May 15, 2011

The Wisconsin protests cost the state $8 million.

That includes the expense of all the extra security that was needed. The estimated cost of repairing the Capitol building was $270,000.
Originally, DOA Secretary Mike Huebsch estimated the repair costs alone would run about $7.5 million. The controversial figure was said to have been a quick estimate, based a single handwritten page of notebook paper. Heubsch later revised that number down to $350,000.

On Friday, the secretary spelled out the estimate and said the costs could have been higher, given the size of crowds at the historic building for four straight weeks.

“It is important to note that there was no malicious damage,” Huebsch said. “But that said, this is still a lot of money.”
Presumably, "malicious" means done solely for the purpose of destruction. There were plenty of intentional actions that were destructive, such as forcing open a door (bending a hinge and breaking a wooden panel) and putting duct and masking tape on marble walls.

The $8 million estimate only covers the period from February 14 to March 13, so it doesn't include the cost of the added security we now have at the Capitol.
Huebsch said the tighter security measures would likely continue, at least until the collective bargaining bill debate is resolved. On Friday, however, Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, said it was time the Capitol returned to normal.

“We did not need to waste this money, nor do we need to continue to waste this money,” he said. “The majority of the people here now are fourth-grade schoolchildren on tours.”
And if the security were removed? I note that there was another protest at the Capitol yesterday, with 7,000 to 10,000 people. It was called the “Fight Is Not Over” rally:
“We have to reclaim our moral outrage, our sense of indignation,” Mahlon Mitchell, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin, said to cheers from the crowd. “We have to keep the pressure on and let them hear us.”
Are we supposed to believe that the protesters wouldn't retake the Capitol building if the security were removed?

28 comments:

Sal said...

Feingold lost. Walker won. Prosser won. Like it or not, that's what democracy really looks like.

Toad Trend said...

Peter Barca, D-Kenosha:

“We did not need to waste this money, nor do we need to continue to waste this money,” he said. “The majority of the people here now are fourth-grade schoolchildren on tours."

This is precious, coming from a Wisconsin democrat.

Since these demonstrations began, I have maintained that many of the people that spent time at the capitol in Madison were acting like children.

That rep. Barca observes that most of the people visiting the capitol NOW are 4th graders, is telling...funny, the 4th graders are clearly better behaved.

I apologize for insulting the children!

YoungHegelian said...

I think the State of WI should send the teacher's union the repair bill.

Do I think the state would ever get its money? Naah.

But the litigation, especially discovery, would be oh-so-much fun.

Unknown said...

I have a modest proposal. I assume the State of Wisconsin charges a modest fee for entrance to state parks? Simply designate the capitol as a state park.

The fee schedule might look something like this:

Legislators--a necessary nuisance--$500 for a season pass.

Lobbyists--$5,000 a day or $500,000 for the season.

Citizens--free.

Citizens carrying bullhorns, sleeping bags, posters, etc., $5 a day.

The park closes at 10 PM.

edutcher said...

How many of our Lefties told us such estimates that high were ridiculous?

If it turns out Althouse was, in any portion, shut down maliciously, we can pretty much bet it was for telling the truth as she did than, as well as now.

garage mahal said...

That includes the expense of all the extra security that was needed.

Riiiight. By Haubsch's own admission it wasn't even needed when it was occupied.

How many of our Lefties told us such estimates that high were ridiculous?

Uh, it turns out the estimates were ridiculous. Didn't you read the link?

Sofa King said...

Yes, they really do believe that you should trust them. Even that you should have faith in them. In their minds, they are morally infallible. Like the Pope.

So if you don't trust their every word, it simply must be because you are immoral.

Roux said...

The $8 million estimate only covers the period from February 14 to March 13, so it doesn't include the cost of the added security we now have at the Capitol.

Prior to Katrina we used to about 4 security guards on duty all the time. Now it's 14. We will never go back. I'm not comparing the looting of Katrina with the idiot protestors but still it will never be the same.

Jerome said...

Well, if I were a member of a Public Employees Union, I would reply, "Government spending is going up? What's wrong with that?".

Michael said...

