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Thursday, February 28, 2008
Report says same-day registration harms Wisconsin elections By Charles Brace THE DAILY CARDINAL
A Tuesday report said mandating the use of government-issued photo identification and ending same-day voter registration could solve most problems with Wisconsin elections. However, election officials dispute portions of the report, issued by the Special Investigations Unit of the Milwaukee Police Department. The report dealt with the 2004 presidential election in Milwaukee. The report said ending same-day registration would help officials ensure voters are eligible before an election. A government-issued photo ID is also needed to stop voter fraud, according to the report. Neil Albrecht, assistant director for the city of Milwaukee Elections Commission, said he did not endorse ending same-day registration or government IDs. Albrecht said the Milwaukee Elections Commission was not in favor of the report’s recommendations because they could “marginalize” voters. He said the Feb. 19 primary was largely problem-free, and some of the busiest polling areas for same-day registration were college campuses and poorer areas of the city. Around 35,000 people registered at the polls on the day of the primary, Albrecht said. The 2004 election, according to Albrecht, had several voter problems in Milwaukee, but it should not serve as an example of how elections are usually conducted in the state. State Rep. Suzanne Jeskewitz, R-Menomonee Falls, authored a bill ending same-day registration. She said Assembly Bill 158 would not hurt Wisconsin students, and students were not disenfranchised in states without same-day registration. Jeskewitz said the Democrat-controlled state Senate would likely not vote on her bill. State Rep. Jeff Stone, R-Greendale, has authored a constitutional amendment to create government IDs for elections. The amendment is also unlikely to be voted on in the Senate, according to Stone. “[It] is a travesty when you look at the problems we’re having in the state,” Stone said.
CHARLIE BAKER/THE DAILY CARDINAL
A group of UW-Madison medical students discuss the Healthy Wisconsin legislation at the state Capitol Wednesday. The students support the proposal, a universal health-care plan offered by Democrats in control of the state Senate.
Med. students lobby at Capitol By Charles Brace THE DAILY CARDINAL
UW-Madison medical students lobbied at the state Capitol Wednesday, attempting to gain support for the Healthy Wisconsin legislation. Thirty-five medical students wearing white lab coats held signs supporting the universal health-care proposal and lobbied legislators from their home districts. UW-Madison medical student Leslie Bishop said the students support Healthy Wisconsin because the legislation is better for patients. She said as a future doctor, the type of health care patients received mattered to her. Bishop also said she agreed with Healthy Wisconsin because it encour-
ages preventative care. The Democrat-controlled state Senate made Healthy Wisconsin the main focus of their health-care agenda. It was dropped from the final version of the state budget earlier in the year because of opposition from Republicans in control of the Assembly. Healthy Wisconsin is still opposed by Republican leadership, but medical student Erin Tromble said they hoped to build momentum for the proposal in the next legislative session. Tromble said the students did not support tax-deductible health savings accounts, one of the main parts of Assembly Republicans’ health-care agenda. “Health care is not the appropriate place for consumer driven models,” Tromble said.
SERF event to tout ‘Wisconsin Wellness’ By Whitney Newman THE DAILY CARDINAL
BEN PIERSON/THE DAILY CARDINAL
The third-annual Wisconsin Wellness Campaign welcomes UW-Madison students and community members to promote exercise and nutrition.
With Spring Break approaching, Saturday’s Wisconsin Wellness Campaign at the Southeast Recreational Facility could not come at a better time for UW-Madison students. “Usually within three to six months [of beginning a new exercise program], fifty percent of people drop out,” said Lori Devine, student services program manager for Recreational Sports. “If we can promote making small changes that will last a lifetime, that’s what really makes a difference.” The third-annual Wisconsin Wellness Campaign aims to promote physical activity, nutrition and disease prevention for the campus and the entire Madison community. According to Devine, the event encompasses the “Wisconsin Idea” that campus events and education should also reach out to the community.
“A lot of the community doesn’t really know what college recreational sports are,” Devine said. “This gives them an opportunity to come in and look at our flagship facility.” A wellness expo will be held in Gym 2 at the SERF, where companies and vendors that encourage a healthy lifestyle will showcase their products and services to the general public. “We want to show people that they really do have a lot of options out there, whether on campus or in the community,” Devine said. “Sometimes it’s the little things that make a huge difference.” A diverse group of businesses will be present including Luna Bar, Sleep Number by Select Comfort, the UW Bodybuilding Club and the Westside Family Pet Clinic. Dr. Ken Lambrecht, owner of wellness page 3
“It forces people to choose between their health and their ability to feed themselves.” Bishop said only wealthy people would be able to pay for health savings accounts. Compassionate Care The state Senate will vote again Thursday on Senate Bill 129, the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Bill. The bill passed the Senate in May 2007 and the state Assembly in January 2008. The bill would mandate all hospital emergency rooms in Wisconsin provide emergency contraception for all rape victims. It must pass the Senate again because of action taken on it in the Assembly. Gov. Jim Doyle is expected to sign the bill.
National fiscal tour reveals country’s financial burdens By Stephanie Dar THE DAILY CARDINAL
Four representatives from the Concord Coalition Fiscal Wake-Up Tour met Wednesday at Smith Hall to explain to students the magnitude of the current U.S. budget crisis. Comptroller General of the United States David Walker and representatives from the Heritage Foundation, the Brookings Institution and the Concord Coalition were present at the event. According to Walker, foreign nations as well as citizens of the United States have loaned the U.S. government substantial amounts of money in the form of bonds. The current budget deficit exceeds $53 trillion. “Basically, we’re spending a lot more money than we’re taking in,” said Walker. “It’s going to get a lot worse in the next few years.” The 77 million individuals in the baby boomer generation are going to retire over the next 20 years, which means they will be collecting Social Security, Brian Riedl said, representative for the Heritage Foundation. “If we were to raise taxes to pay for just what tour page 3
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”