Ted Kanavas

Kanavas Responds to Straw Poll Results

2011-05-21T17:45:00.000-05:00

Kanavas Responds to Straw Poll Results

“Obviously, it is inspiring to come out ahead in a poll of the party's grassroots volunteers. I appreciate their vote of confidence. The Republican Party of Wisconsin is a strong, vibrant organization that had tremendous success in 2010. We will build upon that to beat back the recalls of our state senators, we will make sure Barack Obama does not win here and we will elect a GOP Senator in 2012. We have to get America working again. There is a long way to go, but this vote of confidence gives us something to think about, and build upon, as I seriously consider running."

To learn more about Ted Kanavas please feel free to contact him via e-mail at ted@tedkanavas.com, on twitter @ted_kanavas, or on facebook at facebook.com/tkanavas.

My thoughts halfway through our state's GOP Convention

2011-05-21T12:35:00.001-05:00

"I agree with Paul Ryan, Jim Sensenbrenner and Ron Johnson. Today they spoke about the need to continue the work to restore fiscal sanity and beat back the culture of entitlement and dependency that threatens America's greatness. Not just America's future--if we don't cut spending and right-size government we jeopardize the present. Those of us who worked day and night here in 2010 realize it was the most successful year ever for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, but the delegates here are committed to working even harder. And we have a lot of work to do-- to turn back the recalls, grow our majorities, defeat Barack Obama and elect a Republican US
Senator in 2012. I've done my fair share of talking to convention goers
since I arrived yesterday afternoon, but mostly I am listening. I am encouraged by what I've heard, humbled by those who have expressed a desire for me to run, and committed to making a decision soon. Getting America working again will require a candidate who shares our values, is fully engaged and inspires smart, hard workers from experienced volunteers and fresh faces alike. This is an important place to be for any potential GOP candidate and I'm looking forward to the banquet tonight and the prayer breakfast tomorrow, too."

Looking Forward to the RPW Convention This Weekend

2011-05-20T09:45:00.002-05:00

I am looking forward to the Republican Party of Wisconsin’s annual convention, which begins today in the Wisconsin Dells.

It is sure to be an important and exciting weekend.

As many of you know, I am in the process of deciding whether I will be a candidate for the United States Senate. Recent news has focused more attention of this seat than at any time in the last quarter century. Yet, my personal and professional agenda this weekend in the Dells was not altered by Senator Kohl’s announcement last week.

I have spent the last few months discussing the possibility of a run for the US Senate seat with my family and my closest friends. Now, this weekend, I will solicit the opinions of the hundreds of Republican Party delegates from across the state. I want to hear about their concerns. What are their top issues? What qualities are they looking for in their next US Senator? Do they think I should pursue such a run?

I want to make sure that my decisions are well informed. This includes deciding whether or not to run for the US Senate.

As a delegate from Waukesha County I’m also attending the convention to vote on the official state platform and the resolutions as well. Ours is a ground-up party and the opinions of the members of the county party members from across the state matter. This is our chance to have our voice heard.

Finally, and this should not be overlooked, this weekend is a time to celebrate the incredible campaign success our party has enjoyed since the last state convention. Because of the hard work of party members and others, Republicans swept into control of both houses of the Wisconsin State Legislature. We elected two new members of Congress. We elected a bold, young, conservative governor. And Ron Johnson ran a great race and won a seat in the US Senate. While we have more work to do, it is ok to take a moment and raise a glass with friends to toast the success of 2010.

Last year Wisconsin Republicans proved we could work together to accomplish great things. Fueled by a new insurgence of energy and enthusiasm from the Tea Party movement, Republicans in Wisconsin led the nation in voter contacts and victories. I am happy to see my party grow, and I am glad there will be new faces in the crowd this weekend. I, too, want to meet up with familiar faces, like the members of the Wisconsin Federation of Republican Women and College Republicans who continue to be the heart and soul of all the volunteer activities this party relies on. It is important that we appreciate the fact that it takes a combination of new blood, experience and hard work to win.

To be sure, as I join my fellow Republicans at the state convention this week, there is more work to be done. We need to band together to fend off the recalls against my former colleagues in the State Senate (and work on picking up a few seats, too!). We need to rally around Governor Walker and make sure those who have embraced the fiscal common sense laid out by Congressman Paul Ryan receive our unwavering support.

Together, we also need to set our sights on 2012. We need to preserve our majorities in the legislature, protect the freshmen in Congress and retake the White House and the US Senate so we can get America working again. Whether or not I run for office, I will be a part of this effort. Always.

I’m looking forward to kicking things off this weekend, and I hope to touch base with as many of my fellow Republicans as possible over the next three days in the Dells.

Even without a trip down a water slide, I know it will be a good time with old and new friends.

Kanavas lives in Brookfield and is a delegate from Waukesha County.

My statement on Congressman Paul Ryan's decision

2011-05-17T12:27:00.000-05:00

‎"Paul Ryan is the Republican's most powerful advocate for fiscal sanity in Washington. He continues to be our party's most articulate and energetic spokesperson on economic growth. I respect the decision he and his family made with regards to the 2012 US Senate race. A similar discussion is taking place in the Kanavas household as well. This weekend, I will be attending the Republican Party of Wisconsin's Annual Convention as a delegate from Waukesha County. While celebrating the 2010 victories of Governor Walker, the Republican legislature, Senator Johnson, and Congressmen Duffy and Ribble, I will be soliciting party members' opinions and ideas about what they're looking for in their next United States Senator. I am looking forward to listening to my fellow delegates, as their feedback will ensure that I make an informed decision about my future."

Former Sen. Kanavas: Statement on the retirement of Senator Kohl

2011-05-13T16:59:00.000-05:00

Former Sen. Kanavas: Statement on the retirement of Senator Kohl
5/13/2011

Statement on the Retirement of Senator Kohl and his United States Senate Intentions

“First, I would like to thank Senator Kohl for his many years of service to our state.

I have been honored by the outpouring of friends and supporters who have contacted me today about the United State Senate. Next weekend is the Republican Party Convention and I will be using that opportunity to listen to my fellow Republicans to see if they want me to be their next United States Senator.

The message across Wisconsin is clear, people want new blood with the ideas and the energy to create jobs and get this country turned around. All you need to do is look at the last election to see that.”

Mark Belling Late Afternoon Show

2011-02-08T21:25:00.002-06:00

I am sitting in for Mark Belling again tomorrow on 1130 WISN. 3pm-6pm.

Watch Election Night coverage with Senator Kanavas on Fox 6 tonight!

2010-09-14T12:22:00.003-05:00

Senator Ted Kanavas will be appearing on FOX 6 Milwaukee (WITI) tonight offering his perspective on Wisconsin's Primary election results.

To find the latest election information you can go to the FOX 6 website at:

http://www.fox6now.com/

Kanavas Will Not Enter U.S. Senate Race

2010-04-27T11:06:00.000-05:00

(Brookfield, WI) - State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) today issued the following statement regarding his decision not to run for the United States Senate:

“Since I announced my retirement from the Wisconsin State Senate in January, my family and I have been humbled by the encouragement and support I have received to run for higher office. After several weeks of thoughtful consideration, however, I have decided not to seek election to the United States Senate.

Over the next several months, I will do everything I can to help my party’s nominee defeat Russ Feingold. As a strong fiscal conservative, I will continue fighting to elect Scott Walker our next Governor and ensure the Republican Party has majorities in both houses of the state legislature.”

Senator Ted Kanavas, a software executive and entrepreneur, was first elected to the Wisconsin State Senate’s 33rd District, which includes Waukesha and Washington counties, in 2001 after serving four years on the Elmbrook School Board. He is a member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, the Waukesha County Republican Party, the Washington County Republican Party; Order of AHEPA, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Orthodox Christian Charities of Wisconsin. He and his wife Mary live in Brookfield, Wisconsin with their three children. In January 2010, Senator Kanavas announced his retirement from the Wisconsin State Senate.

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The Senate is in session Tuesday, April 20, 2010

2010-04-19T14:01:00.002-05:00

Here is a copy of the Senate Calendar for tomorrow. Enjoy!

First Order. Call of Roll.

Second Order. Chief clerk's entries.

Third Order. Introduction, first reading and reference of proposals.

Fourth Order. Report of committees.

Fifth Order. Petitions and communications.

Sixth Order. Referrals and receipt of committee reports concerning proposed administrative rules.

Seventh Order. Advice and consent of the Senate

Eighth Order. Messages from the Assembly.

QUESTION: Shall the Assembly amendment be concurred in?

Senate Bill 121. Relating to: requiring the Center on Education and Work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to establish a career conversations program. By Senators Lassa, Taylor, Wirch, Olsen, Darling, and Holperin; cosponsored by Representatives Berceau, Sinicki, Richards, Petrowski, A. Ott, Zepnick, Spanbauer, Toles, and Townsend.

Assembly Amendment 1 pending

Senate Bill 163. Relating to: requiring health insurance coverage of colorectal cancer screening and granting rule-making authority. (FE) By Senators Wirch, Taylor, Lehman, Hansen, Erpenbach, Risser, Darling, Kapanke, Plale, Coggs, Carpenter, and Lassa; cosponsored by Representatives Colon, Barca, Benedict, Steinbrink, Hixson, Grigsby, Turner, Clark, Hubler, Milroy, A. Williams, Berceau, Jorgensen, Hebl, Hilgenberg, Young, Pope-Roberts, Mason, Townsend, Wood, Pasch, and Bernard Schaber.

Assembly Amendment 1 pending

Senate Bill 375. Relating to: the exchange of electronic records contained in the Consolidated Court Automation Program and in the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System between the director of state courts and the Department of Children and Families and providing a penalty. (FE) By Senators Sullivan, Taylor, Coggs, Darling, and Lehman; cosponsored by Representatives Knodl, Grigsby, Berceau, Danou, and Townsend.

Assembly Amendment 1 pending

Senate Bill 383. Relating to: municipal court elections, judges, and procedure, and providing penalties. (FE) By Senators Taylor, Risser, Erpenbach, and Wirch; cosponsored by Representatives Seidel, Parisi, Pope-Roberts, Turner, Tauchen, Pasch, Staskunas, Lothian, Berceau, Danou, and Townsend.

Assembly Amendment 1 pending

Senate Bill 400. Relating to: operation of all-terrain vehicles to remove snow. (FE) By Senators Holperin, Kreitlow, Cowles, Taylor, Plale, Olsen, Schultz, Erpenbach, and Hansen; cosponsored by Representatives Jorgensen, Clark, Ballweg, Townsend, Radcliffe, A. Ott, Suder, Petrowski, Mursau, Gunderson, and Kaufert.

Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 pending

Senate Bill 409. Relating to: a postsecondary education tax credit for businesses; increasing annual limits on angel investment tax credits; awarding grants to the WiSys Technology Foundation, Inc.; business plan competitions and an emerging technology center in the University of Wisconsin System; rural outsourcing grants; requiring the Department of Commerce to award grants to a high-technology business development corporation and grants for converting manufacturing facilities; increasing funding for certain economic development programs; a pilot program providing microloans for the creation of new businesses; increasing funding for certain technical college training program grants; providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures; granting rule-making authority; and making appropriations. (FE) By Senators Lassa, Kreitlow, Sullivan, Lehman, Vinehout, Jauch, Hansen, Holperin, Miller, Robson, Erpenbach, Risser, Plale, Decker, Taylor, Wirch, Carpenter, and Coggs; cosponsored by Representatives Molepske Jr., Cullen, Zigmunt, Smith, Turner, Berceau, Zepnick, Vruwink, Dexter, and Schneider.

Assembly Amendment 6 pending

Ninth Order. Special Orders.

Tenth Order. Consideration of motions, resolutions, and joint resolutions not requiring a third reading.

QUESTION: Shall the resolution be adopted?
Senate Resolution 12. Relating to: supporting the Marinette Marine Corporation's littoral combat ship project. By Senators Hansen, Holperin, and Decker.

Senate Joint Resolution 70. Relating to: recognizing Aquaculture Day. By Senator Vinehout.
Eleventh Order. Second reading and amendments of senate joint resolutions and senate bills.

QUESTION: Shall the bill be ordered to a third reading?

Senate Bill 435. Relating to: the period for retention of certain election materials in state and local elections. By Committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs, by request of Government Accountability Board. (Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1, Ayes 5, Noes 0, passage as amended recommended by committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs, Ayes 4, Noes 1)

Senate Substitute Amendment 1 pending

Senate Bill 445. Relating to: labeling requirements for certain substances that may create a fire hazard when mixed with organic matter (suggested as remedial legislation by the Department of Commerce). By Law Revision Committee. (Report passage recommended by committee on Commerce, Utilities, Energy, and Rail, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 446. Relating to: eliminating a requirement for reporting on the petroleum storage remedial action program (suggested as remedial legislation by the Department of Commerce). By Law Revision Committee. (Report passage recommended by committee on Commerce, Utilities, Energy, and Rail, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 616. Relating to: energy conservation standards for the construction of certain buildings, energy and environmental design standards for state buildings, structures, and facilities, energy and environmental design standards for school district facilities and other local government buildings, leasing of state buildings, structures, and facilities, standards for the construction and use of graywater systems, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE) By Senators Risser and Schultz; cosponsored by Representatives Molepske Jr., Mason, Pasch, Roys, Pope-Roberts, Milroy, Sinicki, and Berceau. (Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1, Ayes 4, Noes 1, passage as amended recommended by committee on Ethics Reform and Government Operations, Ayes 4, Noes 1)

Senate Amendment 1 pending

Senate Bill 624. Relating to: expanding the authority of political subdivisions to make residential energy efficiency improvement loans, and authorizing political subdivisions to make water efficiency improvement loans and impose special charges for the loans. (FE) By Senators Lehman and Sullivan; cosponsored by Representatives Fields, Soletski, and Cullen. (Report passage recommended by committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs, Ayes 5, Noes 0)
Senate Bill 651. Relating to: loans to manufacturing businesses for energy improvements, job creation, retooling, or clean energy production; the administration of energy utility programs; providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures; requiring the exercise of emergency rule-making procedures; and making appropriations. (FE) By Senators Lassa, Holperin, Lehman, Taylor, Kreitlow, and Vinehout; cosponsored by Representatives Mason, Molepske Jr., Grigsby, Shilling, Vruwink, Turner, Zepnick, Fields, and Berceau.

Senate Substitute Amendment 1 pending

Senate Bill 661. Relating to: general permits for certain wetland restoration activities and providing a penalty. (FE) By Senator Wirch; cosponsored by Representative Black. (Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1, Ayes 5, Noes 0, passage as amended recommended by committee on Environment, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Amendment 1 pending

Senate Bill 664. Relating to: financial assistance under the Clean Water Fund Program and the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program. (FE) By Senators Miller and Kreitlow; cosponsored by Representatives Pocan and Dexter. (Report passage recommended by committee on Environment, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 669. Relating to: willful misclassification of an employee as a nonemployee by a person engaged in the painting or drywall finishing of buildings or other structures with intent to evade the laws related to income tax withholding, worker's compensation, unemployment insurance, or employment discrimination and providing a penalty. (FE) By Senators Risser and Lassa; cosponsored by Representatives Pocan and Sinicki. (Report passage recommended by committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs, Ayes 4, Noes 1)

Twelfth Order. Second reading and amendments of assembly joint resolutions and assembly bills.

QUESTION: Shall the bill be ordered to a third reading?
Assembly Bill 333. Relating to: limiting disclosure of information gathered by news persons. By Representatives Parisi, Pasch, Berceau, Hixson, Zigmunt, Jorgensen, Turner, Molepske Jr., Benedict, Sinicki, Pocan, and Grigsby; cosponsored by Senators Kreitlow, Holperin, Hansen, Schultz, Lehman, Cowles, and Risser. (Report concurrence recommended by committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing, Ayes 5, Noes 0)
Assembly Bill 561. Relating to: eliminating the notary requirement for assessor certification renewal (suggested as remedial legislation by the Department of Revenue). By Law Revision Committee.

Assembly Bill 563. Relating to: eliminating obsolete provisions related to the use value assessment of agricultural land (suggested as remedial legislation by the Department of Revenue). By Law Revision Committee.

Assembly Bill 564. Relating to: long-term name reservation by a limited liability company (suggested as remedial legislation by the Department of Financial Institutions). By Law Revision Committee.

Assembly Bill 565. Relating to: changing the registered office or registered agent of a limited partnership or registered limited liability partnership (suggested as remedial legislation by the Department of Financial Institutions). By Law Revision Committee.

Assembly Bill 566. Relating to: certain review, reporting, and out-of-date requirements regarding the Public Service Commission (suggested as remedial legislation by the Public Service Commission). By Law Revision Committee.

Assembly Bill 600. Relating to: authority of the Public Service Commission regarding fuel costs of certain electric public utilities and granting rule-making authority. By Representatives Soletski, Montgomery, Zepnick, Benedict, Bies, Colon, Danou, Davis, Dexter, Fields, Friske, Garthwaite, Gunderson, Hintz, Honadel, Huebsch, Mason, Mursau, A. Ott, Petersen, Rhoades, Shilling, Sinicki, Smith, Staskunas, Steinbrink, Suder, Townsend, Van Roy, Vos, Vruwink, and Zigmunt; cosponsored by Senators Plale, Kreitlow, Sullivan, Erpenbach, Taylor, Schultz, Olsen, Harsdorf, and Darling. (Report concurrence recommended by committee on Commerce, Utilities, Energy, and Rail, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Assembly Bill 689. Relating to: Public Service Commission intervenor grants and making an appropriation. (FE) By Representative Pocan; cosponsored by Senator Risser. (Report concurrence recommended by committee on Commerce, Utilities, Energy, and Rail, Ayes 4, Noes 3)

Assembly Bill 713. Relating to: mutual assistance between tribal and county or municipal law enforcement agencies. (FE) By Representatives Hraychuck, Turner, Sherman, Pasch, Hubler, Berceau, Ballweg, Mursau, Molepske Jr., and Vos; cosponsored by Senators Jauch, Coggs, Taylor, Harsdorf, Holperin, Vinehout, Schultz, Lehman, Miller, and Grothman. (Report concurrence recommended by committee on Ethics Reform and Government Operations, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Assembly Bill 898. Relating to: trial job program and transitional jobs demonstration project and making an appropriation. (FE) By Representatives Grigsby, Sinicki, Roys, Pasch, and Molepske Jr.; cosponsored by Senators Coggs, Lehman, Jauch, and Miller.

