State Headlines From Wisconsin Public Radio, June 3 | Ashland Current

Future public safety workers can expect to pay more for benefits By Shawn Johnson, Wisconsin Public Radio

Newly hired police and firefighters would be forced to pay more for their health care and pension benefits under a plan approved by Republicans on the legislature's budget committee. Police and firefighters were specifically exempt from the collective bargaining changes Republicans made earlier this year. But under the plan Republicans on the budget committee passed, new hires would be forced to pay more for their health care and pensions and so would police or firefighters who leave one agency to work for another.

Assembly Democrat Jennifer Shilling called the move significant. She says, "the lessons that I learned tonight from this is there is no one that is safe for long."

But Republican Assembly Co-Chair Robin Vos stressed that it would not apply to police and firefighters who are already on the job. He says, "people who are existing would be under one set of rules. People who are brand new hires who take the job understanding exactly what their circumstances are would get a new set of rules."

But another change Republicans passed would apply to all police and firefighters. They would no longer be allowed to bargain over the design and choice of their health insurance plans.

Protesters flood Joint Finance Committee meeting By Shawn Johnson, Wisconsin Public Radio

Police carried protesters out of the legislature's Joint Finance Committee meeting Thursday night as dozens disrupted the panel's work on the next two-year state budget. One protester after another stood up last night, proceeded to the center of the room in front of the committee and started talking over the committee, with some reading from the Constitution and some taking shots at Republicans.

One after another they were led away by police. One protester who was lead away said, "you justify your actions claiming immigrant children are taking away resources. Alright, I'm not resisting, but go ahead and take me out. I'm just dissenting. Just dissenting."

Early on, it was Democrats who tried to calm the crowd, including La Crosse Rep. Jennifer Shilling. The suggestions were not well-received. For more than a half hour, the committee proceeded that way.

Republican Assembly Committee Co-Chair Robin Vos never took a break, even as other lawmakers couldn't hear what he was saying. As the crowd chanted "Whose house? Our house!, Vos said, "We're not going to let the crowd just come in here and march in and decide to shout us out. We're not going to let the crowd shout us down, so we're going to do our job today."

Capitol police say 25 to 30 people were led out of the building and there were two arrests. Protesters will likely return Friday as the Joint Finance Committee wraps up its work on the two year budget.

Some money restored for recycling By Shawn Johnson, Wisconsin Public Radio

The legislature's budget committee has voted to restore some of the funding for Wisconsin's recycling program. The governor proposed eliminating state funding and the state mandate for the $32-a-year program. The budget committee voted to restore $19 million of that.

Marinette Assembly Republican John Nygren said people have come to expect recycling. He says, "it's my belief when you deal with the recycling program that society has changed. I remember when it first started years ago, I wasn't too keen on it. It seemed like a hassle, I'm sure a lot of people thought same thing, a little bit of a hassle. But we've changed over the years. We've become accustomed to it. It's the way we operate our families."

The committee also voted to continue using revenue from the state's tipping fee on garbage to pay for recycling among other environmental programs. The governor wanted to use the fund to pay for economic development.

Democratic Party meets this weekend By Chuck Quirmbach, Wisconsin Public Radio

State Democrats are promising a lot of enthusiasm at their annual political convention in Milwaukee beginning Friday night. But, the party also has plenty of unanswered questions.

The Wisconsin Democratic Party says about 1,600 people will be at the two-day convention. State party chairman Mike Tate says Gov. Walker's attack on collective bargaining, and Congressman Paul Ryan's plan to create Medicare vouchers have Democrats fired up. But some of the Republican state Senators fighting off recall elections have been raising sizable amounts of money. Tate contends the Democratic challengers will have financial support.

Democrats also have a big question mark as to who will run to replace the retiring Herb Kohl as U.S. Senator. Former Sen. Russ Feingold says he'll decide by Labor Day. Mike Tate says the matter probably won't be settled at this weekend's convention.

