Just on basic principles, this has not been a good fall. On issues like gun control and gay marriage, the representatives at the state Capitol have shown themselves to be a rather backward-thinking bunch, tossing away the progressive tradition of the state like so much trash. They passed a concealed-carry bill pushed forward by special-interest groups, despite opposition from a majority of the citizenry. Beyond disagreeing with their increasingly far-right politics, their insistence on wasting time debating and passing bills that Gov. Jim Doyle openly declared his intention to veto, despite the fact that there was no hope of the Legislature overriding that veto, makes them incredibly irresponsible representatives.
Within the city, State Street continues its slow creep toward a suburban mall. Increasing rents and Halloween riots brought their own special havoc, assisting the local businesses out of downtown. Even used bookstores, an area staple, are closing down. More high-priced housing is making its way in, supplanting affordable housing but not replacing it as too many giant holes in the ground have building skeletons emerging from them. The gentrification the Overture Center brought with it is changing the very character of downtown.
On campus, figuratively at least, the regents have created quite the uproar. They were nearly prosecuted by the attorney general for violating state open-meetings laws. Tuition is rising at an alarming pace and there is less and less funding from the state; the financial situation is so bad that course offerings have been cut and faculty are losing jobs or receiving pay cuts. Yet in the offending Sept. 2 meeting, the regents approved pay range increases for UW System officials despite the state budget crisis.
But it's not all bad: Doyle's vetoes won't be overridden. Mayor Dave Cieslewicz is close to passing his inclusionary zoning ordinance, which will bring more affordable housing. As for rising tuition and irresponsible spending, there's still some work to do.