Thirteenth Order. Third reading of joint resolutions and bills.

Fourteenth Order. Motions may be offered.

Fifteenth Order. Announcements, adjournment honors, and remarks under special privilege.

Sixteenth Order. Adjournment.

Kanavas Statement: Court Ruling Allows Taxpayer Funded Sex Changes for Inmates

2010-04-01T14:06:00.001-05:00

In case you missed this story here my press release and a link to JS Online:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/89701297.html

Press Release:

(Madison, WI)…State Senator Ted Kanavas made the following statement in response to the U.S. District Court ruling that will allow inmates in state prisons to receive hormonal therapy and opens the door for taxpayer funded gender reassignment surgery.

“The ruling is absurd,” said Senator Kanavas. “Taxpayer dollars should not be used to pay for hormonal therapy or sex changes for prisoners. This is another prime example of a liberal judge, far removed from the mainstream, overturning the will of the people.”

In 2005 Senator Kanavas co-authored the Sex Change Prevention Act to prohibit tax dollars from being used by state prison inmates for hormonal therapy or sexual reassignment surgery. The bill passed the State Senate unanimously and passed the State Assembly by an overwhelming 82-15 margin. Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Charles N. Clevert Jr., ruled the law unconstitutional on the ground that the denial of hormone therapy was cruel and unusual punishment.

“The Wisconsin taxpayer deserves better then this. Hopefully the Appeals Court corrects the ruling and helps restore some confidence in our legal system,” Kanavas concluded.

To learn more about Senator Kanavas and his work in Madison on behalf of the 33rd District, please visit his website at www.SenatorKanavas.com.

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Kanavas to Doyle: Shift Funds to Zoo

2010-03-30T11:41:00.003-05:00

I sent a letter today to Governor Jim Doyle asking him to review all state transportation projects to find existing money to immediately fund the reconstruction of the Zoo Interchange. You may read my letter to the Governor and my press release below:

Press Release:

Kanavas to Doyle: Shift Funds to Zoo

(Madison, WI)…State Senator Ted Kanavas today sent a letter to Governor Jim Doyle asking him to identify money to immediately fund the Zoo Interchange reconstruction project:

“The state’s top transportation priority should be funding the Zoo Interchange and all other projects should fall in line behind it. If that means the DOT lengthens the timeline to complete the North/South Freeway so be it. Potholes on the North/South are acceptable, bridges falling down in the Zoo Interchange are not,” stated Kanavas.

In a letter dated today, Senator Kanavas asked Governor Doyle to order an immediate top-to-bottom review of all Department of Transportation projects in order to identify existing state money to pay for the stepped-up Zoo Interchange schedule.

“The lack of leadership from Governor Doyle is remarkable. We need to start shifting the funds now and reprioritize projects to lay the groundwork for the next biennial budget. The people who want to be Governor are fighting it out in the media while Jim Doyle sits back and watches the show. We need action from the Governor and we need it now,” Kanavas concluded.

To learn more about Senator Kanavas or the 33rd Senate District, please visit his website at: www.senatorkanavas.com.

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Letter to Governor Doyle:

March 30, 2010

The Honorable Jim Doyle
Governor, State of Wisconsin
P.O. Box 7863
Madison, WI 53707

Dear Governor Doyle:

During my service in the State Senate, I have been a strong advocate of fully funding reconstruction of the Zoo Interchange in Milwaukee County. As the state’s busiest interchange, supporting over 300,000 vehicles a day, and located in the middle of the economic engine of Southeastern Wisconsin, a modern, functional and safe Zoo Interchange is vital to our state.

As you know, recent analysis by safety engineers prompted closure of the bridge between I-894 and U.S. Highway 45. I believe this emergency closure would have been avoided if you had not vetoed the project’s planning funds in 2005.

While we have never seen eye to eye on the timeline of the project, I am sure we can agree that public safety should be our number one priority. That is why I am asking you order a top-to-bottom review of all transportation projects in order to immediately identify existing state money to step-up the full reconstruction of the Zoo Interchange.

Without question, this project should be our state’s top transportation priority. All other projects should fall in line behind it, even if that means lengthening the timeline to complete the North/South Freeway reconstruction or postponing smaller projects elsewhere in the state.

We need immediate action from you on this issue. We cannot afford to wait until next year, or wait for the next Governor, to make this decision.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

TED KANAVAS
Wisconsin State Senate
33rd District

Zoo Interchange

2010-03-26T17:03:00.000-05:00

I don’t know what else I can say on this issue:

Here is the JS Online article on the closing of the Zoo Interchange’s Northbound lanes from I-894:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/89271577.html

Here is what I posted on my blog back in November:

http://tedkanavas.blogspot.com/2009_11_01_archive.html

Global Warming Bill

2010-03-02T13:24:00.002-06:00

In case you missed this Sunday's Milwaukee Journal I have attached a link to my column on the Democrat's global warming bill (they call it the Clean Energy Jobs Act). I am strongly opposed to it and believe it would cripple our state's economy.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/85569412.html

Wisconsin Eye 'Newsmakers' Interview

2010-02-19T10:03:00.002-06:00

Here is a link to view my recent interview on Wisconsin Eye.

http://www.wiseye.org/wisEye_programming/ARCHIVES-newsmakers.html#

Kanavas Column: Perception vs. Reality

2010-02-03T14:55:00.001-06:00

As most of you know, I have announced that I will not seek re-election to the State Senate this fall. I wanted to let you all know that I plan on hitting the finish line sprinting and will continue to work hard and diligently serve the people of the 33rd District.

To that end, I thought you would be interested in reading my most recent column:

Perception vs. Reality

From the moment I began my service in the state senate I’ve also had a job in the private sector. My experience has mirrored the experience of most people with “real world jobs.” Some years were good and some were bad.

Thanks to that experience, I know firsthand what politicians do in Madison can help and hurt the rest of us. I also know we need to rethink how our state views private business. It can no longer use employers as the state’s personal piggy bank. And government must acknowledge that normal people, everyday taxpayers, can only sacrifice so much before it pushes them to their wits end - unable to sustain their quality of life or provide for their loved ones.

This is reality. But does everyone get it?

If you watched Governor Doyle’s State of the State Address you may question if the Democrats really know what is happening in Wisconsin. In case you missed it, during the final few minutes of the speech, the Governor reflected on his two terms in office. To say the least, it was an interesting take on the past decade. It was also indicative of how delusional the Democrats are when it comes to the realities of our state.

Here are the last few sentences: “When they write the history of this time, let them say we met our generation's challenge. We helped those in trouble…we made health care available to our citizens…we educated our kids…we invested in our businesses and workers…we seized the new opportunities presented…and we moved boldly into the future.”

If you or I were to write this speech, we would certainly tell a different story. Hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites are receiving some form of government run healthcare, MPS is failing to educate the children of Milwaukee and the district is bankrupt, businesses are leaving the state at an alarming pace, and unemployment is near 9%. If that is our bold new future folks, then dark days are ahead.

The Democrats want us to perceive them as having done something, anything, over the last decade to improve our state. As we all know, in politics and in life, perception and reality are often two entirely different things. If you just listened to the Democrats, you wouldn’t even know we had a problem. Forget our record unemployment…We seized opportunities! We moved boldly!

Tell that to the family that has gone from having Mom and Dad each working full time jobs, to Mom working two jobs and Dad working less time for less money. Families are looking for hope and the Democrats certainly didn’t say anything to indicate help is on the way.

Kanavas Will Not Seek Re-election

2010-01-25T13:55:00.002-06:00

Here is the release I sent out today announcing I will not run for re-election to the Wisconsin State Seante:

(Madison, WI)…State Senator Ted Kanavas announced today he will not seek a third full term in the Wisconsin State Senate.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of the 33rd District and I am grateful for their support,” said Senator Kanavas. “After much contemplation, I have decided not to seek re-election to a third full term.”

Kanavas was first elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in a July 2001 special election and at the completion of this term will have served two full terms and part of a third spanning nearly ten years.

“Republicans will enjoy great victories this fall and I anticipate Republicans in the state senate coming back in the majority. That prospect will ensure excellent candidates will emerge to serve the people of the 33rd District and I am confident the district will be left in good hands.”

“Over the years I have been proud of my record of accomplishments in areas of jobs, lower taxes and economic development across Wisconsin. I put job creation and entrepreneurship front and center of the policy debate in Madison. Passing the Angel Investment tax credit legislation was a seminal event for our state. The way to solve problems is not to raise taxes and expand government, but to allow our economy to grow and to let research and development lead the way.”

“Again, thanks to the people of the 33rd District for all of their kindness, thoughts and prayers during my service in the state senate,” Kanavas concluded.

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Watch the Senate Debate Live

2010-01-19T09:25:00.001-06:00

If you would like to watch today's floor debate live you may view it online at Wisconsin Eye.

http://www.wisconsineye.org/

Enjoy!

Today in the Senate

2010-01-19T09:20:00.002-06:00

First Order. Call of Roll.

Second Order. Chief clerk's entries.

Third Order. Introduction, first reading and reference of proposals.

Fourth Order. Report of committees.

Fifth Order. Petitions and communications.

Sixth Order. Referrals and receipt of committee reports concerning proposed administrative rules.

Seventh Order. Advice and consent of the Senate

QUESTION: Shall the appointment be confirmed?
Degenhardt, Dennis, of West Bend, as a member of the Credit Union Review Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2014. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, Biotechnology, and Financial Institutions, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Eberle, Joseph, of Waukesha, as a member of the Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Land Surveyors, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2013. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Economic Development, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Greenheck, Ann, of Lone Rock, as a member of the Wisconsin Technical College System Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2015. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Small Business, Emergency Preparedness, Technical Colleges, and Consumer Protection, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Hanson, Stephanie, of Madison, as a member of the Professional Standards Council for Teachers, to serve for the term ending June 30, 2011. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Education, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Lee, Mark, of Middleton, as a member of the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, to serve for the term ending June 30, 2012. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Economic Development, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Lins, Debra, of Sauk City, as a member of the Banking Review Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2014. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, Biotechnology, and Financial Institutions, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Main, Edward, of Madison, as a member of the Deferred Compensation Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2012. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, Biotechnology, and Financial Institutions, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

McCabe, Jeff, of Kaukauna, as a member of the Professional Standards Council for Teachers, to serve for the term ending June 30, 2012. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Education, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Moessner, Jeffrey, of Eau Claire, as a member of the Council on Domestic Abuse, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2011. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing, Ayes 4, Noes 1)

Nelson, John, of Middleton, as a member of the Deferred Compensation Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2013. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, Biotechnology, and Financial Institutions, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Potter, Edward, of Mt. Pleasant, as a member of the Real Estate Appraisers Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2012. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Redhail, Gene, of Oneida, as a member of the Council on Domestic Abuse, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2012. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Sweeney, Gary "Joe", of Milwaukee, as a member of the Bradley Center Sports and Entertainment Corporation, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2016. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Economic Development, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Tweed, Steven, of Monona, as a member of the Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Land Surveyors, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2013. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Economic Development, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Wall, Edward, of Windsor, as Administrator of Wisconsin Emergency Management, to serve for the term ending at the pleasure of the Governor. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Small Business, Emergency Preparedness, Technical Colleges, and Consumer Protection, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Eighth Order. Messages from the Assembly.

Ninth Order. Special Orders.

Tenth Order. Consideration of motions, resolutions, and joint resolutions not requiring a third reading.

QUESTION: Shall the joint resolution be concurred in?
Assembly Joint Resolution 67. Relating to: commending MAG Giddings and Lewis on its sesquicentennial. By Representatives Townsend and Spanbauer; cosponsored by Senator Hopper.

Assembly Joint Resolution 83. Relating to: the life and public service of Tommy T. Tradewell. By Representatives Pridemore, Davis, Ziegelbauer, Kestell, Kerkman, Petersen, Hebl, Huebsch, Radcliffe, Brooks, Mursau, Vos, Bies, Strachota, Pope-Roberts, Townsend, Nerison, M. Williams, Gunderson, Zigmunt, and Molepske Jr.; cosponsored by Senators Grothman, Cowles, Taylor, Wirch, Hopper, Schultz, Kedzie, Darling, and Hansen.

Assembly Joint Resolution 84. Relating to: the life and public service of Velma Hamilton. By Representatives Berceau, Hebl, Black, Pocan, Parisi, Zepnick, Pope-Roberts, Danou, Grigsby, Fields, Toles, Mason, Townsend, and Sinicki; cosponsored by Senators Miller, Risser, Lehman, Lassa, Coggs, Wirch, and Erpenbach.

Eleventh Order. Second reading and amendments of senate joint resolutions and senate bills.

QUESTION: Shall the bill be ordered to a third reading?
Senate Bill 43. Relating to: the scope of regulated activity under the campaign finance law. By Senators Erpenbach, Kreitlow, Ellis, Vinehout, Hansen, Risser, Lehman, Holperin, Harsdorf, Carpenter, Cowles, and Robson; cosponsored by Representatives Dexter, Hebl, Cullen, Zigmunt, Sherman, Barca, Hintz, Black, Hilgenberg, Mason, Toles, Hixson, Pope-Roberts, Pocan, Kaufert, and Berceau. (Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1, Ayes 4, Noes 1, passage as amended recommended by committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing, Ayes 3, Noes 2)

Senate Substitute Amendment 1 pending
Senate Bill 168. Relating to: supervision of barber or cosmetologist apprentices. (FE) By Senators Taylor, Coggs, and Grothman; cosponsored by Representatives Molepske Jr., Brooks, Turner, Young, and A. Williams, by request of Department of Regulation and Licensing. (Report passage recommended by committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 203. Relating to: claims for loss of society and companionship in medical malpractice cases. By Senators Plale, Hansen, and Coggs; cosponsored by Representatives Richards, Sinicki, Roys, Berceau, A. Williams, Pope-Roberts, Mason, Toles, Cullen, Spanbauer, Zepnick, Turner, Parisi, and Kessler. (Report passage recommended by committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing, Ayes 3, Noes 2)

Senate Bill 274. Relating to: requiring landlords to change locks. By Senators Holperin, Hansen, Kreitlow, Schultz, and Taylor; cosponsored by Representatives Dexter, Parisi, Berceau, Bernard Schaber, Clark, Grigsby, Hebl, Milroy, A. Ott, Pasch, Pocan, Roys, Seidel, Shilling, Smith, Suder, A. Williams, and Wood. (Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1, Ayes 5, Noes 0, adoption of Senate Amendment 2, Ayes 5, Noes 0, passage as amended recommended by committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Amendments 1and 2 pending

Senate Bill 308. Relating to: a requirement that an employer permit an employee who is a volunteer fire fighter, emergency medical technician, first responder, or ambulance driver for a volunteer fire department or fire company, a public agency, or a nonprofit corporation to be late for or absent from work if the lateness or absence is due to the employee responding to an emergency that begins before the employee is required to report to work. (FE) By Senators Vinehout, Darling, Hansen, Harsdorf, Lassa, Lehman, Miller, Olsen, Plale, Schultz, Taylor, Wirch, and Robson; cosponsored by Representatives Gunderson, Berceau, Bies, Clark, Danou, Dexter, Garthwaite, Gottlieb, Hebl, Hintz, Hraychuck, Huebsch, Kerkman, LeMahieu, Lothian, Meyer, Milroy, Molepske Jr., Mursau, Murtha, Nerison, Nygren, A. Ott, Petersen, Petrowski, Pridemore, Ripp, Schneider, Sherman, Sinicki, Smith, Spanbauer, Steinbrink, Suder, Townsend, Vos, Vruwink, Zigmunt, and Brooks. (Report adoption of Senate Amendment 2, Ayes 5, Noes 0, passage as amended recommended by committee on Small Business, Emergency Preparedness, Technical Colleges, and Consumer Protection, Ayes 4, Noes 1)

Senate Amendment 2 pending

Senate Bill 321. Relating to: operation of neighborhood electric vehicles. (FE) By Senators Vinehout, Holperin, Lazich, Erpenbach, Cowles, Ellis, Schultz, and Taylor; cosponsored by Representatives Danou, Jorgensen, Radcliffe, Wood, Zigmunt, Ballweg, Van Akkeren, Berceau, Kaufert, Pope-Roberts, and Zepnick. (Report passage recommended by committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 325. Relating to: notification to a parent before chaperoning a sex offender. By Senators Kreitlow, Lassa, and Taylor; cosponsored by Representatives Smith, Vos, Roys, Suder, Pope-Roberts, and Bies. (Report passage recommended by committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Substitute Amendment 1 pending
Senate Bill 332. Relating to: submitting custody study reports to the parties and offering custody study reports in accordance with the rules of evidence. By Senators Taylor and Plale; cosponsored by Representatives Seidel, Zigmunt, Vruwink, Turner, Clark, Berceau, Sinicki, Grigsby, Kessler, and Pridemore. (Report passage recommended by committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 375. Relating to: the exchange of electronic records contained in the Consolidated Court Automation Program and in the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System between the director of state courts and the Department of Children and Families and providing a penalty. (FE) By Senators Sullivan, Taylor, Coggs, Darling, and Lehman; cosponsored by Representatives Knodl, Grigsby, Berceau, Danou, and Townsend. (Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1, Ayes 4, Noes 1, passage as amended recommended by committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Substitute Amendment 1 pending

Senate Bill 424. Relating to: regulating certain sport shooting ranges. (FE) By Senators Kreitlow, Taylor, Plale, Lehman, Schultz, Harsdorf, Kedzie, and Hansen; cosponsored by Representatives Hubler, Suder, Zigmunt, and Ripp. (Report passage as amended, Ayes 5, Noes 0, introduction and adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1 recommended by committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Substitute Amendment 1 pending

Twelfth Order. Second reading and amendments of assembly joint resolutions and assembly bills.

