galarneau, Lake Michigan Program Coordinator for the Office of Great Lakes at the WI DNR; and Erin O’Brien, Wetland Policy Director for the Wisconsin Wetlands Association. State Representative Penny Bernard Schaber of Wisconsin’s 57th District moderated the second panel which was comprised of Judy Beck from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Paul Linzmeyer, Chair of the Sustainable Committee for New North.

Wisconsin Public Utility Institute sponsored a three part series entitled "Meeting Base Load in a Carbon Constrained World," on three different days in the summer of 2009. The third part of the series, "Nuclear—Status in the Midwest," addressed the role of nuclear power in the future energy portfolio of the region. The event took place on July 31, 2009, on the UW-Madison Campus. The workshop opened with Jeff Kitsembel of the Wisconsin Public Service Commission on the topic of nuclear power here in Wisconsin and Paul Wilson, Associate Professor in the College of Engineering at UW-Madison on what we are doing with spent nuclear fuel.

As a continuation of WPUI’s workshop, "Nuclear—Status in the Midwest," John Parkyn of Private Fuel Storage LLC gave a presentation based on a GAO study on spent nuclear fuel storage. Harold Ray of Southern California Edison followed with a presentation on evaluating resources to manage base load, including a look at coal, natural gas and nuclear.

As a continuation of WPUI’s workshop, "Nuclear—Status in the Midwest," Arjun Makhijani, President of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research argued in his presentation that nuclear and fossil fuel based energy is not needed and could be replaced with renewable resources in conjunction with conservation and the utilization of smart grid technologies.

As a continuation of WPUI’s workshop, "Nuclear—Status in the Midwest," Bruce Landery of NuScale Power, Inc. described technologies that allow nuclear power plants to become smaller and modular. Richard Cortright of Standards and Poor’s followed with a presentation on what rating firms think of investment in nuclear power plants. The workshop concluded with a panel discussion featuring all of the day’s presenters.

A Northwoods lakes workshop held on July 28, 2009 at The Waters of Minocqua in Minocqua, Wisconsin, addressed low lake levels in Northern Wisconsin. Lake organization leaders, county and town officials, water resource professionals, waterfront property owners, and other lake enthusiasts were invited to attend. The morning session included presentations by: Tim Asplund, Wisconsin DNR State Limnologist, on factors affecting water levels and recent trends in Northern Wisconsin’s lakes; Dan Vimont, Co-Chair of the Climate Working Group for the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts, on recent climate trends in Northern Wisconsin; Paul Juckem, Hydrologist at Wisconsin Water Science Center, on current research in groundwater and surface water interactions; Susan Knight, Aquatic Biologist for UW-Center for Limnology, on changes in habitat with declining water levels; Steve Ave’Lallemant, DNR Northern Region Fisheries Coordinator, on how water level fluctuations affect fisheries.

A Northwoods lakes workshop held on July 28, 2009 at The Waters of Minocqua in Minocqua, Wisconsin, addressed low lake levels in Northern Wisconsin. Lake organization leaders, county and town officials, water resource professionals, waterfront property owners, and other lake enthusiasts were invited to attend. The afternoon session included presentations by: Tom Blake, DNR Northern Region Shoreland Zoning Specialist, on caring for newly exposed shorelines and review of water and shoreline zoning rules; Mike Meyer, DNR Research Scientist, on wildlife responses to changing lake levels. The workshop concluded with a panel discussion on adapting to our changing lakes.

Organizing for America sponsored a rally in support of health care reform at Serb Hall in Milwaukee on Sunday, July 26, 2009. U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) spoke in favor of the Obama administration’s health plan.

The GAR Memorial Park at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison was the site for a Civil War encampment, parade, concerts and program on Saturday, July 25, 2009. The event at Camp Randall, which served as a Civil War site for military training, commemorates Abraham Lincoln's role as Commander-in-Chief during the Civil War. Gov. Jim Doyle spoke at the festivities, as well as actors portraying President and Mrs. Lincoln, Governor Randall, and other historic figures.

Edgewood College, located in Madison Wisconsin, welcomed Bill Testa, Vice President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, for a view of the state of the U.S. economy and its effects on the Midwest region. Testa is director of regional programs in the economic research department at the Federal Reserve in Chicago and has written widely in the areas of economic growth and development, the Midwest economy and state–local public finance. He directed a comprehensive long term study and forecast of the Midwest economy, Assessing the Midwest Economy: Looking Back for the Future, and has fashioned a series of conferences on school reform. The July 21, 2009 event was part of Edgewood College’s Smith & Gesteland MBA Executive Speaker Series.

Water experts, researchers, businesspeople, investors and stewards convened at Discovery World in Milwaukee on July 20, 2009, to connect and discuss the true costs and opportunities of water from multiple perspectives as part of the third Milwaukee 7 Water Council Water Summit. The event opened with remarks by: Joel Brennan, President & CEO, Discovery World; Julia Taylor, President, Greater Milwaukee Committee; U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin); Tom Barrett, Mayor of Milwaukee; Paul Jones, Chairman & CEO, A.O. Smith; Val Klump, Senior Scientist, Great Lakes Water Institute. The morning presentation, moderated by Mike Gousha, featured guests Joel Brammeier of Alliance for the Great Lakes and A. Judson (“Jud”) Hill of San Diego-based Summit Global Capital.

