WASHINGTON, D.C.
The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed act H.R. 748 on Wednesday, which declares it a federal offense to transport a minor across state lines for an abortion in attempts to evade a state's parental involvement law.
All but 17 states have parental notification or consent laws. However, according to a Wisconsin Right to Life press release, minors often circumvent these laws and cross state lines to have abortions, \often under pressure from older boyfriends or at the urging of agents of abortion providers.""
Illinois is among the 11 states with notification or consent laws currently not put into effect, according to www.plannedparenthood.org, making the passing of this act a victory for Wisconsin Right to Life, a state affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee.
MADISON
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz addressed the Downtown Rotary Club at a meeting Wednesday afternoon to unveil his ""Imagine Madison"" initiative, a 10-year plan for shaping future growth and development in the city of Madison.
The mayor spoke about various issues that concern the city and need to be addressed.
""The challenges we face are in the areas of transportation, social diversity, schools, budgets and politics,"" Cieslewicz said.
The Cieslewicz added that growth is a positive thing for Madison and congestion is OK because that means more people are ""bustling around.""
""Growth creates social challenges and opportunities,"" he said.
The mayor also outlined 12 projects he wanted Madison to complete by 2016.
Among them were a new central library, more swimming pools and parks, the mid-State Street parking ramp and Peace Park.
The mayor concluded his speech stating Madison has both the challenge and the opportunity ""to grow better, healthier, more fair and more welcoming to everyone.""
UW-MADISON
In an effort to expedite negotiations with the state government, the UW-Madison Teaching Assistants' Association has asked for a mediator to help resolve their ongoing contract dispute, according to a TAA release.
""We'd like to get this contract put to bed,"" TAA Vice President for Bargaining Burt Johnson said in the release.
Negotiations have been going on for almost two years, nearly exceeding the term of the yet unsettled contract without actually reaching an agreement.
The disagreement between the TAA and the state over salaries and health benefits became so contentious that in April of last year, members of the TAA held a two-day strike.
