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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Report: Labor is Swamped by Business on WI Campaign Spending

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Friday, March 18, 2011   

MADISON, Wis. - With the massive labor protests at the state Capitol still fresh, a new report shatters some widely held beliefs about who spends what to influence the political process.

One of those myths is that big business and big labor contribute roughly the same amounts to political candidates in Wisconsin. However, a Wisconsin Democracy Campaign report released this week says labor spending is dwarfed by what businesses pour into campaign coffers. Mike McCabe is the executive director of the campaign, which tracks actual spending.

"Business puts in, on average, $12 for every dollar donated by labor unions when you look at all donations to candidates for state office here in Wisconsin."

Both Republicans and Democrats got more from business than from labor, but the ratio of business to organized labor contributions for Republican candidates was $104 to $1. McCabe says that could be one reason the state budget and budget repair bill were so business-friendly.

Republicans say they are trying to create a climate to encourage job growth, and McCabe says business has been very effective in getting what it wants in the current legislative session.

"They're getting more corporate tax breaks, and they are getting laws passed making it harder for people injured by defective products to sue for damages. They are really winning their agenda."

Labor, which has been drastically outspent, has been far less effective in accomplishing its goals with the recent near-elimination of collective bargaining for most public employees in Wisconsin.


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Health and Wellness

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Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


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Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

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Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

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Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

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New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

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Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

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Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

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