Tate says there may eventually be a Democratic primary for Senate. One other question for the convention will be what New York Rep. Anthony Weiner will say when he speaks Friday night. Weiner's been in the news because of a lewd photo on his Twitter feed. Mike Tate says Weiner's account was hacked. If Weiner goes ahead with his speech, it's one of several at the convention that may make national news.

Schools may be given more time to remove race-based mascots By Brian Bull, Wisconsin Public Radio

Schools ordered to eliminate race-based mascots would have until late next year to do so, under a bill being introduced in the legislature.

State Sen. Mary Lazich says her bill would alleviate the financial burden to such schools, by giving them until November 2012 to comply with the state's mascot law. The New Berlin Republican says currently in her district, Mukwonago School officials have until this October to get rid of their "Indians" mascot.

Lazich says that may cost them between $30,000 and $50,000. She says, "they need the dollars for education. So to force them to change a mascot which they've had for years and years and years and years, and to put a burden of proof on them, that they are guilty of some dastardly deed, is very contrary to our judicial system."

Lazich says it will also buy time for further challenges to the mascot law, which went into effect last year. A legal hearing is being held next month in Waukesha County, on a lawsuit questioning the law's constitutionality. And Whitewater Rep. Steve Nass has a bill aimed at repealing the law, though it remains stuck in the Homeland Security Committee.

If Lazich's bill is enacted, it would apply to any school district previously ordered by the Department of Public Instruction to eliminate its mascot. The first complaint under the law was filed against Osseo-Fairchild, which has until the end of July to comply with the DPI's order and remove its "Chieftains" mascot.

Supporters of the law say race-based mascots are discriminatory, promote racial stereotypes, and hurt the well-being of Native American students.

Hearing held on proposed "castle" law By Shamane Mills, Wisconsin Public Radio

The National Rifle Association asserts there won't be problems if Wisconsin expands the right of homeowners to protect against intruders. And the group has asked for a 'presumption of self defense' to extend outside the walls of someone's home.

The idea that a person's home is their castle has given rise to laws around the country allowing deadly force against intruders. Wisconsin is considering such a proposal. It would also protect shooters from civil lawsuits by the victim or their family. In the second legislative hearing on the bill, the NRA asked for amendments. Spokesman Darren La Sorte says a person should be able to protect themselves if they shoot an intruder in other places than just their home: for instance, their car. He says, "if someone's unlawfully entering, a vehicle you'd be able to be able to be covered by this presumption (of self defense) so carjacking, kidnapping from a vehicle."

During the hearing, Democrat Fred Risser brought up situations where a homeowner might use deadly force against someone they didn't intend to. One of the bill's authors, Racine Sen. Van Wangaard, says having a judge presume self defense allows homeowners to act in dangerous situations. He says this, "isn't groundbreaking legislation and isn't going to turn Wisconsin into the Wild West. This is a measured, balanced law that has proven successful in many other states."

The Wisconsin Association for Justice is against the bill. The state bar's criminal law division also opposes it.

Food Stamp recipients on the rise By Kristen Durst, Wisconsin Public Radio

The number of people on food stamps has grown in nearly every state in the nation in the past year, including Wisconsin. The Department of Agriculture says food stamp use nationwide was up 11 percent from March of 2010 to this past March. Wisconsin's increase was also 11 percent -- with more than 800,000 people in the state currently receiving assistance through the state's FoodShare program.

Sherrie Tussler is the executive director of Hunger Task Force in Milwaukee. She says, "the economy may be improving but I don't think it's touching everybody. There are still a lot of unemployed people. And a lot of people with disabilities who may never be able to work that rely on the FoodShare program in order to put food on the table."

In Wisconsin, more than 80,000 more people relied on food stamps this past year. 13.6 percent of Wisconsin residents currently receive food assistance.

