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JFC Budget Recommendations
On June 19th, I voted in favor of the 2013-2015 which passed the Assembly. After many of months of deliberation and listening to people around the district I am confident that this budget provides the necessary items to continue moving Wisconsin forward.
Tax relief for the hardworking taxpayers of Wisconsin was a priority this session. Rep. Kooyenga submitted a tax reform plan that simplifies our tax code into three tax brackets and lowers the income tax. In addition, it eliminates unnecessary tax breaks. Together, Wisconsin tax payers will see nearly $1 billion in tax relief over the next biennium.
After seeing the success in Milwaukee and Racine we have
expanded the school voucher program statewide. We have also
created a tax deduction for families that send their
children to private schools. This tax reduction will apply
for tuition expenses of elementary school students up to
$4,000 per year and up to $10,000 for high schools students.
UW students will see a freeze in tuition and fees for two
years after the UW System’s reserves were brought to light.
Accountability measures have been put in place for the UW
System and the size of its reserves.
We carefully considered our bonding levels this biennium and came to an agreement to reduce the amount of bonding in this budget by nearly $350 million.
The budget has been approved by the Senate and will now go to the Governor's desk for his signature. After the budget is signed it will come into effect on July 1st. I appreciate all the emails and phone calls sharing your thoughts regarding the budget over the past few months and I look forward to continue discussing issues that are important to you in the future.
Common Sense Reforms
There are many big initiatives underway at the Capitol. Today, the Assembly passed AB 219 which includes a variety of changes to unemployment insurance laws.
I voted in favor of AB 219 so that Wisconsin can make common
sense changes to the Unemployment Insurance program which
will improve the business climate. This legislation will
save the Trust Fund $11.5 million annually, while increasing
benefit payments to those in need. Previously, the state
needed to borrow money to pay claims when the system went
into debt costing businesses $60,000 a day in related
interest. Once these reforms are enacted they will help the
Unemployment Trust Fund pay back this loan, while allowing
it to save for future UI claims. We have seen other states
decrease their benefit rates or cut weeks of eligibility,
but in Wisconsin we are investing in getting people back to
work with smart reforms that increase benefits while
maintaining the 26-week standard.
Additionally in my office we are taking a look at ways to
strengthen our 4th amendment rights. With news of serious
threats to privacy happening at the federal level we need to
take a close look at what is happening in Wisconsin and
develop strong policy to protect people’s privacy. I am
developing legislation that once enacted would prohibit law
enforcement officers from using any mobile tracking feature
on cell phones and other wireless communication devices to
identify or track people and property without first
obtaining a court order.
At The Capitol
St. Jude the Apostle Students
Underwood Elementary Students
Elmbrook Elementary Students
