Wisconsin unemployment drops to lowest level since 2001
MADISON — Wisconsin's unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest level since 2001.The state Department of Workforce Development reported Thursday that Wisconsin's unemployment rate in September was 4.1 percent.
Mayor Barrett's 2017 budget includes more money for MPD; but staffing levels will remain the same
MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett on Monday, September 26th presented his 2017 budget to the Milwaukee Common Council.
Mayor Barrett pledges funding for more officers: "Public safety is gonna be, by far, the biggest portion of my budget"
MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has pledged funding for more police officers will be the biggest part of his proposed budget.On Tuesday, September 6th, Mayor Barrett wasn't sharing details about his proposed public safety budget -- just that there will be a request for more funding.
Don't bust your budget: 3 free money tracking apps
MILWAUKEE — Everyone has bills to pay and sometimes it can be tough to keep track of them all, but there easy ways to help manage your money with your smartphone.
Don't let your budget overheat: Ways to cool down your summer spending
MILWAUKEE -- Don't let your budget overheat this summer.
US hiring falls to worst in 5 years; rate drops to 4.7 pct.
WASHINGTON — U.S. hiring plunged in May to its lowest level in more than 5 years, a sign that employers turned cautious after the economy barely expanded in the first three months of the year.The Labor Department says employers added just 38,000 jobs last month, the fewest since September 2010.
Risk to Wisconsin unemployment fund seen as still high
MADISON — Wisconsin employers vastly overpaid for unemployment-related costs during the Great Recession because the state wasn't adequately prepared.
Transportation and the economy: Politicians, business leaders gather for round-table discussion
WAUWATOSA -- Local politicians and business leaders on Wednesday, May 25th met for a transportation round-table discussion in Wauwatosa.The discussion focused on the impact local transportation networks have on the economy, and more importantly, how to improve that.We're told a majority of the feedback has indicated that the condition of those networks is actually putting a cap on economic growth."There's more and more people from more and more sectors of the economy and just the public in general that are telling our elected people that next budget, we can't come home again without fixing our transportation budget.
U.S. Senate race: Johnson's Zika vote, Feingold budget vote under the microscope
MILWAUKEE - Votes past and present are now fodder for attacks in Wisconsin's U.S. Senate race, as both candidates try to define their opponent to voters.
The 17 states with the highest unemployment rates
At the peak of the Great Recession in October 2009, the national unemployment rate sat at 10 percent — the highest the U.S. had seen since June 1983.
Unemployment fell or held steady in largest Wisconsin cities in March
MADISON — Unemployment rates dropped or held steady in Wisconsin's largest cities last month.Preliminary data the state Department of Workforce Development released Wednesday shows unemployment rates in 30 in the state's 32 largest cities decreased from February.
Wisconsin unemployment rate ticked down in March
MADISON — New preliminary data shows Wisconsin's unemployment rate dropped slightly in March.The state Department of Workforce Development released a report Thursday that put the unemployment rate last month at 4.5 percent, down from 4.6 percent in February.The national unemployment rate was 5 percent in March, up from 4.9 percent in February.The report found the state added 11,500 nonfarm jobs in March.
Wisconsin unemployment rate unchanged in February
MADISON — Wisconsin's unemployment rate didn't budge last month.Preliminary data the state Department of Workforce Development released Thursday shows the state's unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in February, unchanged from January.
Unemployment rose in all of Wisconsin's largest cities in January
MADISON — Unemployment rates rose in all of Wisconsin's largest cities in January.Preliminary data the state Department of Workforce Development released Wednesday shows unemployment rates in every one of the state's 32 largest cities increased from December.Racine had the highest rate at 7.2 percent, up from 6 percent in December.
Wisconsin Senate approves budget cut bill
MADISON — The Wisconsin Senate has passed a bill that would require state agencies to give the governor plans for cutting spending or maintaining it at current levels along with their biennial budget requests.Right now, agencies submit budget requests for the next two years by September 15th of every even-numbered year.Under the Republican bill, agencies would have to include proposals to cut their operations budget by a total of 5 percent and maintain operations spending levels for each of year of the biennium.
Unemployment falls to 4.9%, lowest in 8 years, Pres. Obama weighs in on nation's economy
WASHINGTON -- U.S. unemployment is back below 5% for the first time since 2008.However, hiring is slowing down.
Unemployment rises in 29 of state's largest 32 cities
MADISON — Unemployment rates rose across most of Wisconsin's largest cities in November.Preliminary data the state Department of Workforce Development released Wednesday shows unemployment rates in 29 of the state's 32 biggest cities increased from October.
Milwaukee Common Council approves Mayor Barrett's 2016 city budget
MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Common Council on Tuesday, November 3rd approved Mayor Tom Barrett's 2016 budget.
County Board committee approves amendment to arrange free bus rides for voter registration, ID
MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee County Board Committee on Finance, Personnel, and Audit on Thursday, October 29th approved a budget amendment that requires the Milwaukee County Transit System to develop a proposal to arrange free bus rides for people traveling to receive voter identification documents or registering to vote.“Voter suppression is real in Wisconsin, and we need to do everything we can to ease the burden on those who want to vote,” said Supervisor Khalif Rainey, sponsor of the amendment. “By providing free bus rides for people to get proper voter ID or to register to vote, we will enhance the chances that those people will be able to take part in the democratic process.