Although it’s both contentious and tedious, a new poll indicates that Wisconsin residents want legislators to get moving on approving the Great Lakes Water Compact, which would set new rules about the use of water along the Great Lakes. Although legislators have been stymied and the issue has been turned into a geographic and political fight, Wisconsin residents—regardless of where they live in the state or which party they belong to—want to get this deal done.

The poll was commissioned by several conservation organizations and was conducted last fall by the UW Survey Center. It found that 80% of respondents want the state to turn the compact into law. What’s more, that support is fairly consistent across party lines—83% of Republicans support it, and 76% of Democrats and 82% of Independents do as well. What’s more, while 77% of those who live along the Great Lakes want the compact, about 83% of those who live outside of the Great Lakes basin want it as well, showing that protecting the Great Lakes is a concern to all state residents—not just those who live along its shores.

Anne Sayers, program director for the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters, said that the poll also indicates that residents want a strong compact, one that would set water conservation guidelines, ensure that the public would be involved in any water diversion request, eliminate a loophole for commercial water bottlers and require that water returned to the Great Lakes is of good quality.

“This poll shows that Wisconsin residents are interested in doing the right thing,” Sayers said. Capitol watchers expect legislation to implement the compact to be introduced soon. But whether it will be as strong as Wisconsin residents want is yet to be seen.

The League is organizing its conservation lobby day at the Capitol next Wednesday, when voters will discuss the compact and other natural resource protection measures with their legislators.

Game On?: Who knew that one of the most obscure offices in city government could create so much heat? The race between state Rep. Pedro Colon and Grant Langley for city attorney, a position Langley has held for years, is now officially declared interesting.

After Langley told a reporter that he’d debate Colon “anytime, anywhere,” Colon responded with an offer to debate eight times around the city. Colon campaign spokesman Andrew Sharp said Langley has not accepted the proposal as of press time.

But he invited Langley to call 755-2290 to set up the debate schedule.

We Need New Blood: The latest state report on the Milwaukee County workforce shows that the county lost residents between 2000 and 2007, and we’re getting older. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development found that the city of Milwaukee, West Allis, Greendale, Whitefish Bay and Wauwatosa are losing people, while big gains are being made in Oak Creek and Franklin.

The report also found that Milwaukee’s residents are getting older and, as people retire, a labor shortage may be looming in the future. One bright spot, though: While the county has the most highly paid managerial workers, it’s also home to easier-to-fill occupations that only require short-term or moderate-term training. “Having positions available requiring different levels of education or training gives more options to Milwaukee County residents seeking employment,” the report stated.