Connect with us

Wisconsin

Fate of Wisconsin’s Use of Private Vendor to Maintain Voter Roll on the Line After Citizens File Complaint

Published

on

Fate of Wisconsin’s Use of Private Vendor to Maintain Voter Roll on the Line After Citizens File Complaint


A citizen group filed a criticism with the Wisconsin Elections Fee (WEC) on Sept. 8, alleging the fee broke federal legislation by contracting an out-of-state vendor to keep up the state’s voter rolls.

In its criticism (pdf), the Wisconsin Voter Alliance is difficult the legality of a state legislation which allows the elections fee to contract with third events to keep up the state’s centralized voter roll. The criticism seeks a declaration from the WEC discovering that the state statute violates the 2002 federal Assist America Vote Act (HAVA).

The criticism additionally asks the fee to declare that the database sharing with third events and the events’ makes use of of the database are legally unauthorized beneath federal legislation.

Such a declaration by WEC would drive the tip of the years-long contractual relationship between the fee and the Digital Registration Data Heart (ERIC).

Advertisement

In response to its web site, ERIC is a “public charity non-profit membership group comprised of 33 states and the District of Columbia.”

The group’s mission is “to help states in enhancing the accuracy of America’s voter rolls and enhance entry to voter registration for all eligible residents.”

Below the phrases of their contract with ERIC, member states are required to ship voter registration info to doubtlessly eligible residents who usually are not registered to vote each two years.

ERIC identifies the people by evaluating voter knowledge with motorcar licensing info, which the member states by contract should present to it.

An indication directs voters towards a polling place close to the state capitol in Madison, Wisconsin, on Nov. 6, 2018. (Nick Oxford/File Photograph/Reuters)

The complainants argue that federal legislation requires that solely the elections fee and its officers are licensed to keep up and implement the statewide voter registration system database.

They declare that the Assist America Vote Act requires the elections fee to keep up its database with out the skin help of a 3rd get together and that the duty can’t be delegated to some other entity.

Advertisement

The criticism asserts that beneath the federal statute, the election officers of every state are mandated to create and keep a centralized, interactive, computerized, statewide voter registration record. The legislation states that the voter record is to be “outlined, maintained, and administered on the State degree…(and) shall be coordinated with different company databases throughout the State.”

The federal legislation additionally states that “the suitable State or native election official shall carry out record upkeep with respect to the computerized record frequently…”

The statute additional requires states to “take away the names of ineligible voters from the computerized record in accordance with State legislation.”

“The language of the legislation is apparent. It’s the accountability of state elections officers to scrub up their very own voter rolls,” Erick Kaardal, an legal professional representing the alliance, advised The Epoch Occasions.

The criticism cites the U.S. Code to indicate that any election official within the state, together with native election officers, “might acquire fast digital entry to the data contained within the computerized record.”

Advertisement

“The identical federal legislation clearly mandates that the computerized record ‘shall be coordinated with different company databases throughout the State,’” Kaardal stated. “The operative phrase is ‘throughout the State.’”

ERIC is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

The Wisconsin Elections Fee didn’t reply to a request for remark by press time.

Meagan Wolfe, the fee’s administrator, is the newest previous president of ERIC, in line with its web site.

Kaardal advised The Epoch Occasions in a Sept. 13 cellphone interview,

Advertisement

“The cleverness of ERIC’s founder, David Becker, has created a mirage within the minds of state election officers across the nation that they can’t deal with the advanced job of cleansing up the voter rolls themselves. So, they go to their legislatures and persuade them to supply the small appropriation wanted to contract with ERIC.”

Kaardal stated that the mirage is well dispelled by the truth that a number of residents’ teams across the nation have demonstrated that, with laptop savvy and a few painstaking footwork, they will establish irregularities and errors on the rolls, which is the prerequisite to cleansing them up.

“These residents are populists who’ve resolved to work for reform and enhancements outdoors the federal government forms. They know issues are unsuitable there and are demanding motion now from their elected representatives,” stated Kaardal.

In response to ERIC’s web site, new members pay a one-time membership charge of $25,000. Annual dues are assessed by the scale of the voting age inhabitants of the state. They’ll vary from $15,000 to $74,000.

Kaardal advised The Epoch Occasions in a Sept. 12 cellphone interview that it might sound a bit uncommon for WEC to sit down in judgment on a criticism about itself, however that’s the best way the system works beneath federal and Wisconsin legislation.

