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Thursday, February 7, 2013
Mining bill passes state committees By Jack Casey the daily carindal
Two state legislative committees passed the contentious state mining bill through to its next step in the legislative process in two separate committee meetings Wednesday, disappointing many state Democrats who have challenged the legislation since its introduction in early January. The two committees met separately at 10 a.m. Wednesday in
the Capitol to discuss and vote on proposed environmental and procedural amendments. The procedural amendments were proposed to address Democrats’ concerns that the first version of the bill would limit the time state and federal agencies would be given to review a mining company’s permit application. The bill as a whole aims to simplify the
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Walker, Vos plan to expand mental health care services Gov. Scott Walker announced Wednesday he will include a near $30 million, tax-funded expansion of the state’s mental health care infrastructure in the upcoming state budget. The funding is slated to enhance existing mental health programs, such as those focused on providing care to children and troubled adults, while also introducing new initiatives, according to a statement from Walker. The expansion’s goals include improving community-based care services, creating greater coordination among mental health care providers and establishing an Office of Children’s Mental Health. Walker added his administration developed the expansion’s goals based on consultation with mental health professionals and advocates. State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, also announced
Wednesday plans to create a bipartisan speaker’s Task Force on Mental Health, an 11-member committee charged with suggesting improvements for the state’s mental health policies. Vos appointed state Rep. Erik Severson, R-Osceola, to chair the task force, a position Severson said in a statement he hopes to use to address serious issues. “Wisconsin has always led the nation when it comes to innovative programs and policies regarding healthcare,” Severson said. “We can do that again by stepping up and addressing mental health issues, rather than avoiding the problem.” State Rep. Sandy Pasch, D-Shorewood, vice-chair of the task force, said in a statement she looks forward to bipartisan cooperation on the “critical” issue of mental health. —Andrew Haffner
on campus
Next wave of Badgers Gary Andersen speaks to new Badger recruits and their families on signing day at the Athletics Recruiting Dinner at Varsity Hall in Union South Wednesday. + Photo by Stephanie Daher
Student Council moves forward with new constitution proposal By Paige Villiard the daily carindal
The Associated Students of Madison Student Council proposed Wednesday a new constitution that would completely restructure the current student government institution. The proposed constitution would establish four different branches of ASM, which include the executive, legislative, judicial and appropriations branches. These would replace the institution’s three current branches: Student Council, Student Services Finance Committee and Student Judiciary.
ASM Nominations Board Chair Sean McNally, who sponsored the legislation, said the new structure’s four branches would increase the separation of powers within the student government. Under the new constitution, the legislative branch would primarily work on outreach to the student body through campaigns, leaving funding decisions to the complete discretion of the appropriations branch. “Council can fully focus on improving student life and appropriations can check itself when handling budgets,” McNally said. McNally also said the new
structure would improve outreach to the student body and create a “unified student voice to the fullest extent possible.” “This piece of legislation has an opportunity to have a substantial impact on the student body and student power on campus in a positive manner,” McNally said. The legislation calls for Student Council to approve the placement of the constitution on the ASM Spring 2013 ballot, making the document subject to a student vote. Council passed the consti-
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Proposal would convert downtown church into apartments
abigail waldo/the daily cardinal
Mansion Hill residents disagree on a proposal to convert a downtown Catholic church into student apartments.
Mansion Hill Neighborhood residents, Holy Redeemer parishioners and project developers met Wednesday to discuss the planned conversion of a historic local Catholic school into student apartments. The project calls for renovations such as turning the first two floors of the building into apartments, according to architect Stephen Mar-Pohl, but developers and church officials are still discussing plans regarding the historic third floor auditorium. The plan also includes extensive restorations to the Holy Redeemer School, located at 142
W. Johnson St., which has been used as a meeting place for both community and Holy Redeemer church functions since the school closed in 1965. Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, acknowledged the importance of the building’s historic nature, but supports the project and said “I always think additional student housing options [are] a good thing.” Eugene Devitt, an area landlord and Holy Redeemer parishioner, said creating student housing in the area would affect the culture of the church. “You gotta be real careful about what you put up in certain areas,” Devitt said. “It should be
used for church uses.” Project developer Mar-Pohl of Insite Consulting architects said the renovations would “bring [the building] back to life.” Church member Norman Fuentes said he spoke with many in the latino community who are worried about losing the building as a place for community and church functions. “If they get rid of it … where’s that help gonna be and where’s [bible study] gonna go?” Fuentes said. Developers will present the plan to Madison’s Landmarks Commission on March 11. —Ricardo Romero
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”