On Newsmax’s America Right Now, Senator Johnson discussed the desperate need for change and reform in Washington.
With elections settled, state lawmakers and Governor Evers are starting to work on the 2025 state budget and policy goals. With this, we at the Institute for Reforming Government are renewing our calls from 2023 for lawmakers to modernize and realign state government for the needs of the 21st century. As DOGE gets to work in Washington, D.C., it's time for Wisconsin to renew its reputation as a national leader in reform and begin the Wisconsin DOGE Project.
In 2024, IRG polling found that Wisconsinites want more oversight over the bureaucracy:
I've developed this new chart to show just how out of control spending is. In fiscal year 2019 spending was $4.4 trillion. Since then, it's up 56% to $6.9 trillion.
My chart shows a baseline based on population and inflation. Using that control fiscal year 2024 spending would have been $5.6 trillion instead of the actual $6.9 trillion, and the deficit would have been $500 billion vs. the actual $1.8 trillion. Had we used that simple control, total debt would be $8.8 trillion less today.
Recently, I released the following statement after U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack refused to answer a letter sent by me and a number of colleagues in the House and Senate regarding the Pure Prairie Poultry bankruptcy that resulted in nearly 50 farmers and more than two million chickens throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa being left without feed or processing options:
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise;
give thanks to Him and praise His name.” – Psalm 100:4
I would like to wish all of you out there a very Happy Thanksgiving.
I hope you get to spend the day surrounded by family and friends at a table that is filled with all of your favorite foods.
If your loved ones are too far away to get together, make sure you pick up the phone and call them so you can still connect on this important holiday.
We have many things to be thankful for, and we should be grateful for each and every day that we get to experience.
Here's to a happy, hearty and healthy Thanksgiving!
I'm excited to take break, step away from my daily routine, and spend some much needed time with my family. For me, this special holiday couldn't come at a better time. I have so much to be thankful for, both personally and professionally. I hope you will join me by gathering with your loved ones and taking some time to step away from your busy life and appreciate everything God has provided us with.
While my family's year wasn't filled with weddings and graduations, I am thankful for a happy and healthy family. My nieces, nephews, and step children are all a blessing.
"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor. Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November [1789], that we may all unite to render unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection." – President George Washington
In a few days, we will be sitting down to a Thanksgiving Day Dinner with vivid memories of Thanksgiving Days gone by. This year may be different. It may be in the dining room of an elder care facility such as Rolling Hills, or it may be at a local restaurant due to changing dynamics or convenience, or –yes- it may be similar to years gone by. Many of us may remember the days of preparations followed by an early morning to clean and stuff the turkey to get it in the oven and eventually the great meal where we all ate too much.
I recently traveled to Nashville, Tennessee for a conference organized by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). The conference brought together leaders in fiscal policy from all 50 states. One of the speakers at the conference was Joyce Chang, an economist from JP Morgan Chase, who provided us with an insider’s view of the country’s economic outlook. The presentation was full of data, charts, graphs, and useful information I wanted to share with you!
After our most challenging election cycle yet, Republicans have secured a 54 seat majority in the Wisconsin State Assembly. I couldn’t be more pleased with the hard work of our Republican caucus members to achieve this result. While Governor Evers’ gerrymandered maps cost us a few seats, our majority will allow us to hold the line on his extreme agenda and continue to advocate for conservative government that works for the citizens of Wisconsin.