Some of the people damaging the capitol structure and improperly occupying the capitol were employees of unions (I'm not talking about members, but employees). They were acting within the scope of their employment when they damaged the building and illegally occupied it, requiring extra security. In fact, one could even say that these union employees were in a conspiracy with the non-employees who did the harm and did the illegal acts requiring the legislature to spend extra money.

Why not send a bill to the unions?

LGD said...

In the debate here over security costs, everyone is forgetting the death threats. Including one delivered on the floor of the Assembly. Of course, the unionized Madison police and the Democrats holding the D.A.'s office don't seem concerned, so perhaps I shouldn't be, either.

Larry J said...

Well, if I were a member of a Public Employees Union, I would reply, "Government spending is going up? What's wrong with that?".

Well, since spending is going up and revenue isn't, the extra spending will have to come out of the payroll. If teachers protest and that costs $X, then $X should be deducted from the state education budget. How many teacher jobs is that protest really worth?

Methadras said...


“It is important to note that there was no malicious damage,” Huebsch said. “But that said, this is still a lot of money.”


Well because benign damage is okay. Leftards and their idiotic shameless moral justifications for anything continues unabated.

The Dude said...

But it was worth it, right?

WV: dismensa - the left's favorite group.

AllenS said...

What is it going to cost the state for the Kloppenbooger recount request?

[This is my second attempt, because Blogger sucks.]

Roger J. said...

As long as you wisconsinites are payint the tax bill, I really dont give a damn--(except for AllenS who should be getting the equivalent of an Obamacare waiver)

The rest of you--enjoy your political class--and open your pocket books and pay long and well.

Idiots.

Triangle Man said...

It's unfortunate the Governor wasn't able to accomplish his policy goals without precipitating historic protests and the added expense, but he knew it would cost something. He anticipated using the National Guard to staff prisons after all.

Carol_Herman said...

Actually, the police chief caused the damage! How so?

Tubbs, (if that's his name), told the protestors he was on their side.

And, then, of course, you had the idiot democraps who left town.

You want to "cost out" the damage? What if the democraps lose in November 2012? What's that worth?

The visuals the unions gave the world showed they weren't up to the levels of Greece. Or France. So this country remains ahead.

We'll probably go back to Lochner. Which was before unions had clout.

To get there, though ... we still need to see democraps shedding voters. They could give themselves a situation that's similar to trying to grow hairs back on a bald man.

garage mahal said...

...but he knew it would cost something.

And he admitted under oath it would save nothing.

Profit!

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

"The fight is not over rally."

Ah, having a vote given to them for free - with which they can turn the government and country's direction substantially in 2 years and 180 degrees in 6 - these rich spoiled Americans are, instead, itching for a good in-the-street revolution.

They were given a legacy of all that a citizen could want, but what they really want is a loud and bloody riot.

Franklin said...

That is just sad. Shame on the Government Unions and their lackeys in the Democrat Party.

Triangle Man said...

these rich spoiled Americans

Quayle is itching to teach those bourgeois pigs a lesson. Who are they to express their grievances in a manner wholly consistent with the laws and traditions if this nation?

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Quayle is itching to teach those bourgeois pigs a lesson. Who are they to express their grievances in a manner wholly consistent with the laws and traditions if this nation

Some people build, develop, and organize.

Others only know how to burn, destroy, and scatter. They start on their families and move on to the city and state.

Karl said...

"The city of Madison is seeking reimbursement for $682,842 in costs related to the protests, including more than half a million dollars in police overtime."

Let the City of Madison suck it up. Take the bad along with the good. Your peeps were the problema, right? As they constantly tell us, there were no "outsiders" bused in.

As for Screaming Peter Barca - I'd scream too - if my meal ticket (Kathy Barca - $170k+ Kenosha Unified Administration) - was getting horned in the tits.

Blue@9 said...

“We have to reclaim our moral outrage, our sense of indignation."

Reclaim it? Moral outrage is all they've had to begin with. I'd much prefer if they reclaimed their sense of logic and reason.

Karga said...

There is one anwswer to this problem. Human beings are stupid, so they go onto a rampage and destroy and then they feel satisfied. The day after they pay to fix what they destroyed. What a bunch of .... well forget it