Stimulus Money Could Lead to Long-Term Debt

With $3.2 billion dollars of federal stimulus money being waved in front of the Governor, there’s reason to be concerned that he’ll spend the funds in a manner that would leave Wisconsin taxpayers on the hook for future debt for years—and possibly decades—to come.

The Legislature created a Responsible Stimulus Plan that focuses on one-time spending opportunities—that's a better approach so we can avoid buyer’s remorse and taxpayers having to foot the bill for a spending spree that goes beyond the provided federal funds.

In total there are eleven bills that focus on investing in people, improving infrastructure, and paying down existing debt. One of those bills provides up to $1 billion for property tax refunds. In my opinion, this is the most fiscally responsible option because it sends money back to the taxpayers.

My Democrat colleagues have already been boasting about how the Governor will refuse this opportunity to work with the Legislature and veto the eleven bills. And history supports their boast—he vetoed the COVID-19 Relief Plan, the Truth in Spending Bill, and a bill requesting he create a plan for getting state employees back in the office.

Will he forego his go-it-alone strategy and recognize the merit of giving more of these funds back to the taxpayer to help them recover from his economic shutdown? We’ll know soon enough.

Efforts Continue Toward Election Reform

My office continues to hear from people who want answers about the many issues the past election brought to light. I want to give you an update on the most recent activity concerning our election system.

One of the greatest frustrations with the November election was our Elections Commission providing guidance to local clerks that ran contrary to state law. The Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules met earlier this year to ensure that going forward our Elections Commission is complying with already established law.

Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Elections, Election Process Reform, and Ethics held a public hearing focused on a number of bills, including Senate Bill 207 that addresses the use of private resources for election administration. This bill relates directly to the high-profile scandal of “Zuckerbucks” being used to influence the election in Green Bay where the mayor allowed a Democratic operative to have questionable access and responsibilities during the last election.

I'll keep pushing for investigations into any irregularities surrounding our elections in order to remove any possibilities for potential fraud or tampering. The bottom line is it should be easy to vote but hard to cheat—and most people would agree.

Listening Sessions with Rep. Duchow

I'll be joining Representative Cindi Duchow (R-Delafield) for listening sessions concerning the 2021-23 State Budget.

Friday, April 23: 10:00 am, Hartland Village Hall, 210 Cottonwood Ave.

Friday, April 23: 11:00 am, Nashotah Village Hall, N44W32950 Watertown Plank Rd. 

Friday, April 23: 1:30 pm, Wales Village Hall, 129 W. Main St.

Wednesday, May 5: 4:30 pm, Pewaukee Public Library, 210 Main St.

Wednesday, May 5: 6:00 pm, Delafield Town Hall, W302N1254 Maple Ave.

I invite you to attend, and look forward to hearing your thoughts over the next few weeks.

Today in History | April 9, 2021 from The American Patriot’s Almanac

2003 - In Baghdad, Iraqis and U.S. soldiers celebrate the fall of Saddam Hussein by toppling a giant statue of the dictator.

1942 - Seventy-five thousand starving American and Filipino defenders on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines are surrendered to the Japanese.

1939 - Black singer Marian Anderson performs for 75,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial after her concert at Constitution Hall is cancelled because of her race.

1865 - Robert E. Lee surrenders his Confederate army to Ulysses S. Grant.