QUESTION: Shall the bill be ordered to a third reading?
Assembly Bill 142. Relating to: requiring a license to engage in the practice of landscape architecture. By Representatives Shilling, Lothian, Clark, Parisi, Davis, Vruwink, Berceau, Benedict, Montgomery, A. Ott, Townsend, Turner, Molepske Jr., Mursau, and Spanbauer; cosponsored by Senators Risser, Taylor, and Lehman. (Report concurrence recommended by committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs, Ayes 3, Noes 2)

Assembly Bill 177. Relating to: operating a motor vehicle while suspended, revoked, or disqualified. (FE) By Representatives Grigsby, Kessler, Fields, Berceau, Smith, Young, Sinicki, Mason, A. Ott, A. Williams, and Toles; cosponsored by Senators Taylor, Lehman, and Plale. (Report concurrence recommended by committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources, Ayes 4, Noes 3)

Assembly Bill 178. Relating to: motor vehicle operating privileges, seizures by courts or law enforcement officers of operator's licenses, and reinstatement of canceled identification cards. (FE) By Representatives Grigsby, Kessler, Fields, Young, Roys, A. Williams, Vruwink, Turner, Berceau, A. Ott, Sinicki, Colon, Honadel, Toles, and Mason; cosponsored by Senators Taylor, Lehman, Erpenbach, Grothman, and Plale. (Report concurrence recommended by joint committee on Finance, Ayes 12, Noes 4)

Assembly Bill 202. Relating to: bulk transfers of inventory. By Representatives Cullen, Colon, Molepske Jr., and A. Williams; cosponsored by Senators Risser and Taylor. (Report concurrence recommended by committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, Biotechnology, and Financial Institutions, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Assembly Bill 323. Relating to: information provided by a person required to register as a sex offender. By Representatives Jorgensen, Danou, Hraychuck, Bernard Schaber, Barca, Hixson, Hubler, Molepske Jr., Smith, Staskunas, Turner, Vruwink, A. Williams, Zepnick, Bies, and Ripp; cosponsored by Senators Taylor, Sullivan, Lehman, Hansen, Hopper, Darling, and Schultz. (Report concurrence recommended by committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Assembly Bill 376. Relating to: restitution for misappropriation from a cemetery of certain objects that relate to a veteran. By Representatives Turner, Davis, Brooks, Berceau, Shilling, Mason, Hilgenberg, Pope-Roberts, Nass, Kaufert, Gundrum, Zepnick, Lothian, Townsend, Gunderson, Murtha, Steinbrink, Hintz, Hebl, A. Ott, Zigmunt, Nerison, Vruwink, Schneider, Petrowski, Spanbauer, and Van Akkeren; cosponsored by Senators Lehman, Kedzie, Lassa, Darling, Erpenbach, Wirch, Schultz, Olsen, Coggs, and Taylor. (Report concurrence recommended by committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Assembly Bill 411. Relating to: the prohibition against making, reproducing, or possessing a nude depiction of a person without the person's consent and the sex offender registry. (FE) By Representatives Zigmunt, Parisi, Gundrum, Berceau, Bernard Schaber, Hraychuck, Pope-Roberts, Roys, Suder, and Turner; cosponsored by Senators Plale, Taylor, and Darling. (Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1, Ayes 5, Noes 0, concurrence as amended recommended by committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Amendment 1 pending

Thirteenth Order. Third reading of joint resolutions and bills.

Fourteenth Order. Motions may be offered.

Fifteenth Order. Announcements, adjournment honors, and remarks under special privilege.

Sixteenth Order. Adjournment.

Voluntary Voter ID

2010-01-11T14:06:00.003-06:00

Today, Representative Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) and I wrote a letter to the Chairman of the Senate Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs Committee asking him to hold a hearing on Senate Bill 350, the Protect My Vote Act.

Under the bill, citizens concerned about having their vote stolen could enroll in a voluntary voter ID program. Here's how it would work: You go to your municipal clerk's office and opt-in to the program by signing a registration card and producing a photo ID. On Election Day, the poll worker will ask you for your photo ID before he or she hands you a ballot. Then you vote. It's that simple.

This bill guarantees when you go to the polls your right to vote will not be denied because someone already voted using your name. While SB 350 was not written to replace a full statewide voter ID requirement, I see it as a positive step in preserving our faith in democracy.

Here is the letter Representative Kramer and I sent to Chairman Coggs:

January 11, 2010

Senator Spencer Coggs
Chairman, Committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs
Room 123 South, State Capitol
Madison, Wisconsin 53707

**Delivered Via Page**

Dear Chairman Coggs:

We are writing you to day to request a hearing on Senate Bill 350 (SB 350), assigned to the Committee on Labor, Election and Urban Affairs on October 14, 2009.

SB 350 allows individual electors to opt-in to a voluntary voter ID program. Voters who choose this option, will have their vote protected from fraud by requiring poll workers to ask for their photo identification in order to vote.

We believe this bill is an important step toward restoring people’s faith in our election system. We hope that you will consider holding a hearing on SB 350 in the coming weeks.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

TED KANAVAS BILL KRAMER
Wisconsin State Senate Wisconsin State Assembly
33rd District 97th District

Drunk Driving Reform

2009-12-16T14:52:00.002-06:00

The Wisconsin State Assembly just passed SB 66, a comprehensive drunk driving reform bill. The Senate is going into session within the next five minutes or so to debate the bill. If you wish to follow along you may click the link below and watch the floor debate live.

http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/index.htm

School Days

2009-12-01T14:35:00.002-06:00

I had a nice day visiting two schools in my Senate District. I started the morning with a meeting and school tour with Principal Smith at Whiterock Elementary School in Waukesha and headed out to Hartland Arrowhead to visit with four classes of Freshman and Sophomores.

I gave the students a brief update on what's going on in Madison and took questions for the remainder of each period. It turns out the kids are concerned about the same things we all are. They wanted to know about the state of our economy, if their parents would be able to retire on their 401ks, what is going on with possible mayoral control of MPS and expressed their thoughts on health care and the environment.

It is always interesting to visit our next generation of citizens and leaders. I had a great time.

Zoo Interchange Column: Paying for the Sins of the Past

2009-11-24T15:23:00.002-06:00

There's a lot of chatter about the Zoo Interchange and how we got where we are today. Here's my latest column:

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In February of 2005, I held a press conference at the Medical College of Wisconsin with the college’s CEO and former Waukesha County Executive Dan Finley. The event highlighted the need for the state to move ahead with reconstructing the Zoo Interchange. The Zoo, with over 300,000 vehicles traveling through it each day, was then, and still is now, the busiest interchange in state.

Despite the facts, and ignoring that The Zoo is located in the middle of the economic engine of Southeastern Wisconsin, Governor Doyle announced the I-94 North South (NS) Corridor would be the next section of the freeway system to be reconstructed after completion of the Marquette Interchange. In a letter attempting to satisfy proponents of the Zoo project, the head of the Department of Transportation said “as the NS Corridor progresses, the state will in due time turn its attention to the full reconstruction of the Zoo Interchange.”

Since then, the Governor has turned his back on the Zoo Interchange project. Within six months of his commitment, Governor Jim Doyle vetoed almost all of the Legislature’s $38 million appropriation to the interchange in the 2005-2007 State Budget. That veto, and the Governor’s subsequent refusal to fund the Zoo with any sense of urgency, is responsible for our current crisis.

So why did the Governor choose to place the NS Corridor in front of the Zoo? Why not focus our limited resources on the area of greatest need, the area that would most benefit the region and the entire state?

The answer is indicative of the leadership style of Jim Doyle; he took the easy way out. He was under pressure from political forces in Milwaukee opposing a critical portion of the Zoo project, the widening of I-94 from Miller Park to the Zoo. A major source of that political pressure was Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

Just weeks prior to the Governor’s budget veto, Mayor Barrett wrote a letter to legislative leaders in opposition to the Zoo’s $38 million budget line item. Demonstrating his own lack of judgment, much like Governor Doyle’s, Mayor Barrett’s letter argued against the funding stating, “…the Zoo Interchange will stand long enough for us to resolve these issues.”

Now flash forward to last week. The Department of Transportation announced the need for an emergency replacement of three bridges within the Zoo Interchange with total estimated cost reaching $22 million.

If Doyle and Barrett would have made the right call and the Zoo project had moved forward on its original timeline, reconstruction would have been right around the corner in 2012, not pushed off until 2016 and beyond. Would we have known about these structural deficiencies earlier? Would we would have been able to shift the project forward and fully incorporate the emergency repairs into the final product? We’ll never know for sure. What we do know, however, is we’re now faced with an incredibly expense bill, for a temporary fix, to a massive problem.

Our leaders should have made the right decision in 2005 instead they made the easy one. A little backbone or even the hint of leadership and judgment from Governor Doyle and Mayor Barrett would have gone a long way. Undoubtedly, we would be better positioned to address this critical situation.

My response to Mayor Barrett’s Claims on Zoo

2009-11-21T15:12:00.003-06:00

I issued the following statement this afternoon after Mayor Tom Barrett's Chief of Staff made several comments on the Zoo Interchange. If you wish to read the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article by Tom Held click the link below to take a look:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/70677812.html

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(Madison) November 21, 2009…State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) issued the following statement today in response to Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett’s claims on the Zoo Interchange:

“Mayor Barrett’s long opposition to reconstructing the Zoo Interchange is undisputed. Even today, while the bridges are about to undergo an emergency repair, the Mayor refuses to admit his incredibly poor judgment and lack of leadership on this important issue. Despite his public admission of lobbying Governor Doyle on the Zoo, he refutes politics was ever a factor in his opposition.

For Tom Barrett, the mayor of Milwaukee and a liberal, former Member of Congress, to suggest his lobbying of Jim Doyle and the legislature was not political in nature is laughable.

On June 28, 2005, Mayor Barrett wrote a letter to former Senate Majority Leader Dale Schultz and former Senate Minority Leader Judy Robson in opposition to funding the preliminary engineering for the Zoo Interchange. Demonstrating Barrett’s lack of judgment he stated:

‘…the Zoo Interchange will stand long enough for us to resolve these issues.’

The letter was so fraught with errors and misstatements the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission responded with its own letter to legislative leaders indicating a number of Mayor Barrett’s statements were ‘without foundation.’

Then on July 21, 2005, Mayor Barrett issued a statement praising Governor Doyle’s partial veto of Zoo Interchange money and took a political shot at Waukesha County in the process:

‘Governor Doyle took the appropriate action in vetoing the Legislature's $38 million appropriation for the Zoo Interchange. The funding was excessive and the message it sent, divisive. I thank Governor Doyle for recognizing that Milwaukee-Waukesha regional cooperation is not a one-way street.’

Tom Barrett’s statements and the Governor’s actions made the reconstruction of the Zoo Interchange into a political issue. Now Mayor Barrett is on the defensive and unfortunately for all of us, continues to put politics ahead of safety and economic development.”

###

Zoo Interchange

2009-11-20T15:09:00.002-06:00

As you may know, I have a long history working to fix the Zoo Interchange. Governor Doyle has been blocking my efforts for years and his buddies in Madison have been willing accomplices.

Even Mayor Tom Barrett has gotten in on the act. In 2005, he praised Governor Doyle for vetoing $38 million in much needed funding to move the project forward. Also in 2005 he went so far to say the Zoo could be placed on the back burner because "the Zoo interchange will stand long enough for us to resolve these issues."

Wow, he could not have been more wrong!

Here is a copy of my statement today on the Zoo Interchange reconstruction and a copy of my 2005 release on Barrett:

(Madison)…State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) issued the following statement in response to the Department of Transportation’s emergency action to repair the Zoo Interchange.

“I’ve been calling for the reconstruction of the Zoo Interchange since 2005 and now the bridges are falling down. Over that time, the governor and legislative Democrats raided the Transportation Fund to the tune of $1.2 billion and chose to ignore what was happening to the busiest interchange in the state. It’s irresponsible to sit back any longer and watch it disintegrate. The facts speak for themselves; we need to rebuild the Zoo and do it now.”

To learn more about Senator Kanavas or the 33rd Senate District please visit his website at: http://www.senatorkanavas.com.

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Mayor Barrett Does Not Get It
Kanavas Questions Mayor Barrett’s Judgment on Zoo Interchange

(Madison) June 30, 2005… Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) today questioned the judgment of Mayor Tom Barrett regarding the funding of preliminary engineering on the Zoo Interchange reconstruction project. Yesterday, in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Dale Schultz and Senate Minority Leader Judith Robson, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett embraced the Democratic Party line to nix funding for the Zoo Interchange.

“The Mayor needs to understand that the reconstruction of the Zoo Interchange is vital for the economic development of the region. The preliminary work is being funded now so that businesses and local communities are able to plan and grow. They need to know that the Zoo Interchange will be able to handle the increased traffic demands of an expanding economy,” stated Kanavas.

In his letter to senate leadership, Mayor Barrett was eager to criticize SEWRPC’s freeway plan as baseless and divisive. He went on to say that funding of the Zoo Interchange should be further delayed despite the facts. The Zoo Interchange handles more vehicles in one day than the Marquette Interchange, the Mitchell Interchange, or I-94 at Wisconsin/Illinois border.

“Mayor Barrett needs to decide from which side of his mouth he wants to speak. On one side he talks about the need for economic growth of the region so that the City of Milwaukee can benefit. On the other side he is attempting to kill a project that will create the infrastructure to support growth. The Mayor just does not get it. It is ironic that the Mayor’s letter was sent a day before it was announced that Milwaukee is no longer a top 20 city in America. Without a viable Zoo Interchange Milwaukee will not be a top 30 city in ten years. He needs to understand that the answer to growing the City of Milwaukee is not shrinking Milwaukee and Waukesha counties,” Kanavas concluded.

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Waukesha Christmas Parade

2009-11-18T11:22:00.002-06:00

This Sunday, I'll be joining my good friends Bill and (former Senator) Jodi Huelsman in the Waukesha Christmas Parade. The parade begins at 4pm and heads right through downtown.

It's a great event for the whole family! Come down and see us.

Clink the link for details:

http://www.downtownwaukesha.com/event.php?ID=183560

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Fish Fry

2009-11-16T13:23:00.002-06:00

This Friday, I will once again be serving as a celebrity waiter at the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) 19th Annual Fish Fry. It's a great event with lots of great people and a wonderful dinner. Please join me and show your support for Waukesha!

Friday, November 20, 2009
4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Country Springs Hotel
Waukesha

For additional information you may contact RSVP at:
Phone: (262) 549-3348 ▪ Fax: (262) 549-0436
www.interfaithwaukesha.org

Waukesha GOP Event

2009-11-16T12:17:00.002-06:00

I will be speaking at tomorrow's Waukesha Co. GOP County Chairman's Circle Leadership Celebration in Delafield. I have included some information below if you are interested in attending.

When: 11/17/2009 6 p.m.

Where: St. John's Northwestern Military Academy,1101 N. Genesee St., Delafield.

For details or to RSVP please contact Cathy Waller 262-542-8532 or cwaller@waukeshagop.org.

I hope to see you there!

Interview for the "Inside Scoop"

2009-11-11T14:42:00.002-06:00

Click on the link below to hear my 11/5/09 interview with Rick Sense of the Inside Scoop.

http://www.theinsidescoop.us/

Statement on Senate Democrats' Economic Development Plan

2009-11-09T16:10:00.002-06:00

Kanavas Statement on Senate Democrats’ Economic Development Plan

(Madison, WI)…State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) released the following statement in response to Senate Democrats’ unveiling their new economic development plan:

“What jobs will be created by passing this bill? Capital is leaving our state by the millions of dollars and the Democrats’ plan to reverse the state’s economic death spiral is to hire a grant writer and a regulatory ombudsman?

Our state is dying. Businesses and people cannot move out of state fast enough and at this time of nearly unprecedented joblessness the Democrats have a plan to do as little as possible. Where are the tax cuts to spur growth? Where is the expansion of the R&D tax credit to encourage innovation in existing companies? Where is a cut in the capital gains tax so businesses don’t leave Wisconsin?

They could not have done less and still said they had a plan.”

To learn more about Senator Kanavas or the 33rd Senate District, please visit www.senatorkanavas.com.

###

If you want to read the plan for yourself you may do so at the Wheeler Report's website:

http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/nov09/nov9/1109demcorejobs.pdf

Town Hall Meeting in Hartford

2009-10-24T07:23:00.003-05:00

Back to Washington County and Hartford! I am about to head out to a Town Hall Meeting hosted by Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner. The meeting starts at 9am at the Hartford City Hall. I will be there to answer any questions you may have on state issues, while Congressman Sensenbrenner will address any questions on issues voted on in Washington, D.C.

I am sure the Democrat's plan to nationalize healthcare will be high on the list of topics. If you want to have your voice heard, nothing beats a face to face meeting. I hope to see you there.

Here is a preview of Tuesday's upcoming Senate Calendar

2009-10-15T14:16:00.002-05:00

First Order. Call of Roll.

Second Order. Chief clerk's entries.

Third Order. Introduction, first reading and reference of proposals.

Fourth Order. Report of committees.

Fifth Order. Petitions and communications.

Sixth Order. Referrals and receipt of committee reports concerning proposed administrative rules.

Seventh Order. Advice and consent of the Senate

QUESTION: Shall the appointment be confirmed?
Armstrong, Stephanie, of De Forest, as a member of the Professional Standards Council for Teachers, to serve for the term ending June 30, 2012. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Education, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Bachhuber, Michele, of Marshfield, as a member of the Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan Authority, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2012. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Basting, Thomas, of Madison, as a member of the Educational Communications Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2013. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Education, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Bronston, Carolyn, of Wausau, as a member of the Medical Examining Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2012. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Christman, Blane, of Ladysmith, as a member of the Rural Health Development Council, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2012. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Rural Issues, Biofuels, and Information Technology, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Dallas, William, of Medford, as a member of the Professional Standards Council, to serve for the term ending June 30, 2011. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Education, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Everson, Diane, of Edgerton, as a member of the Educational Communications Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2013. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Education, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Exo, Karen, of Portage, as a member of the Professional Standards Council, to serve for the term ending June 30, 2012. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Education, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Furness, Ian, of Fond du Lac, as a member of the Podiatrists Affiliated Credentialing Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2013. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue, Ayes 7, Noes 0)
Gaier, John, of Neillsville, as a member of the Professional Standards Council for Teachers, to serve for the term ending June 30, 2012. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Education, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Hase, Paula, of Wausau, as a member of the Professional Standards Council for Teachers, to serve for the term ending June 30, 2012. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Education, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Heyning, Katy, of Whitewater, as a member of the Professional Standards Council, to serve for the term ending June 30, 2010. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Education, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Mulligan, Thomas, of Germantown, as a member of the Professional Standards Council for Teachers, to serve for the term ending June 30, 2012. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Education, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Patterson, Leslie, of Greenfield, as a member of the Rural Health Development Council, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2011. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Rural Issues, Biofuels, and Information Technology, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Rambo, Larry, of Waukesha, as a member of the Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan Authority, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2011. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Severson, Deborah, of Eau Claire, as a member of the Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan Authority, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2012. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Stroede, Jane, of Wisconsin Dells, as a member of the Physical Therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2013. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Swain, Katherine, of Beloit, as a member of the Professional Standards Council, to serve for the term ending June 30, 2011. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Education, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Thorman, Michele, of La Crosse, as a member of the Physical Therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2011. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Timmons, Cecelia, of Madison, as a member of the Cemetery Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2012. (Report confirmation recommended by committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Eighth Order. Messages from the Assembly.

