Jobs Your Money Education Reforming Government

There is no doubt that Wisconsin is suffering significantly during this recession. Manufacturing jobs are the backbone of the economy in Southeastern Wisconsin, and they are also the backbone of our nation’s economy. And for the first time in Wisconsin’s history, government jobs out number manufacturing jobs. Wisconsin ranks 48th in the nation for “Best States for Doing Business” by Forbes.com (Sept 2009), and we have seen the Milwaukee Area lose 19,200 jobs last year. If we are to enjoy our life and liberty, and pursue our happiness, we need a stable job market on which our communities can rely. High taxes, both corporate and personal, are part of the disconnect between elected officials and business owners. And Madison has gone after the small business owners with an increased income tax to 7.75%. When in Madison, I pledge to:
    •Fight to strengthen the Wisconsin Jobs market by supporting a pro-growth agenda that encourages investment and job creation in our South Shore Communities.
    •Vote to repeal the Combined Reporting legislation and other business crippling regulation and taxes.
    •Vote to increase an income and franchise tax credit for businesses that pay tuition for an individual to attend a university, college or technical college.

Do you ever get the feeling Madison isn’t listening? Maybe the Legislature would listen if Wisconsin’s state budget was parodied by Seth Myers and Amy Pholer on Saturday Night Live. It would have to go something like this. “Really Madison, really…by Seth and Amy”:
    •Really State Assembly, do you really think we are to believe the 2010-2011 budget you past was to protect Wisconsin Families? You increased spending by 9.4%, and you think we’re thrilled, really? Every family I know has had to cut back, and you guys up the ante by increasing spending by over $3.6 billion, REALLY.
    •Really, and not only spending like the tax payers’ pockets are bottomless, but leaving our children holding the bag, Really State Assembly. A structural deficit of over $2 billion, really and this is after you increased taxes by over $2 billion and increased state borrowing by $3.5 billion, REALLY. Even my children know when to stop digging, really.
    •And when are we going to stop raiding the Transportation fund, Really! Hey State Assembly, put back the $1.3 billion you raided over the last three budget cycles, Really. And did you know every dollar raided from a segregated fund constitutes a hidden tax, REALLY.
    •Really, you guys all voted your selves a raise, really? Most people are worried about losing their jobs, and many have already taken a pay cut to survive in this economy, Really. Did you think we want to pay you more money because you’re doing such a swell job, REALLY. And when in Madison I pledge to:
    •Support reforming government by exposing the most egregious examples of government waste and abuse.
    •Spend your money wisely and exercise restraint in spending. I will respect your money as you take time away from your family to earn it.
  •Help make State government more efficient in these tough times, just as private companies had done across Wisconsin.

Of course education is important issue all communities have to balance, and as member of the ST Thomas Aquinas Academy School Advisory Board it is one about which I am passionate. And I have learned three basic precepts when dealing with educational and school issues. First, more money doesn’t help children learn. It is the quality of education that is going to prepare our children for the increasingly competitive global job market. Second bigger isn’t better, and more government regulation over local classrooms doesn’t reflect the values of our South Shore Communities. Last and most importantly, children learn when their parents are involved. This isn’t rocket science, if the parents make education a priority, the child will learn. Madison has to pull back, and let parents and the local school boards decide how to best educate their children. When in Madison, I pledge to:
    •Work to expand the School Choice Program and the accessibility of Charter Schools, and support free market solutions to our education systems problems.
    •Support merit pay for teachers and principals who achieve outstanding results in the classrooms.
    •Empower parents and those closest to the students to build a world class education with the 21st Century skills needed to be competitive.

My governing philosophy is modeled after my hero Ronald Reagan, who said, “Concentrated power has always been the enemy of liberty”. Reagan understood that government was limited by the constitution and that “government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.” Government has gotten too big, it’s cumbersome and ineffective. And those driving our state over the cliff think they know what best. The Democrats have stepped on the gas and have no intention of turning the car around. When in Madison I pledge to:
    •Support policies that enhance government transparency and accountability. We need to restore Wisconsin’s reputation for clean and honest government.
    •Reject budgetary tricks that distort the numbers and leave systemic budget shortfalls and deficits, and require the use of generally accepted accounting principles to balance every state budget.
    •Starting the state budget at zero, and justifying every dollar of your hard earned money the state spends.