First time in decades Wisconsin’s budget is balanced.

Fighting for you here in Madison, I voted to balance our state’s budget and make tough but necessary decisions, having casted my vote alongside my legislative colleagues in favor of passing one of the most honest budgets in our state’s history.

The turning of a $3.6 billion shortfall into a $300 million surplus has been a challenge, but I am proud to say we’ve accomplished this without raising taxes or fees on Wisconsin families, while protecting funding for successful programs such as SeniorCare.  SeniorCare is a popular and successful prescription drug program that ensures access to medication for low-income seniors.

By eliminating the $3 billion plus deficit and balancing our state's budget for the first time in decades, with no gimmicks or accounting tricks, we continue to send the message that Wisconsin is serious about growing its economy and creating jobs.

By instituting a permanent property tax freeze for the first time in our state’s history, my fellow legislators and I have provided Wisconsin citizens with some certainty and stability at a time when they need it most. 

This is an honest and balanced budget that we can all be proud of because it doesn’t kick the can down the road, doesn’t spend more than we have, and doesn’t use a credit card to delay the tough decisions that are necessary to put our state and communities back on the path to prosperity.

For additional information, check out the links below . . .

General budget-related overview

More specific budget information

Helpful budget graphs: by revenue source . . . . deficits . . . . deficits faced vs. spending . . . . total spending . . . . percentage increase in spending . . . . tax increases

I am a co-sponsor of Wisconsin’s Personal Protection Act (SB 93).  On a strong bi-partisan vote the Wisconsin Legislature joined 48 other states in allowing individuals to carry a concealed weapon.  This legislation strikes a balance between individual responsibility, Second Amendment ideals, and training concerns.  This bill provides for reasonable training, and protects property owners’ rights to not allow weapons in their establishment.  This legislation is a significant achievement for the Second Amendment in Wisconsin, and I commend Governor Walker for signing it into law.

Personal protection means more than being able to carry a gun.  A memo provided by the non-partisan Legislative Council states the following: “the law creates a license to carry a concealed weapon.  ‘Weapon’ is defined as a handgun, an electric weapon, a knife other than a switchblade, or a club.”

If you have questions on the SB 93 language, a copy of that Legislative Council Memo can be found by clicking here.  Or if you have a specific question, please contact my office via the details below.