By Brian E. Clark
RISING
Anti-greenhouse gas measures
The state’s Global Warming Task Force — consisting of industry,
utility, labor and environmental members — overwhelmingly voted after
months of consideration to back measures to cut the state’s greenhouse
gas emissions.
The plan now goes to Gov. Jim Doyle, who may put some of the
suggestions into effect through executive orders. He’s expected to send
the rest of the recommendations to the Legislature in a climate change
package.
Among the task force’s recommendations: Cut greenhouse gas emissions to
2005 levels within the next six years, and reduce that by another 75
percent by 2050; take part in a federal or regional greenhouse gas
cap-and-trade program; study the potential for offshore wind in the
Great Lakes and establish statewide wind farm site standards; consider
nuclear power; tighten greenhouse gas emission standards for cars,
light trucks and sport utility vehicles while promoting hybrid cars;
and increase the availability and use of renewable biomass and
biofuels.
See WisBusiness coverage:
http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=131919
MIXED
Minimum markup law
With high gas prices a focus across the country, talk about the issue
in Wisconsin has turned toward the 1930s era law. A new report from the
conservative-leaning Wisconsin Policy Research Institute says the law
costs motorists at least $267 million a year, a study that petroleum
marketers call flawed because it misrepresents the statute.
Some conservatives are calling for a special session of the Legislature
to repeal the requirement, but that seems iffy with legislative leaders
cool to the idea in the past. Gov. Jim Doyle says he’d love to dump the
law, but he’s not going to call lawmakers back for a crack at it unless
something’s going to get done. Some insiders see an opportunity for
lawmakers to score an easy win with voters by repealing the requirement
so they can portray themselves as proactive on high gas prices.
But without leadership on board, few expect much to happen without a
favorable federal court decision on a challenge to the law (briefs are
due by Aug. 1) or unless legislative leaders face an avalanche of
public opinion that forces them to take action.
See more on the federal case in Milwaukee Notes:
http://milwaukee.wispolitics.com/index.iml?mdl=articles.mdl&Issue_ID=3271#art9685
FALLING
Cigarette sales
Cigarette sales have slumped this year, following a $1-a-pack tax
increase. In spite of the drop in sales, the tax is increasing state
revenue, officials said.
Early estimates indicate the state has collected an additional $152.5
million for the first five months of the calendar year since per-pack
taxes increased Jan. 1 from 77 cents to $1.77. At the same time, sales
appear to be down between 11 percent and 25 percent.
Officials said they don’t know if the drop is sales is due to people
smoking less or if they’re purchasing cigarettes online to avoid
paying taxes.
