Madison Media Digest: Drugs, education, campaign finance

From substance abuse to campaign finance, here’s a quick summary of Madison news this week.

Substances

Governor Walker signed seven bills aimed at addressing increased heroin use in Wisconsin. In Madison, the Cap Times discussed the difficulty of obtaining one of the most effective treatments for heroin addiction, a drug called suboxone. Conversely, the Isthmus brought attention to the growing movement supporting sobriety through a story featuring Aaron’s House, a non-profit dedicated to helping young men in transition and recovery from alcohol or drug addiction.

Alcohol licensing in the downtown area, meanwhile, is being adjusted, according to the Daily Cardinal. The changes will allow alcohol retailers to expand their businesses while providing more specific guidelines for new alcohol providers and retailers. Meanwhile, the Badger Herald covered a discussion on allowing beer aboard the city’s popular Pedal Pubs in an effort to encourage tourism. In another hypothetical, Jack Craver of the Cap Times discusses the success of a referendum in support of legalizing marijuana. Although the referendum is purely symbolic, it represents a shifting attitude in Dane County.

Education

As the Common Core Standards are implemented, schools are preparing for the new tests and the new equipment that may be necessary in order to provide each student with a computer. Nearly twenty schools in the area are administering sample tests in order to adjust to the new standards. 

Private schools are under scrutiny after the Department of Public Instruction released data showing that children receiving vouchers in private schools scored lower in state tests regarding reading and math. The American Education Reform Council (funded by the Bradley Foundation) is also being criticized for its efforts to advertise voucher-funded private education in the area.

In higher education, UW-Madison is responding to criticism concerning the school’s admission policies. A Virginia-based legal group, Project on Fair Representation, is launching an effort to investigate the university. Part of the school’s response is being channeled through a social media campaign aimed at diversity, #ItooAmUWMadison.

Campaign Finance

The Cap Times discussed local implications of the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down limits on aggregate campaign donations, while the Badger Herald argued that the decision undermines the First Amendment.