Priority Issues
Increasingly, difficult federal issues are becoming state issues. Who would have imagined just a few short years ago that individual states would be taking the lead on such important issues as abortion and border security. I think that this is a good thing, after all we are a union of states! As a result, it is now more important than ever that we select state legislators that have the knowledge, experience, and wisdom to help us navigate through these complex issues.
The Economy and Wisconsin's Budget Surplus
Four years after Covid hit the United States, Wisconsin residents are still trying to deal with out-of-control government spending, and the subsequent record inflation that it created. As the past owner of a 200-employee business here in Manitowoc County, I understand what it takes to keep our economy growing, and inflation in check. At the same time, Wisconsin has the 10th highest income tax rate in the nation. With a record budget surplus of over $7 billion, and the residents of Wisconsin dealing with record inflation, I feel very strongly that we need to find a way to move some of this surplus back to Wisconsin residents. I am confident that if we don’t refund some of this surplus, government agencies will find a way to spend it. I support the tax reform legislation passed by our state legislature and would encourage Governor Evers to sign it in its entirety.
Parental Rights and Our Schools
Most of us remember fondly the teachers that made a difference in our lives. Every day great teachers walk a fine line between teaching and mentoring, while not overly influencing a child’s views, opinions, and thoughts. Unfortunately, some school systems and some teachers have crossed the line. They feel that it is their duty to teach kids what to think rather than how to think. Too many classrooms have become places of indoctrination rather than education.
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According to the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) the United States ranks 13th in reading, 18th in science, and 37th in math among developed countries.
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Here in America, we like to think of the Unites States as a global leader, yet in education we seldom if ever rank in the top 10 of developed nations. Until we reverse this trend, and until the United States is truly a leader regarding the education of our youth, we need to reduce our focus on woke ideology and increase our commitment to the fundamentals of reading, writing, math, English, science, history and the arts.
Threats to Democracy
Over time, election integrity has been purposefully sacrificed under the guise of voter access. Today, a person can vote absentee weeks early, and election results may not be known until weeks after voting has ceased. A partisan campaign worker can befriend a group of elderly voters, convince them to vote absentee, help them apply for absentee ballots, and stand over them as they complete their ballots. The ultimate absurdity is that this activity is essentially unregulated. The campaign worker’s actions are unmonitored and governed by a list of vague “guidelines” such as “Candidates should provide assistance to all individuals regardless of their political affiliation. They should not engage in partisan activities while assisting with voter registration.”
This lack of stringent regulations and oversight has undermined public trust in the electoral process, casting doubt on the legitimacy of our elections. This combined with a lack of confidence in our judicial system, and the weaponization of the United States Justice Department is rapidly eroding faith in our democracy. We must do everything that we can to insure that our elections are well regulated, our judicial system is unbiased, and our laws are enforced without regard to political affiliation.
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As your state representative, I will work to restore confidence in our democracy.
Affordable Post Secondary Education
According to the University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1990 in-state tuition was approximately $1,000 per semester. Adjusted for inflation, a college student today should pay somewhere in the range of $2,336 for that same education, but they don’t. Today per semester tuition at the University of Wisconsin – Madison is a whopping $10,796! In other words, when adjusted for inflation, college students at the University of Wisconsin – Madison pay more than 4½ times what their parents did for the same education.
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As a result, college aged kids are asking whether a college education is worth it, and more and more often the answer is no. Because of college debt, today’s college graduates find it nearly impossible to buy a new car, much less a home. They live day-to-day with the constant stress of trying to pay off their college loans. In short, the post secondary education system and its skyrocketing cost has robbed a generation of the American dream, and it has to stop. As your state representative, I will use the power of the purse to reduce costs, and make tuition within the University of Wisconsin System more affordable. Additionally, I will work to find creative ways to reduce student debt without outright forgiveness of this obligation.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
I believe that as conservatives, we are too quick to discourage any attempts at diversity, equity and inclusion. Any of these terms as stand alone concepts have a place in a compassionate society. However, as applied by some, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has become today's affirmative action. Far too often, less than qualified candidates are chosen over the most qualified candidate, all in the interest of DEI.
Where I take exception to the over adherence to DEI principles is any competitive environment, whether it be sports, business, and yes even education. As your state representative I will work to apply DEI where appropriate and discourage DEI where its application weakens us as a state and nation. As your state representative I will work to insure that the best candidates are chosen whether we are talking about college applicants or job applicants within any Wisconsin governmental agency.
Abortion
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Who would have thought just a few short years ago that regulations regarding abortion would be decided at the state level. This is by far the most complex issue that we will deal with in the Wisconsin Legislature. To be clear, I believe that life begins at conception. However, we must recognize that as a nation we are evenly divided. As such, we must strive to find a compromise as unpleasant as any compromise may be for both sides. Having said that, the goal should always be as few abortions as medically necessary.