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BEHIND CLOSED DOORSBy Charlie SykesAs senate Democrats meet behind closed doors, a 4 a.m. leak from a Milwaukee senator... From: Carpenter, Tim <Tim.Carpenter@legis.wisconsin.gov> Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 4:03 AM Glenn, I wanted to update you on the budget since you took the time to attend our recent Zablocki townhall meeting on June 6th and raised these concerns. I was able to convience our Senate Democratic Caucus last night to get Joint & Severalibilty, undocumented immigrants from getting driver licences, and in-state tuition for the children of undocuments immigrants all removed from the Senate version of the state budget.
Most important the Senate Democratic Caucus actually heard my pleas for mandatory auto insurance in Wisconsin, leaving only New Hampshire as the last state not to require financial responsility. I know a lot more work has to be done, but this is a good start.
Good night Glenn! It's 4am- time for me to get to bed.
Best wishes- Tim Carpenter
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Tuesday, Jun 30 at 9:22 AM Melissa wrote ...
I haven't had insurance for 20yrs. Therefor I'm more carful when I drive. I haven't had any need for insurance, I don't own a home, or anything worth insurance. Tx has mandatory insurance, the insuraed pay for there own bills not whos at fault.
25182444 Flag for moderationTuesday, Jun 30 at 9:19 AM Bud wrote ...
MANDATORY INSURANCE???? Who will obey? All of the inner-city deadbeats aren't going to run out and buy insurance! All of you suckers who like guvmint mandates, kiss another freedom goodbye, but FEEL GOOD about it!
25182262 Flag for moderationMonday, Jun 29 at 9:07 PM Tara M. wrote ...
Mandatory insurance couldnt afford insurance before I lost job. Have been laid off for 2 months with no luck How am I suppose to find a job when I cant legally drive my car because I have no insurance?
25161584 Flag for moderationMonday, Jun 22 at 7:57 PM Neil Schubert wrote ...
Why don't you speak up instead of complaining about my speaking up. A government may force you to obey the law pertaining to the government. Congress has the power to enact laws. However, exactly what gives them the power to force you to engage in private contracts? Insurance is a private contract. Can government do that, or is there a lawyer out there that might want to look into this. I guess I'd argue "I didn't want to sign this, but the state made me do so." This is called duress.
24885246 Flag for moderationFriday, Jun 19 at 6:37 PM Counter wrote ...
How many comments does Neil get before he's "flagged"?
24885241 Flag for moderationThursday, Jun 18 at 8:07 AM engineer wrote ...
HOW CAN THEY MAKE BAIL< WHEN THEY HAVE NO RIGHTS>>>THEY SHOULD BE SHOWND THE DOOR.
24885236 Flag for moderationThursday, Jun 18 at 7:13 AM Bob F wrote ...
Ask a judge what he/she thinks about license prohibition for illegals. With licenses the system knows who they are and has leverage. Before the prohibition, most licensed illegals operated responsibly because they didn't want to lose the privilege. Now at the first sign of trouble, they make bail and they're gone. Insurance? Victims? Ha! Cops, courts and jails are busy dealing with this stuff without positive outcomes. Brilliant idea this "real" ID business.
24885231 Flag for moderationThursday, Jun 18 at 6:28 AM Fog Horn Leg Horn wrote ...
A lot of great comments. Undocumented immigrants from 3rd world countries are here to stay...like it or not. They will drive regardless. By preventing them to legally drive, you also prevent them from getting insurance...eventually they go to jail for driving illegally...guess what? You the taxpayers are now housing and feeding him/her and since he/she can no longer get to work, they now could receive public assistance...all your tax dollars - makes a lot of since. Shows how smart you all are!
24885226 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 11:02 PM Neil Schubert wrote ...
One of my biggest concerns with insurance is the use profiling databases. These databases pose a danger to me and members of my extended family. Second, I refuse to relinquish my identity to companies that place me in a commune. The commune, a "risk profile" is based on data that was gathered about people you know (or don't know at all), your neighbors, etc. I am not a communist, and I refuse to join a commune. I am working on a more concise article about this which I will publish on the web.
