July 18, 2010 (click here to download PDF)
This election is about the future.
What we want out state to look like for those who will come after us.
We face incredible risks to what’s important to our families and our quality of life in Wisconsin.
Do we want a first class education system? Or one where class sizes are larger and our children’s choices are smaller?
Do we want to protect the environment or exploit it?
Do we want families to have affordable health care or not?
How about affordable college tuition?
Do we want a growing economy or are we OK with jobs going to China and India?
To grow our state and compete in a world economy we must have an educated workforce. I’ve spent a lot of time working with teachers and administrators to begin to fix education and in the words of a superintendent from Mississippi who moved to Wisconsin – we are sliding in the direction of Mississippi. LEARN MORE
February 2, 2011
“You’ve got to vote for that photo ID bill because of all the voter fraud,” the caller said. “All kinds of people are voting that aren’t supposed to.” LEARN MORE
December 29, 2010
During the Holiday Season there are many visitors to the Capitol including many school groups. This past week I had the opportunity to meet with high school students from Sparta who are competing in the Project Polar Bear Contest. LEARN MORE
December 25, 2010
Imagine: an unmarried pregnant teen; far from home, of an oppressed minority, born on the ‘wrong side of the tracks’. Folks talk ill of her home saying “nothing good ever comes from there”.
She is homeless; and very pregnant. Her fiancé (but not the father of the baby) cannot find a place to stay. Finally he finds a barn; or more likely, a cave used as a barn.
A baby boy is born. Itinerant farm workers hear of the news and come to visit. They leave rejoicing; lives changed.
Life is hard. Before the baby is three, his parents find themselves running from the law; they cross the border and become aliens in a strange land. Eventually they return home.
The boy grows to be a man. He wanders a small, occupied country. No more than the rough outpost of a large empire. He probably never wanders more than forty miles from the home of his adopted father.
The son challenges the local authorities; is arrested, convicted and unjustly executed.
Two thousand years after His death we remember His Life, His Teachings, and His Words. Today we celebrate His birth.
Seem like an unlikely story? Join with me today to remember miracles and unlikely stories. Dispel the darkness and help me celebrate the Season of Light. Renew your sense of hope.
Imagine a world where every one has enough. And never forget the smallest of people can make the greatest of change.
May the Blessings of the Season be with you today and throughout the coming year!
December 22, 2010
“I thought you as State Senator would get an answer right away,” said the man who needed information from one of our state agencies. I called him to say after two weeks of phone calls I still didn’t have an answer.
With the change of power in Madison comes change in many state agencies. People come and go. But the mass exodus of public employees this month seems unusually great; and with it the state’s ability to continue efficient operations. LEARN MORE
December 15, 2010
In the time honored tradition, to the victor go the spoils of war. In the Senate, the spoils of war are committee leadership, staff and Capitol real estate. LEARN MORE
December 8, 2010
“Why can’t you Democrats and Republicans get along?” the woman asked me. “All of this fighting is tearing our country apart.” LEARN MORE
December 1, 2010
Last Sunday, a woman asked if I would make sure United States trade agreements were negotiated in fairness to every Wisconsin worker. She said, “If you can get this done you will be elected every year for life!” LEARN MORE
November 24,2010
“I went to Wal-Mart to get my hunting license and they told me I could not have a doe permit,” said the man from Jackson County. “Since when are we not supposed to shoot does?” LEARN MORE
November 17,2010
The election was over and everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief. No more nasty mail and campaign commercials. The county clerks who are responsible for administering the election, and so much more, relaxed a bit and prepared for the onslaught of deer hunters seeking a hunting license. LEARN MORE