Gas giveaway incentives may boost tourism By Brian Bull, Wisconsin Public Radio

Wisconsin's hotels and lodges want you to expand your summer travel plans, and many are even willing to help keep the tank full. Right now, gas prices are a $1.20 a gallon more than last year. The Wisconsin Hotel and Lodging Association wants to keep its members' rooms full this summer, so they're now offering gas cards to travelers to help ease the pain of higher fuel prices. The amounts mostly vary between $25 and $50, depending on the length of stay.

WH&LA president Trisha Pugal says so far, about 30 members are offering the gas cards, and expects that number to grow as the summer travel season heats up. Pugal hopes that the promotion will encourage travelers to expand their "staycation" plans just a bit further on the map, so her industry sees a more profitable year.

"Last year had a very modest growth, it was 1.8 percent or something like that from the previous year," says Pugal. "We're looking forward to this year moving much stronger, it's already showing some signs of growth and we're just again trying to make sure that travelers think about getting out and enjoying overnight stays obviously, and enjoying our state."

Deborah Mitchell is with the Center for Brand and Product Management at the Wisconsin School of Business, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She says the gas card promotion works because it tackles travelers' fears over high gas prices head on.

"Psychologically, a dollar is not a dollar to consumers," says Mitchell. "And so rather than just giving people $20 or $30 or $50 which --it is money, but it can be spent on a lot of different things -- this is very clean. It says, `Hey! This can go for your gas.' And in our minds, we think, `Oh I know I need I'm going to have to spend a certain amount on gas,' --this activates --then takes off the table -- an argument and a concern for people in a very direct manner. It's brilliant."

The promotion period ends August 31. Specific details on the gas card getaway campaign can be found online at wisconsinlodging.org.

Wisconsin weighs apology law for medical providers By Shamane Mills, Wisconsin Public Radio

Many states have tried to reduce malpractice suits by allowing doctors to say they're sorry for medical errors. Wisconsin is considering a proposal that would do that and more: it would also exclude expressions of fault or responsibility from being used in civil suits.

In the 90s, "apology laws" emerged in the U.S. as a way to open up communication between doctor and patient and potentially head off liability lawsuits. Dr. Norman Jensen of the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics says potential court action scares doctors into silence, when oftentimes families just want to know what went wrong.

"Human beings--Americans for sure--have a lot of forgiveness in their hearts and souls if they're only treated with respect and openness," Jensen said.

This proposal is more expansive than one last session that was vetoed by then-Governor Jim Doyle. Milwaukee Rep. Jon Richards says most laws in the U.S. allow doctors to express regret or sympathy; Wisconsin's broader proposal could potentially make it harder to prove malpractice.

"Saying 'I'm sorry' is a good and appropriate thing to do," says Richards. "But this goes way beyond that. This goes into direct admission of fault and responsibility!"

Supporters of the bill say it will reduce frivolous lawsuits; a 2006 Harvard study found perception of them to be overblown. Such lawsuits are tough to win, says Mike End, an injury attorney and president of the Wisconsin Association of Justice. He favors doctor apologies, but not exclusion of fault or responsibility.

"Communication is the way to go, that's patient safety," says End. "But you don't need to potentially destroy the right of someone to be compensated."

Supporters of the bill say while a doctor's admission of fault to a patient would not be admissible in court, lawyers could still use medical records and other evidence to prove their case.

GAB argues for more time to review recall effort against three Dems By Shawn Johnson, Wisconsin Public Radio

The Government Accountability Board (GAB) has asked a circuit court judge for more time to complete its review of recall petitions against three Democratic state Senators.

In a motion filed with the court, GAB asked for an extra week to deal with the recall petitions against Democratic Senators Dave Hansen, Jim Holperin and Robert Wirch. The board says that challenges to their petitions raise issues that are more complex than those the board encountered in other recall efforts.

That's partly because the challenges to the recalls against Democrats allege circulators committed fraud, in some cases by forging signatures and in other cases by tricking people into signing the petitions. The challenges to these recalls included hundreds of signed affidavits from people who said they witnessed this first hand. The challenges allege that this fraud rose to such a level that the board has to throw out all the signatures these circulators gathered.