24885221 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 9:51 PM Neil Schubert wrote ...
Most uninsured drivers do stupid things? Actually, just driving around with a video camera, I have seen plenty of newer cars with navigation systems and people with cell phones, the second which I would say is the number one distraction. $40 a month for car insurance? What does that cover? One person (the driver) and $10,000 liability? No matter what, you could still be sued. In a way I am on the side of the insurance companies in that these lawsuits are out of control. Make it harder to sue.
24885216 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 8:53 PM Neil Schubert wrote ...
Correction, look left and right and left again when approaching an intersection. People who write laws and bills need to think like time travel. If we do this, what will happen and how will it affect the future. So if unemployment is actually 20 percent, and those people can't afford insurance and have bad credit, what does this mean? It means that our state will be overloaded with unlicenced, uninsured drivers that will simply overload the judicial system. It will increase our taxes.
24885211 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 8:27 PM DUH wrote ...
I pay about $500/vehicle for auto insurance per year (about $40/month) - yet my family isn't starving - how can that be? - and we're by no means "rich"
24885206 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 8:09 PM Don Birkholz wrote ...
When indigents are forced to buy auto insurance, many go on food stamps. A survey done by the Montana DPHHS showed 12 of 96 food stamp applicants said auto insurance was a reason for needing food stamps. (that's 20,000 over the last 20 years in Montana) http://www.foodstampstudy.com Dr Maril did a study which showed 44% could not buy food due to mand auto insurance. http://www.autoreform.org/090998mar.pdf
24885201 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 7:59 PM @Neil wrote ...
Baloney Sausage! Most accidents are caused by one stupid driver doing something stupid!! (and more uninsured drivers do stupid things!)
24885196 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 7:35 PM Neil Schubert wrote ...
I am seeing a list of people here that are whining about accidents with uninsured motorists. My question is how many of these accidents could have been avoided? Did you not see the oncoming vehicles? Did you not check your mirrors? Look left and right when approaching an intersection? Not having an out when driving 70 on the freeway? Driving parallel to another vehicle at the same speed? Driving alongside another vehicle in their blind spot? It takes two to have an accident in most cases.
24885191 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 7:15 PM Neil Schubert wrote ...
Seems like all of you have something in common - You seem to think that by passing this law that it will take uninsured motorists off the road. So when a illegal alien smacks into your car (because you didn't try to avoid the accident) you are the one that is stuck paying. Why? Because they might be stealing someone else's identity, or, even better, what are you going to do about it? Take their licence away, take their car? When half the state has no insurance, you're the target!
24885186 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 7:09 PM Dummy wrote ...
Sorry if I'm dumb, but why would rates go up with mandatory insurance, which would mean higher revenues for insurance companies?
24885181 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 6:52 PM Peter wrote ...
To H. Goodson - Can we just return the illegals to whatever country they came from?
24885176 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 6:48 PM tyrone wrote ...
a couple of things come to mind about mandatory insurance 1.if a person can buy a 100$ beater with baloney skins for tires they will not insure it.If they are forced to get insurance they may take mass transit more often 2. these same beaters are gas hogs get them off the street and consumption goes down. The same argument can include illegal immigrants, get them off the road gas consumption goes down even more, mass transit ridership goes up and can pay its way
24885171 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 6:41 PM H. Nelson Goodson wrote ...
Real ID should be trashed! US Passports now needed to travel abroad and to return to the US. Wisconsin Driver Licenses were meant for driving privileges and not meant to be a US citizen ID. Undocumented immigrants are taxpayers too, they deserve better from Wisconsin. If state legislators don't want to pass in-state tuition and provide a driver license for them, can you please return their tax dollars?
24885166 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 3:13 PM ByteAlot wrote ...
I Georgia, you cannot get a tag/registration without proof of insurance. Also once it was passed, all the insurance companies increased their rates 3 fold. Although I support mandatory insurance, rates should be kept at their current rate. And I am sorry but illegal immigrants should not be given preferential treatment to legal immigrants.
