| Senator Scott Fitzgerald's E-Newsletter |
May 16, 2011 |
| SenatorFitzgerald.com I Facebook | |
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Life and Service of Fallen Waterloo Soldier Honored
During Tuesday's session day in the State Capitol, Representative Andy Jorgensen and I welcomed the Bartz family of Waterloo for the presentation and passage of a resolution honoring United States Army Lieutenant Colonel Paul Robert Bartz, who lost his life on May 18, 2010 after suffering injuries sustained from a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in Kabul, Afghanistan. 17 family members and friends attended the special ceremonies in the Assembly and Senate Chambers, including the soldier’s parents, Robert and Darlene Bartz (pictured), and his siblings, Elizabeth Bartz, Debra Wright and James Bartz. Some traveled from as far as California, Colorado and Florida to be present. It’s clear that Lt. Col. Bartz was much loved and is still deeply missed – and for good reason. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bartz family, and with all those who serve our country. Their loss is truly a debt that can never be repaid. Click here to read more about the life and service of Lt. Col. Bartz. Budget Committee Votes to Freeze Property Taxes The Legislature continued its commitment last week to balancing the budget without raising taxes. The Joint Finance Committee voted to protect Wisconsin home owners from property tax increases by passing a motion that will freeze property taxes for two years. After two years, taxes would be limited to either 1.5 percent a year or the value of new construction. Many Wisconsinites remember the spike in property taxes at the start of this decade, and the sharp fluctuations from year to year that have made budgeting especially tough for homeowners. By passing this permanent property tax freeze, we're showing that government really can live within its means, by remembering who really pays the bills. This is a direct response to so many people across the state who simply cannot afford the constant increase in their property taxes bills. Tax limits like these help attract jobs and brings much-needed relief to families struggling to pay their bills. Increase in Income Tax Revenue = $600 Million Last week, the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau announced that the state will be collecting more than $600 million in tax revenue above what it was previously expecting by 2013. This is a good sign for the economy, but our troubles aren’t behind us. Income tax revenue was up, but both sales and business tax collections were down. We’ve still got a multi-billion-dollar deficit, so this money shouldn’t be burning a hole in anybody’s pocket. The bottom line is that this is further proof that the only way we’re going to get out of this recession is by growing our way out – not spending our way out. Legislative Fiscal Bureau Memo - Detailing $636 million increase in revenue estimates by 2013. Art & Craft Fairs 2011 Directory Available The 2011 Wisconsin Art & Craft Fairs Directory is now available. This directory, published by the Wisconsin Arts Board, is a popular and detailed guide of fairs held throughout the state. The guide offers listings of fairs by date, city and county. The directory also gives general information for the public as well as specific information for art and craft exhibitors. These directories are available free of charge by contacting my office at (608) 266-5660, leaving a message with the toll-free Legislative Hotline at (800) 362-9472, or calling the Wisconsin Department of Tourism toll-free at (800) 432-TRIP. The directory is also available on the Wisconsin Arts Board’s website at www.artsboard.wisconsin.gov. |
Updated Office Hours Notice
I will be holding
office hours tonight at the Fort Atkinson High
School Auditorium
Monday, May 16th Fort Atkinson High School Auditorium 925 Lexington Blvd., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm - - - - - - - - - - -
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Better Business Climate: Businesses are taking note of Wisconsin's better business climate. Recently, CEO Magazine ranked Wisconsin 24th for jobs rankings, surpassing 17 other states for the best improvement in the whole country. Better Bond Rating: Wisconsin has maintained our bond rating without tax increases, and our budget is on track to send an even better message about the long-term health of our state. The budget will reduce the structural deficit by at least 90 percent and the credit-rating agency Moody’s called it a “credit-positive budget.” We know that the work is far from over. We still have important reforms apart from the budget such as the Venture Capital bill. We recently passed a bill that will create new enterprise zones for rural areas and a bill to spur tourism by allowing bass tournaments in the state. These are targeted job creation bills that will put people back to work and restore our state's economy. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month Lyme disease cases
increased 35 percent in 2010, and state health officials are
urging people to take precautions against tick bites as warm
spring weather triggers more "blacklegged" or "deer" tick
activity. |
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Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882 |
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Phone: (608)266-5660
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