The board is asking the court to move its deadline for ruling on the petitions from this Friday to a week from Friday. Recall organizers have protested the move, saying it's biased against Republicans. The board has already approved recall petitions against six GOP Senators: Dan Kapanke, Randy Hopper, Luther Olsen, Sheila Harsdorf, Robert Cowles and Alberta Darling.

Milk prices are stable By Steve Roisum, Wisconsin Public Radio

Milk prices continue to stay strong in a year that was predicted to be a lot worse. Before the beginning of the year, industry experts predicted milk market prices could drop as low as $14 for every 100 pounds of milk, due mostly to overproduction and not enough demand.

But, prices have continued to stay high for Wisconsin farmers in 2011. In April, milk sold for an average of more than $19 for every 100 pounds of milk. A slight drop in price is predicted for May, but still above $19 per hundredweight. Dairy economist Bob Cropp says Wisconsin dairy products are in strong demand in, and out, of the U.S.

"Actually, we doubled our non-fat skim milk exports, butter exports almost doubled, cheese exports are up 85 percent. So that added strength to those product prices which has driven up the milk prices," Cropp said.

While the high milk market prices have been good news for farmers, the cost of cattle feed is at a near record high. But Cropp says milk market prices should still be high enough for many farmers to see some profit.

Joint finance votes to lower chewing tobacco tax By Shawn Johnson, Wisconsin Public Radio

Anti-smoking groups are attacking a vote by the legislature's budget committee that would lower taxes on premium brands of chewing tobacco. The plan would have the state begin taxing moist snuff based on its weight rather than on its price. Taxes on lower-priced bands of chew would actually go up.

Maureen Busalacchi with Health First Wisconsin says lawmakers were turning their backs on the health of kids with the vote.

"It concerns me because we've lowered the price of some of the premium products which are the products that kids are most likely to use," says Busalacchi. "And while the motion wasn't entirely bad because it did raise some prices on lower priced products, it's really not sending the right message."

The move was approved in a bipartisan 13-3 vote. The committee's vote comes weeks after it voted to cut the state's budget for its tobacco control program.

Man protests Chinese art exhibit By Chuck Quirmbach, Wisconsin Public Radio

A self-described "arts agitator" stood outside the Milwaukee Art Museum yesterday and partially shaved his head, to show solidarity with a detained Chinese artist. The museum is about to start a series of exhibitions of Chinese art, and the Chinese government is helping with one of the shows. Two months ago, Chinese officials detained one of that country's most famous artists Ai Wei Wei.

Former Milwaukee art gallery owner Mike Brenner tried to call attention to Wei Wei's plight by standing across the street from the museum and shaving a wedge of hair off the top of his head, to match Wei Wei's hairstyle. After finishing with the electric razor, Brenner talked about showing solidarity with Wei Wei. He says he'd like the Milwaukee museum to go ahead with the Chinese exhibition, but do a better job of acknowledging Wei Wei's detention.

Milwaukee Art Museum director Daniel Keegan says - in a written statement? that the museum's mission is to "serve the community and present art as a vital source of inspiration and education", and it is "committed to bring people together to inform, educate and engage in conversation around art."

Events held during the Summer of CHINA exhibitions will "provide historical context, explore important aspects of 3,000 years of Chinese culture, and deal with contemporary issues." One panel discussion on the politics of art will include Melissa Chiu, from the Asia Society and author Barbara Pollack.

Keegan adds that the Museum "does not support censorship - including self-censorship - of art exhibitions or artists based on unpopular or controversial subjects." A few weeks ago, the museum also released a statement sharing concern for Wei Wei's well-being.

Kloppenburg concedes in Supreme Court race By Shamane Mills, Wisconsin Public Radio

There will be no legal challenge of the state Supreme Court election recount. Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg conceded defeat to incumbent David Prosser this week.

A narrow election night win on April 5 turned into a loss for JoAnne Kloppenburg when Waukesha County belatedly reported thousands of votes from Brookfield. She requested a recount which David Prosser won by 7,000 votes, and which Kloppenburg will not challenge.

