Question of the Week

In recent years, support for amending the United States Constitution to include term limits for members of Congress has increased exponentially. In fact, groups on both sides of the political spectrum support using Article V of the United States Constitution to call a convention of states for the purpose of imposing term limits on federal lawmakers. 

As of 2018, reelection rates for members of the United States House of Representatives stood at 91 percent. In 2016, reelection rates for members of the United States House of Representatives was 97 percent, an all-time high. 

Eighty-four percent of senate incumbents were reelected in 2018, a nine percent reduction from 2016, but a 29 percent decline from 1980. 

While approval ratings for Congress are at an all-time low, incumbent reelection rates are at all-time highs. This phenomenon, known as Fenno's Paradox, finds that representatives are more often evaluated on an individual basis and judged by their voting records, constituent outreach, and district caretaking. Congress' low approval ratings are precipitated by the media's intense focus on partisanship, gridlock, and and the inability to pass substantive legislation. Thus, Fenno's Paradox states that incumbents will overwhelmingly win reelection despite Congress' abysmal approval ratings. For more on Fenno's Paradox, consider reading Dr. Richard Fenno's classic book on Congress, Home Style: House Members in Their Districts.

This week's survey seeks your input on terms limits.

Please, take a minute to answer my short survey on term limits.

Survey Results

Thank you to everyone who provided input on Governor Evers' proposed changes to the state's unemployment insurance benefits eligibility. In total, 119 individuals answered this week's survey questions. 

Question One:

Sixty-four percent of respondents opposed increasing the maximum rate for unemployment benefits from $370 to $406 per week.

Question Two:

Seventy-three percent of respondents opposed eliminating the one-week waiting period to qualify for unemployment benefits.

 Question Three:

Seventy-three percent of respondents opposed abolishing the requirement that applicants submit and pass a drug test in order to receive unemployment insurance benefits. 

Question 4:

Seventy-seven percent of respondents opposed eradicating the provision stipulating that individuals are ineligible for benefits if they were fired for "substantial fault" or failure to conform to a reasonable employer job policy. 

Question 5:

Sixty-seven percent of respondents opposed amending the job search requirements for seasonal employees.

Ways and Means Committee

Last week, the Ways and Means Committee met to discuss Assembly Bill 73, relating to retiring the lease terms and imposition of sales and use taxes related to Miller Park. The five county sales and use tax remains a contentious issue and is a first-rate case study of how not to negotiate a contract. The following is an analysis of the Miller Park sales and use tax and Assembly Bill 73.

First authorized in 1995, the 0.1 percent sales tax to pay for the construction of the Miller Park baseball stadium is collected in Milwaukee County as well as the four neighboring counties: Racine, Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington. At the time, estimates predicted the tax collected would satisfy the district's obligation by the end of 2014. That timeframe has extended well beyond 2014, the date in which the sales and use tax was to sunset, and is now forecasted to expire in 2020.

According to the nonpartisan Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the original intent of the Milwaukee Baseball Park District was to satisfy the $259.1 million borrowed for the construction of Miller Park and related equipment. Funds collected through the sales tax also met the district's administration, insurance, and lease obligations relating to the maintenance and operations of the stadium. What is more, the district has other obligations and responsibilities for the operation of the stadium in accordance with the lease agreement which could go as far into the future as 2040 with lease extensions to the Milwaukee Brewers. 

At this writing, the district has collected $577.5 million in sales tax revenue averaging, about $30 million annually. It is estimated that after the district pays its debt service for 2019, the remaining debt will be approximately $38.8 million. Forecasted fund balances indicate the district's debt and future lease obligations will be satisfied. 

Voters in Southeastern Wisconsin were promised that they would be taxed for $160 million in stadium costs, but the final bill ended up being $260 million. Furthermore, Southeast Wisconsin residents have paid $577 million--either three times that or double the initial amount depending on the number used. 

Assembly Bill 73 seeks to provide assurance that the stadium sales tax will expire. For 23 years, taxpayers in Ozaukee and Washington counties have paid the 0.1 percent tax to fund Miller Park. Twenty-three years and $577 million later, the Miller Park sales and use tax will finally be retired. 

Listening Sessions and Town Hall Meetings

I encourage you to attend my upcoming listening sessions and look forward to your input on Governor Evers' 2019-2021 budget. I enjoy listening to your concerns and using the input you provide to draft legislation that improves the quality of life for every Wisconsinite.

On April 18, 2019, I will be participating in two half-hour town hall meetings with United States Representative Jim Sensenbrenner. I will be available to hear your concerns regarding the biennial budget and Wisconsin-based policy issues. 

Representative Sensenbrenner and I will visit the following locations on April 18, 2019:

9:00-9:30 a.m.: Newburg Village Hall, 614 Main Street, Newburg.

11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Jackson Village Hall, N168W20733 Main Street, Jackson.

Participating in a town hall meeting with United States Representative Jim Sensenbrenner.

Additionally, on Thursday, April 25, 2019, I will be hosting a series of budget-related listening sessions. The times and locations of these meetings are as follows:

12:00-1:00 p.m.: WJ Niederkorn Public Library, 316 West Grand Avenue, Port Washington.

12:45-1:45 p.m.: Cedarburg Public Library: W63N589 Hanover Avenue, Cedarburg.

6:00-7:00 p.m.: Trenton Town Hall, 1071 State Highway 33, E, Trenton. 

Participating in a budget listening session.

If you are unable to attend my town hall meetings or listening sessions, but would like to convey your thoughts on Governor Evers' 2019-2021 biennial budget, please contact my office; I value your input.

60th District Events

The following are a few events that will be occurring this week, in the 60th Assembly District. If you have any upcoming events that you would like included in our e-update, please contact my office.

Native Fiber Exhibit at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts, April 3-28, Cedarburg.

Local Author Showcase, April 6, Cedarburg.

First Fridays at the Cedarburg Cultural Center, April 5, Cedarburg.

Port Washington Winter Market, April 6, Port Washington.

Possibility Playground 10th Anniversary Gala and Auction, April 6, Port Washington.

11th Annual Ladies Night Out, April 9, Port Washington.

Cedarburg Parks and Recreation Department's Annual Easter Egg Hunt, April 6, Cedarburg. 

Pancake Breakfast and Sugarbush House Dedication at Riveredge Nature Center, April 6, Saukville.

2019 West Bend Festival of Arts, April 6, West Bend.

Stay up to date

One of the best ways to date with what is happening in Madison is to sign up for the legislature's notification tracking system. This service affords you with the opportunity to track legislative activities in Madison. Upon creation of a free account, you can sign up to receive notification about specific bills of committees as well as legislative activity pertaining to a subject (i.e., health care, education, etc.).