By RAQUEL RUTLEDGE The two lead sponsors of a bill in the Wisconsin Legislature promoting the use of ethanol and the purchase of cars that run on an 85% blend of the corn-based fuel have financial ties to the ethanol and automotive industries, records show. State Rep.

By Raquel Rutledge, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Mar.

By Paul Snyder And the ball is rolling. The Minnesota Legislature became the first of the eight Great Lakes states to pass the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact into law. State Rep.

By La Crosse Tribune, Wis. Nov. 17--If the situation with the La Crosse area delegation is any indication, there is a chance for bipartisanship in the next session of the Wisconsin Legislature. Rep. Jennifer Shilling, a La Crosse Democrat, said she hopes for a "kinder, gentler session." Sen.

By PATRICK MARLEY Madison Despite years of setbacks, 24-hour cable TV coverage of the state Legislature is close to reality. Last month, the state Building Commission approved wiring the Capitol and putting cameras in the Assembly and Senate chambers.