Yearly Archives: 2022

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s elections boss says the recent state Supreme Court decision on ballot drop boxes means only one ballot per voter.

Wisconsin Elections Commission administrator Meagan Wolfe told reporters Thursday that she reads the decision in Teigen v WEC to say that voters cannot return other people’s absentee ballots.

“As of right now, the voter is the one required to mail their ballot,” Wolfe said.

But she hedged by adding that some local election clerks may feel differently.

“I would check with your local election official, as they are the ones in their communities that are responsible for administering that process and for providing their voters information about how ballots can be returned in their community.”

Elections commissioners on Tuesday were deadlocked as to whether the Commission should issue formal guidance to local clerks about how to handle voters who return more than one ballot. In the end, the Commission didn’t issue any guidance.

Wolfe said she didn’t think “it would be appropriate” for her “to opine beyond anything that’s in the court’s ruling.”

The lack of a clear, statewide rule for returning absentee ballots has lawmakers concerned.

Rep. Janel Brandtjen, R-Menomonee Falls, told The Center Square earlier this week that she fears communities across the state will be on their own.

“If Milwaukee and Madison do it one way, [and other communities do it differently] who determines the correct process?” Brandtjen said earlier this week.

Barbara Beckert, director of the Milwaukee office of Disability Rights Wisconsin, on Thursday said federal law allows disabled voters to have help in returning their ballots.

“The right for voters with disabilities to have assistance from a person of their choice is protected by federal law. Nothing in this decision changes federal protections for people with disabilities”, Beckert said. “Voters with disabilities who need ballot delivery assistance may want to contact their municipal clerk to ask for a disability related accommodation.”

Wolfe said the differences of opinion will likely lead to some confusion for voters as they turn out to vote in the August primary, and again in November.

Prior to heading to Saudi Arabia, the U.S. energy industry invited President Joe Biden to visit American energy sites.

The Texas Oil and Gas Association, Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association, and over 25 U.S. energy associations invited Biden and his cabinet members to visit U.S. energy facilities throughout the U.S.

The Texas groups represent high-skilled workers in a state that if it were its own country would be the world’s third largest producer of natural gas and fourth largest producer of oil. Texas producers are leading the U.S. in crude production in the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale, recognizing that “energy is the cornerstone of security and prosperity,” Todd Staples, president of TXOGA, said.

Nationwide, the groups represent 11 million workers in an industry that propelled the U.S. to lead the world in crude production in 2019. Under the Trump administration, the U.S. became the largest producer of crude oil in the world, led by Texas. Under the Biden administration, within months of implementing a range of restrictive policies, gas prices reached a seven-year-high and inflation reached a 40-year high. Last month, the average price of a gallon of regular gas in the U.S. surpassed $5 for this first time ever.

From cancelling federal land and offshore leasing permits, to increased regulation and proposed taxes, to depleting the Strategic Oil Reserves, to turning to foreign oil production, Biden has done everything to hamper domestic oil production, those in the industry contend.

While in Saudi Arabia, Biden is continuing his efforts to encourage members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to expand output.

Still, TIPRO President Ed Longanecker told The Center Square, "There are continued efforts to work with the Biden Administration to prioritize and support domestic oil and natural gas production to address global supply shortages, inflation and an escalating energy crisis in Europe.”

The groups wrote Biden a letter, urging him to “consider taking another look at made-in-America energy” before he left for the Middle East. They said they’d “be honored to show you how our industry is involved in every step of the energy process, from fuel pumps to critical product delivery infrastructure to production zones across our vast nation.”

But they didn’t hear back.

Instead, Biden wrote an op-ed published by The Washington Post justifying his trip. "As president, it is my job to keep our country strong and secure,” he wrote. “We have to counter Russia's aggression, put ourselves in the best possible position to outcompete China, and work for greater stability in a consequential region of the world.

"To do these things, we have to engage directly with countries that can impact those outcomes. Saudi Arabia is one of them, and when I meet with Saudi leaders on Friday, my aim will be to strengthen a strategic partnership going forward that's based on mutual interests and responsibilities, while also holding true to fundamental American values.”

But Staples told The Center Square, “American consumers suffer” when U.S. energy policies don’t “recognize and promote the long-term domestic development of oil and natural gas, indispensable commodities that are literally essential to modern life.