24885161 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 12:32 PM Josh wrote ...
Big props to Tim Carpenter for helping to get some of the worst budget provisions thrown out.
24885156 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 12:30 PM Josh wrote ...
I support mandatory auto insurance - uninsured drivers cost us all in higher premiums, plus providing disincentive to drive without insurance (sorry if this seems "racist", but illegals and anybody without insurance are generally poorer drivers and more likely to cause accidents - and the insured person is left to pick up the tab)
24885151 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 12:13 PM The Watcher wrote ...
Perhaps everyone behind the budget discussions over the last couple of weeks or so just need more sleep -- how about doing it at night and looking at things that will affect every taxpaying citizen in the state during the morning/afternoon/early evening hours instead -- when they can pay attention, listen and watch closely to what you're doing rather than being asleep when you do... oh, wait, sorry about that, I forgot...
24885146 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 10:57 AM The Family Guy wrote ...
@ Neil S: Goodbye and enjoy NH. I prefer not to be liable for some other drivers reckless behavior. Now, we can only hope that in addition to 16 unpaid days for the little people, the legislature takes off 16 unpaid days themselves. If all 132 legislators and the Governor take 16 unpaid days, we would save $450,000. That would put a lot of kids back into choice schools. After all, liberals all say it's for the children.
24885141 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 10:23 AM George wrote ...
Lawlessness is Justice. Ignorance is Strength.
24885136 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 10:20 AM Andy wrote ...
Gregg,how can this be a social justice issue?Ask any legal immigrant what hoops they go through.They cannot even collect benefits for five years, have to go to the Police station to get fingerprinted, get mugshots and go through numerous hoops to get here legally. Why should we give huge amount of illegal aliens more rights than legal aliens. The legal immigrants I know are getting very upset by the Voces de Frontera, socialist lobby group speaking for all immigrants.
24885131 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 10:15 AM Gregg wrote ...
Senator Carpenter and those in the Senate Democratic Caucus who went along with him on stripping Driver's Cards and In-State Tuition for the children of undocumented immigrants from the Senate version of the state budget should be ashamed of themselves. These issues are not Latino issues. They are not “illegal” v. “legal” issues. They are issues of simple justice. Removing the provisions is something that one might expect from the political opposition. We expect better from the Democrats.
24885126 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 10:06 AM But... wrote ...
Nothing on the Milwaukee School Choice voucher program...
24885121 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 10:04 AM Rschleic@amfam.com wrote ...
To Dragondazin: Please talk to an insurance agent- The insurance goes with the car-not the driver. To Neil: The insurance rates for no fault states (you insure yourself) are usally higher then in Wisconsin. Most no fault states laws are watered down so law suits are still allowed raising the cost for everyone.
24885116 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 9:49 AM nlagl wrote ...
Carpenter: "I know a lot more work has to be done, but this is a good start." Now he can join the Republican state senators in their amendments to remove non-fiscal policy items and earmarks from the budget: http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2009/06/17/news/z03kap.txt
24885111 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 9:16 AM Dragondazin @ Neil S 9:29 wrote ...
You dont insure the car you insure yourself, My insurance covers me no matter whos car I drive. Nice try to make it seem you would need four insurance policies!
24885106 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 8:30 AM Calvin wrote ...
Interesting...I used to really dislike Tim Carpenter, but it appears that he's been listening to his constituents. I may need to change my opinion. (but I'll believe these changes when they are actually signed into law)
24885101 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 8:12 AM Andy wrote ...
Tim Carpenter should be commended for representing his district.Whenever I called him on the mandatory insurance issue,he was adamant about having this in Wisconsin.The legal immigrants in his district don't want in-state tuition going to illegals. Just ask the countless legal Arab-Americans, Serbian-Americans, Polish-Americans, Bosnian-American, Mexican-Americans, Hmong-Americans in his district who want their children to have a place at a state University.Legal immigrants did it the right way.
24885096 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 7:58 AM Hogie wrote ...
Mandatory Auto Ins is a good thing. Hope it happens and is enforced.
