The Daily Reporter articles from July 2009

The Daily Reporter archives from July 2009

Tax proposal scares small contractors in Wisconsin.
July 1, 2009... Byline: Paul Snyder Matt's Electric Inc. might shut down if the state chooses to withhold 2 percent of earnings generated by small and independent contractors. I can't absorb that, said Matt Feyuerherm, president of the small...

Wisconsin roofers question asbestos training rule.
July 1, 2009... Byline: Sean Ryan Wisconsin roofing contractors are bristling over the potential costs of retraining their workers to meet state asbestos requirements without proof the requirements will improve safety. The Wisconsin Department of...

Turf war escalates between Wisconsin counties, builders.
July 2, 2009... Byline: Paul Snyder If county highway administrators refuse to admit they are snatching work away from road builders, industry groups will force their point in the state Legislature. For now, the two sides will try to negotiate a fair...

Airports balance construction needs with passenger fees.
July 2, 2009... Byline: Sean Ryan A proposed change in federal law that would give airports more money for construction projects also could increase ticket prices and scare away passengers. Passenger Facility Charges, such as a $3-per-ticket fee at...

Wisconsin architects adapt for building-information modeling boom.
July 2, 2009... Byline: Paul Snyder Architects realize the potential and potential headaches of a switch to building-information modeling for large state construction projects. I just wrestled with it for two hours on the simplest thing, said Josh...

Madison preps for capital budget battle.
July 6, 2009... Byline: Paul Snyder Madison roadwork could avoid the scrutiny directed toward vertical construction projects as the city builds its 2010 capital budget in the midst of up to a $2 million cut in state aid. The question shouldn't be: Should...

Wisconsin bankers, Realtors fight appraisal code.
July 6, 2009... Byline: Sean Ryan Federal rules designed to prevent another mortgage and banking collapse are stifling the residential market's attempts to recover from the recession, according to Wisconsin banker and real estate groups. The Home...

WisDOT reins in road fixes.
July 6, 2009... Byline: Paul Snyder County leaders are predicting short-term savings will lead to long-term costs if they must follow a state order to restrict road maintenance work to areas posing safety threats. To be perfectly honest, I do...

Watertown banks on high-speed rail boom.
July 7, 2009... Byline: Paul Snyder A major employer is leaving town, and a high-speed rail stop might or might not be arriving soon. At the crossroads between the body blow to local employment and the windfall of a transportation corridor are...

Questions plague Dane County commuter rail.
July 7, 2009... Byline: Paul Snyder Dane County's plan for a regional transit authority bleeds a little more support with every question directed at how many local jobs a commuter-rail project would provide. You figure with a $250 million rail...

Road aid falls short for large, small communities in Wisconsin.
July 7, 2009... Byline: Sean Ryan The small village of Yuba got only $518.86 out of the $127.9 million the state gave to local governments this week for roadwork. Village President James Huffman said the Richland County village is responsible for...

Environmentalist questions Wisconsin's Pabst Farms traffic count.
July 7, 2009... Byline: Sean Ryan An environmental group is opposing a state air-quality permit for the Pabst Farms Town Centre because the developer has not announced which stores will be in the mall. The development requires Wisconsin Department of...