Water experts, researchers, businesspeople, investors and stewards convened at Discovery World in Milwaukee on July 20, 2009, to connect and discuss the true costs and opportunities of water from multiple perspectives as part of the third Milwaukee 7 Water Council Water Summit. Mike Gousha, Distinguished Fellow in Law and Public Policy at Marquette Univiersity, moderated a panel discussion with guests: Felix Carabello, Director of Alternate Investment for Chicago Mercantile Exchange; Mark Eiswerth, a professor of economics with UW-Whitewater; Jeffrey Ripp, Water Conservation Coordinator for the Public Service Commission; James White, Executive Director of Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Plan in the Cleveland region of Ohio. Richard Meeusen introduced remarks by Carlos Santiago, Chancellor of UW-Milwaukee, and Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle.

Water experts, researchers, businesspeople, investors and stewards convened at Discovery World in Milwaukee on July 20, 2009, to connect and discuss the true costs and opportunities of water from multiple perspectives as part of the third Milwaukee 7 Water Council Water Summit. Keynote presenter Assaf Barnea, CEO of Kinrot Ventures, an Israeli-based technological incubator dedicated to water technologies, was followed by closing remarks from Rich Meeusen, President & CEO of Badger Meter.

Project Promise hosted a community resource fair on July 18th, 2009 at the Appleton City Center Plaza in Appleton, Wisconsin. Project Promise is a cooperative effort of providers of social services, businesses, community members and all others who seek to advocate for the needs of people living in poverty in the Fox Cities. The goal of the event was to increase volunteerism for the agencies while also reaching out to those in the community that could benefit from the resources. WisconsinEye Videographer John Schroeder interviewed numerous community agencies from the Fox Cities that are involved in Project Promise.

David Blume, Founder and Director - International Institute for Ecological Agriculture, and Barbara Anderegg, Project Director - Madison Area Technical College (MATC), talk to WisconsinEye following a series of educational workshops in Madison on July 7, 2009 in Madison. The workshops, led by Blume and part of MATC's Renewable Energy Certificate program, focus on promoting rural and urban economic revitalization and non-exportable job creation through the optimized production of food and fuel source crops and related by-products.

Stu Levitan, author of Madison: The Illustrated Sesquicentennial History, Volume 1 1856-1931 presented an illustrated talk on the politics and personalities in Madison during the Civil War era. The event, part of Wisconsin Historical Society's "History Sandwiched In" series, took place on July 7, 2009 at the Wisconsin Historical Museum in Madison.

As described in her latest book, What It Is, artist and writer Lynda Barry has developed a creative and powerful technique to help people recall and capture their personal memories. Recently, in an ongoing effort to help preserve a rapidly changing culture, Barry has been showing residents of rural Wisconsin how to vividly recall their stories and collect them as part of a local history archive. She describes it as an opportunity to gather and write stories to add to the collective memory bank in the same way people once came together to have quilting bees. Barry talked about her work at a free, public presentation on June 30, 2009, at the Wisconsin Historical Society Auditorium in Madison.

The Wisconsin Veterans' Intervention Program, Leave No One Behind: Veterans in the Criminal Justice System took place over two days, June 29-30, 2009, at the William S. Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison. The second day of the program featured a panel discussion, "How Can We Work Together," with: Hon. James Daley, Rock County; Jane Klekamp, La Crosse Cty Justice Sanctions Program; Capt. Gary Uting, La Crosse PD; Dana Smetana, Eau Claire SPD; Michael Felton, Eau Claire DOC; Scott Southworth, Juneau County DA. The program ended with Robert Webb, Milwaukee SPD, regarding consequences to the veteran or soldier of a criminal conviction.

The Wisconsin Veterans' Intervention Program, Leave No One Behind: Veterans in the Criminal Justice System took place over two days, June 29-30, 2009, at the William S. Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison. The first part of the program included: opening remarks by Dean Krahn, Chief of Mental Health Service, Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital; an overview of the veteran population presented by Carolyn Myles, Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital; veterans' court update panel discussion moderated by Hon. Elliott Levine.

The Wisconsin Veterans' Intervention Program, Leave No One Behind: Veterans in the Criminal Justice System took place over two days, June 29-30, 2009, at the William S. Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison. The second part of the program featured Dr. Lori Phelps of Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital on the basics of post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

The Wisconsin Veterans' Intervention Program, Leave No One Behind: Veterans in the Criminal Justice System took place over two days, June 29-30, 2009, at the William S. Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison. The third part of the program featured speakers Jessica Cook and Susan Knoedel of Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, regarding PTSD, AODA and Domestic Violence. Nancy Krug, Marine Staff Sergeant Micheal Gillitzer, and Cari Myles spoke on the topic of suicide prevention.

