LEAVINGWISCONSIN

MillerCoors says, "See ya!"

2008-07-16T12:30:00.003-05:00

It's official. MillerCoors HQ is moving to Chicago.

I can't believe that the new $130 million sales tax and the $20 wheel tax, didn't keep them here.

http://www.wisn.com/money/16892093/detail.html?treets=mil&tid=2654056049813&tml=mil_12pm&tmi=mil_12pm_1_12000207162008&ts=H

Tales of a Tax Hell

2008-07-15T15:37:00.004-05:00

First came the Milwaukee County Stadium tax which in all liklihood will be increased and extended into eternity despite assurances it would be a temporary tax.

Then came the proposed 1 cent Milwaukee County sales tax that could be put to voters in November, and would be applied only to the County of Milwaukee.

"The voters should trust us." -Larson

Pure comedy gold.

Then came Doyle's 46% vehicle registration fee increase, and his diver license fee increase.

MPS is constantly seeking to gouge the taxpayers of Milwaukee more and more with no intentions of living within a limited budget.

The City of Milwaukee penalizes business who get fed up with the poor business climate in this city, by insulting them with a final Business Death Tax.

And now 10 Milwaukee Alderman favor a $20 Dollar Wheel Tax.

Not to mention the plethora of other taxes.

Can anyone tell me why any employer would be insane enough to choose to do business here? Or why any existing business would be foolish enough not to look for a prompt escape?

Packers do not want Favre back

2008-07-15T15:28:00.001-05:00

Maybe we can move to whatever state Favre plays for.

http://www.presstelegram.com/sports/ci_9882118

General Motors working feverishly to leave Wisconsin

2008-07-15T15:27:00.002-05:00

http://www.wisn.com/news/16887594/detail.html?treets=mil&tid=2654056049813&tml=mil_12pm&tmi=mil_12pm_1_12000307152008&ts=H

$187 Million in state worker overtime may have been misspent

2008-07-15T15:24:00.001-05:00

This will make the coming post about taxes sting all that much harder.

http://www.wisn.com/news/16874472/detail.html?treets=mil&tid=2654056049813&tml=mil_12pm&tmi=mil_12pm_1_12000207142008&ts=H

Midwest Airlines to cut 1,200 jobs

2008-07-15T15:23:00.000-05:00

http://www.wisn.com/money/16877070/detail.html?treets=mil&tid=2654056049813&tml=mil_12pm&tmi=mil_12pm_1_12000207142008&ts=H

MillerCoors can't get out of Wisconsin fast enough

2008-07-10T09:03:00.005-05:00

Not even a week has passed since the merger, and already MillerCoors is deciding whether they want to head to Chicago or Dallas.

Who wants to bet they choose Dallas? Dallas is turning into a refugee camp for displaced Milwaukeean business.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=30122

Local media reports on racism where none exists

2008-07-09T14:36:00.003-05:00

It's pretty sad when the local media reports on acts of racism when none simply took place. The night club Decibel on Milwaukee's fashionable East Side, is being accused of not allowing a patron in who was wearing pants that were too baggy.

Boo hoo.

I got news for this crybaby patron. I've gone to North Avenue with white friends who were not let into Decibel because they were wearing tennis shoes and ripped up jeans. So was Decibel being racist against whites because they didn't allow him in? Of course not.

Many night clubs have dress codes. I've had friends denied at clubs simply because they wore a hat. And guess what, they were white.

So get over yourself, get on with your life, and stop playing the poor little victim just because you can't do whatever you want.

When we can no longer trust our local media to report news that is accurate, and ignore this kind of silly nonsense instead of treating it as a news story, it may be time to leave.

http://www.wisn.com/news/16821939/detail.html?treets=mil&tid=2654056049813&tml=mil_12pm&tmi=mil_12pm_1_12000307092008&ts=H

