Sunday, May 31, 2009
Record Day
Yesterday at the Milwaukee Public Market I broke my last record selling bags. The weekend after the JS article hit I sold 19 bags over the course of a week. This week, no article...just facebook, twitter, and the anticipation of a new line of purses I sold almost 30 bags over the course of 5 days. I'm estatic! This week more sewing, my fingers hurt and I have a sneaking suspicion Mike thinks I'm now dating my sewing machine.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Please don't lay me off
Governor Doyle Asks for More Sacrifices
By Matt Smith
Thursday, Governor Doyle proposed more layoffs and cuts to cities and schools in an effort to tame the state's growing budget deficit.
Governor Doyle calls the plan a "responsible agreement under extraordinary circumstances," while Republicans say it's anything but.
The governor's office reports this proposal will close the $1.6 billion shortfall that's occurred in just the past few months.
Thursday we learned that means as many as 1,400 state employees could lose their jobs -- even more than first announced.
"These are painful cuts that will affect the services people rely on and the employees who deliver those services."
The governor's proposal paints a clearer picture of what will be lost.
Each state agency must cut five percent from its own budget.
Non-union employees will not receive a raise, and all state employees must take 16 furlough days over the next two years. Schools and cities across Wisconsin will see state aid cut by two-and-a-half percent.
"I know it's very hard on the districts, students, families, but we don't have any other acceptable option," the governor said.
But some Republicans call the plan sneaky, a closed-door deal, that takes money from critical funds to help offset the governor's spending.
"He has increased borrowing by 60 percent. In addition to that, he has increased spending. And On top of that the way he increased spending is he has stolen from various funds," Rep. Phil Montgomery (R-Ashwaubenon) said.
"Despite the economic downturn, despite the growing budget deficit, we're doing everything we can to first of all pass a balanced budget and second of all do it on time," Rep. Tom Nelson (D-Kaukauna) said.
The Joint Finance Committee will begin voting on the budget Friday -- a move criticized by Republicans for trying to pass it on a holiday weekend.
By Matt Smith
Thursday, Governor Doyle proposed more layoffs and cuts to cities and schools in an effort to tame the state's growing budget deficit.
Governor Doyle calls the plan a "responsible agreement under extraordinary circumstances," while Republicans say it's anything but.
The governor's office reports this proposal will close the $1.6 billion shortfall that's occurred in just the past few months.
Thursday we learned that means as many as 1,400 state employees could lose their jobs -- even more than first announced.
"These are painful cuts that will affect the services people rely on and the employees who deliver those services."
The governor's proposal paints a clearer picture of what will be lost.
Each state agency must cut five percent from its own budget.
Non-union employees will not receive a raise, and all state employees must take 16 furlough days over the next two years. Schools and cities across Wisconsin will see state aid cut by two-and-a-half percent.
"I know it's very hard on the districts, students, families, but we don't have any other acceptable option," the governor said.
But some Republicans call the plan sneaky, a closed-door deal, that takes money from critical funds to help offset the governor's spending.
"He has increased borrowing by 60 percent. In addition to that, he has increased spending. And On top of that the way he increased spending is he has stolen from various funds," Rep. Phil Montgomery (R-Ashwaubenon) said.
"Despite the economic downturn, despite the growing budget deficit, we're doing everything we can to first of all pass a balanced budget and second of all do it on time," Rep. Tom Nelson (D-Kaukauna) said.
The Joint Finance Committee will begin voting on the budget Friday -- a move criticized by Republicans for trying to pass it on a holiday weekend.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
A new website
For those interested in my professional work, check out my portfolio website. If you know someone in need of a graphic or web designer please forward my information on. Enjoy!
www.makeitbreathe.com
www.makeitbreathe.com
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day to all the woman who have looked over me.
Grandma Heine: For teaching me patience and making sure I don't marry a married man with kids
Grandma Rose: For her humble wisdom and the taste of gin
My Aunts: For their special way to point out how danielle or I remind them of mom
My old boss Debbie: For her compassion and conversations and taste of good food
My friend/coworker Mary: For her boldness and importance of beliefs
To Mike's Mom: For treating me like one of her own
To my friends: For direction, laughs, openness, love and really really good night out
To my Best Friend Sara: For putting things in perspective and undeniable wit
To Bonnie: For reflection and really sound advice
To my woman coworkers: For maturity and inspiration
To Terry: For open communication, bold advice and optimism
To my sister: For renowned friendship, sense of style and ability to make me laugh without meaning to.
Happy Day to you.
Grandma Heine: For teaching me patience and making sure I don't marry a married man with kids
Grandma Rose: For her humble wisdom and the taste of gin
My Aunts: For their special way to point out how danielle or I remind them of mom
My old boss Debbie: For her compassion and conversations and taste of good food
My friend/coworker Mary: For her boldness and importance of beliefs
To Mike's Mom: For treating me like one of her own
To my friends: For direction, laughs, openness, love and really really good night out
To my Best Friend Sara: For putting things in perspective and undeniable wit
To Bonnie: For reflection and really sound advice
To my woman coworkers: For maturity and inspiration
To Terry: For open communication, bold advice and optimism
To my sister: For renowned friendship, sense of style and ability to make me laugh without meaning to.
