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.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Federal stimulus funding: the right way forward for Wisconsin
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
States will lead the Way
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)
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)
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