Dear Friends,

Again, thank you to everyone who came to the listening session on Monday, April 11.  After reviewing the many great comments, questions and concerns I decided to answer 3 of the main types of questions in this e-update.  In addition, I also decided to host 3 more “town hall” style meetings during the day on Friday, May 6.  See the attached flier for locations and times.  I hope to appeal to those who couldn’t make the night listening session and maybe make it closer to where you live.  I want to be sure to hear from everyone who wants to share their constructive ideas on the 2011-13 State Budget or any other legislative ideas.  (please forward this email to others you may know who would be interested in attending as well)

Question:  “In your opinion, what is the feasibility of converting the public employee pensions to 401K’s?” 

I do not have an opinion of this issue without a study being conducted.  The State Budget does have a provision in it to study and report on possible changes to the Wisconsin Retirement System.  If this provision survives the budget process I will eagerly read the study and make conclusions at that point. 

Question:  “Who are these new businesses that are relocating to the state, and how many new jobs this year can we expect in Fond du Lac?” 

Wisconsin added 24,100 private sector jobs in the first quarter of 2011.  This is on pace for 385,600 more jobs by the end of 2014, surpassing the goal of 250,000 set by Gov. Walker.  There is much more work to do to keep that trend going however.  So far, through the Lieutenant Governor’s office, they have already identified FatWallet.com and Catalyst Exhibits as two examples of out-of-state companies that have already moved to Wisconsin. 

Unfortunately there is not an exact science to predict how many jobs will be created in one location or another.  I have been working on changing the business climate to encourage investment for businesses in Wisconsin and it is my hope that businesses realize the great workforce we have in Fond du Lac and invest here.  As the summer approaches I am sure tourism will help add many hundreds of jobs as well.  Please also see today’s newspaper article entitled, "Unemployment numbers improve in FdL County," click here.    

Question:  “My concerns are with the current cuts to education and how Rep. (Thiesfeldt) feels our children and public education will be able to stay up to pace with the rest of the nation and world.” 

There is a proposed reduction of $900 million in the State Budget in education spending.  Limiting collective bargaining to only wages and having employee’s in the Wisconsin Retirement System and those who have the State Health Plan pay more of their portions will help offset much or all of the reductions school districts will see.  This isn’t perfect in every district as the Fond du Lac school district will see an approximate reduction of $630,000 out of a $104 million all funds budget and the North Fond du Lac school district will likely be around $300,000 short of maintaining everything as status quo.  I am looking into ways (and then gain consensus) to mitigate these decreases.     

Yesterday I began circulating a co-sponsorship memo that would give school boards and other educational entities the ability to not hire or terminate any individual who has a felony.  Current law only allows the right to not hire or to terminate based on if the nature of the felony directly effects the position.  You can see the full press release here.

 Rep. Thiesfeldt is inducted into the Noon Rotary Club on April 18, 2011

 God bless you and have a terrific weekend.  My office will be closed tomorrow in observance of Good Friday.

"No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth!” – Ronald Reagan
 

From the Fond du Lac County website regarding the county:  The ground is covered with 1 inch or more of snow about 60 percent of the time from December through February in an average winter.

My office has responded to 1907 constituent concerns, inquires, position statements, and ideas.