THE ISSUES WE FACE:

A democratic government, to be effective must have leaders that understand and uphold the basic principles of freedom, fairness, equality and family. Those who stand as representatives of the people must be mindful of the basic right and want of the people to be free to live their lives as they deem fit. In order to be able to be free, the government needs to foster fairness and equality in the laws that it creates. At the core of our society is the family, whose definition grows as our nation does. Protecting the rights of individuals and their families and looking forward to plan for those future events that will impact our freedoms should be of paramount concern for any elected representative of the people. The following list of issues are all issues that I see as those things that will have a direct impact on the basic principles of freedom, fairness, equality and family as we end this decade and head into the next here in Wisconsin.

1. ECONOMY. The economy is number one on my list of issues. A strong economy has such a large impact on the people of this state and nation. Creating jobs and industry that works here in Wisconsin needs to be of primary concern. People in Wisconsin are known, and rightfully so, as hard workers. When a person makes the personal choice to work hard and sacrifice to get ahead for themselves and their families, the government should be assisting, rather than hindering, that cause. Taxes need to be fair and appropriate. Income taxation needs to be directed towards ability to pay and fairness, while at the same time not set up to discourage those who want to work more hours and harder to get ahead. Furthermore, continued dependence on property taxes by the government will only lead to increases in property taxes. A change in the direction of over-dependence on property taxes needs to occur.

A major push to promote both small and large business growth should occur. We need to encourage upstart businesses rather than discourage them. Tax breaks for businesses in their first fiscal year of operation may encourage more new businesses. Each municipality should be given materials and be educated on how to encourage and stimulate new businesses in their jurisdictions. Many potential small business owners have no one to turn to for advice and answers. Local officials should be assisted by the state in being able to assist and advise persons on start up business options.

Businesses such as alternative energy businesses should be given high priority by the state. As a state that prides itself on our natural resources, we need to take our unique place in our nation and be a leader in renewable energy sources. Legislation should be passed to allow alternative energy vehicles, such as modified electric utility vehicles, to be operated on local roadways. Local municipalities have already begun to seek this option. Local utility workers who drive a lot as part of their job, if using an alternative vehicle would save money for the municipality and hence lessen the tax dollars needed to be collected for operation. If elected I will fight to bring new alternative fuel industry here to western Wisconsin. My friends in agriculture will be called upon to assist in this industry. We can and must lead the state and nation in taking action rather than simply talking about alternatives to oil. There is no good reason not to move forward and I will not accept anyone telling me we can’t do it because we can. There is a real opportunity to lead this country in how to think and do things in a new way. I propose we act like leaders and lead by example in showing the nation a blueprint for how to begin solving the energy crisis.

I further propose to improve the business climate in Wisconsin by working with businesses rather than against them. New industry and job creation will be a primary focus. A strong local economy is the key to our success.

2. HEALTH CARE. Closely related with the economy is the issue of health care costs. One of the most common reasons for bankruptcy filings is health care costs that are uncovered by insurance. There is no reason that if elected as a legislator in the State of Wisconsin, I should have access to health care coverage that the average citizen doesn’t have. I propose that if elected I will donate my state health insurance to one of my constituents and demand that all citizens of the State of Wisconsin be given the same access to health care coverage, based on ability to pay…i.e…in a way fundamentally fair.  I further propose either credits for business owners and proprietors who offer health insurance to employees as an affordable benefit package, or propose a package of health care coverage aimed specifically at businesses and proprietors. As a small business owner myself, I know how expensive health care costs can be. Many small business owners are simply forced to use their hard earned income on necessities such as food and gas and other bills with nothing left over for health care. Many talented and hard working persons who would be excellent small business owners, make the choice not to open up their own business based on one primary concern…health care costs. They end up deciding to stay at a job that gives them health care insurance and the net effect is that we lose out on what could be thousands of excellent small businesses, which in effect would drive the economy progressively forward. I will fight every day in Madison for these rights of Wisconsin citizens, and I will not accept anybody telling me it can’t be done, because if we can spend billions in foreign countries we CAN do this. We have to start thinking “we can” and break the mold of “we cant” that has plagued government for to long.