The second of four quarterly meetings presented by Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence was hosted by Wisconsin Counties Association on Monday, June 29, 2009 at the Holiday Inn in Stevens Point. The first part of the meeting featured speakers: John Reinemann, Wisconsin Counties Association; Mary Jo Carson, Mayor - Wisconsin Rapids; O. Philip Idsvoog, Portage County Board Chair and Mark Maslowski, County Executive; Energy Independent Pilot Communities panel discussion; Sean Weitner, Energy Center of Wisconsin.

The second of four quarterly meetings presented by Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence was hosted by Wisconsin Counties Association on Monday, June 29, 2009 at the Holiday Inn in Stevens Point. The second part of the meeting featured speakers: Mark Nook, UW-SP Interim Chancellor; and Christine Thomas, UW-SP Dean, College of Natural Resources.

The second of four quarterly meetings presented by Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence was hosted by Wisconsin Counties Association on Monday, June 29, 2009 at the Holiday Inn in Stevens Point. The third part of the meeting featured speakers: Don Guay and Eric Singaas, UW-Stevens Point researchers; and Mark O'Connell, Alternative Technologies/Fuels Consultant.

The Wisconsin Public Utility Institute sponsored a three part series entitled "Meeting Base Load in a Carbon Constrained World," on three different days in the summer of 2009. WisconsinEye recorded the second part of the series, "Fossil Fuels in the Midwest," on June 26, 2009. The event took place on the UW-Madison Campus.

The Wisconsin Public Utility Institute sponsored a three part series entitled "Meeting Base Load in a Carbon Constrained World," on three different days in the summer of 2009. WisconsinEye recorded the second part of the series, "Fossil Fuels in the Midwest," on June 26, 2009. The event took place on the UW-Madison Campus.

The Wisconsin Public Utility Institute sponsored a three part series entitled "Meeting Base Load in a Carbon Constrained World," on three different days in the summer of 2009. WisconsinEye recorded the second part of the series, "Fossil Fuels in the Midwest," on June 26, 2009. The event took place on the UW-Madison Campus.

The Wisconsin Public Utility Institute sponsored a three part series entitled "Meeting Base Load in a Carbon Constrained World," on three different days in the summer of 2009. WisconsinEye recorded the second part of the series, "Fossil Fuels in the Midwest," on June 26, 2009. The event took place on the UW-Madison Campus.

Wisconsinites Interests Now, the sponsoring organization of the Recall Doyle Exploratory Committee, held a protest in the State Capitol Rotunda on June 23, 2009 to advance their effort to recall Gov. Jim Doyle.

WisconsinEye interviewed various attendees of the 20th Annual Midwest Renewable Energy Fair in Custer on June 19, 2009. Each June the Midwest Renewable Energy Association hosts the Energy Fair. The association says the event is the world's largest and longest running energy education event.

The Business Journal, a Milwaukee area business publication, hosted a "Power Breakfast" event with Richard Meeusen, the president, CEO and chairman of Badger Meter, Inc. on June 19, 2009. The event took place at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. Badger Meter is a manufacturer and marketer of flow measurement and control products, serving water utilities, municipalities and industrial customers.

FUEL Milwaukee held an event with Mike Jones of MillerCoors on Tuesday, June 16, at the Marcus Amphitheater in Milwaukee. The event addressed the reality of the MillerCoors merger, along with: what is changing; what will stand as tradition; and what MillerCoors's presence will be with community and entertainment partnerships like Summerfest, Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Brewers, and more.

Julia Taylor, president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee and vice-chair of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Transit Authority addressed the Rotary Club of Milwaukee on June 16, 2009 at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center in Milwaukee.

Advocates from throughout Wisconsin came together on June 16, 2009 to commemorate the original 1999 “Walk on the Child’s Side,” by the Price County Citizen’s Who CARE (Committee for Alternative Revenues for Education) and their allies who walked hundreds of miles from Northern Wisconsin to Madison, to call for a change to the school funding formula. The attendees spent the day rallying for reform. The rally will began at the UW-Madison Library Mall, on the 700 Block of State Street and continued up State Street to the State Capitol.

A panel of politicians participated in a transportation forum on June 10, 2009 at Discovery World in Milwaukee. The forum, titled "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (and Ships): Shaping Southeastern Wisconsin's Transportation Future Forum" was organized by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com, Discovery World and UW-Milwaukee. The panelists included Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Sen. Jeff Plale, D-South Milwaukee, and Rep. Jeff Stone, R-Greendale.

A panel of politicians participated in a transportation forum on June 10, 2009 at Discovery World in Milwaukee. The forum, titled "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (and Ships): Shaping Southeastern Wisconsin's Transportation Future Forum" was organized by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com, Discovery World and UW-Milwaukee. The panelists included Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Sen. Jeff Plale, D-South Milwaukee, and Rep. Jeff Stone, R-Greendale.

Richard W. Graber, former U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic, addressed a crowd of business leaders at the Business Leadership Summit on June 10, 2009 at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells. The Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) Foundation hosted the event. Graber reflected on his experiences as an ambassador and offered an overview of the current international business scene.

The Collaboration Council, a group of 56 regional leaders from Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Rock and Sauk counties, held a meeting on June 9, 2009 at the Glacier Canyon Lodge at the Wilderness in Wisconsin Dells to engage regional leaders in discussing and owning opportunities for the Madison Region, provide a forum for education and discussion around regional issues and create connections and shared commitment.