MPS looking to gouge taxpayers again

2008-07-06T16:44:00.000-05:00

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=769117

Summerfest obeys whiney wacko fringe moonbat activists

2008-07-06T15:43:00.004-05:00

On July 1st there were reports coming in that Summerfest was requesting that the Army remove their simulator video game. The request was made, supposedly due to complaints received by the Summerfest office.
It was later discovered that many of the complaints were artifically manufactured by the wacko fringe moonbat activist groups, Peace Action Wisconsin, and Veterans For Peace.
Bowing to the whiney pressure from these fringe activist groups, the Army was forced to shut down their simulation. However, they were able to replace the simulation with a target practice game, thanks to the phone calls of concientious patriots. Summerfest would later make a statement, excusing their weak behavior.
According to their website, Peace Action Wisconsin intends to meet with Summerfest officials to press the matter further, which they hope will include discussion about the presence of the U.S. military at Summerfest. Veterans For Peace continue to encourage folks to call Summerfest to shut down the exhibit.
The fact that a major festival like Summerfest bends to the whims of wacko fringe activist groups such as these may be another reason, to simply leave Wisconsin. Particularly, when real life instances of actual violence are perpetrated at festivals, without any recognition or reponse by these groups, or by government leadership.

Miller-Coors merger: Countdown to Miller HQ leaving Milwaukee begins

2008-07-03T11:42:00.000-05:00

http://www.wisn.com/money/16752809/detail.html

Public Transit System magnet for worthless thugs

2008-07-03T11:41:00.002-05:00

Maybe it was the late closing times, the liquor served, and the lack of security that is to blame here. Oh wait...

http://www.wisn.com/video/16498234/index.html?treets=mil&tid=2654056049813&tml=mil_12pm&tmi=mil_12pm_1_12000106052008&ts=H

City Leaders avoid pointing finger at real Riversplash problem

2008-07-03T11:36:00.005-05:00

Citing closing times, lack of security, serving liquor on the streets, and the flying spaghetti monster, all city leadership avoids pointing the finger at the actual problem: the gangs and thugs that infested the festival. This festival had gone on for 15 years without incident, with late closing times, with lack of security, with serving liquor on the streets. The only thing that has changed in tha last few years, is the unfortunate presence of these thugs. If they don't have the courage to put blame where it ought to go, they will never get ahold of the crime crisis in Milwaukee.

http://www.wisn.com/news/16463704/detail.html?treets=mil&tid=2654056049813&tml=mil_12pm&tmi=mil_12pm_1_12000306032008&ts=H

Janesville GM Plant closing

2008-07-03T11:34:00.000-05:00

http://www.wisn.com/automotive/16472217/detail.html?treets=mil&tid=2654056049813&tml=mil_12pm&tmi=mil_12pm_1_12000306032008&ts=H

Harly Davidson cuts workforce by 8%

2008-07-03T11:33:00.001-05:00

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-04-17-3648927314_x.htm

Midwest Airlines To Cut 109 Jobs, Flights

2008-04-17T12:42:00.002-05:00

Click on the title of this blog for the story. You can also watch a video here:

http://www.wisn.com/video/15904301/index.html?treets=mil&tid=2654056049813&tml=mil_12pm&tmi=mil_12pm_1_12000204172008&ts=H

Harley To Cut Jobs Following Earnings Tumble

2008-04-17T12:40:00.001-05:00

Click on the title of this blog for the story

Fredd Kessler calling upon the Governer to take power away from constinuency, and give it to the state

2008-04-16T18:02:00.003-05:00

State Representative Frederick P. Kessler (D-Milwaukee) is asking Governor Jim Doyle to include in any special sessions a vote on a constitutional ammendment that would eliminate the voting process for Justices of the Supreme Court, and hand that power of the voting public over to the Governor as an appointment authority.

Click on the title of this blog for the story.

"Alcohol Abuse Experts" lobbying to increase state's Beer Tax

2008-04-15T16:10:00.002-05:00

Click on the title of this blog for the story.

Rising flour prices due to ethanol demand puts many small bakers out of business

2008-04-15T00:13:00.001-05:00

Click on the title of this blog for the story.

Capital Area Regional Planning Commission

2008-04-14T23:53:00.002-05:00

The non-elected planning body CARPC is seeking to limit local control, and expand central planning in Dane County.

Tyco Electronics closing Milwaukee plant

2008-04-14T23:39:00.001-05:00

Click on the title of this blog for the story.

"The attitude in Milwaukee toward business is awful"

2008-04-14T07:14:00.003-05:00

Briggs CEO says moving Brigg's headquarters "could happen."

