Here & Now; 232

February 13, 2004

Here and Now, one-hour presidential primary special edition, John Edwards, John Edwards, presidental primary candidate, talks with Frederica from WTMJ in Milwaukee, Howard Dean, Howard Dean, presidental primary candidate, talks with Frederica from WTMJ in Milwaukee, John Kerry, John Kerry, presidential primary candidate; interviewed by Art Hackett, Dennis Kucinich, Dennis Kucinich, presidential primary candidate, interviewed by Frederica, voting for john edwards, Now that we heard the candidates speak for themselves on some of the larger issues, have you made up your mind? Joining us now are some Wisconsinites who have. We want their thoughts how their candidates performed and hear why they support who they do. voting for dennis kucinich, Now that we heard the candidates speak for themselves on some of the larger issues, have you made up your mind? Joining us now are some Wisconsinites who have. We want their thoughts how their candidates performed and hear why they support who they do. voting for howard dean, Now that we heard the candidates speak for themselves on some of the larger issues, have you made up your mind? Joining us now are some Wisconsinites who have. We want their thoughts how their candidates performed and hear why they support who they do. voting for john kerry, Now that we heard the candidates speak for themselves on some of the larger issues, have you made up your mind? Joining us now are some Wisconsinites who have. We want their thoughts how their candidates performed and hear why they support who they do. Here and Now, wisconsin presidential primary, A last look at the Wisconsin presidential primary, and a quick gaze into the weeks ahead in that race. Joining us from Washington, DC, 'Milwaukee Journal Sentinel' political reporter Craig Gilbert, and here in the studio, welcome to UW Political Science professor Ken Goldstein. Medicaid funding, One in seven people are enrolled in Medicaid programs in Wisconsin. In the current budget, the state counts on federal funds for Medicaid, funds that have not arrived, even as payments are coming due. The state fiscal bureau estimates $400 million may be needed. Administration Secretary Marc Marotta has given the legislature a February 26 deadline, that's next Thursday, to approve a debt restructuring plan that would, for the time being, keep Medicaid funding stable. Medicaid recipients have a lot at stake in the coming week, the disabled, the poor and the elderly. reduction in federal money paying for emergency personnel, The current fiscal year 2004-05 Department of Homeland Security budget will desecrate many emergency management programs, causing many to be severely short staffed and pushing other programs into extinction, that exact claim is part of a letter to the Wisconsin congressional delegation written by the president of the Wisconsin Emergency Management Association. The group represents the county and municipal emergency workers on the front lines of homeland security in Wisconsin. According to officials from the association, as well as State Emergency Management director Ed Gleason, Wisconsin is looking at a 25 percent reduction of federal money that goes to pay emergency personnel in Wisconsin. Birkebeiner ski race, A famous Wisconsin tradition- 51 kilometers of snow-covered trail, nearly 6, 000 cross country skiers, put them on the starting line and turn them loose. It's the 31st annual Birkebeiner ski race. It gets underway in the Cable-Hayward area tomorrow morning around 8:00am. Sledding - part 1, Mike Perry talks about how snow + kids = sledding, in its many shapes and forms. Slate is for episode 233