How does a bill become a law? The answer to that is in the Wisconsin Blue Book and the stuff of fourth (I think this is when we all learned it) grade classrooms. But boy that lesson has been turned on its head in the past several weeks in Wisconsin! Now I'm not taking sides here, but the budget repair bill – has so many lawyers attached to it in the courts right now that one veteran reporter (not me) compared this week's hearing over a restraining order to "a five-headed hydra." [Definition of HYDRA:: a many-headed serpent in Greek mythology] So, court resumes tomorrow (with all the attorneys) to determine whether the judge will issue a "preliminary injunction" against the bill over an alleged violation of the opening meetings laws. That injunction is more lasting than the temporary restraining order (3rd) now in place. Oh, and the Supreme Court is also deciding whether to take the case (more lawyers). Stay tuned.

Some of you may have seen Wisconsin Public Television's coverage of Governor Walker's State of the Budget Address on Tuesday. Behind the scenes it was anything but business as usual. The extremely tight security at the Wisconsin State Capitol presented extra challenges for the production crew trying to bring cameras, lighting equipment and other gear into the second floor Assembly Parlor where we set up our mini studio. Each entry required passing through 2-3 checkpoints of security.

30 minutes before the Governor's speech thousands of noisy, angry protesters converged on the police barricade just outside the Assembly windows. That is also the exact spot where our director, producer and technical support team are working to bring you the live broadcast from our production truck.

In one ear we heard chants of "This is what democracy looks like" in the other ear "standby in 3, 2, 1. The viewers at home only saw the quality production they are accustomed to getting from Wisconsin Public Television... despite that it was one of the more bizarre, challenging – and perhaps memorable live productions we may ever encounter.

***in the category of full disclosure the employees of Wisconsin Public Television are state employees.

Another busy week in the world of news and public affairs! Governor Scott Walker delivered his State of the State address. We're looking to the Budget Address for more specifics on spending cuts that get at the state budget deficit.

This week on "Here & Now" we talk with U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan who has just released his spending cut plan as chair of the House Budget Committee. We hear from Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen about his reaction to a federal judge's ruling this week that invalidated the Obama health care law and we hear the opposing viewpoint.

Also, we continue our interviews with candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This week, we talk with Joel Winnig. Finally, our singing commentator, Peter Leidy, puts the Super Bowl to song. "Here & Now," Friday night at 7:30 p.m. on Wisconsin Public Television.

The legislature's budget committee takes up the YoungStar childcare rating system Wednesday. The system would tie Wisconsin Shares childcare subsidy payments to the quality of the care. YoungStar is estimated to cost $65 million over six years. The Department of Children and Families says the crackdown on fraud in Wisconsin Shares has resulted in a projected $100 million savings over two years, but just about $10 million of that would go toward starting the rating system. Legislators have questions about the cost of the new program going forward and expect to voice those concerns at tomorrow's hearing.

Can you read this right now? If so, you're connected. You may not have high-speed internet, but such broadband service could be coming to a school or library near you. Governor Jim Doyle this week asked the legislature's budget committee to approve nearly $23 million in federal stimulus funding for fiber optic connections in 70 schools and libraries in 380 communities. The governor says the coverage will also help businesses and law enforcement in the areas where the broadband is installed. The coverage extends out in a three mile radius from the connection point – so people in that range can benefit from the service. The joint finance committee is expected to consider the funding next week.