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REP. RIPP'S RESPONSE TO GOVERNOR WALKER'S BUDGET ADDRESS
Rep. Keith Ripp (R-Lodi) issued the following statement in response to Governor Walker’s Budget Address:
On Tuesday, Governor Walker outlined his 2015-17 biennial state budget. As a legislator with a mainly rural district, I am more than pleased to see his focus on providing additional resources to rural schools. His budget increases funding for the Sparsity Aid Program, the High-Cost Pupil Transportation categorical aid program, and the pupil transportation aid program. Every child, regardless of their zip code, should have access to great education, and I believe these programs help accomplish that goal.
Over the last two years, we have been able to cut taxes for everyday Wisconsinites by over $2 billion. Governor Walker’s budget aims to continue relieving that tax burden yet again by increasing funding for the school levy tax credit. It also invests more in the Wisconsin Fast Forward Program that helps people get the skills they need to succeed through technical college courses, apprenticeships, and training programs. Helping add more qualified workers to the workforce will encourage our employers to add more work and more jobs.
While I think this budget includes many great proposals for Wisconsin, I have some deep concerns about the level of bonding included in the proposed transportation budget. It is my hope that we in the legislature can work together to develop both short and long-term solutions that will ultimately protect taxpayers in the future. Our infrastructure drives Wisconsin’s economy, and we need to make sure that we continue to adequately invest in it.
As we saw in the State of the State, Wisconsin is continuing to grow and move in the right direction. Governor Walker made clear during his budget address that he is focused on continuing to propel our state forward. I am honored to work with him and my legislative colleagues to make the 2015-17 state budget the best it can be for Wisconsin and our state’s great citizens.
I welcome any input from the 42nd district over the coming months as we make tough decisions. If there is any part of the budget you would like to comment on or discuss with me, please do so! I can be reached at (608) 266-3404 or rep.ripp@legis.wi.gov.
For your own reference and review, here is a link to the budget bill, which is now Assembly Bill 21 and Senate Bill 21.
UPCOMING LISTENING SESSIONS
I wanted to again include the dates and locations for the listening sessions I will be hosting with Senator Luther Olsen in February.
Tuesday, February 17th (Ripp and Olsen)
Fox Lake Listening Session
Fox Lake Public Library
117 W. State Street
6:00pm-7:00pm
Wednesday, February 18th (Ripp and Olsen)
Lodi Listening Session
Lodi Woman’s Club Public Library
130 Lodi Street
Program Room
7:00pm-8:00pm
Thursday, February 19th (Jagler, Ripp, and Olsen)
DeForest Public Library
203 Library Street
Community Room.
7:00pm-8:00pm
These listening sessions are a great opportunity to come to us with any thoughts you may have on upcoming legislation, the legislative budget, or other matters affecting your areas. Please let me know if you have any questions and I hope to see you there!
15 NOT-TO-MISS FEBRUARY EVENTS
With winter weather, sometimes it's hard to find fun things to do on the weekends. I wanted to send around a link from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism with some fun events that you can participate in, whether you want to stay closer to home or travel.
15 Not-to-Miss February Events in Wisconsin
CONTACT ME
As in the past, I would continue to encourage you to contact my office with ideas for this next legislative session and on individual pieces of legislation. Now more than ever your ideas and opinions need to be heard, so we can begin to get Wisconsin back to work. Please contact my office at 608-266-3404 or email me at Rep.Ripp@legis.wisconsin.gov, or stop by my Capitol office at 223 North. I look forward to hearing from you. As always, I will continue to work across the aisle to find common ground and move legislation forward.
Please share this update with your friends and neighbors within the 42nd Assembly District and if there is anyone you know who would like to be included, please respond to this email with their email address.