End-of-Session Message

The 2015-16 legislative session has ended.  Campaign laws (State Statute 11.1205) prohibit me from distributing 50 or more pieces (including emails) of identical material starting April 15th and until the conclusion of the November general election.  This will be my last e-update until the end of the year.  I appreciate your taking the time to read the update, and I thank you for your input and questions on the issues.

My office is still open, and I will be preparing for the the 2017-18 legislative session.  I am researching legislation, assisting constituents with problems they are experiencing with state government, and learning even more about my district.  Feel free to contact me with thoughts, opinions, and to request assistance with state matters.

To view my video update, please click the link below:

Unemployment at a 14-Year Low

As mentioned in my video update above, Wisconsin is currently enjoying a 14-year low for unemployment.  Below is a graph illustrating statewide and national unemployment from the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Website.  Additionally, DWD just released new statistics for March 2016.

Unemployment now sits at 4.5% and 47,500 private sector jobs were added from March 2015 to March 2016.  13,100 of these jobs were added between February to March of this year alone; 4,200 of which were in manufacturing.  Click here to view the full press release from DWD.

Property Taxes

At my listening sessions, I occasionally have heard comments such as, “I wish the Governor had kept the tiny property tax break I received and spent it on education” or some other area of concern.  I appreciate the comment, and it is true that these reductions may seem insignificant in your overall personal budget.  However, I think it is important to take a step back and look at how we compare to other states and where we were heading prior to the current administration.

Currently only three states, New Hampshire, Illinois, and New Jersey, pay higher property taxes than we do in Wisconsin.  Multiple sources have reported this, but here is an article from Time Magazine: http://time.com/money/4217667/highest-property-taxes/.  This has a highly detrimental effect on our economy and discourages businesses and individuals from locating here.  When I talk with constituents, one of the most frequent concerns I hear is that people, particularly the elderly, were concerned that they would not be able to afford to remain in their homes.



Pictured Above: Wisconsin Property Taxes

The graph above shows Wisconsin property taxes as a percentage of personal income over the past three decades.  While a reduction of $50 on a $100,000 home may seem insignificant, it is important to note that, had we continued on the trajectory of the previous administration, the same property owner would have seen an increase of over $1000.  The impact of this should not be underestimated.

Our state government needs to continue to ensure that we provide high-quality education at both the K-12 and university level.  We need to protect our natural resources and continue to provide a safety net for our most vulnerable citizens.  At the same time, however, we need to minimize the tax burden on our citizens so that they may thrive.  The challenge for us, as political leaders, is to increase our efficiency and find that balance.

Ground Breaking

In Closing...

Thank you for taking the time to read over my E-update.  If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact my office.

Representative Joel Kitchens