QUESTION: Shall the amendment be concurred in?

Senate Bill 107. Relating to: the sale, disposal, collection, and recycling of electronic devices, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing penalties. By Senators Miller, Jauch, Hansen, Robson, Erpenbach, Wirch, Lehman, Risser, and Taylor; cosponsored by Representatives Bernard Schaber, Black, Hebl, Sherman, Milroy, Shilling, Parisi, Berceau, Benedict, Molepske Jr., Pope-Roberts, Richards, A. Ott, Clark, Smith, Hintz, Dexter, A. Williams, and Hubler.
Assembly Amendments 3 and 4 pending

Ninth Order. Special Orders.

Tenth Order. Consideration of motions, resolutions, and joint resolutions not requiring a third reading.

QUESTION: Shall the joint resolution be adopted?

Senate Joint Resolution 47. Relating to: the second anniversary of WisconsinEye's commencement of broadcast operations. By Senators Jauch, Miller, Holperin, Hansen, Schultz, Risser, and Darling; cosponsored by Representatives Barca, Pope-Roberts, Pasch, Berceau, Roys, Hilgenberg, Clark, Jorgensen, Sinicki, Turner, Vos, Pocan, Toles, Zepnick, and Ballweg.

QUESTION: Shall the joint resolution be concurred in?

Assembly Joint Resolution 72. Relating to: the life and public service of Edward Moore Kennedy. By Representatives Nelson, Hilgenberg, Parisi, Soletski, Zigmunt, Garthwaite, Black, Pocan, Young, Roys, Jorgensen, Milroy, Danou, Benedict, Kessler, Hixson, Pope-Roberts, Hebl, A. Williams, Grigsby, Molepske Jr., Sinicki, Seidel, Hraychuck, Van Akkeren, Steinbrink, Turner, Vruwink, Schneider, Hubler, Zepnick, Pasch, Bernard Schaber, Cullen, Clark, Staskunas, Toles, Barca, and Sheridan.

Assembly Joint Resolution 73. Relating to: honoring the life of Francisco Rodriguez. By Representative Colon; cosponsored by Senator Wirch.

Eleventh Order. Second reading and amendments of senate joint resolutions and senate bills.

QUESTION: Shall the bill be ordered to a third reading?

Senate Bill 17. Relating to: special distinguishing registration plates for certain vehicles owned by members of the national guard and making an appropriation. (FE) By Senators Hansen, Wirch, Lehman, Schultz, Taylor, and Leibham; cosponsored by Representatives Hilgenberg, Kaufert, Roth, Spanbauer, and Gunderson. (Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1, Ayes 7, Noes 0, passage as amended recommended by committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Senate Amendment 1 pending

Senate Bill 41. Relating to: indoor environmental quality in public and private schools. (FE) By Senators Sullivan, Olsen, Miller, Hansen, Vinehout, Lassa, Taylor, Darling, Erpenbach, Schultz, Risser, and Lehman; cosponsored by Representatives Grigsby, Pope-Roberts, Cullen, Hilgenberg, Black, Benedict, Fields, Berceau, Mason, Toles, Hintz, Molepske Jr., Zepnick, Hebl, Pocan, Parisi, Milroy, Roys, and Hixson. (Report passage recommended by committee on Education, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 73. Relating to: the lifetime limit under the Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan. By Senators Vinehout, Erpenbach, Robson, Lehman, Carpenter, Wirch, Taylor, Coggs, Hansen, and Miller; cosponsored by Representatives Bernard Schaber, Hraychuck, and Berceau. (Report passage recommended by committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 74. Relating to: health insurance coverage denials for eligibility under the Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan. By Senators Vinehout, Erpenbach, Robson, Lehman, Carpenter, Wirch, Taylor, Coggs, Hansen, and Miller; cosponsored by Representatives Bernard Schaber, Hraychuck, and Berceau. (Report passage recommended by committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 80. Relating to: the Volunteer Health Care Provider Program. (FE) By Senators Coggs, Holperin, Olsen, Kapanke, Schultz, Grothman, Lazich, and Kreitlow; cosponsored by Representatives Kaufert, Benedict, M. Williams, Grigsby, Brooks, Hintz, Gottlieb, Staskunas, Gunderson, Steinbrink, Kerkman, Ziegelbauer, Knodl, LeMahieu, Lothian, Mursau, Murtha, Petersen, Petrowski, Ripp, Roth, Spanbauer, Stone, Strachota, Tauchen, Townsend, Van Roy, and Vos. (Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1, Ayes 7, Noes 0, passage as amended recommended by committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Senate Amendment 1 pending

Senate Bill 87. Relating to: increasing the maximum annual loan amount under the property tax deferral loan program of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. (FE) By Senators Lassa, Hansen, Vinehout, Lehman, Darling, Coggs, Taylor, and Robson; cosponsored by Representatives Berceau, Hebl, Hintz, A. Ott, Fields, Young, and A. Williams. (Report passage recommended by committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 103. Relating to: restrictions on the operation of motor vehicles by persons using electronic text messaging devices and providing a penalty. By Senators A. Lasee, Cowles, Lehman, Carpenter, Risser, Lassa, Harsdorf, Taylor, Darling, Schultz, Olsen, and Hansen; cosponsored by Representatives Barca, Townsend, Van Roy, Bies, Spanbauer, Lothian, Petrowski, A. Ott, Friske, and Strachota. (Report adoption of Senate Amendment 2, Ayes 6, Noes 1, passage as amended recommended by committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources, Ayes 5, Noes 2)

Senate Substitute Amendment 1 and Senate Amendment 2 pending

Senate Bill 121. Relating to: requiring the Center on Education and Work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to establish a career conversations program. By Senators Lassa, Taylor, Wirch, Olsen, Darling, and Holperin; cosponsored by Representatives Berceau, Sinicki, Richards, Petrowski, A. Ott, Zepnick, Spanbauer, Toles, and Townsend. (Report passage recommended by committee on Agriculture and Higher Education, Ayes 3, Noes 2)

Senate Bill 154. Relating to: school safety plans, pupil records, and school bullying. (FE) By Joint Legislative Council. (Report passage recommended by committee on Education, Ayes 6, Noes 1)
Senate Bill 162. Relating to: requiring that personal flotation devices be worn by certain underage persons in certain boats. (FE) By Senators Sullivan, Taylor, Lehman, Cowles, Lassa, Risser, Wirch, and Miller; cosponsored by Representatives Clark, Staskunas, Hebl, Zigmunt, Jorgensen, Petrowski, Pasch, Berceau, Townsend, Smith, A. Ott, Hraychuck, Steinbrink, Cullen, and Zepnick. (Report passage recommended by committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources, Ayes 5, Noes 2)

Senate Bill 163. Relating to: requiring health insurance coverage of colorectal cancer screening and granting rule-making authority. (FE) By Senators Wirch, Taylor, Lehman, Hansen, Erpenbach, Risser, Darling, Kapanke, Plale, Coggs, Carpenter, and Lassa; cosponsored by Representatives Colon, Barca, Benedict, Steinbrink, Hixson, Grigsby, Turner, Clark, Hubler, Milroy, A. Williams, Berceau, Jorgensen, Hebl, Hilgenberg, Young, Pope-Roberts, Mason, Townsend, Wood, Pasch, and Bernard Schaber. (Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1, Ayes 7, Noes 0, passage as amended recommended by committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue, Ayes 6, Noes 1)

Senate Amendment 1 pending

Senate Bill 182. Relating to: statute of limitations for intentional torts. By Senators Sullivan, Taylor, Wirch, Grothman, Plale, and Risser; cosponsored by Representatives Roys, Berceau, Townsend, Smith, A. Williams, Murtha, Cullen, J. Ott, Richards, Colon, Spanbauer, and Kessler. (Report passage recommended by committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 191. Relating to: podiatrist-patient privilege, immunity exemption for podiatrists providing emergency care at athletic events, allowing podiatrists to determine an illness or injury and complete forms for the purpose of granting assistance to needy veterans, allowing podiatrists to determine disability for the purpose of issuing certain hunting permits, cooperatives organized to provide sickness care, the Podiatrists Affiliated Credentialing Board, allowing podiatrists to certify driver school instructors' physical fitness, allowing Medical Assistance recipients to freely choose among podiatrists, and giving equal weight to certifications of disability by podiatrists for insurance purposes. By Senators Lehman, Taylor, Plale, Schultz, Wirch, and Holperin; cosponsored by Representatives Barca, Zigmunt, Benedict, Turner, Kerkman, Steinbrink, Friske, Mason, Townsend, Zepnick, Ballweg, Berceau, and Petrowski. (Report passage recommended by committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 198. Relating to: donating drugs and dispensing donated drugs. By Senators Robson, Lassa, Lehman, Vinehout, Taylor, Olsen, Harsdorf, Cowles, Carpenter, Darling, Schultz, Miller, Risser, and Hansen; cosponsored by Representatives Nygren, Pope-Roberts, Black, Sherman, Smith, Molepske Jr., Van Roy, Suder, Montgomery, Townsend, Vos, Turner, Benedict, Soletski, Tauchen, Kerkman, Petersen, Grigsby, Ripp, Petrowski, Bies, Ballweg, Friske, Gunderson, Kaufert, Knodl, Nass, A. Ott, Spanbauer, Gottlieb, and Strachota. (Report passage recommended by committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 224. Relating to: notice of proposed vacation of certain highways. By Senators Holperin, Lehman, Miller, Plale, Kreitlow, Hansen, and Taylor; cosponsored by Representatives Steinbrink, Petrowski, Turner, and Molepske Jr.. (Report passage recommended by committee on Commerce, Utilities, Energy, and Rail, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 252. Relating to: the duty to stop at the scene of, and to report, a motor vehicle accident. (FE) By Senators Erpenbach, Carpenter, Risser, Kedzie, Darling, Grothman, A. Lasee, and Lassa; cosponsored by Representatives Davis, Staskunas, Ballweg, Berceau, Brooks, Kerkman, Knodl, LeMahieu, Lothian, Murtha, Nerison, A. Ott, Pasch, Petersen, Pocan, Ripp, Smith, Spanbauer, Strachota, Townsend, Vos, Gunderson, A. Williams, Kaufert, and Suder. (Report passage recommended by committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 253. Relating to: traffic control devices used by school safety patrols. By Senators Kreitlow, Lehman, Taylor, and Lassa; cosponsored by Representatives Dexter, Wood, Suder, Berceau, Pasch, Steinbrink, and Petrowski. (Report passage recommended by committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 264. Relating to: trespass by operators of snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and other off-road vehicles. By Joint Legislative Council. (Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1, Ayes 7, Noes 0, passage as amended recommended by committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1, and Senate Substitute

Amendment 1 pending

Senate Bill 266. Relating to: creating a Nonmotorized Recreation and Transportation Trails Council. By Joint Legislative Council. (Report passage recommended by committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 278. Relating to: U-turns on highways and providing a penalty. By Senators Sullivan, Kanavas, Taylor, Holperin, Plale, and Hansen; cosponsored by Representatives Steinbrink, Nerison, Townsend, Brooks, Petrowski, Vos, M. Williams, and Turner. (Report passage recommended by committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 280. Relating to: personal liability of officers, directors, and employees of child care providers. By Senators Jauch, Vinehout, Coggs, Darling, and Taylor; cosponsored by Representatives Grigsby, Jorgensen, Pasch, Pope-Roberts, Berceau, A. Williams, Fields, Sinicki, Mason, Barca, and Petrowski. (Report passage recommended by committee on Children and Families and Workforce Development, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 284. Relating to: designating and marking USH 63 as the Gaylord Nelson Highway. (FE) By Senators Kreitlow, Jauch, Harsdorf, Hansen, Lehman, Coggs, Sullivan, Miller, Schultz, Wirch, and Lassa; cosponsored by Representatives Hraychuck, Danou, Sherman, Milroy, Hebl, Roys, Black, Berceau, Turner, A. Ott, Sinicki, Molepske Jr., Kessler, Zigmunt, Jorgensen, and Pope-Roberts. (Report passage recommended by committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources, Ayes 6, Noes 1)

Senate Bill 288. Relating to: Indian child welfare. (FE) By Senators Jauch, Holperin, Vinehout, Coggs, Taylor, Lassa, Kreitlow, Lehman, Hansen, Robson, Risser, Plale, Erpenbach, S. Fitzgerald, Grothman, Olsen, and Hopper; cosponsored by Representatives Hraychuck, Sherman, Grigsby, Roys, Pasch, Young, Berceau, Sinicki, Pope-Roberts, Seidel, Turner, Benedict, Hilgenberg, Shilling, Hubler, Clark, Mason, Nelson, Radcliffe, Soletski, Vruwink, Smith, Sheridan, Mursau, Roth, Kleefisch, Friske, Tauchen, Huebsch, Vos, Brooks, and Ripp. (Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1, Ayes 5, Noes 0, adoption of Senate Amendment 2, Ayes 5, Noes 0, adoption of Senate Amendment 3, Ayes 5, Noes 0, passage as amended recommended by committee on Children and Families and Workforce Development, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Amendments 1, 2 and 3 pending

Senate Bill 299. Relating to: public disclosure of certain information when child abuse or neglect results in death or serious injury or involves aggravated circumstances or when a child in an out-of-home placement commits suicide or is sexually abused by a caregiver. (FE) By Committee on Children and Families and Workforce Development. (Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1, Ayes 5, Noes 0, adoption of Senate Amendment 2, Ayes 5, Noes 0, adoption of Senate Amendment 3, Ayes 5, Noes 0, passage as amended recommended by committee on Children and Families and Workforce Development, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Amendments 1, 2 and 3 pending

Senate Bill 309. Relating to: ratification of the agreement negotiated between the state of Wisconsin and the Association of State Prosecutors for the 2007-09 biennium, covering employees in the assistant district attorneys collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. (FE) By Joint Committee on Employment Relations.
Senate Bill 310. Relating to: ratification of the agreement negotiated between the state of Wisconsin and the Professional Employees in Research, Statistics, and Analysis, WFT/AFT, AFL-CIO, for the 2007-09 biennium, covering employees in the professional research, statistics, and analysis collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. (FE) By Joint Committee on Employment Relations.

Senate Bill 311. Relating to: ratification of the agreement negotiated between the state of Wisconsin and the Teaching Assistants' Association, AFT, Local 3220, AFL-CIO, for the 2007-09 biennium, covering employees in the program, project, and teaching assistants of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Wisconsin-Extension collective bargaining unit, and authorizing an expenditure of funds. (FE) By Joint Committee on Employment Relations.

Twelfth Order. Second reading and amendments of assembly joint resolutions and assembly bills.

Thirteenth Order. Third reading of joint resolutions and bills.

Fourteenth Order. Motions may be offered.

Fifteenth Order. Announcements, adjournment honors, and remarks under special privilege.

Sixteenth Order. Adjournment.

Ethanol Mandate…It’s back….

2009-10-05T11:20:00.001-05:00

Did you ever think the issue of an ethanol mandate would really be gone? Of course not. This week the Committee on Rural Issues, Biofuels, and Information Technology is holding a hearing on Senate Bill 279. The bill does many things, but most importantly, it creates an ethanol mandate in Wisconsin.

As a member of the committee hearing the bill on Wednesday I am going to take an active roll in this debate. I continue to be strongly opposed to a statewide ethanol mandate and hope people take a few moments to contact their legislators and express their opinion on this important issue.

If you want to read the bill you may do so by following the link below:

http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/SB-279.pdf

The specific section of the bill allowing for the mandate to be created can be found on the bottom of page 25 and continued on to the top of page 26. Basically, the bill sets a goal of ethanol sales in the state. If the sales don’t meet the goals a government agency may create “annual requirements” for ethanol sales.

Read it for yourself:

(5) RENEWABLE FUEL SALES REQUIREMENTS. If the department determines under
sub. (4) (a) 4. or 5. that requirements for renewable fuel sales would likely result in
sales of volumes of renewable fuels that meet the goals in sub. may include any of the following in rules promulgated under this subsection:

(a) Reporting, record−keeping, or testing requirements.

(b) Annual requirements for sales of renewable fuels in this state.

(c) Quarterly or monthly requirements for sales of a renewable fuel if the
department determines that these requirements are necessary to maintain the
availability of the renewable fuel in the state and to prevent harm to markets for the
renewable fuel in the state caused by fluctuations in demand for the renewable fuel.

Voluntary Photo ID bill introduced today!

2009-09-24T16:02:00.003-05:00

Here is a copy of the press release issued by State Representative Bill Kramer and I today:

Kanavas/Kramer Introduce Voluntary Voter ID Bill

(Madison, WI)…Today, State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) and State Representative Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) introduced the Protect My Vote Act. The bill creates a voluntary photo ID program in Wisconsin so people can ensure their vote does not get stolen on Election Day.

“We know voter fraud exists and we have to take steps to eliminate it wherever and whenever we can. At a minimum we should be protecting people who are concerned about their vote being stolen and their rights being violated,” stated Kanavas.

The Protect My Vote Act, circulated today to solicit legislative cosponsors, creates a voluntary program allowing voters to request they be asked for a photo ID in order to vote on Election Day. Senator Kanavas introduced the bill at the request of a constituent who went to the polls in 2006 only to discover someone had already voted using his name. Under the Kanavas/Kramer legislation, the names of voters who opted-in to the program will be highlighted on the voter rolls requiring the election worker to ask for the person’s photo ID.