“Oil and natural gas produced in the United States, and largely right here in Texas, are leading the way in production and offer continued environmental progress. Oil demand is forecasted to continue growing in 2022 and into 2023, further suggesting that the Administration must provide certainty and consistent opportunities for domestic production, pipelines and processing of these products that our world depend upon.”

Instead of prioritizing domestic production, “Unfortunately, we are witnessing a concerted effort to significantly expand federal regulations that target American businesses, which will undoubtedly increase our reliance on foreign sources of energy,” Longanecker said. “Bolstering domestic oil and gas output, developed under the highest environmental standards in the world, is a key answer to addressing these challenges, enhancing America's national security and expanding U.S. competitiveness, and should be the top priority of this administration.”

OPEC announced Tuesday that it expected to increase crude output by nearly 1 million barrels a day next year. “In 2023, expectations for healthy global economic growth amidst improvements in geopolitical developments … are expected to boost consumption of oil,” it said in its monthly report released July 12.

But Ben Cahill, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Reuters “a surge in Saudi production seems unlikely.” Bloomberg News reported that OPEC producers would need to “pump crude at the fastest pace in five years in 2023 if they are to balance oil supply and demand,” which is unlikely for a number of reasons.

Longanecker adds that “global energy demand will continue to outpace supply for the foreseeable future, even with the easing of production quotas from OPEC members, many of which simply cannot increase capacity and output in the short term."

(The Center Square) – Expect to see more AirBnB and VRBO homes in Wisconsin listed with backyard pools.

The state’s Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection earlier this month dropped a proposed rule that would have treated pools at short term rentals just like public pools after a motion adopted by the Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules.

“After receiving testimony from interest groups, Department staff, and individual property owners, JCRAR adopted a motion to suspend the phrase ‘a tourist rooming house’ in [state administrative code],” DATCP said in a jargon-laden response to lawmakers. “JCRAR also adopted a motion in support of the suspension relating to the applicability of [state law] to remove pools that are located at short-term rentals.”

The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, which challenged the new pool regulations, on Thursday said DATCP’s decision is a win for individuals, and a win for common sense.

“It’s encouraging to see DATCP abandon their efforts to impose burdensome red tape on short-term rental owners with pools and hot tubs,” WILL Policy Director, Kyle Koenen, said. “Property owners will now have some well-deserved certainty that they can make a living without the heavy hand of government impeding their ability to do so.”

A number of homeowners who listed their homes on short term rental websites said they lost a season because of the confusion over the rule that now won’t be put into place.

Homeowner Kelly Smith told lawmakers back in April that she lost $30,000 because people declined to rent her house because they couldn’t use her pool.

“Renters are easily able to see our pool and are usually mystified and upset when I tell them they aren’t allowed to use it,” Smith said.

(The Center Square) – Milwaukee’s Democratic leaders put their frustrations over the end of ballot drop boxes in a resolution and may send it off to state lawmakers.

Milwaukee County Supervisors Felesia Martin, Willie Johnson Jr., Ryan Clancy, Steven Shea, and Peter Burgelis all signed on to a resolution condemning the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision that state law doesn’t allow for ballot drop boxes.

“Plainly stated: This ruling will severely restrict the ability of thousands of Wisconsin voters to participate in elections and fulfill their civic duty,” the supervisors said in a joining statement. “This ruling strikes at the heart of Milwaukee County’s mission to achieve race and health equity. We know that decisions that restrict access to the ballot box have a disproportionate impact on Black and Brown voters. As Milwaukee County is home to the state’s largest communities of Black and Brown residents, once again our residents will bear the brunt of an errant ruling.”

The supervisor’s resolution lays out seven points and four resolutions, all of which detail their support for ballot drop boxes, and their demand that Wisconsin lawmakers not move forward with any other election law changes.

“Milwaukee County hereby declares full confidence in Wisconsin’s current system of nonpartisan election administration led by the Wisconsin Elections Commission and calls upon certain State lawmakers to cease all attempts to undermine, disrupt, or revoke the Wisconsin Election Commission’s and municipal clerks’ authority over Wisconsin and local elections in a cynical and undemocratic usurpation of the voters’ will,” the resolution states.

