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  THURSDAY
June 20, 2013

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Assembly passed the state budget Wednesday after Democrats decided against offering any amendments or prolonging debate, saying the $70 billion spending plan is so bad it can't be fixed.
The budget would cut income taxes for all tax filers by $650 million over two years, expand statewide private school vouchers currently only available in Milwaukee and Racine, and tighten income eligibility under Medicaid.
>>Dems: No budget debate was tactic, not retreat
>>GOP lawmaker explains 'no' vote on budget

MADISON — Health organizations say a Wisconsin bill that would prohibit doctors from asking patients whether they own guns would interfere with the doctor-patient relationship. Under the proposal from Republican Rep. Michael Schraa, doctors except for psychiatrists who violated the ban could face a $25,000 fine or nine months in prison. "Owning a firearm, or not owning a firearm, is a personal decision that has nothing to do with your physical health," Schraa said in a statement. "Patients should not feel intimidated or harassed by their physicians over the exercise of a constitutional right."

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Free agent and former Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop has visited the Vikings. Defensive coordinator Alan Williams said after minicamp practice Wednesday that Bishop went through a "good workout" with team officials. Williams deferred to general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Leslie Frazier about the possibility of signing the seventh-year veteran. Bishop played in a 3-4 defense with Green Bay. Minnesota uses a 4-3 scheme.

HOUSTON — Houston starter Erik Bedard had perhaps his best performance of the season on Wednesday night. When he left in the eighth inning, it quickly fell apart for the Astros. Bedard departed with a runner on and one out, and Hector Ambriz surrendered home runs to Rickie Weeks and Aramis Ramirez to send Houston to a 3-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Bedard struck out eight and allowed four hits in his longest outing of the season. The left-hander was replaced by Ambriz (1-4) after Josh Prince walked and was sacrificed to second.

MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee inmate who won a chance to clear his name after a judge vacated his homicide conviction last year instead made an agonizing decision: to plead guilty to a lesser homicide charge in exchange for his immediate freedom, his lawyers said Wednesday. The decision means Seneca Malone remains a convicted felon in the eyes of the law. But it also means the 27-year-old, who has always maintained his innocence, is a free man.

MADISON — Wisconsin officials hope a new incentive plan will trim participation in the state's welfare-to-work program, which has seen an increase in enrollment despite predictions that fewer poor people would need its assistance. The program is called Wisconsin Works, or W-2, and provides financial assistance to low-income people who are trying to find work. Nearly 15,000 people were in the program last month, far more than the 11,452 per month predicted in the current 2011-13 budget.

MADISON — Public employees in Wisconsin could see another increase in the contribution rates they pay into the Wisconsin Retirement System under a plan the system board is scheduled to consider Thursday.The proposal is for rates to be 14 percent of payroll for teachers and general employees, with workers and their employers each paying half. The employers are state and local governments, meaning taxpayers would foot that share of the bill.

MILWAUKEE – It’s a move United Tool owner Ron Kelnhofer wishes he could have made six months ago because his company has far outgrown its Milwaukee facility. During the second week of August, United Tool will move from a 12,800-square-foot facility at 8219 W. Bradley Road to an approximate 27,000-square-foot facility at N27-W23591 Paul Road in the City of Pewaukee. “It is a real nice bit of room for us,” Kelnhofer said. “We are sardines where we are now.” Kelnhofer said another plus of being located in Waukesha County is the better talent pool than Milwaukee.