“In a little over a year, voters will be going to the polls for a statewide election. People need to have confidence in our electoral system and know that when they arrive to vote they’ll be able to do so,” added Kramer.
Legislators have two weeks to sign on as cosponsors of the bill at which point it will be given a bill number and assigned to a Senate committee.

###

Waukesha GOP Health Care Breifing/Washington County GOP Gala Dinner

2009-09-23T15:39:00.005-05:00

Tonight is a busy night.

5:30pm marks the beginning of the Waukesha County GOP Health Care briefing at the Oconomowoc Lake Club. The event, hosted by State Representative Leah Vukmir, is open to the public and will provide everyone with important information on the GOP's plan for health care and how we will stop the Democrat's Healthy Wisconsin plan, their version of government-run health care, from becoming state law.

Later this evening I will be attending the Washington County GOP Gala dinner at Scenic View Country Club. This annual event is always a great time with good food and wonderful folks from across Washington County.

I hope I get a chance to see you there.

Vicki McKenna interview on 1310 WIBA, Madison 3:00 pm today

2009-09-17T14:06:00.004-05:00

I will be on the Vicki McKenna radio show (listen online here) this afternoon at 3:06pm to talk about a letter Representative Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) and I sent to Department of Administration Secretary Michael Morgan and Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority Executive Director Antonio Riley about the possibility of state taxpayer dollars being sent to ACORN.

If it turns out the state is giving taxpayer money to ACORN Rep. Kramer and I will immediately introduce legislation to stop it.

In case you missed the whole ACORN scandal you can catch a glimpse of the story by watching this video:

http://www.breitbart.tv/shock-undercover-video-shows-acorn-workers-advising-pimp-prostitute-to-avoid-law/

You may also read the text of our letter below:

Throughout 2008, and again in recent weeks, there were several news reports surrounding the Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now, or ACORN, and disreputable practices of providing advice to low-income individuals on tax evasion and fraud.

ACORN, whose purported mission is to serve low-income communities, maintains offices in both Madison and Milwaukee. From their website:

Since 1970, ACORN has been building community organizations that are committed to social and economic justice, and won victories on thousands of issues of concern to our members, through direct action, negotiation, legislative advocacy and voter participation. ACORN helps those who have historically been locked out become powerful players in our democratic system.

Recent media revelations have disclosed that ACORN staff in Baltimore, MD, Washington, DC, New York, NY, and San Bernardino, CA gave advice on tax evasion, manipulation of the tax code, and in one extreme case, murder, should give us all pause on the role of this organization in civil society.

Recognizing the gravity of the history of allegations and criminal conduct surrounding ACORN, the United States Senate voted 83-7 to defund ACORN activities in the federal Housing and Urban Development budget. Additionally, the United States Census Bureau has cancelled a contract with ACORN that would have employed its assistance in the decennial census next year.

ACORN receives tens of millions of dollars in state and federal grants and contracts to provide certain services to low-income individuals. Our fear is that they may be receiving Wisconsin tax dollars as well. Several other states have requested reviews of their official relationships with ACORN.

Today we write to request that you review all contracts, grants, and other official relationships that the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority may have with the Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now (ACORN). If indeed WHEDA does maintain official relationships with the organization, please provide our offices detailed descriptions of the relationship – including any past or projected financial outlays – and any steps you are prepared to take to ensure that Wisconsin taxpayers are not subsidizing an organization that has clearly fallen into disrepute.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.

Warmest regards,

Bill Kramer
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
97th Assembly District

Ted Kanavas
STATE SENATOR
33rd Senate District

Session this afternoon

2009-09-15T11:37:00.003-05:00

The Wisconsin State Senate is in session starting at noon today. You can view today's Senate calendar and follow the session live online.

http://www.legis.state.wi.us/insession/senate/index.htm

Dozer Days in Sussex

2009-09-12T12:18:00.003-05:00

Dozer Days is going today from 9-4 today. It is a fun community event for families and benefits a great cause, the Hamilton Education Foundation. If you are in and around Sussex stop by.

http://www.dozerday.com/index.html

A Wisconsin Version of ObamaCare?

2009-08-27T12:02:00.000-05:00

We are all very familiar with the health care debate raging in our nation’s capitol and in town hall meetings across the country. The issue of whether or not the federal government should grab control of our current system and create its own socialized brand of medicine has been making national headlines for months. But, I wonder how many people remember what happened right here in Wisconsin just two years ago.

If you recall, Democrats in the Wisconsin legislature were running around the state holding public hearings touting an Obama-like government-run health care plan. For the most part, no one really knew anything about it. You may vaguely remember they had a plan, but folks are sure to be soft on the details and likely know little of the plan’s potential impact on our economy or the size of state government.

Despite minimal public input at the time, the Democrats tried to ram this through as part of the state budget. Every Democratic senator in Southeastern Wisconsin, in fact, every Democrat in the Wisconsin State Senate, voted to make their beliefs of what your health care should be, part of the last state budget.

Their plan would have implemented a tax on Wisconsin business to pay for a government-run health care model. Much like the plan being tossed around in Washington, the Senate Democrats would place your health care decisions in the hands of bureaucrats. Luckily for us, Republicans, who controlled the State Assembly at the time, were able to purge the plan from the budget. But what happened to the Democrat’s plan? Where is it now? Is it dead?

No, it’s not dead.

Democrats here in Wisconsin know the public is furious about the national plan and don’t want to take the flack their Washington cohorts are taking so they’ve decided to sit back and watch the carnage. If their friends in D.C. get the job done and force us all into a socialized health plan, then state legislative Democrats can slowly back out of the room, pretend like they had no input on the deal and come out clean as a whistle. If the national Democratic Party fails in their quest, however, look for the Wisconsin plan to be resurrected.

Despite their inactivity, legislative Democrats still believe in the government-run model. They still believe that your government should be involved in your health care decisions. They still believe businesses need to be taxed in order to pay for their employee’s health care and the care of people that don’t currently have insurance.

Their plan, or course, would be devastating to Wisconsin businesses and our economy. People without insurance from the across the Midwest and the entire country would flock to Wisconsin for free health care and businesses would move out of state as quickly as they could; taking jobs and families with them. We would have a net gain of people dependent on government and a net loss of producers, job creators and taxpayers. It would complete our state’s death spiral.

If we are really going to prevent the government from intruding into our lives and impacting personal decisions between our loved ones and our doctors, we not only have to keep up the pressure on Democrats who represent us in Washington, D.C., we have to keep up the pressure on our representatives in Madison who still believe in the socialist dream and are coyly waiting in the wings for their turn to pounce.

Time change for the Brookfield Town Hall Meeting

2009-08-26T14:33:00.001-05:00

The Wednesday, September 2nd, Town Hall Meeting at the Brookfield Safety Building on Calhoun Road will now begin at 3:30pm.

Town Hall Meeting Schedule

2009-08-26T10:30:00.000-05:00

Upcoming Town Hall Meetings

Town Hall Meetings are an important opportunity for me to listen to concerns and get input from constituents. I hold these events several times a year and invite you to stop by and share your thoughts with me. Meetings will be held at the various times and locations listed below:

September 2, 2009

9:00-9:30am - Sussex Village Hall, N64W23760 Main Street, Sussex
10:00-10:30am - Merton Town Hall, W314N7624 Highway 83, Merton
10:45-11:15am - Merton Village Hall, 28343 Sussex Road, Merton
12:00-12:30pm - Richfield Village Hall, 4128 Hubertus Road, Hubertus
1:30-2:00pm - Lannon Village Hall, 20399 W. Main Street, Lannon
2:15-2:45pm - Brookfield Safety Building, 2100 N. Calhoun Road, Brookfield

September 3, 2009

10:00-10:30am - Hartford City Hall, 109 North Main Street, Hartford
11:00-11:30am - Menomonee Falls Public Library, W156N8436 Pilgrim Road, Menomonee Falls
1:00-1:30pm - Pewaukee Village Hall, 235 Hickory Street, Pewaukee
2:00-2:30pm - Waukesha State Bank, Community Room, 100 Bank Street, Waukesha

Richfield Days

2009-08-19T14:01:00.002-05:00

Richfield Days is this weekend. There is always a lot to see and do. Fish Fry on Friday night, fireworks on Saturday night and a big parade on Sunday. Because of a very busy weekend, I will only be able to go for the parade. If you can make it I would love it if you stopped by to say hi.

The parade starts at high noon.

For more information on the Village of Richfield and Richfield Days you may follow the link below,

See you there~

http://www.richfieldwi.gov/index.asp?Type=B_EV&SEC={82FAA517-DA7D-4BF8-BAAC-C09CDD721D5E}

Zoo Interchange

2009-08-18T13:40:00.002-05:00

I have been talking about the need to reconstruct the Zoo Interchange for years. It is the most heavily travelled interchange in the entire state, including the Marquette Interchange, and work to rebuild it must be accelerated.

Governor Doyle has repeatedly delayed the reconstruction project and we are paying the price.

Here is a link to a JS Online story in today's newspaper.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/53574857.html

Les Paul

2009-08-13T16:45:00.000-05:00

Rest in peace to Waukesha's own Les Paul.

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/News/les-paul-passes-away-at-94-813/

August Showdown for Brewers

2009-08-07T11:03:00.002-05:00

Well Gang, this is it. The Brewers have an easy schedule in August and need to make it happen. The old adage is that you can't win without pitching and the Brewers are going to need to patch it together for the next month and win with what they have. Can they do it? Only time will tell.

My prediction is two or three games back in the Central come September 1. However, the bad news is that their September schedule is pretty tough. This might not be the Brewers' year, but the bandwagon should be full for a while...

When Did We Vote ‘YES’ on Trains?

2009-08-04T14:33:00.001-05:00

My new column on trains:

Have you noticed a steady increase in the number of news reports about trains? Over the past several months and weeks, newspapers have been covered in stories about light rail, high speed rail, federal stimulus money for trains, Spanish train manufactures, KRM, regional transit authorities, a loop around downtown Milwaukee, and routes to Madison, Minneapolis and Green Bay.

When did all of this happen? At what point did Wisconsinites decide we were all in on the train game?

Since the beginning of the year the legislature has been focused on one thing, the budget, and rightly so, it’s the most important vote of every two-year session. Right now, the whole budget mess seems like a Jedi mind trick, a slight of hand, to get our attention focused on billions of dollars of new taxes and not on what was going on with trains.

While the rest of the people in the state were distracted with real world problems like trying to keep their jobs and paying bills, the liberal elites like Governor Doyle and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett were off cutting deals on trains. As Wisconsin companies were leaving Wisconsin for greener economic pastures, Governor Doyle was in Spain making new friends. Those friendships led to a foreign train manufacturer landing a $47 million no-bid contract to build high speed rail cars for use between Milwaukee and Chicago. Sounds like a sweetheart deal for the Spanish company, but now taxpayers have to pay for track upgrades to make the new cars truly “high speed”.

That’s the thing with trains, the start up costs are just the beginning. Cars, new tracks, track upgrades, maintenance, future route expansions all cost money, and lots of it.

For a state that raises taxes year after year and is carrying over a $2 billion deficit into the next budget, I have one question: Should we be spending money on things that could end up costing us hundreds of millions of dollars down the line? If we can’t afford to pay for transportation priorities, like reconstructing the Zoo Interchange, can we afford to take on another huge financial burden?

These are questions that need answering. The issue of transportation, including rail, needs to be debated and voted on. After all, when did we vote “yes” on trains?

Where is the strategic plan on rail? It appears there are independent plans on rail systems offer by individual interest groups, but how do these plans link together? The fact is, there is no twenty-year plan on rail. These issues have never been debated. The individual proposals were negotiated by two groups sitting on the same side of the table. The same thing is going on behind the scenes of other rail related headlines.

Just last week, Governor Doyle traveled to Chicago and put Wisconsin in the middle of a mad grab for federal cash targeted at train projects. The only chance to get a piece of the pie was to tout our own big plans for rail and to sit down with the Mayor Daley to cut a Chicago-style deal. Those deals rarely benefit anywhere but Chicago. The Daley-Doyle deal was no different. The Governor agreed to support Chicago-centric proposal paid for by federal stimulus money in the hopes that Wisconsin might get some of the leftover pocket change to chug north.

If any federal money does make its way here, it will never cover the long term costs of the project. Wisconsin taxpayers will be paying the bills in perpetuity.

If, at some point in the future, we determine this is what the state needs then so be it, but we need to think it through. We need to debate the issues, lay out the facts and make an honest decision if rail is the right way to move our state forward. Before we get “all aboard,” we need to ask ourselves if the way we are spending money will give us a solid return on our investment.

We can’t afford to get it wrong. The stakes are too high.

Column: An Opportunity Lost?

2009-07-29T11:36:00.001-05:00

Here is my latest column...

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Recently, the Wall Street Journal described how truck manufacturer Oshkosh Corporation was awarded a $1 billion defense contract to build a Humvee-like vehicle for use by troops in Afghanistan. The article gives an overview of how the Wisconsin-based company landed such a huge government contract and its impact on the labor market in the Fox Valley.

I, for one, could not be happier for Oshkosh Truck, the city, and the entire valley. This contact alone is expected to create 500 to 600 new jobs; great news for a city with an unemployment rate hovering around 8 percent.

Undoubtedly, it’s a great story, but could it have been better? Should it have been?

Oshkosh Truck had been preparing for the possibility of landing this contact for months. Engineers had been working around the clock to ensure its design, and its bid for the work, would best its competitors. As a private sector company it had to be prepared for anything, have an answer for any question, a solution for any problem or complication.

Their hard work paid off when Oshkosh Corporation was awarded the sole contact that could ultimately be worth upwards of $12 billion. The contract was so big in fact, the company’s Wisconsin facility could not handle all of the workload. In addition to hiring hundreds of people here, the company recalled over 500 laid-off employees in Pennsylvania. Terrific news for people in the Keystone State, but could those jobs have been created here?

If Governor Doyle thought more like the people at Oshkosh Truck, being prepared for anything, expecting the unexpected, he would have done something, anything to keep those jobs in Wisconsin in the months leading up to the contract announcement?

The Governor’s lack of a plan has once again hurt Wisconsin. If he would have thought of the folks in Janesville the story of Oshkosh Truck may have been even better. He should have been prepared to offer tax cuts, credits, exemptions, anything to put our citizens back to work and encourage Oshkosh Truck to retool the Janesville GM plant to help build the new vehicle.

Governor Doyle isn’t leading the gang that couldn’t shoot straight; he’s leading the gang that won’t shoot. Retaining and creating jobs is more than putting on a show, sending a letter or making one phone call to a CEO when the newspaper reports the tale of yet another company leaving Wisconsin. The tale of economic development is; if it’s in the paper it’s already too late.

When Thomas Industries left Sheboygan for Louisiana, the Governor said he personally called the company. That’s not going to cut it. The cost of doing business in Louisiana was less than Wisconsin. The company could save millions in labor costs by relocating. The decision to move was a no brainier from the business side.

Ultimately that’s the side of the equation the Governor Doyle doesn’t get. He doesn’t understand it, it’s outside of his comfort zone and that’s why he refuses to engage with the business community.

Right now we need a Governor that understands business and what it takes to create real jobs. 1,200 people lost their jobs when the Janesville General Motors plant closed. The city has an unemployment rate of 13.2%. Do you think Janesville could use a Governor that knows how to create real jobs?

I believe we lost a real opportunity to put Wisconsinites back to work on a large scale. The question about Jim Doyle now becomes: will he be ready the next time?

###

A Texas-Sized Problem

2009-07-08T17:24:00.001-05:00

A week or so ago I wrote a column called “My Friend the Lawyer.” The column was based on a conversation with a friend who told me some of his clients were considering leaving Wisconsin in favor of lower-taxed states in the southwestern United States.

The response to the column was a bit unexpected.

The Democrat’s got defensive, which on its own is not unusual. I’d be a little sensitive too if I had to face my constituents after raising taxes and fees by $2.1 billion, bumping up property taxes by $1.5 billion, significantly increasing state spending and making it nearly impossible for Wisconsin businesses to create jobs.

Also not entirely surprising was a liberal special interest group attacking me for having the gall to point out that we’ve reached the tipping point in our state; people and businesses are leaving because we’re taxed too much and the job climate is only going to get worse. You would think if they really believed the Democrat’s budget was good for economic development, job creation and the future of our state they would want the media to remain focused on the budget and all the good is was doing. In reality the Democrats and like-minded third party groups are talking about anything but the budget.

The really unexpected bit started to arrive in my e-mail inbox a day or so after the article was posted on my website. Mixed in with contacts from my senate district were three e-mails from Texas. Not the Town of Texas, Wisconsin in Marathon County, represented by Democratic Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker, but the State of Texas; Austin, Lubbock and Sachse to be precise.

Unlike the Democrats who attacked my column and my take on their budget, the Texans liked it. They appreciated that someone recognized the benefits of lower taxes. One person went as far to express disappointment that the Democrat’s tax and spend policies are “not only ruining wonderful places like Wisconsin, they have infiltrated [Washington] DC, and will soon have our national economy, and worse the entire country on its knees if they have their way with us.”

If people in Texas understand what is happening here in Wisconsin why can’t our legislative Democrats understand?

If you were having trouble making ends meet, living pay check to pay check, would you go out and buy a more expensive car and increase your monthly payment? I would hope not, but that’s what the Democrats did this year. Their budget increased state spending 6.8%. To make matters worse, this week, the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau published a report indicating our state’s structural deficit is now over $2.0 billion.

So in the last few weeks, the Democrats negotiated a deal amongst themselves to increase taxes, increase spending and grow the deficit and are now pretending like it never happened. They have shifted their focus to other things, like keeping an arm’s length away from $5.0 billion in new taxes before their constituents figure who is responsible.

Maybe if Senator Russ Decker and the Democrats would have focused more on the 1,700 people living in the Town of Texas, Wisconsin we wouldn’t have to worry about good Wisconsin businesses moving to the Lone Star State. Until they realize we have to keep job creating businesses right here at home, we are going to have a Texas-sized problem on our hands for years to come.

Kanavas Column: My Friend the Lawyer

2009-06-30T14:06:00.000-05:00

I was at an event in Milwaukee last week and I bumped into a prominent local attorney. Many of his clients are the types of businesses that drive our economy; the small and midsized companies that employ anywhere from 10 to upwards of 500 or so people. These companies are established businesses, supporting real Wisconsin families. The conversation immediately turned to the budget and I asked him what his thoughts were on Wisconsin’s business climate and how he thought the budget was going to affect it.