Advertisement

“The alliance is required to take its criticism to the very best election administration authority within the state. In Wisconsin, that’s WEC,” Kaardal stated.

“We’re glad to present the members of WEC a possibility to do the proper factor and are hopeful they may.”

Steven Kovac

Observe

Steven Kovac experiences for the Nationwide Group from Michigan. He’s a former small businessman, native elected official, and conservative political activist. Steven is an ordained minister of the Gospel. He and his spouse of 33 years have two grown kids. He could be reached at steven.kovac@epochtimes.us

Advertisement



Source link

Wisconsin

Unanimous Wisconsin Supreme Court blocks UW Health nurses’ unionization, backing Act 10

Published

on

Unanimous Wisconsin Supreme Court blocks UW Health nurses’ unionization, backing Act 10


play

Advertisement
  • The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that UW Health is not legally obligated to recognize its nurses’ union or bargain collectively.
  • Act 10, a 2011 law, effectively ended collective bargaining for most public employees in Wisconsin, including UW Health nurses.
  • The ruling upholds previous decisions by lower courts and the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission.
  • UW Health nurses argued the hospital operates like a private entity and should be subject to collective bargaining laws, but the court disagreed.

MADISON – UW Health is not legally required to recognize its nurses’ union or engage in collective bargaining, a unanimous state Supreme Court ruled.

“When we examine the statutory language along with the statutory history, we conclude that Act 10 ended the collective bargaining requirements formerly placed on the (University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics) Authority,” wrote Justice Brian Hagedorn in an opinion released June 27.

The court’s ruling upholds previous decisions by the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission and a Dane County Circuit Court judge.

It also brings to the fore the lasting impact of Act 10, the 2011 state law engineered by Republican former Gov. Scott Walker that effectively ended collective bargaining for public employees in Wisconsin. Hagedorn, the author of the court’s unanimous opinion, provided legal counsel in the creation and defense of the law, and Jacob Frost, the Dane County judge who previously ruled in UW Health’s favor, appeared to have signed a petition to recall Walker over the law

The Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission ruled in November 2022 that UW Health is not required by law to recognize UW Health nurses’ union or to engage in collective bargaining. The union had been formed a few months prior to the commisssion’s ruling, with help from SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin.

Advertisement

UW Health nurses’ last union contract expired in 2014. At the time, UW Health said Act 10 — a 2011 state law that eliminated most collective bargaining rights for public employee unions — barred it from negotiating a new contract. Nurses countered that hospital management — acting as an independent body — could choose to recognize the union and bargain with it.

Fueled in part by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses’ efforts to unionize also followed cost-cutting measures that raised concerns about staffing and patient care. While UW Health administrators agreed problems existed, they said Act 10 prevented unionization as part of the solution.

UW Health and SEIU petitioned the state’s employment relations commission in 2022 as part of an agreement brokered by Gov. Tony Evers, asking the commission to determine whether the Wisconsin Employment Peace Act applies to the hospital. If the Peace Act — a chapter of state law governing collective bargaining — were determined to apply, UW Health would have to bargain with the union.

Both the commission and a Dane County Circuit Court judge ruled UW Health was not covered under the Peace Act and, as such, not required to work with the nurses’ union.

Advertisement

Attorneys for the nurses argued to the Supreme Court in February that the hospital functions like a private employer, and therefore should be governed by the Peace Act. UW Health attorneys countered that the legislative intent of Act 10 was clearly understood to dismantle unions and, despite the fact UW Hospitals and Clinics Authority was created in the mid-1990s as a quasi-government entity, lawmakers in passing Act 10 made clear it was included and considered a public entity.

“Taken together, the effect of the legislature’s changes in Act 10 are no mystery. When it created the Authority, the legislature added the Authority as an employer under the Peace Act and imposed numerous other collective bargaining provisions,” Hagedorn wrote. “In Act 10, the legislature eliminated the Authority as a covered employer along with other collective bargaining requirements. We therefore hold that the Authority is no longer covered by the Peace Act and is not required to collectively bargain under the Peace Act.”

Jessica Van Egeren of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed.

Jessie Opoien can be reached at jessie.opoien@jrn.com.

Advertisement

(This story has been updated to add new information.)



Source link

Continue Reading

Wisconsin

Police investigating death of former Wisconsin football player Nate White in South Dakota

Published

on

Police investigating death of former Wisconsin football player Nate White in South Dakota


play

The Brookings, South Dakota, Police Department is investigating the death of Nate White, a former University of Wisconsin football player and Rufus King High School graduate.