Wisconsin Taxpayer Alliance President Todd Berry was the luncheon speaker at the Rotary Club of Milwaukee on June 9, 2009. Berry discussed the state budget - the roots of the current crisis, the impact of past fiscal decisions on present problems, and the proposals now pending before the legislature.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation John Pocari traveled to Wisconsin to host a groundbreaking event for an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act project in Racine County. He was joined by Gov. Jim Doyle at the event on June 5, 2009 at the County G Interchange at I-94.

U.S.Deputy Secretary of Transportation John Pocari provided an overview of how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is working in Wisconsin at an event on June 5, 2009 at the University Club in Milwaukee. Pocari also discussed President Obama's transportation priorities, which include a ground-breaking effort to jump start new high-speed rail corridors to make communities more livable and sustainable.

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan traveled to Milwaukee on June 4, 2009 to announce new educational opportunities for autoworkers, their families, and communities, as part of the Obama Administration’s federal economic recovery effort. He was joined by Gov. Jim Doyle, Milwaukee Area Technical College Acting President Dr. Vicki Martin, and Manpower Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Joerres. The event was held at the Milwaukee Area Technical College in Milwaukee.

U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, joined local area business development leaders in an educational discussion on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds allocated for economic recovery and the resources available to small businesses June 1, 2009. The event was held at the Cleary Center in La Crosse.

Seth Foldy, MD, MPH, State Health Officer and Administrator of the Division of Public Health was the featured guest of a Milwaukee Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon on June 1, 2009. Foldy discussed the recent outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus and how Wisconsin health officials are preparing for its possible resurgence in the next flu season. A panel of journalists, including Susanne Rust, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel science writer, Corrinne Hess, Business Journal of Milwaukee health care reporter, and Lauren Leamanczyk, Today's TMJ4 reporter, asked Foldy questions.

The Milwaukee-based Public Policy Forum, in cooperation with the Waukesha County Action Network, held a panel discussion on issues involving proposals to divert water from Lake Michigan at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Wauwatosa on May 21, 2009.

Wisconsin Family Action hosted a legislative breakfast on divorce reform in the State Capitol on May 20, 2009. The event's keynote speaker was Mike McManus of the group, Marriage Savers.

Workers and community members picketed outside of the Chrysler Engine Plant in Kenosha, urging the company to reconsider its restructuring plan on May 18, 2009. The Kenosha plant is scheduled to close.

The Wisconsin Wetland Association held an event to unveil their new statewide Wetland Gems Program on May 18, 2009. The association said the program aims to increase public awareness of and appreciation for all of the state's wetlands and to generate community pride in and commitment to stewardship of local wetland treasures that have statewide, national, and even international importance. The event, which was attended by Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, was held at the Cherokee Marsh in Madison.

The Milwaukee County Democratic Party sponsored a forum on health care reform at the Pettit National Ice Center at State Fair Park in Milwaukee on May 18, 2009. The forum included Shirley Ellis, senior adviser to U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, Robert Kraig, the director of program for Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Siavash Sarlati, an MD candidate who participated in the recent health care reform forum in Washington, D.C., Paulette Garin, Wisconsin coordinator for the Leadership Conference for Guaranteed Health Care, and Dr. Rene Settle-Robinson, a practicing physician in Milwaukee. The event was moderated by Rep. Jon Richards, D-Milwaukee, the chair of the Assembly Committee on Health and Health Care Reform.

Former Wisconsin Gov. Patrick J. Lucey was awarded an Honorary Degree at the Edgewood College Commencement ceremony on May 17, 2009 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation hosted a lecture titled "When Will the Recession End?" on May 13, 2009 in Grainger Hall on the UW-Madison campus. The lecture was delivered by Don Nichols, professor emeritus of economics and public affairs at the La Follette School of Public Affairs.

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation hosted a lecture titled "Competing and Connecting in a Converging World" on May 13, 2009 in Grainger Hall on the UW-Madison campus. The lecture was delivered by Gary Arlen of Arlen Communications, Inc.

Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial, Inc. held a ceremony on May 8, 2009, from the State Capitol in Madison. Among the speakers attending the ceremony were Gov. Jim Doyle, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, and Rep. Ann Hraychuck, D-Balsam Lake.

The Wisconsin Wireless Association held an educational business meeting on Thursday, May 7, 2009, from the Concourse Hotel in Madison. The keynote speaker was Sen. Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center, who discussed a new regional economic development effort with the goal of making broadband internet service to rural Wisconsin.

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The United States Marine Corps officer program hosted an orientation flight for college students and college graduates at the Madison airport on April 30, 2009. Under the guidance of Marine Maj. Robert Carlson, a KC-130 pilot, students flew a PA-31 Navajo, a cabin-class, twin-engine aircraft with a 40-foot wingspan. WisconsinEye flew with the students around the Madison area. WisconsinEye also interviewed Capt. Matthew Grabowski, officer selection officer, Maj. Robert Carlson, aviation officer procurement, and Chris Matzke, a UW-Madison student interested in the Marine officer program.