24885091 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 7:53 AM Dispatcher to Neil wrote ...
In answer to your question, the answer is yes. If those cars ever go on the road and/or are registered they would need to be insured. So, the reason you remain in the state is because you can drive around in uninsured automobiles? WOW. Anyway, wait until you get a load of the taxes in NH. Personally, I take some small comfort in mandatory insurance. Are you for allowing drivers with no DL on the road as well?
24885086 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 7:08 AM Neil Schubert wrote ...
If this passes, I will be relocating to New Hamshire, and taking my inventions and potential business along with me. I am sick of dealing with this state. It's hard enough to make a go of it in this economy, without somebody adding other things on. Our existing insurance laws are one of the only reasons I have chosen to stay in Wisconsin. Other than the scenery, what does Wisconsin have that other states do not? Yes, high taxes, fees, hidden charges. Technology, music, movies? Not in Wisconsin!
24885081 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 6:50 AM Neil Schubert wrote ...
Instead, take away liability, the ability to sue. In other words, you have to insure yourself, and you and or the other driver cannot sue you. This would fix the problem for everybody. If you get into an injury accident, and you are injured, your insurance would cover you, and the other driver's insurance would cover the other driver. This would encourage better driving, and put an end to the hungry trial lawyers. If you don't have insurance, you loose your car and get stuck with your med bills
24885076 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 6:46 AM The Family Guy wrote ...
Certainly steps in the right direction. Mandatory (and enforced!) auto insurance will bring down the rates for responsible drivers who are already insured by reducing the cost of uninsured motorist premiums. It will also give law enforcement another tool to remove careless or unlicensed drivers from the road. Proof of insurance at time of registration and no government candy for illegals? Perhaps Charlie's Sullivan, Plale and Carpenter retro campaign is having some effect on Mr. Carpenter...
24885071 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 6:41 AM Neil S wrote ...
Is there some type of payola going on here? Is it even remotely possible that our wonderful representatives are taking kickbacks from insurance companies? What does insurance have to do with our state budget? To the driver who was hit by an uninsured driver: Do you have insurance? Why don't we change this to a no-fault, insure yourself state, where you insurance covers you and not the other driver? If the other driver gets injured, it would be their responsibility. Put people in jail? Pork!
24885066 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 6:36 AM Kurt/Elkhorn wrote ...
Lets hope this doesn't get Obamated(say one thing,do another)again! Good on licenses not happening,tuition not happening,& mandatory insurance is happening. Now letswalk the walk,too.
24885061 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 6:33 AM Whitefish Bay Mike wrote ...
Front licence plates need to go.
24885056 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 6:29 AM Neil S wrote ...
Hmm. How much money will that cost our state to enforce? Why is this even an issue? Take away the money that we saved on the front licence plates, and spend it on creating a DMV bureaucracy, just like they have in the other states. Yes we can spend millions of taxpayer dollars. That's responsible politics - try to pass legislation with no accountability. If I own four cars, but only drive one of them, do I need to have insurance on the two parked in the garage, in order to register them?
24885051 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 6:21 AM Dispatcher wrote ...
I have no problem with mandatory auto insurance.I'm from SC where it's been the law for many years. When you are stopped, even at a sobriety check point, and have no insurance, they will tow your car. You cannot get a DL without insurance and cannot buy a car off a lot. I would not drive to the corner without insurance because I'm used to it. Here in WI, I've been plowed into by people without insurance (or a DL) and it's a mess!
24885046 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 6:16 AM R.J. wrote ...
[Amy P]Here's how it works in IL: Get in accident...no insurance?...go to jail. Sometimes this state's penchant for being "different" really sux.
24885041 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 5:55 AM Elmer Fudd wrote ...
For sale: Ocean front property in Omaha. Any takers
24885036 Flag for moderationWednesday, Jun 17 at 5:54 AM Amy P. wrote ...
Hm. Mandatory auto insurance. It's a good step in the right direction (especially as someone who's been hit by an uninsured driver). How will it be enforced?
24885031 Flag for moderationAdd a comment
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