For several sessions we've asked city leaders from different areas of the state to journey to Madison on a given day to lobby  en masse legislators from their area on the Alliance agenda and other common issues. It's a device that city leaders and lawmakers have enjoyed. Mayor Miller said it makes an important point to legislators.

"It's important that they recognize it's really the mayors from across the state who are behind the Alliance's agenda," Mayor Miller said. "It adds credibility to what the Alliance is doing."

We hope all city leaders accept Ed and Gail's invitation to spend a day helping them lobby the 2003 Legislature. Of course, Ed and Gail also are making the rounds solo to the people who will be making policy for the next two years, urging them to consider the many solutions embodied in our agenda. For the Alliance agenda, look here.

Even though it's a rewarding experience to lobby lawmakers for a day, Mayor Miller said he doesn't want Ed or Gail's job on a permanent basis after he leaves office.

"I would really have to learn to bite my lip," he said.

"Tinkering with the current system hasn't worked, it won't work," she said.

The national AFL-CIO is working with its Wisconsin sister to obtain an actuarial study of a plan she said represents a "really fundamental change in the system." Results are

The AFL-CIO is seeking a common, comprehensive health insurance plan to cover all Wisconsin employees and their dependents, that would allow the self-employed and their families to buy in. It is based in part on workers' compensation and unemployment insurance models. For more on the plan, go here.

Joanne Ricca

There's a ticking demographic time bomb threatening economic growth in Wisconsin, Department of Workforce Development economist Terry Ludeman told city leaders in Appleton Nov. 22.

The good news is that there's virtually full employment in the state, he said.

"We have to get into the business of economic development in an absolutely huge way," Ludeman told the Alliance.

And that means regional economic development, he said. Ludeman envisions regional economic development councils and economic development strategic plans in every region. That will increase the "horsepower," both political and economic, behind economic development, he said.

Appleton Mayor Tim Hanna said Ludeman's presentation was also an argument for regional funding of shared revenue.

"If we're going to capitalize on our potential, the state has to fund us in a different way," he said.

Alliance Recognizes Mayor Jadin