"It would serve no purpose to bring a suit with insufficient legal basis. That is not the kind of lawyer I am," Kloppenburg said.

Kloppenburg says the recount shows ballot security needs improvement. She credited hard working clerks and volunteers but said Election Night procedures are "uneven" across the hundreds of municipalities. She called on the Government Accountability Board to improve the security and transparency of Wisconsin elections.

Kloppenburg is also asking for the GAB to appoint an independent investigator in Waukesha County.

"Waukesha County has twice as many torn, open or unsealed bags as every other county in the state combined," she said.

The race for state Supreme Court is officially nonpartisan. However, it occurred during Gov. Walker's plan to take away nearly all collective bargaining rights for most state workers, adding a political overtone for those who supported or opposed the governor's plan. The state Supreme Court will hear arguments next week whether to take the case. Prosser will begin his next 10 year term in August.

Budget committee approves tax code changes By Shawn Johnson, Wisconsin Public Radio

The working poor could see their tax bills go up while investors and multi-state corporations could see their tax bills go down under measures approved yesterday by Republicans on the legislature's budget committee.

The proposal would scale back Wisconsin's Earned Income Tax Credit. It would mean a family with two kids who makes less than $46,000 could owe about $150 more on their taxes. A larger family with a combined income of up to $49,000 could see their tax bill go up by more than $500.

Democratic Rep. Jennifer Shilling called it a blatant tax increase and the wrong priority.

"This appears to be a tax increase on those who can least afford it," says Shilling.

Republicans on the committee also voted to defer Wisconsin Capital Gains tax for investors who reinvest their earnings in Wisconsin businesses. Investors who turn a profit after holding their money in a Wisconsin business would see their state capital gains tax eliminated.

Republican Senate co-chair Alberta Darling said that was a crucial component to creating jobs.

"It's especially important for companies in Wisconsin to have people from Wisconsin invest in them," Darling said.

Republicans also changed the state's combined reporting tax on multi-state corporations to lower their taxes by a $46-million over the next two years.

Changes coming to state's welfare program By Shawn Johnson, Wisconsin Public Radio

Republicans on the legislature's budget committee voted to undo several changes to Wisconsin's W2 program that were made during Governor Jim Doyle's administration.

GOP lawmakers voted to reinstate a two-year time limit on how long someone can participate in Wisconsin's welfare-to-work program, tighter than the federal limit of five years that Democrats voted to bring Wisconsin in line with last session. Republicans also voted to reduce the amount of time a mother of a newborn could stay home and still receive W2 benefits, from 12 weeks to eight.

The GOP also voted to let W2 providers deem certain applicants with some education and work history as "job ready," in essence saying they should be able to find work without W2's help.

Milwaukee Democrat Tamara Grigsby said she fought to end that category and it pained her to see it coming back. Grigsby said it was aimed at one thing--reducing W2 caseloads.

"Not eliminating poverty. Not putting people in good jobs. But just lowering our caseloads," Grigsby said.

The committee also voted to let a transitional jobs project continue in Wisconsin, but not for much longer. The project uses federal fund to subsidize minimum wage jobs for people who don't qualify for unemployment benefits. The governor would have gotten rid of the program. Republican lawmakers voted to scale it back and phase it out by mid-2012.

A closer look at where wolves are attacking cattle By Chuck Quirmbach, Wisconsin Public Radio

A new study gives a clearer look at where gray wolves are attacking livestock in Wisconsin. Researchers from the Department of Natural Resources and the University of Wisconsin-Madison looked at about 10 years of data. The study's key finding is that while gray wolves are found in much of the northern third of the state, only about 10 percent of Wisconsin in northwestern counties -- and a few pockets near Lake Superior -- have a high risk of the wolf attacks.

Adrian Treves heads the carnivore coexistence lab at the university. He says the finding should be good news for farmers, wildlife managers and policymakers. Treves says in the high risk areas, there's a "perfect storm" of a lot of pasture land, being about ten kilometers from wolf pack ranges and rather far from forests. He says data from the first years studied helped predict 88 percent of later incidents.