3.    DO WHAT IS RIGHT. Underlying all the principles of my campaign is the underlying goal of doing what is right. If elected my promise is to work tirelessly to educate myself on all decisions brought before me so that the choice I make is a choice for what is right for the people of the State of Wisconsin. I further promise to spend the majority of my time here at home in the District. I believe that by working together, we can lead by example here in western Wisconsin. I think the time has come for us here to show Madison how things get done.

4.    EDUCATION. Quality public education is essential for building for the future in Wisconsin. It is important to get input from teachers to determine what works and what doesn’t in education. My step-mother has been an elementary school teacher in western Wisconsin since the 1970’s. I have learned the importance of quality teachers and what we need to do to support them. A single teacher may have more impact on a child, other than a parent, than any other person that child may meet. Supporting our teachers is critical. I do not support standardized testing that requires teachers to neglect other avenues of teaching with the sole goal of focusing on teaching just what is necessary to pass those tests. I do support standardized testing as part of an overall plan to assure that no child is falling through the cracks, however, we need to look at the possibility of more technical education especially at the high school level, to allow students the opportunity to learn a trade short of college.

5.    AGRICULTURE. The loss of the small family farm in western Wisconsin has changed the landscape for our children today. As the family farm disappears, the opportunities for non-farm kids to get a chance to experience farm life is fading away. If elected I will strongly support all farmers. I propose a better financial lending program for those who want to get into farming. The economics of more farm operations makes perfect sense. When a family farm disappears, along with it goes the business from the sale of ag equipment from a local implement dealer, the loss of a client for an accountant, the loss of a consumer of local goods and services that support farmers. If we make it easier for young persons who want to get into farming, these new farms will again create the need for tractors and seed and equipment and will again stimulate the economy with business for those who provide necessary services for farmers like banks, implement dealers and accountants.

Agriculture also plays a critical role in the future of renewable energy here in Wisconsin, the United States and the world. We need to support our farmers and businesses that support the farmers in leading the way in new ways to think about farming. Wind farming can be mixed with crop farming to create two sources of renewable energy at the same time. Our farmers can lead the way, and if elected I will pledge my support at every turn for those in the agricultural industry.

6.    ACTION OVER WORDS. It is my firm belief that simply acknowledging a problem and giving some grant money for things such as alternative energy research is not enough. Rather than simply throwing out an idea and/or legislation, and doing nothing more…what we really need out of our government and leaders is the follow through to make sure the ideas are implemented…to get them beyond just the “nice concept” phase. The state needs to support changes, as discussed above, such as allowing alternative vehicles on the roadways; and our local municipalities should be supported in giving land grants to start up and existing businesses who want to build new businesses or expand.

7.    VETERANS. With our military engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan producing thousands of veterans with active duty war time service, we need to pay special attention to the needs of all veterans. We should look at the retirement plans of Veterans in state employment to see if they need to be given upgrades in that retirement based on their time serving our country. We should also expand tuition grants to qualified veterans and their dependants. We also need to look at the effects of state income taxation of military retirement and whether exemptions are needed. Our veterans have served us proudly and we need to serve them back.

8.    LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES. I have represented several municipalities in my practice and without a doubt those who serve on local county, city, township and village boards have very hard jobs. They are forced on a daily basis to make sacrifices from their personal and work lives to serve in these capacities and the decisions they face are often very difficult. State government needs to support the local municipalities. One way to do this is to avoid forcing unfunded mandates on local municipalities. Legislators need to be aware of the practical effects of the legislation they pass. In some cases, new legislation can create more problems than it solves. If elected, I will be mindful of these practical effects of legislation on those who are made to execute it, namely the local municipality. If elected I will work with local officials to determine these practical effects prior to proposing new legislation.