I’m sure many of you know by now that Scott Walker survived the recall election. However, even though Tom Barrett lost the election, I don’t think Walker won anything to be proud of.
Two years ago, Andrew Harris was terminated from his position as a seventh-grade science teacher for viewing and sharing inappropriate content on his computer. According to Wisconsin State Journal, some of Harris’ colleagues commented on how he would show inappropriate images during team meetings, at least once displaying pornographic pictures as students passed near an open door. However, just recently, an arbitrator ruled in favor of Harris, granting him his job back with back pay and benefits of about $200,000.
On Dec. 21 the mercury pollution saga finally came to an end. The long awaited Environmental Protection Agency regulations were finalized and put into effect. The new Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) are the first ever national limits on mercury and other toxic emissions from power plants. These new regulations will ultimately improve people's health by requiring power plants that contribute to air pollution in Wisconsin to use widely available, proven pollution control technologies. These technologies will help protect families from pollutants such as mercury, arsenic, chromium, nickel and acid gases.
Recycling old electronics has been an important step in keeping our environment safe. And yet, based on personal experience, not many people take advantage of cell-phone and computer recycling centers.
A little while back, I wrote an article about how a few Wisconsin cities are known as some of the worst polluters in the nation. Just recently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) came out with startling data, which concludes that Wisconsin's power plants emit more mercury pollution than power plants in over 30 other states.
In the wake of a great economic downturn, Wisconsin has stepped up to the plate. From January through September, Wisconsin's agriculture exports increased 24 percent. Last year at this time, Wisconsin exported $1.7 billion in goods, which is child's play compared to the more than $2 billion in goods exported this year.
If last week's weather is any indication that winter is finally upon us, then be wary because snow will be piling up any day now. For years, Wisconsin has used salt to keep our streets and highways safe. When salt hits ice, it causes a physical reaction that lowers the freezing point and causes the ice to melt so it is easier to plow.
The time is finally upon us. The long-awaited concealed carry law is finally in effect and the response is overwhelming.
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