Farmers in the high risk areas may want to consider electric fences, and other means to deter wolves. The study comes as the federal government is proposing to take gray wolves in Wisconsin off the Endangered Species list, giving the state more control in managing the animals.

Venture capital legislation being reworked By Maureen McCollum, Wisconsin Public Radio

The governor's office is reworking a piece of legislation that could help start-up businesses. But not everyone is happy with how the money could be distributed. Venture capital is money invested into start up businesses that are deemed promising. It helps entrepreneurs who have ideas, but do not have money.

A bill establishing the Wisconsin Venture Capital Authority would oversee two funds for insurance and certified capital companies that want to invest in state businesses. The Badger Jobs Fund and Jobs Now Fund combined would award up to $400 million in bonds and tax credits to the investment companies.

While the bill's supporters say this will help create jobs, the bill has critics from both parties.

Republican Senator Dan Kapanke of La Crosse says venture capital is necessary to help start businesses, but thinks the bill should be reworked.

"I was concerned about the tax breaks going into the insurance companies and that the capital companies would be receiving the monies, and then they'd be able to retain 80-percent of the profits from that," says Kapanke. "So, we want to make sure if we craft a bill to grow jobs, that the intended purpose is met and that is that we are growing jobs and the money is used in the best possible manner."

Governor Scott Walker's spokesman, Cullen Werwie, wrote in an e-mail statement that the governor is working with the legislature to address concerns raised in the first version of the bill. He says they'll ensure that taxpayer funds are used effectively.

DPI: continuing revenue caps and latest budget will hurt state's educational standing By Brian Bull, Wisconsin Public Radio

The most recent Census data shows Wisconsin spending more per public school student than the national average. But a state education official says overall, Wisconsin's standing has fallen steadily, and will likely continue to do so.

On average, public schools nationwide spent $10,500 per student in 2009. Wisconsin spent $11,078, placing it roughly in the top third of states. However, John Johnson, Director of Education Services at the state Department of Public Instruction, says Wisconsin's ranking has been sliding since revenue control caps were enacted in the 1990s.

"We've had revenue caps for 18 years, schools have been cutting expenses and spending for 18 years," says Johnson. "When you look at these Census reports from 10 years before, Wisconsin was 12th in the nation, now Wisconsin is 19th in terms of revenue supporting students. Wisconsin is almost at the national average at this point, whereas Wisconsin was always considered a state that put a lot of resources into K-12 education."

On top of limits on how much revenue a district can raise on a per student basis, the legislature is now weighing a budget cut of nearly $800-million to education. Johnson says there's no way to predict how that'll affect per-student spending in Wisconsin, only that the revenue caps and cut will have a big impact.

"Less money for classrooms, and class sizes either go up, or different educational opportunities are shrunk such as art or music, or Advanced Placement classes, physical education classes. Those are the types of things school administrators said in a survey in the last month would be on a chopping block due to budget cuts," Johnson said.

Johnson cites Census data that shows Wisconsin has also slipped in teacher salaries. Ten years ago the state ranked 11th, but now places at 22nd.

More local governments look for ways to cooperate By Kristen Durst, Wisconsin Public Radio

As local governments brace for nearly a $60 million reduction in state aid in the proposed budget, some are looking to share more services. But the potential savings won't be enough to make up for those cuts.

Many Wisconsin municipalities already share certain services like fire protection, emergency communication, libraries, and law enforcement. Although for many cities, geography makes sharing impossible or not cost effective.

Dan Thompson, executive director of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, says that local governments have spent years trying to provide services more economically, and that it's unlikely that there are big savings left to be found.

"I know folks want to believe that there is some simple way that city and village services could be provided a whole lot cheaper and we wouldn't have to choose between cutting services and raising taxes," says Thompson. "I'm afraid that hope is something of a phantom," Thompson said.

