Thumbs up to federal media shield law, Milton and UWW partnership, hiring people with disabilities | The Janesville Gazette | Janesville, Wisconsin, USA
Thumbs up to federal media shield law, Milton and UWW partnership, hiring people with disabilities
(Published Tuesday, September 4, 2007 12:10:51 PM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
To a federal media shield law. The House Judiciary Committee recently passed the Free Flow of Information Act. The bill, H.R. 2012, would permit journalists to protect confidential sources. Similar legislation awaits Senate action. Thirty-three states offer shield law protections, and 17 more have seen judicial decisions supporting protection of confidential sources. But there is no federal protection, and recent federal subpoenas have put reporters behind bars. "While news organizations prefer to have their sources on the record whenever possible, there are times when sources will not come forward without the promise of confidentiality," said Paul Boyle with the Newspaper Association of America. "Groundbreaking stories-such as conditions at Walter Reed Medical Center, the Enron scandal and steroid abuse in Major League Baseball-would not have been known to the public-or to Congress-without confidential sources. If sources-including government and private-sector whistleblowers-are uncertain whether reporters have adequate protection, they will not come forward and the public dialogue on important issues will diminish."
To a Milton and UW-Whitewater partnership. The university's Small Business Development Center has chosen the city for a research project to help Milton plan for growth and make it an attractive destination. A $25,000 UW Extension grant is funding the project, which should wrap up in January. The center picked Milton because of its growth and challenges it will face surrounding construction of a Highway 26 bypass. The center will work with commerce, industry and tourism leaders to prepare Milton for an influx of new products, services and companies. It will also determine and plan to fill the city's business gaps. As City Administrator Todd Schmidt suggests, it says a lot for Milton that the center chose the city.
To hiring people with disabilities. As the Gazette's Anna Marie Lux explained in her Aug. 26 column, at least three Janesville agencies are helping people with developmental disabilities connect with appropriate jobs. For example, at Milton's Piggly Wiggly, Adam Hale bags groceries, retrieves carts, cleans and greets customers with an infectious smile. "We never know what anyone can do until we get them in a job," says store owner and manager Jason Cowley, who added that Adam's bright personality enlivens the grocery. Many people like Adam are seeking employment opportunities. Potential employers can contact Ava Gray at Riverfront at (608) 757-0909; Lisa Stuckey at CESA II, Vocational Opportunities and Assistance, at (608) 741-6687; or Kenneth Denio of Community Solutions, (608) 741-3685.
To state registration of electric cars. Assembly Bill 339 and Senate Bill 186 would resolve local law enforcement concerns by providing state registration for neighborhood electric vehicles. A 2006 state law allows municipalities to pass local ordinances permitting such vehicles on streets with speed limits of no more than 35 mph. Some cities have done so. But even though Janesville's Tim Thompson and his family have opened a dealership here, the Janesville City Council has ignored the option of local permission. Introduction of this new state legislation probably won't encourage the council to reconsider. But the council should realize that lawmakers in Madison often move at a snail's pace-anyone around here seen a state budget?-and allow these battery-operated clean machines on Janesville's streets.
To a federal media shield law. The House Judiciary Committee recently passed the Free Flow of Information Act. The bill, H.R. 2012, would permit journalists to protect confidential sources. Similar legislation awaits Senate action. Thirty-three states offer shield law protections, and 17 more have seen judicial decisions supporting protection of confidential sources. But there is no federal protection, and recent federal subpoenas have put reporters behind bars. "While news organizations prefer to have their sources on the record whenever possible, there are times when sources will not come forward without the promise of confidentiality," said Paul Boyle with the Newspaper Association of America. "Groundbreaking stories-such as conditions at Walter Reed Medical Center, the Enron scandal and steroid abuse in Major League Baseball-would not have been known to the public-or to Congress-without confidential sources. If sources-including government and private-sector whistleblowers-are uncertain whether reporters have adequate protection, they will not come forward and the public dialogue on important issues will diminish." 