From my perspective, as a businessman and legislator, the conversation did not go well. He was quick to point out that several of his clients were soon leaving the state. Two companies in particular have plans to move to Texas or the southwest. This comes at no surprise of course. Texas has no state income tax and has been adopting policies that favor business growth and job creation for years. What was a surprise though, was that both of his clients mentioned Governor Doyle’s budget as a contributing factor in their decision to leave.

I’ve received hundreds upon hundreds of phone calls, letters and emails about the budget over the last few months. Often the caller or writer will say something like “I just can’t take it anymore,” “our taxes are too high,” “I can’t afford to live here any longer,” or “I’ll be forced to leave this state if this budget becomes law.” I’ve heard it, I’ve read it, but I’ve wondered how many people are going to actually do it?

The conversation with my lawyer-friend was proof it was really happening. We have reached the point where businesses, which means jobs and people, are leaving Wisconsin because of what the Democrats have done and are doing in Madison. Unfortunately, when these companies do leave it isn’t going to be like General Motors; splashed over the front page of the newspaper. These businesses are going to quietly tip-toe out of town and the employees are either going to be out of work or moving out of state.

This scenario is a disaster, and it’s a disaster for a reason that may not be on the top of your mind. Not only does it mean that the Democrats unfettered control of the state legislature and governor’s mansion is driving people away from our state, but it also means things are only going to get worse.

I know it’s hard to imagine a situation worse than the one we’re in right now. The Governor just signed a budget bill containing $2.1 billion in new taxes and fees, increased spending by 6.8% and allowed property taxes to go up by $1.5 billion. Couple that with the state’s unemployment rate at roughly 9% and you would think we could only improve from here. But let’s not forget those companies we just forced out of town. They will have an impact on our future.

When the companies leave they’ll take their tax dollars with them. Those companies will not be paying property taxes or corporate income taxes. Their employees will not be paying property taxes on their homes or personal income taxes.

So what happens next year when the state crunches the numbers and discovers that fewer companies and fewer people paid taxes in Wisconsin? The situation will be worse. Deficits will be greater. The unemployment rate will be higher. These numbers will not go down until we change the way we do business. The economy is falling apart around us, and here in Wisconsin we raised taxes by $5 billion since January, grew the size of government and increased state spending.

People have to take a long hard look at the policies being pursued in Madison and realize they just don’t work. Our state is going to experience a net out-migration of producers and a net in-migration of people who are more dependent on government.

We are killing our economy and our future.

If we don’t change and change soon, I may bump into my lawyer friend again, but it just might be in Texas.

4th of July Activities

2009-06-29T15:07:00.003-05:00

I already kicked of my annual 4th of July parade circuit.

On Sunday, I took some time away from volunteering at GreekFest, and walked in the Hartland 4th of July Parade. It was a great crowd as usual. I saw some old friends and enjoyed the beautiful walk down Main Street.

Later in the week I will be in parades in Oconomowoc, Menomonee Falls, the Town of Brookfield, City of Brookfield, Hartford and Pewaukee. It is one of my favorite weeks of the year.

I have attached some links from the Channel 4 website (below) so you can find the celebration nearest you.

Waukesha County:

http://www.todaystmj4.com/promotions/49019031.html

Washington County:

http://www.todaystmj4.com/promotions/49018996.html

I hope to see you out there celebrating America!

Budget Vetoes

2009-06-29T14:53:00.002-05:00

Governor Doyle signed the state budget today. It's official, the Democrats have raised taxes by $4.8 billion since January.

If you want to read the Governor's spin, you may read his veto message by following the link below:

http://www.doa.state.wi.us/debf/pdf_files/2009-11VetoMessage.pdf

Kanavas Casts Vote Against State Budget

2009-06-26T00:44:00.001-05:00

(Madison, WI)…State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) released the following statement after casting his vote against the Democrat’s 2009-2011 State Budget Conference Report:

“People across the state are going to be shocked tomorrow when they read the morning paper. The Senate Democrats used a late night session to punish taxpayers by passing $2.1 billion in new tax increases and $1.5 billion in property tax increases; sparing no one.

“The state took a gigantic step backwards tonight. Plain and simple, this budget is going to make it harder for Wisconsin’s economy to turn around and it will make it nearly impossible for any job growth to occur over the next 12-18 months.

“One thing is for certain; we’ll be back here in less than a year to fix the mess they’ve made.”

In all, the Democrats 2009-2011 state budget raises taxes by $2.1 billion, raises property taxes by $1.5 billion, and increases spending by 6.8%. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 17-16.

To learn more about Senator Kanavas or the 33rd Senate District, please visit his website at: www.senatorkanavas.com.

Your State Budget!!!

2009-06-25T21:05:00.002-05:00

Here are the budget numbers from the conference report (the state budget agreement).

All fund spending...6.8% increase!
New taxes and fees...$2.1billion!
Property Tax increase...1.5 billion!
Borrowing...$2.9 billion!

All told with Act 2 (the mini budget passed in February) the Democrats have raised taxes $4.8 billion in the last six months!!!

This is disgusting!!!

New Website

2009-06-19T14:48:00.002-05:00

The redesign on my state website is now complete.

I just uploaded some video clips from Wednesday night's budget debate. Feel free to take a look around, read my recent press statements and releases and sign up for my e-mail update list.

Just go to www.senatorkanavas.com or click on the link below to check it out:

http://www.legis.state.wi.us/senate/sen33/news/.

I voted 'NO' on the state budget

2009-06-17T21:10:00.003-05:00

The State Senate just took the vote for final passage of the budget. I voted no. Despite numerous attempts by my Republican colleagues and I to amend the bill, all Senate Democrats voted in a block, and defeated all of them.

The problems with this budget bill are too many to get into tonight (like the $48 million in pork). We'll have to wait and see what they come up with during the conference committee.

PS- I am going to vote against that too!

Here is the release I sent from the office:

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Kanavas Votes Against State Budget

(Madison, WI)…State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) released the following statement in response to his vote against the 2009-2011 State Budget:

“Senate Democrats are claiming to look out for taxpayers but the budget they just passed drops the ACME anvil on our hard-working citizens.

The Democrats did what was nearly impossible, they managed to take a horrible budget and make it worse. This bill is riddled with billions of tax and fee increases, highlighted by a new $485.6 million tax on capital gains.

Capital gains were paid by 248,000 Wisconsin tax-filers last year hitting small businesses disproportionately hard. Small businesses are the engine of economic growth in our state and the capital gains tax provision is exactly the wrong thing to do at exactly the wrong time.”

To learn more about Senator Kanavas or the 33rd Senate District, please visit his website at: www.senatorkanavas.com.

Senate Calendar for June 9, 2009

2009-06-08T15:56:00.002-05:00

The Senate is in session tomorrow morning beginning at 11:00am. If you would like to take a look at the calendar ahead of time, or follow along tomorrow as we proceed, simply follow this link:

http://www.legis.state.wi.us/insession/senate/index.htm

Kanavas Column: It's Because We're not Growing!

2009-06-05T13:43:00.002-05:00

Billions of dollars in debt, cuts in state programs, businesses laying off workers, moving out, closing down. This sums up the state of the State. At some point we have to ask ourselves how did this happen? How did we get here?

Obviously this problem didn’t just sneak up on us. Over the past six years or so, every time Governor Doyle gave a major speech about the economy or delivered his budget address he touched on the same themes: times are tough; everyone must sacrifice; we must tighten our belts. It’s almost as if he thought by shinning a light on the situation, then Wisconsinites, and more importantly, voters would not hold him accountable for our problems.

If we credit the Governor for sounding the alarm, must we not then ask what has he done to put out the fire? If you looked back at the budget he and the Democrats proposed two years ago, you would discover that while the alarms had sounded, the budget contained $1.78 billion in tax and fee increases in addition to a $1.2 billion property tax increase. I wouldn’t call that belt tightening. Nor do I believe that this year’s budget is any different.

During his budget address this February, Governor Doyle mentioned the words cut, cuts, or cutting over 40 times. His budget, however, actually raises taxes by $1.7 billion and increases spending by an astounding 7.7%. These tax increases, on everything from gasoline, to hospitals, to phone bills are what are really killing our economy and preventing us from growing.

Ultimately, that’s the problem, we’re not growing.

If Wisconsin had a tax climate that encouraged growth, and invited people and businesses to relocate here, we wouldn’t be in the situation we are in today. If our population increased at a steady rate, the influx of taxpayers and their tax dollars would help us survive the tough times. Governor Doyle and his tax-hiking record in office have stifled growth and created our current problems.

Despite the Governor’s claims that our lack of economic growth is a national issue, it isn’t. Let’s use the example of North Dakota. North Dakota’s gross domestic product (GDP) increased 7.3% in the first quarter of this year. Not surprisingly, North Dakota started their legislative session with a $1.2 billion surplus. Wisconsin’s GDP grew by 0.07% and our state is billions in the hole.

Each time the Governor and the Democrats raise taxes, another family or another business has to figure out how to pay for it. At a time when personal income rate is stagnant if not declining, and bottom lines are bottoming out, people are forced to decide if they can afford to stay in Wisconsin. And you can forget about people moving here to pick up the slack, it’s just not happening.

If we don’t institute policies that reverse the course we are on; if we don’t grow; we’ll never get out from under our mountains of debt. Growth in our economy and population and our ability to pay our bills are directly related. The Governor can blame Wisconsin’s problems on a national crisis, but in reality it’s a Wisconsin crisis.

The alarm sounded long ago, but the fire is still burning.

Upcoming Memorial Day Schedule

2009-05-21T11:39:00.003-05:00

Here is my tentative parade schedule for Memorial Day: Monday, May 25, 2009.

10:00am Menomonee Falls Parade
10:30am Elm Grove Parade
1:00pm Sussex Parade

Hope to see you all there!

Senate Calendar for Wednesday, May 13, 2009

2009-05-12T11:36:00.004-05:00

The issue on the floor tomorrow drawing the most attention is SB 181, the statewide smoking ban bill. The bill is going to pass overwhelmingly, but I will be voting for several exemptions to preserve private property rights for Wisconsin business owners.

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First Order. Call of Roll.

Second Order. Chief clerk's entries.

Third Order. Introduction, first reading and reference of proposals.

Fourth Order. Report of committees.

Fifth Order. Petitions and communications.

Sixth Order. Referrals and receipt of committee reports concerning proposed administrative rules.

Seventh Order. Advice and consent of the Senate

QUESTION: Shall the appointment be confirmed?

Beil, Martin, of Madison, as a member of the Deferred Compensation Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2009.

Drury, Michael, of Merrill, as a member of the Deferred Compensation Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2011.

Macareno, Amelia, of Milwaukee, as a member of the Banking Review Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2013.

Eighth Order. Messages from the Assembly.

QUESTION: Shall the amendment be concurred in?

Senate Bill 51. Relating to: judicial discretion in certain John Doe proceedings and the provision of attorney representation of state employees at John Doe proceedings. (FE) By Senators Kreitlow, Erpenbach, Taylor, Vinehout, Schultz, Hansen, Lehman, Holperin, Kapanke, and Hopper; cosponsored by Representatives Hintz, Spanbauer, Townsend, Ballweg, Shilling, Van Roy, Kaufert, Berceau, Ziegelbauer, Garthwaite, Jorgensen, Sinicki, and Friske. (Received from Assembly amended and concurred in as amended, Assembly amendment 2 adopted)

Assembly Amendment 2 pending

Ninth Order. Special Orders.

QUESTION: Shall the bill be ordered to a third reading?

Special order at 11:15 A.M.

Senate Bill 181. Relating to: prohibiting smoking in indoor areas, in sports arenas, in public conveyances, and at certain outdoor locations and providing a penalty. (FE) By Senators Risser, Ellis, Robson, Jauch, Miller, Darling, and Coggs; cosponsored by Representatives Richards, A. Ott, Seidel, Zigmunt, Milroy, Benedict, Parisi, Berceau, Black, Roys, Soletski, Gottlieb, Clark, Bernard Schaber, Mursau, Toles, Hilgenberg, Cullen, Sinicki, Townsend, Pope-Roberts, Smith, Pasch, Hintz, Spanbauer, and Montgomery. (Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1, Ayes 6, Noes 1, passage as amended recommended by committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue, Ayes 5, Noes 2)

Senate Substitute Amendment 1 pending

Tenth Order. Consideration of motions, resolutions, and joint resolutions not requiring a third reading.

QUESTION: Shall the joint resolution be concurred in?

Assembly Joint Resolution 9. Relating to: proclaiming May 15, 16, and 17, 2009, Syttende Mai Weekend.

Assembly Joint Resolution 50. Relating to: the public service of Allen J. Buechel.

Eleventh Order. Second reading and amendments of senate joint resolutions and senate bills.

QUESTION: Shall the bill be ordered to a third reading?

Senate Bill 14. Relating to: the definition of sexual intercourse for the crime of incest. (FE) By Senators Lassa, Taylor, Sullivan, Coggs, Olsen, Lazich, A. Lasee, Darling, and Plale; cosponsored by Representatives Cullen, Zepnick, A. Williams, Sinicki, Staskunas, Gundrum, Kerkman, Ziegelbauer, Berceau, Townsend, Spanbauer, Vruwink, Strachota, Barca, Turner, and Soletski. (Report passage recommended by committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 31. Relating to: the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act, as approved by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. By Senators Risser, Lehman, Cowles, Plale, Lassa, Miller, Robson, Taylor, and Wirch; cosponsored by Representatives Cullen, Fields, Stone, Davis, Smith, Zepnick, Turner, Berceau, A. Ott, Kaufert, Kestell, Benedict, Townsend, and Shilling. (Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1, Ayes 5, Noes 0, passage as amended recommended by committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, Biotechnology, and Financial Institutions, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Substitute Amendment 1 pending

Senate Bill 39. Relating to: cash value of life insurance regarding eligibility for the veterans assistance program. (FE) By Senators Kreitlow, Erpenbach, Taylor, Lassa, Plale, Lehman, Wirch, Vinehout, Schultz, S. Fitzgerald, Leibham, and Lazich; cosponsored by Representatives Milroy, Garthwaite, Hebl, A. Ott, Sinicki, Fields, Townsend, Richards, Smith, Gunderson, Toles, Berceau, Petersen, Bies, and Strachota. (Report passage recommended by committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, Biotechnology, and Financial Institutions, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 75. Relating to: the designation of Korean War Armistice Day. By Senators Vinehout, Hansen, Cowles, Coggs, Decker, S. Fitzgerald, Lehman, Lazich, Schultz, Plale, Wirch, Taylor, and Olsen; cosponsored by Representatives Radcliffe, Barca, Benedict, Berceau, Bernard Schaber, Bies, Black, Brooks, Clark, Colon, Cullen, Danou, Davis, Dexter, Fields, Garthwaite, Grigsby, Gunderson, Hebl, Hilgenberg, Hintz, Hixson, Honadel, Hraychuck, Hubler, Huebsch, Jorgensen, Kaufert, Kerkman, Kessler, Kestell, Lothian, Mason, Milroy, Molepske Jr., Montgomery, Murtha, Nelson, A. Ott, Parisi, Pasch, Petrowski, Pocan, Pope-Roberts, Pridemore, Richards, Ripp, Roys, Schneider, Seidel, Sheridan, Sherman, Shilling, Sinicki, Smith, Soletski, Spanbauer, Steinbrink, Tauchen, Toles, Townsend, Turner, Van Akkeren, Vruwink, M. Williams, Zepnick, Ziegelbauer, and Zigmunt. (Report passage recommended by committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, Biotechnology, and Financial Institutions, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 76. Relating to: the designation of Vietnam Veterans Day. By Senators Vinehout, Hansen, Cowles, Coggs, Decker, S. Fitzgerald, Lehman, Lazich, Schultz, Plale, Wirch, Taylor, and Olsen; cosponsored by Representatives Radcliffe, Barca, Benedict, Berceau, Bernard Schaber, Bies, Black, Brooks, Clark, Colon, Cullen, Danou, Davis, Dexter, Fields, Garthwaite, Grigsby, Gunderson, Hebl, Hilgenberg, Hintz, Hixson, Honadel, Hraychuck, Hubler, Huebsch, Jorgensen, Kaufert, Kerkman, Kessler, Kestell, Lothian, Mason, Milroy, Molepske Jr., Montgomery, Murtha, Nelson, A. Ott, Parisi, Pasch, Petrowski, Pocan, Pope-Roberts, Pridemore, Richards, Ripp, Roys, Schneider, Seidel, Sheridan, Sherman, Shilling, Sinicki, Smith, Soletski, Spanbauer, Steinbrink, Tauchen, Toles, Townsend, Turner, Van Akkeren, Vruwink, M. Williams, Zepnick, Ziegelbauer, and Zigmunt. (Report passage recommended by committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, Biotechnology, and Financial Institutions, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 112. Relating to: the possession of green skins of fur-bearing animals, the tagging of traps, and the sale, purchase, bartering, and trade of wild animals and their carcasses. (FE) By Senators Holperin, Kedzie, Olsen, and Taylor; cosponsored by Representatives Hraychuck, Gunderson, Milroy, A. Ott, Smith, and Vruwink. (Report passage recommended by committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Senate Bill 123. Relating to: regulating the transportation of aquatic plants and aquatic animals, the administration of federal funds for the control and eradication of noxious weeds, the placement of vehicles, seaplanes, watercraft, and other objects in navigable waters, the regulation of noxious weeds by municipalities, the disposal of invasive species, providing an exemption from rule-making procedures, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE) By Senators Jauch, Holperin, Lassa, Lehman, Plale, Risser, and Sullivan; cosponsored by Representatives Milroy, Pocan, A. Ott, Fields, Hraychuck, Hubler, Richards, Seidel, Sherman, Sinicki, Spanbauer, Staskunas, and Steinbrink. (Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1, Ayes 5, Noes 0, passage as amended recommended by committee on Environment, Ayes 5, Noes 0)

Senate Amendment 1 pending

Senate Bill 137. Relating to: the definitions of motor bicycle and moped. (FE) By Senators Harsdorf, Holperin, Schultz, Taylor, and A. Lasee; cosponsored by Representatives Sherman, Berceau, Ballweg, A. Ott, and Townsend. (Report passage recommended by committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources, Ayes 7, Noes 0)

Twelfth Order. Second reading and amendments of assembly joint resolutions and assembly bills.

