News

Celebrated the first full week in May since 1985, Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) is a time set aside to honor the men and women who serve our nation as federal, state, county, and local government employees. Throughout the nation, public servants use this occasion to educate others about the work they do and why they have chosen public service careers, as well as the many ways government services make life better for all of us and ensure that our government is the best in the world. More national information can be found at publicservicerecognitionweek.org.

For the past couple of years

Thursday, March 12, 2015:  "Several Democratic lawmakers from Madison are holding a listening session Thursday on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus to gather public input on the governor's proposed $300 million budget cut and new public authority for the UW System.

The session from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Room B130 of Van Vieck Hall, 480 Lincoln Dr., is to be hosted by Sen. Fred Risser, Rep. Terese Berceau, Rep. Chris Taylor and Rep. Lisa Subeck.

Constituents unable to attend in person may share their thoughts via email with their legislators at:

Senator Risser: Sen.Risser@legis.wisconsin.gov,
Representative Berceau: Rep.Berceau@legis.wisconsin.gov,
Representative Taylor: Rep.Taylor@legis.wisconsin.gov
Representative Subeck: Rep.Subeck@legis.wisconsin.gov"

* From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinnel, March 11, 2015

Here is a list of the official public hearings hosted by the Joint Committee on Finance:

March 18 – Brillion (near Appleton) at the Brillion High School Endries Performing Arts Center,
W1101 County Road HR, Brillion. Hearing starts at 10:00 a.m and ends promptly at 5:00 p.m.

March 20- Milwaukee at Alverno College’s Pitman Theatre, 3400 South 43rd Street, Milwaukee. This hearing will start at 10:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m.

Monday, March 23 - Rice Lake at the UW-Barron County Fine Arts Theatre, 1800 College Drive, Rice Lake. The hearing goes from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 26 –Reedsburg

March 28, 2015 -- The SEVENTH annual Wisconsin Grassroots Festival will be held at the Wisconsin Heights High School in Mazomanie WI on March 28, 2015!  Featuring Mike McCabe, speaking on "Defending Our Democracy -- Next Steps".  Also featuring Mark Pocan and Kathleen Vinehout. 

FLYER

Read the March 2015 newsletter from POWRS, "Protect Our Wisconsin Retirement Security".  POWRS is a statewide group of activist retirees and includes several WPEC retirees. 

Newsletter Page 1

Newsletter Page 2

MADISON

WHAT: Rally to Oppose Right to Work
WHEN: 12:00 p.m. Tuesday February 24 and 12:00 p.m. Wednesday February 25
WHERE: State Street Side of the Capitol

Also at 9AM on February 24:
The Senate Committee on Labor and Government Reform will be holding a hearing Tuesday, February 24. Please join us at 9:00 a.m. to testify in opposition of Right to Work.

The above rallies are sponsored by WI AFL-CIO. More information can be found HERE.

MILWAUKEE

Rally to Stop “Right to Work” in Wisconsin
5:00pm Monday Feb 23rd
Zeidler Union Square
4th and Michigan, Milwaukee, WI

This Milwaukee rally is sponsored by:
Defeat RTW in WI, AFSCME District Council 48, Occupy Milwaukee, Voces de la Frontera, Youth Empowered in the Struggle, Progressive Students of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Bail Out The People Movement

See more details at this facebook event.

The WCOA Annual Conference will be held on Monday, May 18, 2015 from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM at the American Family Center (building A), Madison.

SPEAKERS:

Bob Conlin, Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) Secretary
Ron Mensink, State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB) Managing Director
Lisa Lamkins, AARP Wisconsin Federal Issues Advocacy Director
Paul Braun, Voice of Badger Hockey (talking on Alzheimer’s as a care provider)

This conference is for you to answer questions about your retirement and to inform you how the WRS is doing. Make plans to attend.

The registration fee will remain at the discounted cost of $25 which includes a continental breakfast and lunch.

Make your check payable to: Wisconsin Coalition of Annuitants
Mail to: John F. Maydak, WCOA Treasurer, 5704 West Beloit Road, West Allis, WI 53214-5318
 

Registration Form

American Family Center Layout

Wisconsin Coaltion of Annuitants website

GEF 1 Meetings

GEF 1 February Meeting

GEF 1 Meetings with Topics

Better late than never -- DOA released its statutorily required annual report on contractual services on December 22.  As expected, the overall spending on vendor services went up again this year. 

Read the Report

Read Bill Lueder's Article