Wisconsin Is Poised For Major Economic Renaissance

Today I voted with the majority in the Wisconsin State Senate to approve the new 2011-13 State Budget, which:

• Brings true fiscal accountability to the state for the first time in over a decade
• Focuses state resources on creating good paying jobs across the state
• Continues the longstanding Wisconsin tradition of prioritizing K-12 and higher education

This is a pro-growth budget, which is going to help businesses grow jobs in manufacturing, retail, service, and agriculture sectors across Western Wisconsin.

As I stated back in March when the Governor released his budget, I support allowing all University of Wisconsin campuses across our state greater flexibility with accountability measures. This will help the Universities weather this economic downturn while maintaining our strong educational system in Wisconsin.

My thoughts are with those who were affected by Sunday’s storm, and I am extremely thankful that there have been no major injuries reported at this time. We have always come together in times of disasters, and I am confident the greater La Crosse area community will pull together again to help our neighbors in need.

As I have done during other natural disasters that have devastated Western Wisconsin, I will make myself available to help in any way that I can.

I am pleased to announce that Vernon County's P.L. 566 Dams will be eligible for Stewardship funds in the coming year based on a motion passed in the Joint Finance Committee hearing on the 2011-13 biennium budget.

Use of the Stewardship Funds to repair these structures, whose primary function is flood control and safety, is an appropriate use of these funds.

During these difficult financial times, it is a tremendous burden on the county to be responsible for repairing five dams. These dams are critical to the overall quality of life in Vernon County. I am thrilled to have played a role in ensuring this funding is available to the people of this area.

 In past budgets I have fought to have contentious policy items removed from the budget, and I am pleased that the Joint Finance Committee agrees with me on the importance of fully vetting policy through the standing committee process.

In the last budget I, along with Senators Harsdorf and Hopper, offered an amendment on the floor of the Senate to remove all policy and earmarks.  The budget should not be used as a vehicle to guarantee passage of controversial policy. 

I voiced concerns to my colleagues on the Joint Finance Committee about policy provisions such as the repeal of the requirement for school districts to have a Reading Specialist and the weakening of licensure standards for teachers in independent charter schools, among others.  The removal of these policy initiatives is the right thing to do and I am gratified that my colleagues addressed my concerns and the concerns of my constituents.