Issues
Fix the Budget Crisis
Wisconsin's finances rank among the 10 worst in the nation, and
our sate government operates under perennial budget deficits. This
has to change before our elected representatives bankrupt our
state.
We need to:
In 2009, my opponent supported the following spending increases
and irresponsible budget practices
- Increased state spending 9.63 percent (to
$65.77 billion in their 2009-11 biennial budget from the $59.99
billion approved in the 2007-09 biennial budget)
- Borrowed $3.58 billion to fund their increased
spending and pork
- Used over $2 billion in one-time
federal stimulus dollars to fund existing government
programs
- Raided $240 million in "segregated funds"
(i.e. money from gas tax, drivers' license fees, etc)
- Left Wisconsin with a $2.32 billion budget
deficit
This trend is not sustainable. It is the result of reckless
spending, and poor decision making in Madison, driving an
ever-increasing tax burden. It has cost our state jobs, threatens
our children's future and I want to help end it.
Reduce Taxes:
We are getting killed with taxes, fees and credit. We are not
only burdening current taxpayers with legislative mismanagement, we
are selling out our future for quick-fix gimmicks and pork. I
cannot let that stand, and will work to lower the tax burden on
families and businesses.
To give you an idea of how upside-down things have become, I
have included some of the highlights of the 2009 to 2011 budget
fixes passed in Madison. All of which were supported by my opponent
Jim Soletski.
- Raise taxes & fees by $4.77 billion (this
includes an allowable increase of $1.50 billion in property taxes
and a $1.21 billion tax increase as part of their separate
"stimulus package")
- Raise property taxes by over $300 on owners of
median-valued homes
- Increase the cost of insuring your automobile by 33-43
percent
Currently Wisconsin ranks as the 3rd worst state in
which to do business and one of the 5th most taxed state
in the union. This is not a sustainable environment for families or
business. We are competing with every other state in the union, the
more people and businesses that leave, the smaller our tax base
becomes, and that only exacerbates our existing issues.
I will fight the increases in taxes, and work to Make Wisconsin
more attractive to live and to do business by limiting government
intrusion, programs and lowering taxes.
Bring Jobs back to Wisconsin
For the first time in history, we have more people in
government than in manufacturing.
The only jobs a government can produce are government jobs.
Real, sustainable job growth comes from thriving private
businesses. We need to encourage business growth, and the
entrepreneurial spirit that built Wisconsin. We need to bring the
163,000 Wisconsin jobs we lost in 2009 back by supporting the
business growth and limiting government.
Practical Energy Policy
Conservation is a foundational element of a conservative
ideology. Wasting energy through inefficient practices is simply
irresponsible. That means we should encourage the right behaviors
as we help businesses create jobs in Wisconsin .
Unfortunately, knee-jerk reactions and legislation like Jim
Soletski's Global Warming bill will send businesses out of
Wisconsin and that isn't good for anyone. Soletski's bill threatens
to double our energy costs. This will also make Wisconsin even less
attractive to businesses, driving jobs out of our state. Although
it was voted down in one session of the legislature, it will be
brought back to the assembly for future votes. I will work to kill
this bill.
In short, practical energy policy and strong incentives bring
jobs and gets Wisconsin working again.