Kwik Trip employee Bob Josephson led the battle cry today against the so-called oil profits tax, saying the proposal from Gov. Doyle will dramatically increase the cost of supplying gas in Wisconsin.

About 25 red-shirted people stood behind Josephson. The issue has been a big draw to the committee's public hearings this session, bringing in nearly the numbers as the perennial smoking cessation issue.

Josephson said many of the convenience stores in Wisconsin are family-owned, and they are the ones that will bear the cost of the tax, not "big oil" companies.

"We all know this tax will ultimately be paid by Wisconsin business and passed on to Wisconsin residents," Josephson said.

Likewise, an issue that has received a lot of support from speakers is restoring funding for independent living centers.

On another issue, Lisa Walker, the Columbia County Register of Deeds, said she is opposed to proposed birth certificate fee increases. She said the new money does not go back into the maintenance of the records, and in fact she hasn't been able to get an answer about where the money does go.

-- By Greg Bump