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| Thursday,
October 18, 2007 Chairman Toby Paone called the meeting to order at 7:00 p. m. Toby Paone read the Acting Secretary’s report from September’s meeting and members passed it as read. Clarice Fall gave the Treasurer’s report for September. The beginning balance was $1,505.00 and the ending balance was $1592.00. The report was passed as read. OFFICEHOLDER’S REPORTS: Assemblywoman Mary
Hubler reported on the budget impass in the Wisc. Legislature.
Although the two parties are considerably closer in agreement
on the 58 billion dollar budget, there is no guarantee that
the budget will be passed in the immediate future. Hubler stated,
that in her opinion, the two biggest points of contention were
the hospital assessment and the cigarette tax. The hospital
assessment will result in more aid from the federal government.
The Republicans want to keep the cigarette tax at a minimum.
Hubler also discussed the plan to transfer funds from the Patient’s
Compensation fund, which she feels will not pass a court review.
Matt Rudig from congressman Dave Obey’s office reported on Obey’s hold on the war supplemental bill. If the President’s request does not include a goal for the end of U. S. involvement in combat operations in Iraq by January of 2009, Chairman of Defense Appropriations, John Martha and Vice Chairman of the Rules Committee , James McGovern, together with Dave Obey, will not take up President Bush’s $200 billion war supplemental request this year. Congressman Obey also announced that he and Congressmen Murtha and McGovern will be introducing a bill to create a war surtax in an attempt to spread the burden of the war to all U. S. citizens. Matt also reported a failure to override the President’s veto of the SCHIP bill which offers health care to all children and their parents who earn below the poverty line. This will result in weakening Governor Doyle’s plan to expand BadgerCare. Congressman Obey complimented the President on signing the bill to increase college financial aid. Matt also announced Congressman Obey’s intention to have a December 8, 2007 book signing in the area. Discussion of the budget crisis included comments by John Stillmacher, the business manager for the Barron School District. He reported that the Barron District will lose about $300,000 in aid if the budget is not passed by November 1. This shortfall will be passed on to the property taxpayers. CHAIR’S REPORT: Michael Moore’s documentary, SICKO, will be shown Saturday, October 27, 2007 at the Barron Co. Courthouse at 7 p. m. The showing is being co-sponsored by the Barron Co. Dems and the Barron Co. Farmers’ Union. Senator Feingold will have a fundraiser on Friday, November 30, 2007 from 5 - 6:30 p.m. at the home of Ron and Jane Michel, 7538 Lakeview, Eau Claire, WI. Suggested contribution is $50. A fundraiser for the Barron Co. Dems was discussed. Chairman Paone will be in Washington, D. C. in November and will attempt to meet with Congressman Obey at that time to plan a time and place for a fundraiser. Co-chair Kippenhan suggested a pig roast/rally early next fall. Possible Sawyer County Candidate Recruitment Workshop on November 13, 2008 from 6-10 PM was announced. For in-depth information on the 2008 Presidential Primary, www.wispolitics.com is a recommended site. Women’s Caucus: the Democratic Party of Wisconsin is in the process of creating a Woman’s Caucus in every county of Wisconsin. Clark County Democrats’ annual fundraiser dinner will be held on Saturday night, October 20, 2007, 6:30 p.m. at the Thorp American Legion hall.
Health: Jim Heerey recapped last month’s discussion on campaign finance reform and how it effects health care legislation. Jim and Fred Bannister will create a document designed to be presented to candidates in which they would be asked to pledge their support for campaign finance reform legislation whenever possible. This draft will be presented to the body to be considered for adoption at the next monthly meeting of the Barron Co. Dems. SUNSHINE: A get-well card was sent to Dee Taylor’s husband who is seriously ill. FOOD DONATIONS will go to Rice Lake’s food pantry. The next meeting will be held at the Rice Lake Library on November 15th at 7:00 p.m.. Ronald Brewster made a move to adjourn.
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