The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a campaign finance watchdog group, suggests that there might be something more behind Gov. Jim Doyle's change of heart over nuclear power.

Doyle said last month that he could consider nukes as a possible energy option. The WDC sorted through Doyle's campaign finance reports and found that executives of a Florida utility with large stakes in nuclear and wind power contributed nearly $24,000 to Doyle.

A little more than a month later, Doyle announced he was willing to change his power tune.

Doyle's latest campaign finance report shows 30 executives, and one of their spouses, with Florida Power & Light Company and three of its nuclear power plants contributed $23,750 to the governor on June 27. No employees of Florida Power & Light or its three nuclear power plants in Florida, Iowa and New Hampshire had contributed to Wisconsin legislative or statewide candidates before.

Florida Power purchased the Point Beach nuclear power plant near Two Rivers from WE Energies in October 2007 for $924 million. The utility, which says it's one of the largest owners and operators of wind turbines in the world, also has operated the Montfort wind power project near Dodgeville since 2001. The two-reactor Point Beach plant was originally designed for four reactors, and the ban would have to be lifted for more reactors to be added.

Bridge Bait: It's such an absurd idea that no one can take it seriously, yet the state Department of Transportation's trial balloon to tear down the Hoan Bridge for a street-level scheme has some public officials worried enough to stop laughing.

The DOT suggests the Hoan Bridge will cost over $40 million to fix -- a project that indeed needs to be done. Instead, they're suggesting that further research be done to rebuild the famed "bridge to nowhere."

And that doesn't sit well with the local gentry.

Milwaukee County Supervisor Patricia Jursik, who represents St. Francis, Cudahy, South Milwaukee and parts of Oak Creek, has hooked up with a coalition of other local officials to lobby the DOT hard to change its focus. Board members Marina Dimitrijevic and Christopher Larson joined her, along with Cudahy Mayor Ryan McCue, St. Francis Mayor Al Richards, South Milwaukee Mayor Thomas Zepecki, and Milwaukee Ald. Terry Witkowski.

"Replacing I-794's Hoan Bridge with ground level lift bridges is not a satisfactory alternative," Jursik said in a letter to the DOT. "Would you suggest lift bridges over I-94 crossing the Wisconsin River near Dane County, or any other county for that matter?"

Road Warriors: It seems public opinion and input is not part of the state Department of Transportation's operating agenda.

The group Citizens Allied for Sane Highways found that the DOT already has readied a memo to the federal highway department asking for a go-ahead to expand I-94 from six to eight lanes from Milwaukee to the state line-even before the second public comment period opened. The state wants to put $1.9 billion toward the effort.

More Fees, Please: Just a month after vetoing a $20 annual vehicle fee to be imposed on city residents, Mayor Tom Barrett has asked the Common Council to approve $53 in fee increases this week.

The mayor wants to boost the snow removal fee from $21 to $29 per year and raise the solid-waste fee from $132 to $169 as well as raise the sewer fee from $73 to $79 and the storm water fee from $32 to $34 a year for the average homeowner.

Barrett says the fees are needed now because they kick in during the fourth quarter of the year and will help the mayor figure out what to do about the rest of the proposed budget for next year.

As part of the fee proposal, Barrett also projects saving $500,000 by delaying a fire department recruiting class and not filling five positions in the Health Department to save $160,000, among other cuts. A special meeting of the Common Council will be held to consider the fees on Friday if they pass a committee on Thursday.

Barrett vetoed the vehicle fee, saying it was unfair to homeowners who lived in the city and actually gives a break to landlords who live outside the city, since part of the measure is to lower road repair assessments. The Council overrode the veto.

Fish Frenzy: Milwaukee County Exec Scott Walker seems to be having a conniption about closing the county fish hatchery, which is run at the House of Correction.

Two years ago, after being thwarted in repeated attempts to close the hatchery, county officials actually put more money into the hatchery after raising collect call phone rates on inmates. But Walker is again making noise that he wants to close what's become one of the few things inmates have to do outside hanging around their dorm all day and bothering other inmates.

A budget plan suggests the House would save $188,000 with the closure, but makes no mention of what county parks will do to restock park ponds with trout -- an annual treat for youngsters and oldsters.

Travel Time: Milwaukee Ald. Joe Davis continues his reign as king of travel for the Common Council. Davis' next jaunt will be Oct. 22, when he goes to Stevens Point to accept his reappointment to the Wisconsin League of Municipalities Resolutions Committee. He's getting the city to put up $963.44 to pay his expenses.