The UW-Madison College of Engineering met at the Tong Auditorium in Madison on April 30, 2009. The event, titled "EV to Grid: What's Coming Down the Road & Implications for Wisconsin," looked at issues regarding energy and utilities.

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Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker announced his bid for the Republican gubernatorial nomination on Wednesday, April 28, 2009. The event took place in Dane County at Henry Farms. Walker has served as county executive since he won a special election in 2002. He was re-elected in 2004 and 2008. He also served as a Republican member of the state Assembly for about nine years.

DHS Secretary Karen Timberlake and Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan toured Blackhawk Technical College and ECHO food pantry in Janesville on Monday, April 27. At Blackhawk Technical College, the Secretary and Speaker were joined by President Eric Larson and Dr. Sharon Kennedy. They discussed current proposals regarding technical college funding and highlight the important role technical colleges have played to train displaced workers for occupations in health care. From there, Secretary Timberlake and Speaker Sheridan will join Executive Director Karen Lisser at the ECHO food pantry. They will discuss impact of economic downturn and note the vital service food pantries provide to families needing assistance.

The Senate Scholar Program held a mock committee meeting at the State Capitol on April 24, 2009. Area students played the role of state legislators as they took up a meeting on Senate Scholar Bill 1, relating to tattooing.

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The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin held Legislative Day from the Inn on the Park in Madison on April 23, 2009. Highlighting the event was Andrew Reschovsky, Professor of Public Affairs and Applied economics at UW-Madison.

Downtown Madison Inc. hosted a "What's Up Downtown" breakfast on April 23, 2009. Speaking at the event was Gary Wolter, Head of the State of Wisconsin Office of Recovery and Reinvestment and Chairman, CEO, and President of Madison Gas & Electric. Wolter gave an overview of the federal stimulus package and talked about the funds available to the state of Wisconsin.

Mayor Dave Cieslewicz gave his annual State of the City speech on Wednesday, April 22, 2009, at Downtown Rotary of Madison's meeting at the Inn on the Park. The mayor's speech outlined his agenda for the city of Madison, focusing on the current economic climate and the role of the city in building a strong, new economy.

At an event on April 21, 2009, Dr. Stan Temple discussed Aldo Leopold's seasonal observations and how the warming climate will affect wildlife in Wisconsin. The event was part of the "History Sandwiched In" took place at the Wisconsin Historical Museum on the Capitol square. Dr. Temple is the Senior Fellow and Science Advisor for the Aldo Leopold Foundation.

The La Follette School of Public Affairs hosted an event titled "From Sandbags to Sanity: The Policy Implications of the Midwest Floods of 2008. The event took place at the Monona Terrace on April 20, 2009. In part one, speakers included: Carolyn Heinrich, Director, La Follette School of Public Affairs; Donald Moynihan, La Follette School of Public Affairs; Roxanne Gray, Wisconsin Emergency Management; Peter Nowak, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies; Ken Potter, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UW-Madison; Ray Burby, City & Regional Planning, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The La Follette School of Public Affairs hosted an event titled "From Sandbags to Sanity: The Policy Implications of the Midwest Floods of 2008. The event took place at the Monona Terrace on April 20, 2009.

The La Follette School of Public Affairs hosted an event titled "From Sandbags to Sanity: The Policy Implications of the Midwest Floods of 2008. The event took place at the Monona Terrace on April 20, 2009.

The Milwaukee Professionals Association held a service industry stimulus summit on April 20, 2009 from the Hilton Milwaukee City Center. At the summit, state leaders and professionals gathered in Milwaukee to discuss the impact of the economy on the service industry.

Tommy G. Thompson, former Wisconsin governor, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and Republican presidential candidate, together with the University of Wisconsin School of Law, hosted the third in a series of Summit Conversations on American Health Care for the 21st Century on April 7 at The Edgewater Hotel in Madison. The Wisconsin Summit was moderated by John Harwood, CNBC Washington Bureau Chief and writer for The New York Times. Participants included: John Arensmeyer, CEO, Small Business Majority; R. Thomas Buffenbarger, President, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; Ann Converso, RN, President, United American Nurses; Sharon D. Fiehler, Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer, Peabody Energy; Dick Gephardt, Former Majority Leader, House of Representatives; Congressman Ron Kind, Wisconsin, 3rd Congressional District; David Norton, Company Group Chairman, Worldwide Commercial and Operations, Johnson & Johnson; Dr. Jeff Thompson, CEO, Gundersen Lutheran Health System; John Torinus, CEO, Serigraph, Inc.

The Evidence-Based Health Policy Project sponsored a breakfast symposium at the State Capitol in Madison. The symposium, titled "Medical Homes and Retail Clinics: Complementary Care or Conceptual Clash" considered the potential of recent trends in primary health care and their role in Wisconsin's health care system. Attending the symposium were Barbara Starfield, MD, MPH, Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Lowell Keppel, MD, CPE, FACPE, FAAFP, Chairman of the Board and Immediate Past President, Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians; Ken Berndt, Director of Business Development, Bellin Hospital, Fast Care Program. Also speaking at the symposium were Jason Helgerson, State Medicaid Director; Wendy Edwards, Take Care Clinics, Rep. Jon Richards, D-Milwaukee; and Rep. Chuck Benedict, D-Beloit. The event took place on Tuesday, April 7, 2009.