The county supervisors are also taking a stance against any future plans to shift election supervision in Wisconsin away from the Wisconsin Elections Commission and shift that power to the Secretary of State.

“Milwaukee County strongly opposes any future attempts to override the will of Wisconsin’s voters and have partisan election administration in Wisconsin state and local elections transferred to a partisan entity,” the resolution adds.

The resolution is just that, a resolution. It doesn’t carry any real weight and won’t mean any changes for how elections are run in Milwaukee County.

The resolution is set for its first vote this Friday. Once it passes the full county board it will be sent to the state legislature and the governor.

Consumer prices rose another 1.3% in June, contributing to a 9.1% spike over the past 12 months. It is the largest spike in 41 years.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) Wednesday, which showed June’s rise. In May, prices rose 1%.

“The increase was broad-based, with the indexes for gasoline, shelter, and food being the largest contributors,” BLS said. “The energy index rose 7.5 percent over the month and contributed nearly half of the all items increase, with the gasoline index rising 11.2 percent and the other major component indexes also rising. The food index rose 1.0 percent in June, as did the food at home index."

Gas prices hit record highs in June, topping an average price of $5 per gallon for regular gas before dipping down to its current average of $4.63 per gallon, according to AAA. Diesel gas also hit a record high in June, which experts say leads to an increase in costs for all kinds of products as the raw goods and finished products are shipped around the world.

“The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.7 percent in June, after increasing 0.6 percent in the preceding two months,” BLS said. “While almost all major component indexes increased over the month, the largest contributors were the indexes for shelter, used cars and trucks, medical care, motor vehicle insurance, and new vehicles. The indexes for motor vehicle repair, apparel, household furnishings and operations, and recreation also increased in June. Among the few major component indexes to decline in June were lodging away from home and airline fares.”

This latest data showed the most significant increase in four decades.

“The all items index increased 9.1 percent for the 12 months ending June, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending November 1981,” BLS said. “The all items less food and energy index rose 5.9 percent over the last 12 months. The energy index rose 41.6 percent over the last year, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending April 1980. The food index increased 10.4 percent for the 12-months ending June, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending February 1981.”

Food prices have been a major pain point for Americans as those prices have steadily risen in recent months.

“The food at home index rose 12.2 percent over the last 12 months, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending April 1979,” BLS said. “All six major grocery store food group indexes increased over the span, with five of the six rising more than 10 percent. The index for other food at home increased the most, rising 14.4 percent, with the index for butter and margarine increasing 26.3 percent. The remaining groups saw increases ranging from 8.1 percent (fruits and vegetables) to 13.8 percent (cereals and bakery products). The index for food away from home rose 7.7 percent over the last year, the largest 12-month change since the period ending November 1981. The index for full service meals rose 8.9 percent over the last 12 months, and the index for limited service meals rose 7.4 percent over the last year.”

(The Center Square) – The people who manage Wisconsin’s elections are silent about the new ruling that bans ballot drop boxes.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission instead says it is waiting until after a Tuesday meeting to, perhaps, comment on the ruling then.

“The Wisconsin Elections Commission is currently reviewing the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s ruling in Richard Teigen v. Wisconsin Elections Commission. Commission Chairperson Don Millis has scheduled a full meeting of the Commission on Tuesday, July 12 to discuss the ruling ahead of the August Partisan Primary and November General Election,” the Commission said in a two sentence statement Friday. “The Commission may provide further comment at a later time.”

The Wisconsin Supreme Court called out the Elections Commission in its ruling against ballot drop boxes, spelling out that Wisconsin law does not allow them and saying the Commission shouldn’t have either.

“Only the legislature may permit absentee voting via ballot drop boxes. WEC cannot. Ballot drop boxes appear nowhere in the detailed statutory system for absentee voting. WEC’s authorization of ballot drop boxes was unlawful,” Justice Rebecca Bradley wrote in the 4-3 decision. “We conclude WEC’s staff erred by authorizing a voting mechanism not authorized by law. The memos created a ballot drop box scheme entirely absent from Wisconsin’s election code.”

The Elections Commission offered “guidance” to local election managers in 2020 that said drop boxes could be used.

Commission members defended that guidance by saying the coronavirus required certain public health accommodations.

