ADVOCATE & SUPPORT
ISSUES
Focusing on the Issues important to our District
I have advocated for and supported investments in broadband internet access, led initiatives to support our agriculture industry and farmers, supported our veterans and active duty personnel, prioritized getting people back to work after costly government shut-downs, continued to focus on mental health initiatives, and supported a budget that makes substantial investments in improving our local roads and K-12 education, all while striving to keeps taxes low.
2023-2025 State Budget
After voting to support the Legislature's 2023-2025 Biennial State Budget, I was happy to support yet another responsible budget put together by Wisconsin Assembly Republicans and my colleagues on the Joint Committee on Finance. I must highlight again, earlier this year in February, as is now commonplace, the governor proposed a budget that would have resulted in the largest fiscal imbalance of any Wisconsin budget on record and a structural deficit of about $1.4 billion in fiscal year 2025. The governor's proposal would have dramatically raised taxes on hard-working Wisconsinites struggling with increased costs and the staggering inflationary environment all Americans are experiencing under the dismal leadership of Joe Biden, Democrats, and some Republicans in Washington, D.C.
The Legislature's budget makes the largest tax cuts in the 175 year history of our state and ignores the governor's fiscal irresponsible proposals, and his pro-criminal, anti-farmer, election integrity eroding ideas, among others. Our budget makes priority investments in the areas that most Wisconsinites care about, like roads and bridges, public safety, and first responder resources, critical care healthcare providers, and many more. Additionally, the Legislature's $3.5 billion income tax cut primarily targets the largest group filers across the state; hard-working middle class families representative of the majority of the individuals and families in, and around the 70th Assembly District. That's an average of $537 per filer each year and represents an average cut of 15% for families. Our state is best served when residents keep more of their own money and are empowered to make decisions on how to spend it instead of empowering and expanding government.
Bills that were authored and signed into Law
Physician Assistant Licensure Compact
Initiated a bill and authored with Senator Rob Stafsholt of New Richmond, Senate Bill 400 was signed into law by Governor Evers. The Physician Assistant Licensure Compact provides for the ability of a physician assistant (PA) to become eligible to practice in
other compact states.
Suicide Prevention Grant Program
Initiated a bill and authored with Senator Joan Ballweg of Markesan, Senate Bill 527 was signed into law by Governor Evers. It requires the Department of Health Services to award grants of up to $25,000 with federal funds received under a federal community mental health services block grant to organizations or coalitions of organizations, including cities, villages, towns, counties, and American Indian tribes for suicide prevention programming. A grant recipient must contribute matching funds or in-kind services having a value equal to at least 20 percent of the grant amount. The bill provides that DHS must set aside $250,000 of federal funds each fiscal year for the purpose of awarding the grants under the bill.
Election Integrity - Restoring Trust in the Process
The Legislature passed multiple measures this session aimed at restoring trust in Wisconsin's election process. This comprehensive package of election reforms will ensure future elections are fair, transparent, and uniform. The package includes, but not limited to, closing voter ID loopholes, standardizing procedures, establishing uniformity, guaranteeing only the voter can correct their own ballot, and keeping out-of-state billionaires from controlling election administration.
Additionally, I co-authored a resolution that would put before the citizens of our state a Constitutional Amendment that addresses a disturbing movement by radical leftists to further loosen voting laws and allow non-citizens to vote in local elections. The resolution, passed by the State Assembly and State Senate, clarifies that ONLY United States citizens can vote in their our state.