Robert Brigham, Professor of History and Internationl Relations at Vassar College, presented a lecture entitled, "A New Deal for Vietnam." For Lyndon Johnson, fighting communism in Vietnam was part and parcel of his vision for global reform through modernization. He believed that modernization would shore up the shaky government in Saigon and help consolidate it power, ultimately allowing the government to assume responsibility for the public welfare. Watch as Dr. Brigham recounts Johnson's intended modernization projects in South Vietnam and their projected impact on a populace whose admiration he desperately sought.

On March 31, 2009 Edgewood College hosted a panel of Madison area business leaders to provide insight into what they are doing to survive through the current economic downturn. Kay Plantes, PhD, moderated the panel made up of Dave Boyer, CEO and Co-owner of MCD, Inc.; Greg Dombrowski, President of Johnson Bank; Ray Riddle, Co-Owner, Chief Compliance Officer of Standard Imaging, Inc.; and Terrence Wall, CEO and Chairmain of T. Wall Properties.

The Wisconsin Veterans Museum hosted a memorial celebration of the life of Dr. Richard H. Zeitlin, on Saturday, March 21, 2009. Speaking at the event were Charlotte Deleste, news anchor, WISC-TV; Acting WDVA Secretary Ken Black; Dr. Alan Zeitlin, brother; Dr. Mark Stoler, Professor of History, University of Vermont; Jackie Johnson, friend; Jim Kelly, Director of Exhibits, Milwaukee Public Museum; Dennis Fay, friend; Bob Manwell, friend; and Dr. Jeremi Suri, Professor of History, UW-Madison. Dr. Richard H. Zeitlin, longtime director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museums, passed away on December 3, 2008, in Madison, after a short battle with cancer. He was 63 years old.

The Wisconsin Association of School Boards Day at the Capitol took place at Monona Terrace on Wednesday, March 18, 2009. WisconsinEye covered the legislative panel and the state budget briefing. Speaking at the event were Victoria McCormick, President, WASB; Sen. Luther Olsen; Sen. John Lehman; Rep. Sondy Pope-Roberts; Rep. Brett Davis; and Michael Morgan, Secretary, Department of Administration.

The Wisconsin School of Business held a forum on the green building industry as part of their "Sustainability Meets Entrepreneurship" series run through the school's Business, Environment, and Social Responsibility (BESR) program. Presenters at the event included Tom Eggert, Associate Director of BESR; and Sonya Newenhouse, President, Madison Environmental Group The event took place on March 13, 2009, at Grainger Hall on the UW-Madison campus.

State legislators and various members of the public gathered at the Capitol in Madison for the 50th Anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day. The event took place on March 10, 2009, and featured the following speakers: Thubden Sangha, President, Wisconsin Tibetan Association; Geshe Tenzin Dorjee; Rep. Black; Rep. Parisi; Katie Crowley, representing U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold; Brett Wilson, representing U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin; Skip Kindy, former Coordinator, Tibetan Resettlement Program; and several local students.

The Sauk County Lincoln Day Dinner took place on Saturday, March 7, 2009, from Arthur's Supper Club in Spring Green. Special guest Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker was joined by the following participants: Sen. Dale Schultz; Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen; State Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman; candidate for the Supreme Court Judge Randy Koschnick; candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction Rose Fernandez; Steve Brody, Iowa County Republican Party; Tim McCumber, Chairman, Sauk County Republican Party; Nathan Russell, former 51st Assembly District Candidate; and Lance Burri, Master of Ceremonies.

Dr. Bill Daggett, President, International Center for Leadership in Education, gave a presentation on education reform on March 5, 2009, at Waukesha Area Technical College in Pewaukee. The presentation focused on balancing the need to improve student performance with declining resources.

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin hosted a grand opening of their new headquarters in Madison on March 3, 2009. In attendance were Joe Wineke, Chairman, Democratic Party of Wisconsin; and Sen. Mark Miller and Rep. Mark Pocan, Co-Chairs of the Joint Finance Committee. The event took place at 110 King Street in Madison above Ancora Coffee.

The Green Entrepreneurship Series: BESR Sustainability Meets Entrepreneurship was held at Grainger Hall at UW-Madison on February 27, 2009. Speaking at the event was C5-6 Technologies President John Biondi, who spoke about the intersection of entrepreneurship with alternative fuels and transportation. C5-6 Technologies is creating technology and discovering biomolecules to convert agricultural and forestry feedstocks to five and six carbon sugars for processing into biofuels.

The Mobile Future Coalition hosted a luncheon forum about Wisconsin's future in wireless technology from the Madison Club on February 26, 2009. Speaking at the event were Luke Goodpaster, Sleep Wellness Institute; Nick Kiernan, TrafficCast International; Mike Sparr, Goomzee; Diane Smith, Mobile Future Board Member; and Wisconsin State Assembly Majority Leader Rep. Tom Nelson.

