Here & Now; 547

June 29, 2007

Here and Now, Healthcare Bill, The state Senate passed a two-year $66 billion state budget and sent it on to the Assembly. Democrats, who control the senate, included a proposal to give nearly every resident of the state of Wisconsin access to the state health insurance that covers the governor, legislators and state employees like those of us at public television. Republicans who control the Assembly declared the measure dead-on-arrival. But for the moment, it is in the bill. "Here and Now" Art Hackett explains how the plan would work. Healthy Wisconsin Plan, Democratic Senator Jon Erpenbach and Republican Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch join Fred to talk about the varying views on the Healthy Wisconsin Plan. New Taxes and Fees, There are some fees and new taxes scattered throughout the budget bill getting talked about a lot. We turn now to someone who keeps track of taxes and fees for a living to discuss them. Unfair Sales Act, A Merrill gas station owner has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the 70-year-old Unfair Sales Act, which prohibits retailers from selling gasoline at below cost. Retailers who don't comply with this regulation face fines. The Merrill gas station owner was reminded of this by state Ag and Consumer Protection officials when they discovered that he was offering discounts at the pump. (With full-screen graphic reader), Unfair Sales Act, A Merrill gas station owner has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the 70-year-old Unfair Sales Act, which prohibits retailers from selling gasoline at below cost. Retailers who don't comply with this regulation face fines. The Merrill gas station owner was reminded of this by state Ag and Consumer Protection officials when they discovered that he was offering discounts at the pump.