The cities of Beloit and Janesville will be holding some upcoming public meetings to discuss sharing additional services, like administration and animal control.

Larry Arft, Beloit's city manager, says he's hopeful the discussions may result in some savings, but that they wouldn't be nearly enough to cover the city's estimated $1.3 million deficit.

"We've done all of the things that you can do to trim out excess in a budget and we're down now to pretty hard core expenses," says Arft. "The rounds of cuts that we're looking at for 2012 are going to be painful. They will affect facilities, they'll affect employees, and they'll affect service levels."

Arft says Beloit's budget deficit could increase by another half a million dollars if the governor's collective bargaining law does not eventually go into effect. That law also requires most public workers to contribute more to their pension and health care costs.

Low water levels mean greater costs for Great Lakes ships By Mike Simonson, Wisconsin Public Radio

Low water levels in the Upper Great Lakes are keeping ships riding higher than usual. And less cargo means more trips and more expenses. Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron are all down one inch from last year. That's not a lot except last year was also low. With Lake Superior down a foot from long-term averages and Lake Michigan down 15 inches, Lake Carriers Association vice president Glen Neckvasil says lakers are forced to carry smaller cargoes.

"We're light-loading something awful here," says Neckvasil. "We've got ships that back in 1997 were carrying 71,000 tons in a trip. Their first trip of this season they only had 59,000 on board. So between the dredging crisis and the low water levels, we're getting creamed."

Duluth-Superior Port Authority spokeswoman Adele Yorde says their port is busy this spring, but ships are having to light-load.

"Some of those huge lakers, those thousand footers that would load 68,000 to 70,000 tons, they're loading lighter. They have to be careful in some of the channels," Yorde said.

The Army Corp of Engineers says water levels should rise three to four inches in the next month on Lakes Superior and Michigan.

Ginseng growers face challenging future By Teresa Shipley, Wisconsin Public Radio

The Ginseng Board of Wisconsin warns that lean years are ahead for ginseng exports, despite a successful 2010. Last year, an early spring snowstorm and late summer rains combined to devastate much of Wisconsin's ginseng crop. Despite that double-whammy, ginseng export numbers jumped by almost 30 percent last year over 2009.

Butch Weege is the Director of International Marketing for the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin. He says when last year's disaster occurred -- in reference to the Mothers Day snowfall last May -- ginseng growers had enough roots in the ground that were harvestable come that fall.

But Weege says farmers won't have the same luck this year. He says the young crops that were one or two years old suffered substantially because they were either destroyed in total or their foliage was eliminated for the growing season.

"And the plants just went dormant. So we'll definitely be looking at reduced harvest volumes for the next two, possibly three years," Weege said.

Right now, about 95 percent of all U.S. ginseng exports come from Wisconsin. Weege says barring more extreme weather, he doesn't think Wisconsin will lose its market foothold.

Richland County burial mounds targeted for preservation By Maureen McCollum, Wisconsin Public Radio

Efforts are underway to preserve a group of burial mounds in southwest Wisconsin that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Eagle Township Mound Group in Richland County was one of the largest burial mound groups in Wisconsin and could be up to 3,000 years old. There are 17 mounds remaining, all located on Ho-Chunk Nation land near Muscoda.

Ho-Chunk Nation aquatic biologist Randy Poelma says agricultural practices and erosion caused by the Wisconsin River are partially to blame for the wear.

"It seems like there's more and more flooding events and major storm events and what we're mostly worried about is catastrophic failure of this bank which would result in these mounds on the edge of the stream breaking off and actually going into the river and being lost forever," Poelma said.

Fast moving currents and sandy hillsides make it difficult to support the burial mounds. So the Army Corps of Engineers wants to fill areas with rock to reduce erosion. Army Corps project manager Nathan Wallerstedt says they're sensitive anytime they deal with cultural resources and hope to come up with a plan that protects the mounds as they are, from construction and erosion.

The Army Corps of Engineers is currently accepting public comments on the project's environmental assessment. They hope to start work on the project by fall.