Happy Day to you.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Fun working for the State of WI
Doyle calls for layoffs, furloughs, cuts to fill $6.5 billion hole
By Steven Walters and Stacy Forster of the Journal Sentinel
Madison - Gov. Jim Doyle said Thursday that the budget deficit has exploded to up to $6.5 billion - a historic gap he wants fixed by laying off up to 1,100 employees, furloughing non-emergency workers eight days a year, rescinding 2% pay raises and making new cuts in aid to schools and local governments.
Doyle said the $5 billion deficit he and lawmakers faced in March has soared because tax collections are running far below estimates. The potential $6.5 billion gap will occur over a three-year period ending June 30, 2011.
"We are facing tougher choices than ever about what level of state services we can sustain at a time when people need them most," Doyle said. "I am fighting to protect the middle class, education, public safety and health care.
###
MY SOLUTION
Since Doyle's a billion off budget, he proposed this idiotic play to deny our 2% raise and give us 8 NON-PAID days off for two years. I'm fine with not getting raise - I'm just happy to have a job. But the 8 days is absolutely nonsensical. State employees already get around 3 weeks of vacation and 2 weeks sick leave. Add on another 8 required days off and you've got state workers sitting at home for a month or taking every Friday off for half a year. It just doesn't make sense. With the amount of work just in my department, trying to connect with clients, printers, coworkers is already difficult. We have many meetings and abundance of work - taking those 8 days would only put more stress on our heavy workload. My solution is to go ahead with denying the 2% raise, and for the next two years, the state will cut back 4 days of vacation and 4 days of sick leave. If an employee does want to use that time off, it then goes unpaid. There you go, you have your employees working now 8 days more. Just imagine if Doyle's office had 8 extra days to figure out how to save the economy. Yeah it probably wouldn't work but it's worth a shot.
By Steven Walters and Stacy Forster of the Journal Sentinel
Madison - Gov. Jim Doyle said Thursday that the budget deficit has exploded to up to $6.5 billion - a historic gap he wants fixed by laying off up to 1,100 employees, furloughing non-emergency workers eight days a year, rescinding 2% pay raises and making new cuts in aid to schools and local governments.
Doyle said the $5 billion deficit he and lawmakers faced in March has soared because tax collections are running far below estimates. The potential $6.5 billion gap will occur over a three-year period ending June 30, 2011.
"We are facing tougher choices than ever about what level of state services we can sustain at a time when people need them most," Doyle said. "I am fighting to protect the middle class, education, public safety and health care.
###
MY SOLUTION
Since Doyle's a billion off budget, he proposed this idiotic play to deny our 2% raise and give us 8 NON-PAID days off for two years. I'm fine with not getting raise - I'm just happy to have a job. But the 8 days is absolutely nonsensical. State employees already get around 3 weeks of vacation and 2 weeks sick leave. Add on another 8 required days off and you've got state workers sitting at home for a month or taking every Friday off for half a year. It just doesn't make sense. With the amount of work just in my department, trying to connect with clients, printers, coworkers is already difficult. We have many meetings and abundance of work - taking those 8 days would only put more stress on our heavy workload. My solution is to go ahead with denying the 2% raise, and for the next two years, the state will cut back 4 days of vacation and 4 days of sick leave. If an employee does want to use that time off, it then goes unpaid. There you go, you have your employees working now 8 days more. Just imagine if Doyle's office had 8 extra days to figure out how to save the economy. Yeah it probably wouldn't work but it's worth a shot.
Monday, May 04, 2009
What comes after green?
Why in the past two years "going green" has become the new thing to do. Why didn't it happen sooner to the majority of the population. Was it not cool? Was there just not enough information on how to be green?
Just think if one sector, for example car makers went green 10 years ago where we would be today:
Car companies would have started their research back in the late 80's early 90' on how to produce a more environmental conscious car. Today we would have been driving efficient cars, relying less on foreign oil, and emitting less pollution. The car companies going bankrupt today would be in a different scenario. It's because they aren't producing what people need and want efficiently that drove the company to the ground. Who wants to get only 10 MPG when they can get 30+.
Where do car makers go from here? What happens after bankruptcy? Why hasn't a better car company emerged out of those that have already conceded? Surely the talent and the tools are there. Just think of how many jobs would be available if the car sector got it's act together.
Just think if one sector, for example car makers went green 10 years ago where we would be today:
Car companies would have started their research back in the late 80's early 90' on how to produce a more environmental conscious car. Today we would have been driving efficient cars, relying less on foreign oil, and emitting less pollution. The car companies going bankrupt today would be in a different scenario. It's because they aren't producing what people need and want efficiently that drove the company to the ground. Who wants to get only 10 MPG when they can get 30+.
Where do car makers go from here? What happens after bankruptcy? Why hasn't a better car company emerged out of those that have already conceded? Surely the talent and the tools are there. Just think of how many jobs would be available if the car sector got it's act together.
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