Thirteenth Order. Third reading of joint resolutions and bills.

Fourteenth Order. Motions may be offered.

Fifteenth Order. Announcements, adjournment honors, and remarks under special privilege.

Sixteenth Order. Adjournment.

RTA Tax

2009-05-01T14:11:00.003-05:00

Looks like my tax campaign ended a day early. At this rate the campaign could have lasted until the 4th of July! The Joint Finance Committee introduced a motion at 1am and passed it by 2am.

Yet another tax for Southeastern Wisconsin!

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/44125027.html

Wisconsin Film Tax Incentives Saved by the Finance Committee

2009-05-01T11:54:00.003-05:00

Late last night, or very early this morning, the Joint Committee on Finance voted 16-0 to improve and preserve the Film Wisconsin tax incentives. As the author of the Film Wisconsin bill, I am very happy.

I want to thank the members of the committee as well as all of the people affiliated with Film Wisconsin (Scott Robbe), Visit Milwaukee and folks from the Save the Film Incentives facebook group for all of their hard work.

Wisconsin needs theses incentives to keep moving forward. We need to recognize that we can't afford to turn our backs on opportunities to grow the creative economy. We must continue to cultivate new industries and create good, high paying jobs.

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By the way I was interviewed by the Wisconsin Technology Network on this very issue a few days ago. You can read the transcript here:

http://wistechnology.com/articles/6018/

Tax Awareness Campaign ends tomorrow.

2009-04-29T21:53:00.003-05:00

My April Tax Awareness Campaign ends tomorrow with a press release on the $1.4 billion property tax increase in Governor Doyle's budget. In all I targeted $2.77 billion in tax increases that the Democrats are trying to jam down our throats.

I'm starting the day on the Jay Weber Show (AM 1130 Milwaukee) at 6:53am to summarize the final 10 days of the campaign. I hope you tune in!

Later in the morning I'll issue the final release and send a wrap-up email to people who have signed up for my email update list. To cap off the day I'll be at a Waukesha County business briefing at the Oconomowoc Lake Club. The briefing is designed to educate Waukesha area business people about what is going on with the state budget.

Jay Weber Show This Week

2009-04-25T12:31:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I will be on the Jay Weber Show talking about my April Tax Awareness Campaign. Each day at 6:50am Jay and I will run through 10 days of the campaign and talk about the Democrat's plans for your money.

Tune in!

Boaters Beware!

2009-04-23T13:13:00.001-05:00

Kanavas April Tax Awareness Campaign; 30 Days of Democratic Tax Increases
Day 23: Boat Registration Tax

(Madison)…State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield), as part of his April tax Awareness Campaign to raise the profile of Governor Doyle’s and the Democrat’s tax and spend proposals, today focused on the increase in the boat registration tax in the 2009-2011 biennial budget.

“Boating is a very important part of Wisconsin’s tourism and recreation industry. The Democrats know this, and they know that hundreds of family owned businesses rely on summer boating activities to survive, but they can’t pass on an opportunity to take more than $2 million out of the private economy,” said Kanavas.

The Governor’s 2009-2011 budget proposal raises the cost of a three-year motorized boat registration anywhere from $6.00 to $23.00 depending on the size of the boat. According to the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the tax increase will cost taxpayers an additional $2,150,000 over the next two years. In total, the Governor’s budget will raise taxes on Wisconsinites by $1.7 billion over the biennium.

“The Democrats fought to raise boat registration fee during the last budget and they’re back at it again this year. The tourism industry generates billions of dollars of economic activity and they see it as a bottomless piggy bank. I think it’s reasonable to expect they will continue to target tourism related activities for years to come,” said Kanavas.

This release is part of Senator Kanavas’ April Tax Awareness Campaign designed to educate Wisconsinites about the $1.7 billion in new taxes and fees contained in the Democrat’s 2009-2011 budget.

To learn more about Senator Kanavas’ April tax awareness campaign, Senator Kanavas’ initiatives and the 33rd Senate District please visit his website at: http://www.senatorkanavas.com.

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The Senate is in session today

2009-04-23T10:50:00.003-05:00

I have provided a link to today's calendar in the Wisconsin State Senate. I hope you take a moment to examine what I'll be voting on and be sure to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

http://nxt.legis.state.wi.us/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&d=calendar&jd=top

You may watch the proceeding on the web at http://www.wisconsineye.com

Day 21: The Hunting Tax

2009-04-21T16:15:00.002-05:00

Since I teased the release last night I figured I would post today's press release. I ended up going with the Hunting Tax. The beat goes on...

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(Madison)…State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield), as part of his April Tax Awareness campaign to raise the profile of Governor Doyle’s and the Democrat’s tax and spend proposals, today focused on the increased cost of hunting permits in the 2009-2011 biennial budget.

“Wisconsin does not even have an elk hunting season and Governor Doyle is raising taxes on it. Thousands of residents rely on tourism and outdoor activities, like hunting, to make their livings. The Governor is hurting those families by making it more expensive for people to enjoy the outdoors,” Kanavas said.

During the last budget cycle two years ago, Governor Doyle’s budget increased the tax on an elk hunting license from $49 to $75 for a Wisconsin resident and from $251 to $400 for non-residents. The budget provision also increased the application processing fee from $3 to $10. In both cases the legislature defeated his efforts to raise the fees. In his 2009-2011 budget Governor Doyle is back at it, proposing an increase in the Elk and Bobcat application processing fees by a total of $180,000 over the biennium.

“Tourism is one of the largest industries in Wisconsin and hunting is a huge part of that. Wisconsin is a destination for hunters and outdoorsman from throughout the Midwest and we should not be doing anything to discourage Wisconsinites or our neighbors from enjoying what our state has to offer,” Kanavas added.

This release is part of Senator Kanavas’ April Tax Awareness Campaign designed to educate Wisconsin citizens about the $1.7 billion in new taxes included in the Democrat’s 2009-2011 budget.

To learn more about Senator Kanavas’ April tax awareness campaign, Senator Kanavas’ initiatives and the 33rd Senate District please visit his website at: http://www.senatorkanavas.com

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Tax Awareness Campaign Continues

2009-04-20T22:58:00.002-05:00

My April Tax Awareness Campaign continues on. Today's release targeted the Democrat's massive gasoline tax hike (They say it's a tax on oil companies, I say it's a tax on consumers like you and me.)

Tomorrow's press release will target...not sure yet ,but I'll figure it out by morning. Go to www.sentorkanavas.com to find out.

Picture #4

2009-04-15T19:44:00.003-05:00

People leaving the rally to head into the capitol. This is not close to half of the crowd! Great day!

Picture #3

2009-04-15T19:38:00.003-05:00

Picture #2

2009-04-15T19:36:00.000-05:00

Picture #1 from the Madison Taxpayer Tea Party

2009-04-15T19:30:00.002-05:00

Beautiful day!

We won the day!

2009-04-15T15:19:00.003-05:00

The Tea Party in Madison was an absolute success. Thousands of taxpayers showed up to fight for lower taxes and smaller government. I was outside at the rally for an hour and a half or so and met some great people and took lots of great pictures. I hope to have them up tonight.

I am also happy to report that approximately 175 people stopped by my office to drop of tea bags into my teapot (labeld "Boston Harbor"). Even though I was in a meeting with Governor Doyle for most of the time immediately following the rally, I did meet quite a few folks from Waukesha and Washington Counties.

I was a great day to be an American!

Madison Tea Party

2009-04-15T10:32:00.002-05:00

I am in Madison today and will be at the Tea Party on the Capitol lawn at 11:30. I have a teapot in my office ready for people to stop by and deliver their tea! I hope we get a huge turnout to show the Governor and Democrats that real people are fired up and really mad at what their government is doing to them.

I hope to see you there!

Day 9: UW Tuition Increase

2009-04-09T13:53:00.000-05:00

(Madison)…State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield), as part of his April tax awareness campaign to raise the profile of Governor Doyle’s and the Democrat’s tax and spend proposals, today focused on an increase in University of Wisconsin System tuition in the 2009-2011 biennial budget.

“Like most people in Wisconsin, college students are struggling. They’re doing all they can to pay for tuition, room and board in order to get an education. Governor Doyle just made it a little harder for them to stay in school by saddling them with over $40 million in tuition increases,” stated Kanavas.

According to the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the Democrat’s 2009-2001 budget proposal raises UW tuition by $43,404,000. In addition to an increase in tuition, the budget bill contains $1.7 billion in new taxes and fees.

“Unfortunately, the tuition hikes outlined in the budget are not the end of the story for students. At the worst possible time, Governor Doyle is moving ahead with over $400 million in new dorm and academic buildings on campuses across Wisconsin. These projects will translate into even higher tuition for students at several UW campuses,” Kanavas concluded.

To learn more about Senator Kanavas’ April Tax Awareness Campaign, Senator Kanavas’ initiatives and the 33rd Senate District please visit his website at: www.senatorkanavas.com

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Promises, promises on MPS

2009-04-09T10:15:00.003-05:00

Did we really need a comprehensive review to determine that MPS needs reform?

http://wispolitics.com/1006/090409DoyleBarrettMPSreform.pdf

http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/42716407.html

Governor Doyle and Mayor Barrett have done nothing to fix the problems at MPS. Small reforms around the edges will not do anything. We are failing the children of Milwaukee and taxpayers across the state by allowing MPS to continue as is.

Here is a link to my MPS column from a few weeks ago:

http://www.legis.state.wi.us/senate/sen33/news/PR_2009%20March%2027.htm

Nice win for the Brewers

2009-04-09T10:08:00.002-05:00

Last night was a very nice win for the Brewers. Yovani Gallardo had a great game on the mound and at the plate. He is the only pitcher to ever hit a home run off of Randy Johnson. Hopefully they can keep it going tonight with Parra.

Day 8: Capital Gains Tax Increase

2009-04-08T15:30:00.003-05:00

Not sure if anyone is going to have the opportunity to claim a capital gain this year, but I'm very concerned about the long term impact of this tax hike. It's a massive $180 million price tag. Horrible timing.

-Ted

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(Madison)…State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield), as part of his April tax Awareness Campaign to raise the profile of Governor Doyle’s and the Democrat’s tax and spend proposals, today focused on the decrease of the capital gains exclusion in the 2009-2011 biennial budget.

“This is backwards, shortsighted and wrong,” said Kanavas. “We ought to be encouraging people in our state to make money, not penalizing them when they do. How many Wisconsinites have lost real money in this recession who Governor Doyle now wants to hit with higher taxes if they start to make it back? ”

The 2009-2011 budget proposal includes a provision that would increase the percentage of taxable capital gains by 20% by reducing the deductable amount to 40%. At present, Wisconsin investors can subtract 60% of their capital gains for purposes of calculating income subject to the state income tax. The result would be the assessment of $180 million in new taxes over the two year budget cycle.

“The goal of Governor Doyle’s proposed budget might just be to single-handedly prolong the recession in Wisconsin and chase people out of the state,” said Kanavas.

This release is part of Senator Kanavas’ April Tax Awareness Campaign designed to educate Wisconsinites about the $1.7 billion of in new taxes and fees contained in the Democrat’s 2009-2011 budget.

To learn more about Senator Kanavas’ April tax awareness campaign, Senator Kanavas’ initiatives and the 33rd Senate District please visit his website at: http://www./senatorkanavas.com.

Day 7: The Work Permit Tax

2009-04-07T11:42:00.003-05:00

Here is the latest edition of my April Tax Awareness Campaign (I have not sent this press release out yet). The money grab continues and it teaches our kids a harsh lesson about government.

-Ted

(Madison)…State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield), as part of his April tax Awareness Campaign to raise the profile of Governor Doyle’s and the Democrat’s tax and spend proposals, today focused on the doubling of the work permit tax for people under the age of 18 in the 2009-2011 biennial budget.

“Governor Doyle has a habit of looking at something very closely and then finding a way to tax it. He knows, for example, that Wisconsinites are known for their strong work ethic and he found a way to tax that too. Over the next two years, our hard working young people will pay state government nearly one-million dollars for the opportunity to pay income taxes,” stated Kanavas.

The 2009-2011 budget includes a provision to double the existing work permit fee for anyone under the age of 18. The fee will increase from $5.00 to $10.00 under the Governor’s proposal. The non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau estimates the fee increase will cost young workers $960,000 over the next two years.

“The Democrats are teaching our children a fine lesson about their government. If you want to do anything in this world you have to ask the government for permission to do it, and pay for the privilege,” Kanavas concluded.

This release is part of Senator Kanavas’ April Tax Awareness Campaign designed to educate Wisconsinites about the $1.7 billion of in new taxes and fees contained in the Democrat’s 2009-2011 budget.

To learn more about Senator Kanavas’ April tax awareness campaign, Senator Kanavas’ initiatives and the 33rd Senate District please visit his website at: http://www.senatorkanavas.com/

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Heading to Miller Park for opening day?

2009-04-06T14:23:00.002-05:00

The Governor and the Democrats do want to tax your tailgate party! Check out Day 6 of my April Tax Awareness Campaign.

Day 6: The Tailgate Tax

2009-04-06T14:22:00.002-05:00

(Madison)…State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield), as part of his April tax Awareness Campaign to raise the profile of Governor Doyle’s and the Democrat’s tax and spend proposals, today focused on animal slaughter fees in the 2009-2011 biennial budget.

“Governor Doyle’s budget punches Wisconsin consumers right in the gut by taxing food we put on our tables. If you plan on taking your family to the ballpark to tailgate, attend a neighborhood cookout or simply make dinner at home, the Democrats want you to pay more for the privilege,” stated Kanavas.

The Democrat’s 2009-2001 budget proposal includes a provision to tax slaughterhouses $0.14 for swine, $0.14 for cattle, $0.10 for calves, and $0.01 for poultry. According to the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the Governor’s budget will raise taxes on Wisconsin slaughterhouses by $1,500,000 over the biennium. Overall, the budget contains $1.7 billion in new taxes and fees.

“Families are going to pay more for food so the state can send regulators to slaughterhouses that are already adhering to strict inspection requirements instituted by the USDA. It’s another tax that will result in businesses and consumers paying more simply because they’re in Wisconsin,” Kanavas concluded.

To learn more about Senator Kanavas’ April Tax Awareness Campaign, Senator Kanavas’ initiatives and the 33rd Senate District please visit his website at: http://www.senatorkanavas.com

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Day 5: Seed License Tax

2009-04-06T14:22:00.001-05:00

(Madison)…State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield), as part of his April tax Awareness campaign to raise the profile of Governor Doyle’s and the Democrat’s tax and spend proposals, today focused on the increases on seed licensing fees in the 2009-2011 biennial budget.

“The governor’s budget takes the approach that successful businesses should pay higher taxes,” said Kanavas. “Agricultural companies working to meet state licensing requirements would find doing business more expensive under this Democrat proposal.”

The 2009-2001 budget proposal would create new categories for the assessment of licensing fees in the seed labeling and testing program. The net result of this proposal would be to make it easier for state government to tax companies as they succeed and expand. Estimates suggest that businesses would pay an additional $43 thousand over the next two years.

“This budget is not without its ironies. In this case, Wisconsin companies that sell seeds will be taxed higher as their businesses grow,” said Kanavas. “Governor Doyle and the Democrats should be nurturing the agricultural industry instead of nickel and diming it.”

This release is part of Senator Kanavas’ April Tax Awareness Campaign designed to educate Wisconsinites about the $1.7 billion of in new taxes and fees contained in the Democrat’s 2009-2011 budget.

To learn more about Senator Kanavas’ April tax awareness campaign, Senator Kanavas’ initiatives and the 33rd Senate District please visit his website at: http://www.senatorkanavas.com

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Day 4: Justice Information System Tax

2009-04-06T14:21:00.002-05:00

(Madison)…State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield), as part of his April tax Awareness campaign to raise the profile of Governor Doyle’s and the Democrat’s tax and spend proposals, today focused on the increases on court-related fees in the 2009-2011 biennial budget.

“Make no mistake: fee increases are tax increases. Regardless of what you call them, Governor Doyle wants you to send more of your own money to state government,” said Kanavas. “If you have an issue before Wisconsin courts, chances are the Democrats’ budget will tax you more than ever for it.”

The 2009-2001 budget proposal would raise the Justice Information System Surcharge, already a $12.00 assessment (on top of filing fees), to $18.00 per action. Wisconsinites exercising their constitutional right to petition our legal system would be hit with a projected $3 million in new taxes under the Democrat-proposed budget.

“You would think that paying the high income taxes we have in Wisconsin would keep the doors to our courthouses open. The trick is, Governor Doyle wants to tax you again if you walk through those doors,” said Kanavas. “Add this court tax to the long list of injustices in this budget.”

This release is part of Senator Kanavas’ April Tax Awareness Campaign designed to educate Wisconsinites about the $1.7 billion of in new taxes and fees contained in the Democrat’s 2009-2011 budget.

To learn more about Senator Kanavas’ April tax awareness campaign, Senator Kanavas’ initiatives and the 33rd Senate District please visit his website at: http://www.senatorkanavas.com

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Day 3: Cigarette Tax

2009-04-06T14:21:00.001-05:00

(Madison)…State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield), as part of his April tax Awareness campaign to raise the profile of Governor Doyle’s and the Democrat’s tax and spend proposals, today focused on the increases on cigarette taxes in the 2009-2011 biennial budget.

“Governor Doyle clearly believes that Wisconsin smokers are an easy target,” said Kanavas. “Like it or not, lots of our friends and neighbors are cigarette smokers. Increasing the tax on their cigarettes may seem politically clever, but it’s just another tax increase at a time when people are already struggling.”

The 2009-2001 budget includes a $0.75 per pack increase on cigarettes. The current state tax on cigarettes is $1.77. The governor’s budget proposal would elevate that figure to $2.52, resulting in a projected tax assessment of $153 million on Wisconsinites in 2009-2010. The Democrats’ tax hike plan goes even further, levying higher taxes on other tobacco products, as well.

“This new tax increase and the proposed statewide smoking ban are two separate issues. Only one has something to do with a debate about quality of life. The other is just a blatant tax grab,” said Kanavas.

This release is part of Senator Kanavas’ April Tax Awareness Campaign designed to educate Wisconsinites about the $1.7 billion of in new taxes and fees contained in the Democrat’s 2009-2011 budget.

