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A mining proposal fails in the state Legislature. +PAGE TWO University of Wisconsin-Madison
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State changes Jobs by the 2011 trend, numbers: gains jobs Report: January saw first jobs increase in months By Mckenna Kohlenberg The Daily Cardinal
Although a Department of Workforce Development report released Thursday shows positive job growth in January, it also revealed Wisconsin suffered substantial job losses in 2011. The state gained 15,700 private-sector jobs this January, but lost private-sector jobs in five of the last six months and a total of 9,700 jobs in 2011. The report shows that January’s unemployment rate is the lowest in a little over three years with a rate of 6.9 percent, down from 7 percent in Dec. 2011. DWD Secretary Reginald Newson said the January job estimates show growth across most industries, and the 6.9 percent unemployment rate remains well below the national average. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said in a press release the numbers are “encouraging and show our reforms are continuing to take hold and are improving the eco-
Wisconsin’s latest jobs report shows growth in January, but a net year loss
nomic climate in Wisconsin.” But Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate disagreed with Fitzgerald, saying the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s revised numbers show Wisconsin had an overall job loss trend in 2011 and Walker’s policies are to blame. Tate also said Walker cannot be credited for the addition of thousands of jobs in the state since January. “The nation’s rising tide has lifted Scott Walker’s sinking ship, and we are all glad our friends and neighbors will finally see some of the relief that the rest of the nation has been experiencing for most of Scott Walker’s term,” Tate said. Frustrated with the overall 2011 unemployment numbers, Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, said in a statement he demands state leaders put a greater emphasis on creating jobs. “While there is little time left in the spring legislative session and an agenda filled with extreme social bills, it is never too late to work together with a laser focus on job creation, as we have wanted to do for the past year,” Barca said.
15,700
jobs gained in Wisconsin in January
9,700
Weekend, March 9-11, 2012
‘Jungle’ Jack Hanna supports Vilas Zoo Vilas Zoo to raise funds for its new Arctic Passage exhibit, Wildlife expert Jack Hanna, which will house the zoo’s seals who has been featured and polar bear. The estion “The Late Show mated $8 million project with David Letterman” also includes a new aniwill join supporters of mal health center and the Henry Vilas Zoo concessions plaza. in a fund-raising event “When you enter Saturday for a new into Arctic Passage, arctic exhibit. you feel like you’ve The sold-out event, been transported to the HANNA “Take a Ride on the Arctic,” said Interim Zoo Wild Side With Jungle Director Ronda Schwetz. Jack Hanna,” is a dinner and Hanna hosted “Animal entertainment event featuring Adventures” for over 10 years Hanna and some of his wild zoo page 3 animals organized by the Henry
By Meghan Chua The Daily Cardinal
net jobs lost in the last year in Wisconsin
New website provides searchable database of recall petition signees
6.9 percent
The names and addresses of those who signed a petition to recall Gov. Scott Walker or any of the four state senators up for recall are now online in a searchable database created Thursday. Verify the Recall, a coalition effort of two tea party affiliated groups, Wisconsin GrandSons of Liberty and We the People of the Republic, launched the database Thursday as part of their “initial promise in December 2011 to bring complete transparency to the recall,” according to the website. The data for Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, who is also being targeted for recall, is not yet on the website.
unemployment in Wisconsin in January, the lowest since 2008
8.3 percent
national unemployment rate
While Republicans argue Verify the Recall should be allowed to file challenges to invalid signatures with the Government Accountability Board, which is responsible for reviewing the recall petitions, the Board said it would not accept challenges from third party groups. The GAB decided not to create a searchable database of their own because people had security concerns since the petitions include the addresses of signees. Scanned copies of the petitions, however, are available on the GAB website. The searchable database can be found at iverifytherecall.com.
Regents discuss financial aid, construction By Anna Duffin The Daily Cardinal
A UW System official told the Board of Regents Thursday that financial aid for students is becoming increasingly important as the nation trends toward decreasing public funding to higher education, forcing institutions to hike tuition. The Regents also approved the second phase of construction at UW-Madison aimed at enhancing Camp Randall Stadium’s academic and training facilities for student athletes and construction of a heating and cooling plant on the West side of campus. Financial aid is not increasing as quickly as tuition hikes are, so the average student today graduates with about $27,000 in loan debt, System Interim Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Mark Nook said.
“Those of us trying to find new methods to fund our mission of public higher education nationally need to take a close look at financial aid and student cost,” Nook said. Nook said as the system ultimately hopes to increase the number of jobs in the state by increasing the number of college graduates, it should look into how financial aid helps students graduate with less debt. “We can’t do any of those things if we don’t educate a broader swath of the population in the state of Wisconsin, and that means making sure the tuition, room and board, all of the fees that these students have to pay are affordable.” UW-Madison financial aid director Susan Fisher said some of the students who struggle the most with loan debt are students who fall just short of
qualifying for national needbased aid. “They are really hurting,” Fisher said. Also at the meeting, the regents approved the second phase of renovations to the UW-Madison student athletic performance center. The center is currently undergoing the first phase of renovations, which the Regents approved in October. Phase II will include renovating the McClain indoor training center and installing new LED boards in Camp Randall. Total construction is estimated to be $77 million, funded by Athletic Department revenue and private donations. The Board also approved the West Campus Cogeneration Facility Chiller Addition and Instillation project, expected to cost about $65 million.
Stephanie daher/the daily cardinal
Board of Regents President Michael J. Spector presided over a meeting on financial aid and Athletic Center renovations.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”