A teacher that encourages doodling Cartoonist Lynda Barry brings unconventional creativity to her classroom as UW’s Artist-in-Residence. ARTS | 5
THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1969 Volume XLIII, Issue 84
Monday, February 13, 2012
www.badgerherald.com
“One year later” On anniversary of Capitol protests, activists say their work in Wisconsin is not yet done Sean Kirkby State Politics Editor With wind chill bringing temperatures to near zero, a crowd of protesters huddled together to hear speeches Saturday in recognition of the one-year anniversary of the budget repair bill introduced by Gov. Scott Walker. According to Capitol Police estimates, 500
protesters, chanting “one year later, one year stronger,” gathered on the Capitol steps to mark the one-year anniversary, which removed collective bargaining rights and cut benefits for public workers. Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, addressed issues related to Capitol access and protests. He attacked the Walker
Walker “dropped the bomb.” Manski said the rally was also the first ever “Wisconsin Day,” which he said will commemorate not only the beginning of protests against Walker, but the work of activists who started in Wisconsin and spread throughout the world. Mahlon Mitchell,
administration for putting new rules in place which would have required people to get a permit before handing out flyers on the Capitol grounds. “Governor Walker, it’s time for you to go,” Barca said. Ben Manski, executive director of the Liberty Tree Foundation, quoting Walker, said the anniversary marked the day when
RALLY, page 2
A year’s worth of activism in Wisconsin Walker announces plan to propose budget repair bill
Bill proposed to reverse collective bargaining legislation
Senate passes budget repair bill
Mar. 9, 2011
Feb. 10, 2011
Feb. 11, 2012
Jun. 15, 2011
Feb. 24, 2011
Assembly approves budget repair bill
Judge vetoes NAACP effort
Oct. 12, 2011 Kelsey Fenton The Badger Herald
Protesters gather to commemorate oneyear anniversary of original protests
Wisconsin Supreme Court upholds collective bargaining law
A firefighter addresses the crowd of 500 who gathered to protest Gov. Scott Walker’s budget repair bill and other legislation enacted since he took office.
Special effects A boy takes in presentations made by the University of Wisconsin physics department at its “The Wonders of Physics” program, which focuses on how physics enhances all aspects of life Kelsey Fenton The Badger Herald
Dane County Justice: Voter ID law will continue despite social, racial concerns Ben Vincent Herald Contributor A Dane County judge has ruled against two civil rights groups in their effort to halt the controversial voter ID law, set to go into effect before the spring primary election on Feb. 21, but did not discount a future injunction. Circuit Judge David Flanagan temporarily denied the Milwaukee chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Voces de la Frontera the injunction because they did not adequately demonstrate irreparable harm, according to NAACP attorney Richard Saks. Together, the NAACP and Voces submitted 40 affidavits intended to show the inconvenience caused by applying for photo identification and financial costs, such as obtaining the legal documents necessary to obtain a voter ID, according to the original complaint. Saks said Flanagan will allow the two groups to state their case at a hearing Monday but declined to comment on the likelihood of an injunction being issued and will hold a scheduling conference today to set a date for the trial. Saks also expressed doubt over whether the injunction will be issued prior to the primary election on Feb. 21, but said he hopes one is issued ahead of the presidential primary on April 3. “Our concern going forward is that the judge wants to see that the effect of the law will result in voters being disenfranchised,” Saks said. “We feel very confident that we’ll be able to make that demonstration. On Feb. 21 [we feel] that there
will be a lot of voters who show up at the polls on election day without the acceptable ID and won’t be allowed to vote.” The original complaint filed by the NAACP brings four counts against the new voter ID law, which argue the law unreasonably burdens a citizen’s constitutional right to vote and does not actually address the problem of fraud. According to a statement released by Gov. Scott Walker when groups filed the first of lawsuits against the Voter ID law, Walker said requiring photo identification to vote is common sense and that he would continue to support any reforms that protect the electoral process and increases citizens’ confidence in the results of our elections. Common Cause in Wisconsin Executive Director Jay Heck said the injunction before the February primary is “unlikely,” but noted it is possible an injunction could be issued before the recall elections are held this summer. Heck said there are serious questions raised by la Frontera and the NAACP with regard to equal protection. “That’s the basis of their lawsuit – how all citizens are treated,” Heck said. “The question is whether or not you have the same ability under the law to be able to get this required state-issued photo ID, and then also to be able to vote.” Heck predicted lower voter turnout amongst the elderly, minority groups and students due to the law. He called the law “burdensome” to these groups, saying some would not be willing to make the
NAACP, page 2
Senators question recall petitions Fitzgerald has best chance of evading election, UW political expert says Mike Kujak State Legislative Editor The Government Accountability Board posted recall-targeted senators’ petition signature challenges Friday morning amid controversy about the signatures’ legitimacy. The challenges by all four senators, and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald’s formal complaints, can be found on the GAB’s website. Fitzgerald submitted a written challenge to the GAB Friday morning that said the recall petitions submitted contained numerous signatures that must be disregarded and the remaining signatures were well below the 25 percent threshold that is constitutional and would stop the recall election. The challenge said the petitions should be disregarded for a number of reasons, including that a number of the signatures on the petition represented electors outside the 13th district and others were dated outside the circulation period. Dane County Judge Richard Niess has given the board until
RECALL, page 2
Small plane crashes at county airport Three people aboard sustain minor injuries, are hospitalized when craft deviates from course Katie Slavin Herald Contributor A single-engine plane crashed Friday as it was departing from the Dane County Regional Airport, and three people were inflicted with minor injuries. The plane was taking off on a runway when it deviated from its course, airport spokesperson Brent McHenry said. The plane
was a single-engine, general aviation private aircraft, he said. McHenry said all three people abroad the plane had minor injuries, and were taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure. “The injured passengers originally did not want to go to the hospital,” Bernadette Galvez, spokesperson for the Madison Police Department, said. “They were transported
© 2012 BADGER HERALD
to St. Mary’s, I believe for precautionary purposes. I do not know the extent of the passengers’ circumstances, but I do know they were minor injuries.” Galvez said there was a fire from the debris, which airport firefighters and City of Madison firefighters extinguished. According to McHenry, there is an investigation going on by the Federal
Aviation Administration, and legally the airport cannot speculate as to what caused the plane crash. Galvez said it is not known whether or not the wheels of the plane were off the ground at the time but that it is something the FAA will be looking into. “The FAA will look into what caused the fires,”
CRASHES, page 3