To learn more about Senator Kanavas’ April tax awareness campaign, Senator Kanavas’ initiatives and the 33rd Senate District please visit his website at: http://www.senatorkanavas.com

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Day 2: The Phone Tax

2009-04-02T13:20:00.000-05:00

(Madison)…State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield), as part of his April tax Awareness campaign to raise the profile of Governor Doyle’s and the Democrat’s tax and spend proposals, today focused on the increases on phone taxes in the 2009-2011 biennial budget.

“The Governor has a taken a ‘leave no stone unturned’ philosophy on taxes. He is going after nearly every citizen, family and business in our state by raising taxes on phone bills by $26 million,” stated Kanavas.

The 2009-2011 budget includes three separate tax increases on telecommunications providers. Each tax provision allows the providers to recover their lost revenue by charging “pass through assessments” on subscribers. According to the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the phone tax provisions supported by the Democrats will remove an additional $26,584,300 from the private economy.

“If Governor Doyle would pick up his own phone and talk to real people about the effect these taxes have on their lives he would realize what a bad idea this really is,” Kanavas concluded.

This release is part of Senator Kanavas’ April Tax Awareness Campaign designed to educate Wisconsinites about the $1.7 billion of in new taxes and fees contained in the Democrat’s 2009-2011 budget.

To learn more about Senator Kanavas’ April tax awareness campaign, Senator Kanavas’ initiatives and the 33rd Senate District please visit his website at: http://www.senatorkanavas.com

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Day 1: The Nursing Home Bed Tax

2009-04-01T17:11:00.003-05:00

(Madison)…State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield), as part of his April tax Awareness campaign to raise the profile of Governor Doyle’s and the Democrat’s tax and spend proposals, today focused on the increase on the Nursing Home Bed Tax in the 2009-2011 biennial budget.

“We are not getting any younger and the Governor sees this as cash grab from people who have already done more than their fair share. The Democrats are budgeting on the backs of our state most vulnerable citizens,” stated Kanavas.

Governor Doyle’s budget creates $1.7 billion dollars in tax and fee increases. The nursing home bed provision raises that tax on each licensed bed by $75.00 per bed per month in 2009-2010 and by $95.00 per bed per month in 2010-2011. The tax increase on our senior citizens adds an additional $72,727,700 to state coffers.

“It’s wrong that the Governor has decided to target senior citizens to do his dirty work. His fiscal irresponsibility in past budgets has put us in the position we are in today,” Kanavas concluded.

This release is part of Senator Kanavas’ April Tax Awareness Campaign designed to educate Wisconsinites about the billions of dollars in new taxes and fees contained in the Democrat’s 2009-2011 budget.

To learn more about Senator Kanavas’ April tax awareness campaign, Senator Kanavas’ initiatives and the 33rd Senate District please visit his website at: http://www.senatorkanavas.com/

30 Days of Democratic Tax Increases: Kanavas Kicks off April Tax Awareness Campaign

2009-04-01T11:53:00.002-05:00

Like I did during the last budget debate in 2007, I am using the month of April to issue a press release every day targeting specific tax increases in the Governor's budget. The releases will be posted on my state website www.senatorkanavas.com. Please stop by and check them out. (Here is the the introductory release...)

-Ted

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(Madison)…State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) today announced the beginning of a public awareness campaign during the month of April highlighting the tax and spend proposals of Governor Doyle and the Democrats.

“Wisconsin is experiencing a deep recession and near double digit unemployment. The Governor’s solution is to take more of your money and tax and spend his way out of trouble. This budget is a reckless disaster. It will kill jobs, discourage investment and create mountains of debt our children will be forced to pay,” stated Kanavas.

Governor Doyle’s budget creates $1.7 billion dollars in tax and fee increases. These tax hikes are in addition to the $1.2 billion in new taxes already passed by the Democrats earlier this year. Senator Kanavas’ April Tax Awareness campaign will highlight a different tax or fee increase each day of the month to inform the public of the impending financial disaster should this budget pass in its current form.

“How can a state have a structural deficit after an infusion of almost $4 billion dollars in federal money and $3 billion in tax and fee increases? It’s obvious the Democrats, who now control both houses of the legislature and the Governor’s mansion, have an insatiable desire to tax and spend your money. I encourage people to contact the Governor and their legislators and tell them that Wisconsin cannot afford higher taxes or this budget,” Kanavas concluded.

To learn more about Senator Kanavas’ April Tax Awareness campaign, Senator Kanavas’ initiatives and the 33rd Senate District please visit his website at: http://www.senatorkanavas.com

It’s Time for a Game-Changer: Abolish MPS

2009-03-27T12:23:00.001-05:00

Milwaukee Public Schools has failed. It has failed parents, it has failed the community, it has failed Wisconsin taxpayers and we have failed to meet our moral obligation to educate our children.

Here’s the thing; we know it’s a failure and for one reason or another, year after year, politicians do nothing but use MPS as a pawn. Critics cite MPS as the result of all that is wrong with our educational system, a financial drain, the black eye on Wisconsin’s education scorecard, an adult jobs program for teachers, administrators and bureaucrats.

Supporters of the district argue that MPS struggles because, class sizes are too large, it doesn’t have enough teachers or money, or that the students have different social needs and backgrounds than the rest of the state.

Both sides use MPS to make an argument and meet their agenda, but in the end teachers continue to get raises in salary or benefits, board members get re-elected, taxpayers statewide get the tab and children pay the price.

It’s a seemingly endless cycle, and it’s our job to break it. People have been playing this game for generations and we’re all losing. The failure of Milwaukee Public Schools can no longer be seen as a “Milwaukee problem” to the rest of Wisconsin. It’s time for a game-changer. It’s time for action. It’s time to tell the children of Milwaukee that failure is unacceptable.

I learned by serving on a local school board that public education works best when the entire community takes ownership of its schools; when parents and teachers and principals and school board members all work together. In Milwaukee, an expansive and ineffective bureaucracy stands in the way of this type of harmony.

This is what I am going to do about it.

My plan is to abolish MPS. I want to break the district into eight new, independent school districts and end the era of one superintendent for 200 plus schools. Each district will have its own identity and its own newly elected school board. The only things the districts will share are the common goals of empowering parents by localizing control of education and focusing on preparing children for careers or college.

My legislation asks the Wisconsin Legislature to stand up and acknowledge that we are failing Milwaukee’s school children. It sets in place a process of orderly transition to new districts and district leadership by specific dates and it protects the existing Milwaukee Parental Choice program.

What it does not do is complicate matters by legislating details about where district borders will be drawn. It does not fire teachers or dictate where they will report to work. It does not pre-select new school board members or necessitate any current administrative employees lose their jobs. It wouldn’t raise taxes or make budgeting decisions that should be left to parents and board members.

Milwaukee and Wisconsin are socially and politically complex. This complexity has a tendency to slow progress and resist change even when change is desperately needed. Passage of this bill will be a test of how complex and diverse groups can come together to make real change for the betterment of Milwaukee’s children and the betterment of our entire state.

It won’t be easy; but it’s our obligation.

Kanavas/Vukmir Introduce Bill to Dissolve MPS

2009-03-26T15:38:00.001-05:00

Here is a copy of the press release I issued with State Representative Leah Vukmir today:

Kanavas/Vukmir Introduce Bill to Dissolve MPS

(Madison, WI)…Earlier today, State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) and State Representative Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) introduced a bill to dissolve Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) and permanently replace it with eight smaller, independent school districts.

“MPS will never change on its own because it’s controlled by people committed to the status quo. Right now the status quo is failure. I honestly don’t know how the folks in MPS leadership sleep at night knowing they have enabled failure and done nothing aggressive enough to change MPS,” said Kanavas.

Currently, MPS has one superintendent, 207 schools and over 87,000 students. The bill would permanently dissolve the district and replace it with 8 smaller more manageable and accountable school districts. Each of the new districts would be independent of one another allowing citizens to elect their own local school boards.

“This legislation will end the Vilet Street bureaucratic road block to education reform in Milwaukee. Smaller districts will enable parents and teachers to have more control over their schools,” Vukmir stated.

If passed, the bill would require new school board members of each district to be elected in the spring of 2013 with students beginning classes in new districts that September. Legislators have until April 10, 2009 to cosponsor the bill.

To learn more about Senator Kanavas or the 33rd Senate District, please visit www.senatorkanavas.com.

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Wisconsin Jobs Now Task Force

2009-03-18T15:49:00.002-05:00

This coming Monday in Brown Deer Republicans in the Wisconsin State Legislature will be holding a Wisconsin Jobs Now Task Force meeting. The task force, being hosted by State Senator Randy Hopper and State Representative Rich Zipperer, will feature business leaders from around the Milwaukee metro area eager to discuss the business and tax climate in Southeastern Wisconsin. Please join them and have your voice heard.

Date: Monday, March 23, 2009
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Location: BioResearch, Inc. 9275 N. 49th Street Suite 150, Brown Deer, WI

For more information feel free to visit the Wisconsin Jobs now Task Force at: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/senate/src/wisconsinjobsnow/

Check out my recent interview on Milwaukee Public Radio

2009-03-10T11:06:00.004-05:00

Please take a few minutes and listen to my recent appearance on Milwaukee Public Radio. The show aired Sunday night and featured several guests discussing issues in the State Capitol. My part of the show begins in the 27th minute (27:45).

http://www.wuwm.com/programs/lake_effect/view_le.php?articleid=668#

Conservative Insurgency

2009-03-06T11:08:00.000-06:00

Wow...what a great evening last night. Forty people in a living room joining forces to push a real change agenda! Many thanks to Clark and Darlene for hosting. I'm looking forward to watching this group flourish.

Wisconsin Arts Day and the Creative Economy

2009-03-05T16:48:00.001-06:00

Wisconsin Arts Day and the Creative Economy

Yesterday I had the pleasure of participating in the opening festivities for Wisconsin Arts Day in Madison. This year's theme, "art is not a frill," reflects the sober seriousness of our state's creative coalition and their efforts to protect a very delicate growth industry in Wisconsin. Jobs in the creative economy - in graphic arts, acting, film-making and others - are not lifetime-secure employment. They are frequently short-term, project-based opportunities that draw on the skills and passion of Wisconsinites.

In order to keep our creative economy alive, and especially if we aim to grow it for future generations, Wisconsin needs to foster creativity and lure those projects to our state.
The Wisconsin Film Bill did just that. Since it was was enacted in 2007, the film bill has been attracting creative jobs into our state. While direct job creation was a big success, the projects we attracted also boosted business for our hotels, caterers, and other sectors. If you asked me how I judge the success of economic policy, I'd ask you if we created jobs and boosted commerce as a result. In this case, we did both. Yet somehow the Governor's budget would railroad the film bill and future opportunities it would create. Governor Doyle's backward-looking effort, as you can imagine, has been met by confusion and outright disappointment.
During my brief remarks to attendees at Wisconsin Arts Day it really hit me. The people who are counting on us to foster these opportunities aren't Hollywood producers or big-name stars (contrary to the Doyle Administration's wrong-headed assertions). The people who are counting on us live in Waukesha and Green Bay and Sheboygan. Unless we keep Wisconsin a friendly place to do business, our creative coalition will watch opportunities pass right by on their way someplace else. So will our small business owners. Rest assured, I'm not going to let those people down.

I noticed today that a theatrical trailer has been released for the new Johnny Depp film "Public Enemies." Congratulations to all the Wisconsinites involved in the making and support of that film. Your creativity and hard work are a real tribute to our state.

Run your government like your home...

2009-03-02T16:34:00.000-06:00

I just did my afternoon check of the Journal-Sentinel's website and the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed below 7,000 this afternoon for the first time since 1997. To refresh everyone's memory, in October 2007 the Dow reached it's all-time record high of 14,087 amid beliefs that the American economy would continue its fast-paced expansion. What a difference 16 months can make. I don't know about you, but my wife and I won't even look at our retirement accounts anymore. Why bother?

Families across Wisconsin and the country are having this same exact conversation. What lessons do you take away from the situation we're in? How do you protect the financial stability of your family in light of the wild fluctuations we see in every aspect of the global economy? With college tuition to plan for and normal, run-of-the-mill expenses, this is just one of those moments that requires careful, thoughtful discussion about how to move forward. For the Kanavas family, that means spending less and planning better. It means finding recipes to take advantage of leftovers. It means buying the store brand and looking for the best prices at the gas pump. It means cutting back on big purchases, but in extreme cases waiting for them to go on sale before we pay cash to buy (I want to see dust build up on my credit card).

That's the conversation I'm having as a husband and father.

As a member of the Wisconsin Legislature, that's the same conversation I want to be having about state government. My friends in the Democratic Party like to suggest that Republicans sound like a broken record because we keep arguing that tax cuts work. But what they miss is that our preoccupation with scaling back government spending and working to eliminate public debt is simply a page out of the Kanavas family playbook. We share it with thousands of families across Wisconsin and it's about time state government joins us.

Ronald Reagan Day

2009-02-10T11:13:00.000-06:00

Last week, on February 6, citizens across Wisconsin and this entire country celebrated one of America's strongest presidents. As you may know, in 2007 I sponsored Senate Joint Resolution 4 that recognized February 6 as Ronald Reagan Day in Wisconsin.

President Reagan's legacy in 2009 continues to grow in meaning and stature. Of all the things I have taken from years admiring this good man, perhaps the most timely is the sunny optimism and faith in America that President Reagan brought to every challenge that faced his administration. Large majorities of Americans supported him, voted for him and embraced his policies not because he convinced them of dire consequences for failing to do so, but because they embraced his vision for our country that would result from them. Leaders in both political parties could learn much from that example.

President Reagan could also work with members of both political parties without sacrificing the core principles that drove his time in public life. He believed in setting an appropriate tone for the public dialogue, and that disagreement need not necessitate less love for or interest in America. He was a strong leader, a great (exceptional) communicator and a loving family man. For generations to come in politics and public service, President Reagan will remain a figure for emulation. For the generations of Americans to come in life, Ronald Reagan will forever be a man to admire.

If you didn't realize that February 6th was a day to honor our 40th President, I hope you will take a moment to do so today.

Federal stimulus funding: the right way forward for Wisconsin

2009-01-28T13:17:00.001-06:00

Governor Doyle will deliver his annual State of the State address tonight before a packed Assembly chamber here in Madison. Already this week the Governor and his aides have hinted that his address will be a somber, straightforward discussion of the state’s dire economic and fiscal landscape.

Republicans and Democrats will listen intently to the Governor’s speech and should, in a manner reflective of this serious challenge, respond with bi-partisan vigor to bring the Wisconsin economy back. I doubt anyone will disagree with these sentiments.

However, as our time tested system of government requires, bi partisanship will not preclude a substantive and passionate debate over how best to move forward. Anyone who knows me and has followed my career knows that I believe in and readily engage in the legislative debate on big issues. Speaking of big issues, here’s one to start with.

As expected, Democrats in the United States House of Representatives introduced a new economic stimulus package on January 15th. Their legislation would allocate billions of dollars to each state for, among other purposes, infrastructure projects that will require the creation of new jobs. While the precise amount is still the subject of speculation, Wisconsin stands to receive a substantial portion of these funds. The question remains: how will we use it.

Governor Doyle has recently named a good man, Gary Wolter, to lead a new state Office of Recovery and Reinvestment. The new office will, in Mr. Wolter’s words, lay the groundwork for smart, quick decisions by the Governor, his administration and the Wisconsin Legislature. Pressed on respecting the proper role of the legislature, Mr. Wolter and his new deputy, Alan Fish, agreed repeatedly that the legislature will have a proper role. Rest assured that I intend to hold the administration to that commitment.

The process for determining how to spend these funds can’t be properly managed in the Governor’s conference room. Governor Doyle and his team should identify a series of projects and forward those recommendations to the Wisconsin Legislature for a prompt, fair and open debate. My colleagues in the Senate and the Assembly have a unique and important perspective about how certain projects can affect our sagging economy. Skipping our vote – and ignoring that perspective – would be a huge and costly mistake.

Here are two additional principles we should adhere to.

First, while the federal government is effectively borrowing the money for this stimulus package, Wisconsin must avoid passing along any debt down the road to our kids and grandkids. Taxpayers across this state are trimming their credit card accounts and paying cash whenever they can. State government needs to follow that lead and use the federal funding for projects that can accept our cash payment and get started immediately.

Second, the legislature and Governor Doyle should agree that these funds should be focused on projects that have the greatest established need and the best potential economic impact. What are the long-term implications of these projects? How are we helping to create new jobs? These are the important questions. We should resist any temptation to play politics or grandstand at this crucial moment in Wisconsin’s economy.

Accepting new funding from Congress is rarely free or straightforward. Accordingly, the Governor and the legislature must handle these funds with great care and transparency.

States will lead the Way

2008-11-25T14:56:00.001-06:00

Like you, I was frustrated and disappointed by the election results. We all know that Republicans need only look in the mirror to see who is to blame for our failure. By abandoning principle, we allowed the Democrats to capture the electoral high ground. Specifically, the electorate believed that Barack Obama and the Democrats would do a better job controlling taxes than John McCain and the Republicans. Yes, you read that correctly.

The silver lining in Wisconsin was the Senate Republicans. Going into the election, the Democrats held an 18-15 majority. We were able, through principled campaigning and hard work, to hold every seat held by a Republican incumbent and elect Randy Hopper in the seat previously held by Carol Roessler. This effort, ably led by Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, places Republicans in solid position to regain the majority in 2010.

That effort, and efforts like it around the country, are the reason why state elections in 2010 will lead the Republican Party out of the wilderness. The battle of ideas has begun. Last week, Democrats floated that our worsening budget crisis, caused by overspending and lack of economic growth will be balanced by higher taxes. In one weeks time, Democrats cited the Hospital Tax, the Corporate Income Tax and the Sales Tax as the first targets for increases. Remember, that was before ever seeing a budget document.

Republicans here are committed to fighting the fight. I have not spoken to one colleague who has not echoed the position that higher taxes are not the answer. We understand that our economy cannot withstand further assault from a government that asks too much of taxpayers and delivers too little.

So keep your eye on the ball. Republicans will be releasing alternative plans to the tax and spenders. We will be there for you.

(I wrote this for Rick Sense's e-newsletter: The Inside Scoop)