The Wisconsin Association of Health Underwriters hosted an event titled "Day on the Hill: Working Together for the Future of Wisconsin's Health Care" from the Monona Terrace Convention and Community Center in Madison on February 25, 2009. In part one, speakers include: Dan Schwartzer, Executive Vice President, WAHU; Assembly Majority Leader Rep. Tom Nelson; Assembly Minority Leader Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald; Susan Linck, Executive Director, NAIFA; Jim Riordan, CEO, WPS; and Todd Berry, Taxpayer Alliance.

The Wisconsin Association of Health Underwriters hosted an event titled "Day on the Hill: Working Together for the Future of Wisconsin's Health Care" from the Monona Terrace Convention and Community Center in Madison on February 25, 2009. In part two, speakers included Bill Smith, Executive Director, NFIB; Jim Buchen, Vice President of Government Relations, WMC; and Sean Dilweg, Commissioner of Insurance.

The Wisconsin Innovation Network in Madison hosted a luncheon meeting focusing on the UW-Madison Institutes for Discovery on February 24, 2009, from the Sheraton Hotel in Madison. Speaking at the event were John Wiley, former UW-Madison chancellor and interim director of the Wisconsin Institutes of Discovery; and Carl Gulbrandsen, managing director of Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett delivered the State of the City Address on February 25, 2009, at the Harley-Davidson Museum.

U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin hosted a roundtable session on the economic crisis on February 18, 2009 from the Assembly Parlor in the State Capitol. Joining the discussion were Jim Cavanaugh, President of South Central Federation of Labor; Joel Rogers, Directory, Center on Wisconsin Strategy; Rabbi Renee Bauer, Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice of South Central Wisconsin; Assembly Worker Ryan Wolff, Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local 565 Trustee and Bargaining Team Member; and Assembly Worker Dan Kortte, Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local 565.

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker gave his State of the County address on Monday, February 16, 2009, from Bucyrus International in South Milwaukee. He focused on his county version of a stimulus package to boost economic growth and jobs.

Following Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker's State of the County Address on Monday, February 16, 2009, WisEye covered media interviews with Walker and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

The Jefferson County Democrats held a President's Day dinner on Sunday, February 15, 2009. Speaking at the event were Sue Happ, Jefferson County District Attorney; John Nichols, writer for "The Nation" and "Capitol Times"; Sen. Russ Feingold, Rep. Andy Jorgensen, Anne Johnson, Chair of the Jefferson County Democratic Party; and Lee Rayburn, local radio personality.

The Public Policy Forum in partnership with Penfield Children's Center James R. Ryan Memorial Lecture Series presented an event titled, "High Hopes: Quality Early Childhood Education Isn't Child's Play." Speaking at the forum were Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn; Thomas Gazzana, Corporate Vice President, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin; Christine Holmes, President, Penfield Children's Center; Jose Vasquez, CEO, Child Development Center of St. Joseph; Deborah Blanks of the Social Development Commission. The panel was moderated by Joel Dresang of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The event took place on February 12, 2009, at the Italian Conference Center in Milwaukee.

Wisconsin Manuafacturers and Commerce (WMC) hosted Business Day in Madison 2009 from the Monona Terrace in Madison on February 11, 2009. The event featured a business leadership panel, a legislative leadership panel, and an address by Gov. Doyle. The business leadership panel included James A. Buchen, Vice President of Government Relations, WMC; Tom Still, President, Wisconsin Technology Council; Fred Shafer of Kimberly Clark; Pat Schillinger, Assistant VP of Government Relations, Integrys Energy Group, Inc.; Andy Franken, Wisconsin Insurance Alliance. The legislative leadership panel was moderated by Todd Berry, President of Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, and included Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald, Rep. Mike Sheridan, Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, and Sen. Mark Miller. The event concluded with an address by Gov. Doyle. After the event, WisconsinEye spoke with James Buchen, who provided an event wrap-up.

Continued.

As continuation of the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce Business Day in Madison 2009, WisconsinEye was able to speak with several of the attendees.  Those interviewed were Jon C. Rauser, President of the Rauser Agency, Inc., William C. Parsons, Chairman of Palmer Johnson Power Systems, David Kluesner, Regional Government Relations Manager of International Paper, Andrew J. Franken, President of Wisconsin Insurance Alliance, Rep. Mark Honadel, (R) South Milwaukee representing the 21st District, Dr. Jeff Thompson, CEO of Gundersen Lutheran Health System, and Sen. Glenn Grothman, (R) West Bend, representing the 20th District.

The Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association held a 2009 Policy and Advocacy Summit on Tuesday, February 3, 2009, at the Concourse Hotel in Madison. WisconsinEye covered the State Legislative Panel from 12:10-1:30pm, which focused on the state of health care reform in Wisconsin. Panelists included Rep. Kitty Rhoades, Rep. Scott Suder, Rep. Jon Richards, and Sen. Mark Miller.

The Wisconsin School of Business held part one of a six-part "Sustainability Meets Entrepreneurship" series run through the school's Business, Environment, and Social Responsibility (BESR) program. Presenters at the event included Tom Eggert, Associate Director of BESR, and Xuejun Pan, Assistant Professor of Bioenergy and Bioproducts, who provided an overview about cleantech and alternative energy companies, research, and opportunities for the future. The event took place on January 30, 2009, at Grainger Hall on the UW-Madison campus.

The Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce hosted a legislative breakfast on January 30, 2009. Kick-off the event was U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, who provided a congressional update and took questions. The event took place at the Beloit Inn in Beloit.

The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce hosted a special lunch edition of "Eggs & Issues" with U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin. At the event, Baldwin was expected to offer insight on the new congressional agenda and potential solutions to some of the pressing issues facing the nation. The event took place at Madison's Concourse Hotel on January 23, 2009.

The Wisconsin Innovation Network Madison held an event on improving the state's investment tax credit law. The event took place at the Sheraton Hotel in Madison on January 20, 2009, and featured the following presenters: John Neis, managing director of Venture Investors LLC; Cheryl Gain, director of biotechnology initiatives at Thrive; Bill McCoshen, executive director of Competitive Wisconsin Inc; and Deven McGlenn, CEO of NeoClone. The event was moderated by Wisconsin Technology Council President Tom Still.

The Wisconsin Historical Society hosted "History Sandwiched In: Frank Lloyd Wright - Translating Ideas About a Uniquely American Home into Reality." The event took place at the Wisconsin Historical Museum in Madison on January 20, 2009.

The Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a panel discussion on BadgerChoice from Liberty Hall in Kimberly on January 16, 2009. Panelists included Jason Helgerson, a representative for BadgerChoice; Dan Schwartzer, lobbyist for Wisconsin Association of Health Underwriters; Tom Schein, President/Owner, All About Packaging; and Bill Welch, CCE, President/CEO, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Providing open remarks was Debra Michiels, Owner, Fox Banquets Rivertyme Catering and Chairman of the Board, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce.

The IBA of Wisconsin hosted an event titled, "KRM Commuter Rail: The Proposed Project." Speaking at the event were Thomas A. Rubin of the Reason Foundation and author of the KRM Corridor Transit Service Options Study; Scott Walker, Milwaukee County Executive; and Kenneth Yunker, Deputy Director of the Southeastern WI Regional Planning Commission. The discussion focused on the Kenosha Racine Milwaukee commuter rail proposed project and took place on January 16, 2009, from Milwaukee.

WisPolitics.com hosted a Wisconsin economic forecast luncheon at the Monona Terrace on Thursday January 15, 2009. Speaking at the event were Governor Doyle and Dr. Charles Evans, president and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and Federal Open Market Committee Member. Welcoming remarks and introductions were provided by Jeff Mayers, president of WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com.

WisconsinEye attended a Madison International Trade Association’s (MITA) event in January. Titled, International Economic Forecast for 2009, it featured two experts who gave their views on the economic outlook for 2009 - William Strauss of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and Jane Mezera of US Bank in Milwaukee. In their presentations respectively, they described key issues for international business professionals, including: what the US and other governments are doing and how the Midwest and Wisconsin economies are faring in the face of a worldwide economic downturn, and expert projections about U.S dollar and international currency fluctuations.

The MMAC hosted an event on the mandated sick leave legal challenge. Speaking at the event were Scott Beightol, Managing Partner, Michael Best and Friedrich; Daniel J. Finerty, Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.; Tim Sheehy, President, MMAC; and Steve Baas, MMAC's Director of Governmental Affairs. The discussion took place on January 13, 2009, from the MMAC offices in Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee Rotary Club held a luncheon on January 13, 2009, from the Milwaukee County War Memorial in Milwaukee. The luncheon focused on the mandatory paid sick leave ordinance. Dan Vilet of Davis & Kuelthau provided a factual overview of the legislation and was followed by a panel including Paula Penebaker, Executive Director of the YWCA; John Mellowes, VP Charter Manufacturing; and Lincoln Fowler, owner of Alterra Coffee Roasters.

The Wisconsin Association of Health Underwriters hosted a presentation titled, "Understanding Health Insurance Markets and the Educational Role of the Agent." The presentations focused on individual health insurance, small employer group insurance, consumer education, and large employer group insurance. The presentation took place on January 13, 2009, at the State Capitol in Madison.

The Wisconsin Innovation Network held a program on Wisconsin's investment tax credits on January 8, 2009. The panel featured John Neis, managing director of Venture Investors LLC; Teresa Esser, managing director of Silicon Pastures; and Bill McCoshen, former Department of Commerce secretary and current executive director of Competitive Wisconsin.

Janet Allen, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, Dean and Professor at University of Maryland School of Nursing, and Judy Warmuth, RN, PhD, Vice President for Workforce Development at the Wisconsin Hospital Association spoke at the State Capitol on January 8, 2009. The presentation was titled "Rx for RNs: Addressing the Nursing Shortage."

The Milwaukee Press Club held a newsmaker luncheon to foucs on the city of Milwaukee's new sick leave mandate. The discussion featured Amy Stear, Wisconsin director of 9to5 National Association of Working Women, and Tim Sheehy, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. The event took place on January 7, 2009, at the Newsroom Pub in downtown Milwaukee.

The Rotary Club of Milwaukee hosted a luncheon that featured speaker Michael M. Knetter, Dean of the Wisconsin School of Business. The luncheon took place at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Building in Milwaukee on January 6, 2009.