Advertisement

White, 20, died June 25 at his apartment in Brookings, where he was a student-athlete at South Dakota State.

White’s roommate called 911 at around 6:44 a.m. to report that White wasn’t breathing and was unresponsive in his bed, according to a police news release.

An autopsy will be conducted and the Brookings Register reported that results can take between three and four weeks.

A standout at Rufus King, White transferred to South Dakota State in January after two years with the Badgers.

“News of Nate White’s tragic passing has been sad and difficult to comprehend for all of the Wisconsin Badger Football family,” Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said. “We remember Nate as a friend and teammate and we stand in support of Nate’s family and loved ones.”

Advertisement

Several Badgers players, along with those in the Madison and Milwaukee communities who knew White, also posted about his death on social media.

White played running back in South Dakota’s State spring practice after playing wide receiver last season at Wisconsin.

“Jackrabbit football is a brotherhood and today we are all hurting with the shocking news of the loss of Nate White,” SDSU coach Dan Jackson said. “Nate impacted our program with his hard work, determination and overall positive spirit. We grieve with his family and will honor his memory throughout the upcoming season.”

At King, White ran for 1,345 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior after being named the conference offensive player of the year as a quarterback, rushing for 1,163 yards and 22 touchdowns, as a junior.

Advertisement

This story has been updated to add video. 



Source link

Continue Reading

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lutheran High School crowd buzzing as Knueppel drafted by Charlotte

Published

on

Wisconsin Lutheran High School crowd buzzing as Knueppel drafted by Charlotte


MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin native Kon Knueppel made history Wednesday night when the Charlotte Hornets selected him in the NBA draft, making him the highest draft pick ever from the state.

The former Wisconsin Lutheran High School star left an impressive legacy before moving on to Duke University and now the NBA.

Previous Coverage: Kon Knueppel is 4th overall NBA draft pick

Less than two years ago, he was celebrating a state championship with the Vikings.

Advertisement

At Wisconsin Lutheran High School Wednesday, friends, coaches, fans, and supporters gathered together for an NBA Draft Watch Party.

Former teammate Josiah Rice remembers Knueppel’s dedication during their time together.

Watch: Wisconsin Lutheran High School crowd buzzing as Knueppel drafted by Charlotte

Wisconsin Lutheran High School crowd buzzing as Knueppel drafted by Charlotte

Advertisement

“He was a very normal guy, but everything he did, he did hard. He was a hard worker. He was always in the gym coaching us too, just being a great teammate and all that,” Rice said.

Rice played alongside Knueppel in 2024 when the Vikings completed a perfect 30-0 season.

“It was just super fun to watch him play a lot of stuff. Great shooter, very athletic, surprisingly, but it was just super cool to see him on the court, and also for how he carries himself and stuff like that,” Rice said.

Mike Beiermeister

Advertisement
Josiah Rice

Knueppel’s senior year was filled with accolades. He led Wisconsin Lutheran to a state championship and was named Mr. Basketball for Wisconsin before heading to Duke University, where he helped the Blue Devils reach the Final Four.

His high school coach Ryan Walz expressed immense pride in Knueppel’s achievement.

“We’ve never had a kid ever be drafted before so I’m just — so much gratitude right now for being here and being able to share this moment with a lot of people who love Kon,” Walz said.

Ryan Walz

Mike Beiermeister

Ryan Walz

Tyson, a rising sophomore at Wisconsin Lutheran, looks up to Knueppel as a role model.

Advertisement

“He’s just, like, so strong, like, I can apply that to baseball, which I really like, and just keep working do the little things, right,” Tyson said.

Tyson Walz

Mike Beiermeister

Tyson Walz

The impact of Knueppel’s journey from high school standout to NBA draft pick has inspired many in the community.

“It’s actually pretty fun to see what God has given Kon of his abilities, you know, just to see him, like, go from all the way from freshman to senior, and then go to Duke. It’s pretty cool,” another student said.

During the draft watch event, Knueppel and his parents shared a special video message with the Wisconsin Lutheran community. He and his family were in New York for the draft.

Advertisement

“I really appreciate all of you being here and supporting me on this journey,” Knueppel told the gathered crowd.

Knueppel surpassed Wauwatosa East and Wisconsin Badgers star Devin Harris as the highest draft pick from Wisconsin. Harris was taken fifth in 2004 NBA Draft.

This story was reported on-air by Mike Beiermeister and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.


Let’s talk:

Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.

Advertisement

It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.

Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.


Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending