I will seek to ensure that budget dollars are used to stimulate the economy through job creation here in Wisconsin. I will require accountability for that job creation. This should be a requirement but it is not. I feel it should be. 

This past year we saw the state budgeting process hit roadblock. After four months of partisan wrangling in Madison, the legislature passed a budget which strangely enough resembled what the governor started with in February. As a first term legislator, I was extremely troubled by the process.  My approach to the budget process has been to provide rational and civil discussion and votes that put my constituents and Wisconsin first.  For instance, I supported our continued commitment to our schools and transportation but I could not support continued special interest tax breaks like breaks to sellers of “gold bullion”. 

I believe that permanent damage has been done to the reputation of the State’s budget process. We legislators will have to work hard to recover. As I write this, the leaders of both parties and the Governor are trying to fill a $650 Million hole in our budget, fueled mostly by a downturn in our economy and the reduction of tax revenue. I have committed to not voting for any budget repair bill that requires spending of the transportation fund for areas not specifically transportation related. I disagree with robbing Peter to pay Paul. We need to tighten our belts in some areas so that we can provide Wisconsin residents with the best value for the tax dollars.