Click on the title of this blog for the story.

Atheists Shut Down Wisconsin VA Christian Bookstore

2008-04-12T14:19:00.003-05:00

I have to wonder if the FFRF has ever protested the presence Islamic vendors. Ever.

Click on the title of the blog for the story.

Milwaukee turns away BuySeasons Inc.,

2008-04-12T14:02:00.001-05:00

Click on the title of this blog for the story.

Special thanks to Sheboygan Shenanigans for adding Leaving Wisconsin to their Blogroll

2008-04-12T13:52:00.002-05:00

http://sheboyganshenanigans.com/

Famous Footwear headquarters relocating from Madison to St. Louis

2008-04-11T22:24:00.001-05:00

Click on the title of this blog for the story.

Plant Closing and Mass Layoff Notices for 2008

2008-04-11T18:20:00.001-05:00

Businesses in Wisconsin that employ 50 or more people must give written notice 60 days before implementing a "business (plant) closing" or "mass layoff" in the state.

Click on the title of this blog to see the list of closing businesses for 2008.

Hosptial Association says Wisconsin taxpayers support .7% hospital tax

2008-04-11T18:07:00.001-05:00

Click on the title of this blog for the story.

Zurheide Ice Cream closing its doors

2008-04-10T14:09:00.002-05:00

Cites the increases in price of core ingredients as the cause.

Click on the title of this blog for the story.

Modine Manufacturing Co. closing Logansport Plant

2008-04-10T14:06:00.001-05:00

Click on the title of this blog for the story.

Wisconsin Biofuels Destiny Conference to focus on driving the price of corn sky high

2008-04-10T13:10:00.004-05:00

Click on the title of this blog for the story.

PETA wants northwestern Wisconsin school to scrap hunting pictures

2008-04-10T13:05:00.000-05:00

Click on the title of this blog for the story.

COWS recommends raising taxes and spending more

2008-04-09T17:56:00.007-05:00

The Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS), has released a report on Wisconsin's growing income inequality. The report can be viewed in a PDF file in its entirety.

The report states:

At the very top of the income distribution—the richest five percent of the population—the story is more extreme. Income at the very top grew by nearly 60 percent.

From the mid 1980s to the mid 2000s, the average real income of Wisconsin families in the bottom fifth of earnings grew only 7 percent.

Income at the middle of the income distribution in Wisconsin grew somewhat faster but was still rather sluggish, with income up only 14 percent ($6,583) over the 17-year period.

The report then goes on to recommend fixes for this problems and states this in it's conclusion:

Wisconsin’s growth and prosperity are not being equally shared. The rewards of prosperity have been concentrated on the richest 20 percent of families. As a state, this should be of substantial concern, not only because of the slow growth in incomes for the remaining 80 percent of families, but also because increasing disparity comes with substantial social costs.

To prevent a deepening divide between the rich and poor
in our state, Wisconsin should pursue a number of strategies:
raising the minimum wage and indexing it to inflation
building the skills and education of Wisconsin’s workers
adequately funding the child care subsidy program for low-income working families
promoting awareness of BadgerCare Plus and expanding it in 2009 to make
health insurance available to low-income childless adults
continuing to modernizing the unemployment insurance system
reforming regressive taxes

Taking these steps would help keep Wisconsin’s economy growing, and ensure that all residents of the state would benefit from that growth.

Wisconsin's State and Local Tax Burden, 1970-2007

2008-04-09T12:36:00.002-05:00

Wisconsin has a tax burden higher than the national average, and has been in the top 10 most taxed states for decades.

Click on the title of this blog for the full story.

Thanks to Free Whitewater for reporting on Leaving Wisconsin and directing us to this information.

Doyle appointee working to raise gas tax

2008-04-08T18:22:00.001-05:00

Click on the title of this blog for a link to the story.

Miller Brewing Company's future in Milwaukee uncertain

2008-04-08T14:54:00.002-05:00

Click on the title of this blog for a link to the story.

College Graduates flee Wisconsin

2008-04-05T00:37:00.001-05:00

Wisconsin college graduates ages 22 to 29 are leaving Wisconsin upon graduation.

Maple Leaf Farms plant in Franksville closing in May

2008-04-05T00:22:00.003-05:00

Maple Leaf Farms Inc. will be closing its Franksville plant in Racine County sometime in May. This closing represents the loss of 175 jobs. Rade Dimitrijevic, a representative of the company, cited the rising cost of corn as the cause of the closure.

The New England confectionary Co. in Pewaukee closing

2008-04-05T00:14:00.005-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE,

For more information, contact:info@savethecandyraisins.com

Candy Fans LaunchSaveTheCandyRaisins.com

Green Bay, WI: Natives of Southeastern Wisconsin have grown up with a unique regional candy called Candy Raisins for decades. These candies are a translucent brown, gum drop-like confectionary that are now endangered.

The New England Confectionary Co. (NECCO) has owned the patent on (and the only production facility of) the candy since the mid-1970s. They recently announced the closure of that Pewaukee, WI plant (Stark Candy Co.) and with it, production of Candy Raisins. They are still undecided if they will move production to their Massachusetts plant, or cease production altogether. The company cites overseas competition as a key factor in the plant closure.

West Allis, WI native (and Green Bay resident) Gary Radke has launched a website to help save these tasty treats from his childhood. The site, www.SaveTheCandyRaisins.com features background on the candies and their current plight. Most importantly, it has an online petition that Candy Raisin lovers can sign in hopes of saving this regional delicacy.

Radke hopes to get the word out to Milwaukee area natives who know and love the candy. “As soon as the article came out I exchanged emails with a friend who is also a big Candy Raisin fan. We decided that we had to do something to try and save this icon of our childhood,” said Radke.

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United States Bowling Congress relocates to Arlington, Texas

2008-03-29T22:26:00.001-05:00

USBC Board votes its intention to move headquarters to Texas
3/11/2008
By Jerry Schneider USBC Communications

The United States Bowling Congress Board of Directors has given approval to announce its intention to relocate the organization's headquarters to Arlington, Texas, where it will reside with the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America.

The decision, made during a meeting Sunday in Atlanta, came after presentations were made by officials from Arlington and Milwaukee, the homes of the BPAA and USBC, respectively.

"This is a great day for bowling. Relocating to Arlington would allow for the creation of an international bowling campus. We can set the foundation for tremendous growth and opportunities for decades to come," said USBC President Jeff Bojé. "Both cities made excellent presentations and either would have been good locations for USBC. The Board decided Arlington would be the best location should the USBC receive approval of investment from the Texas Enterprise Fund."

Contingent upon TEF approval, USBC Headquarters is expected to move to Arlington later this year. In addition to office space for about 200 overall employees, the new complex will include a 12-to-16-lane combined equipment testing and international training center to form a $14 million international bowling campus. BPAA has pledged to pay for half of the complex while utilizing less than one-fifth of the space.

The property is located at 621 Six Flags Drive, across the street from Six Flags Over Texas in the heart of Arlington's entertainment and sports district. It is about three blocks east of Rangers' Ballpark in Arlington, home of the Texas Rangers baseball team, and about six blocks east of the new Dallas Cowboys stadium set to open in 2009. The creation of an international bowling campus at such a high profile location will provide the opportunity to showcase bowling to the world that doesn't exist at the present location.

"Integration of operations can be achieved without the loss of identity or control of the individual organizations," said BPAA President Joe Schumacker. "By working in tandem with USBC, we can fulfill our individual missions, as well as protect and grow all levels of competitive bowling.

"The concept of integrating the operation of the BPAA and the USBC makes sense. Bowling has changed dramatically over the past 25 years. It is imperative the organizations embrace change so they can continue to professionally support their individual constituencies."

The new joint venture is expected to help grow the sport by USBC and BPAA by being more able to work together on joint programs such as youth bowling and coaching. Youth bowling and coaching have been major points of emphasis for the organizations.

An additional factor for the Board's decision was ease of travel. As one of the world's largest airports, Dallas/Fort Worth International makes it much easier for those traveling to and from the international bowling campus, especially those traveling internationally.

USBC and BPAA announced in November that their boards of directors had approved a study of how much their operations should be integrated. The goal was to use such efficiencies to help grow the sport of bowling. The organizations' boards of directors gave approval in January to start negotiations with all parties involved to relocate the organization's headquarters to Texas.