Justice Bradley said that the drop boxes went beyond the scope of state law and only helped to sow distrust in the 2020 election results.

“If elections are conducted outside of the law, the people have not conferred their consent on the government. Such elections are unlawful and their results are illegitimate,” Bradley wrote.

“The Wisconsin voters, and all lawful voters, are injured when the institution charged with administering Wisconsin elections does not follow the law, leaving the results in question.”

Many of Wisconsin’s local election managers say they stopped using drop boxes earlier this year when a Waukesha County judge declared them illegal.

Milwaukee and Milwaukee County’s election managers on Friday expressed their disappointment in the loss of drop boxes, but said they too will follow the Supreme Court ruling for the upcoming elections in August and November.

President Joe Biden on Wednesday touted a federal program to delay insolvency for private unions’ pension funds, but critics say taxpayer dollars should not be used to “bail out” pensions negotiated by unions.

Biden spoke in Cleveland, Ohio, about the American Rescue Plan’s Special Financial Assistance program, which will protect more than 10 million Americans in multi-employer plans from seeing their benefits slashed when their plan becomes insolvent, which many are projected to do in the next few years.

Biden called the plan "historic."

“This was $90 billion, O.K.?” Biden said in his remarks. "But it is small in comparison to the bailouts of businesses and major corporations and banks..."

Multi-employer pensions are those negotiated across an entire industry, like mining or construction, with private unions and employers running the plans. The Biden administration announced a final rule this week regarding the rates of return and kinds of investments these pensions can utilize.

“The backbone of the country are the working women and men, the middle class, and you know there’s a middle class for one reason: American unions,” Biden said.

Critics, though, say it will be regular Americans who foot the bill.

“[Biden] is saving private union pensions by making ordinary Americans pay for them,” said Rachel Greszler, an expert at the Heritage Foundation. “And 6% of private sector workers are unionized so many of the blue collar workers that aren’t part of a union, or maybe they are part of a union that no longer has a pension plan, they are the ones who are going to bear the burden.”

Democrats praised Biden’s decision, saying it will help millions of Americans keep their benefits.

“Today’s action by the Biden-Harris Administration establishes the final rules for the multi-employer pension rescue program that will protect millions of Americans’ retirement security and save tens of thousands of businesses,” said U.S. Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, D-Va., who chairs the House Committee on Education and Labor. “For years, workers, retirees, businesses, and taxpayers sought a solution to the multi-employer pension crisis. In response, Congressional Democrats delivered a historic victory through the American Rescue Plan that keeps the promises made to retirees, saves businesses from going under, and shields taxpayers from the even greater cost of a multi-employer pension collapse.”

When some employers who originally were in the pension negotiations went out of business, their unfunded pension liabilities remained and were absorbed by other employers, worsening the problem.

“[Unions] have consistently promised more than they have set aside to pay,” Greszler said. “The incentives are all wrong here because the union can say to their members, ‘see we got you a higher pension benefit. We weren’t able to get you increased wages, but we were able to get you the pension benefit,’ and they can tell the employer, ‘we know you can’t afford higher wages, and we are not going to have you contribute more to the pension. We are just going to tweak our interest rate assumptions so that we can promise more but you don’t have to pay anything more.’

“So that’s the problem, that historically they have assumed very high rates of return like 8% where all financial economists will say if you have a guaranteed benefit like a pension, you should be using a riskless rate of return or at best a conservative bond rate. … instead they used stock market rates that translate into being able to make good on your promises only 50% of the time, and when their returns fell short, plans consistently failed to make adjustments,” she said. “The promises were decades into the future, so they got away with it until recently when plans started failing and the entire system is on track to pay only 42 cents on the dollar in promised benefits.”

Critics also say the federal funds are a true bailout because the federal funds are not requiring any major reforms from the unions. The funds are also only enough to delay the insolvency of a fraction of the funds, critics say, and not fix the problem.

“It actually makes it worse because it creates incentives in the short term for plans to promise more and to make worse assumptions than they already were so they can qualify under this short window to get bailouts, and there are no consequences going forward,” Greszler said. “And now that the federal government established that we are going to bail out these plans, plan administrators know that the sooner their plans become insolvent, the higher the likelihood they have of getting that bailout.”