010129.txt Kohl pushes for video game violence law By Melanie Fonder News-Chronicle WASHINGTON - Violent video games marketed to children are about to become the target of a new law that would allow the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prosecute the companies that make them. Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Milwaukee, along with Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., and Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., introduced their fifth annual "Violent Video Game Report Card" last week. Kohl and Lieberman plan to introduce the legislation in the next month. A voluntary ratings' system instituted by the video game industry six years ago does little to stop the marketing of the products to children, Kohl and Lieberman agree. A yearlong investigation into the industry released in September by the FTC concluded that the marketing of the games was still geared toward children. "Practically everybody in the industry still markets inappropriate games ... and practically every retailer regularly sells these games to kids," Kohl said in a statement. PRESCRIPTION DRUGS UPDATE A report released by Rep. Tom Barrett, D-Milwaukee, this week shows a glaring disparity in prices for prescription drugs to treat breast cancer patients in the Milwaukee area to costs for those drugs in Canada and other countries. Providing a prescription health benefit under Medicare has been one of Barrett's top priorities in Congress. In conducting the study, both independent and chain drug stores in the Milwaukee area were asked to provide prices on five brand name drugs used to treat the cancer. The most popular, tamoxifen (brand name Nolvadex) costs an average of $113 for a month's supply, while in Canada the same amount costs $12. Similar studies by members of Congress whose states border Canada were popular throughout the election, as were bus trips sponsored by members to take their constituents into Canada to purchase the drugs at lower costs. BUSH, THOMPSON DIFFER ON POLICY One of the first areas of disagreement between President Bush and Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Tommy Thompson could be front and center soon. On Friday, Bush said federal money should not be used for stem cell research on fetuses obtained from abortions. His announcement came during his first week as president where he had made several anti-abortion statements, including cutting of funding from the U.S. to organizations in foreign countries that provide abortion services or counseling. Thompson, who is pro-life, has supported the stem cell research in the past. He also has indicated he will review the safety of the controversial "abortion pill," RU-486. With abortion-related issues falling under the HHS Department, Thompson is likely to be high-profile on the issue, but unlike while governor, not the only one in charge. LOOKING AHEAD Ex-Sen. John Ashcroft, R-Mo., is still awaiting a Senate vote on his controversial confirmation as Attorney General, which is expected to be this Wednesday. Watch for the votes of Wisconsin Democratic Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold. While Feingold has leaned toward supporting Ashcroft in public remarks, Kohl has said little. Both could come under fire from liberal organizations who have mobilized nationwide against Ashcroft. While Thompson's Senate confirmation turned out to be a breeze (he was approved 100-0), leaving Wisconsin does not seem quite as easy. Thompson, who will resign as governor Thursday after delivering his last "State of the State" address Wednesday night, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in a lengthy exit interview that at first he did not want to leave, but he is looking forward to the challenge. "I know state politics as well or better than anybody in the Capitol, and you got a chance to go the (political) 'Super Bowl.' You only get one shot to go the Super Bowl. You might as well take it, and see what you can do. You've played in the minor leagues, and you got a chance to go the major leagues. How many people get a chance to go to the major leagues in the role like I've got?" Thompson said. Melanie Fonder, a former News-Chronicle reporter, is a staff writer for the Hill, a weekly newspaper that covers Capitol Hill. Her column appears here Mondays. Write to her at melfonder@yahoo.com.