Assembly Democrats continue to stand up for Wisconsin families
On Sept. 15, we heard good news: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said our nationwide recession is likely over. But he also cautioned that the pain of unemployment would continue for many Americans.
It’s clear, we’re making progress to an economic recovery—but our work is far from over. That’s my perspective, as the Wisconsin Assembly returns to session.
We have already accomplished so much. Assembly Democrats passed a budget that held the line on income, sales and payroll taxes. We made deep, necessary cuts in spending while preserving key investments in education and local aid for police and fire protection.
Through the budget and stimulus bills, we approved more than $200 million in business-boosting, job-creating tax credits and incentives. We’re encouraged to see our action has already caused two biotech firms to relocate here and has helped Wisconsin hold on to major employers such as Mercury Marine.
We’ve outstretched a hand to struggling Wisconsin workers, approving more funding for technical colleges, the front line in retraining efforts. And we extended unemployment benefits to those in dire need.
While we watch the debate over health care in Washington, we have already taken action to lighten the load of health care costs on Wisconsin families and businesses. Earlier this year, we extended BadgerCare benefits to childless adults. With our action, 98 percent of Wisconsinites now have access to health care coverage.
This fall, you will continue to see Assembly Democrats standing up for Wisconsin families.
We will stand up for Wisconsin families as we build on our efforts to boost business and create jobs, by supporting the green-jobs economy and streamlining wind-energy guidelines.
We will stand up for Wisconsin families by protecting them from drunken drivers—addressing both the need to toughen penalties and the need to tackle the root of the problem, our destructive drinking culture.
We will stand up for Wisconsin families by helping them keep roofs over their heads. We will work to pass the recommendations of the bipartisan Speaker’s Taskforce on Preventing Home Foreclosures, giving consumers the information they need to make smart financial decisions and protecting them from bad actors in the lending industry.
We will stand up for Wisconsin families by answering their call to clean up state Supreme Court races. Assembly Democrats are committed to building on our success in banning fundraising during the budget by confronting the problem of big money in our highest court.
We will stand up for Wisconsin families by protecting our outdoor heritage and tourism economy, by making the Department of Natural Resources independent of the governor.
When I say “we” will do this, I mean Assembly Democrats will fight for your values. But I also hope Republicans will join us. We should work together on these important changes for Wisconsin’s families.
No matter what, you will see that, at a critical time in our state and our nation’s history, Assembly Democrats will continue working to make Wisconsin stronger, primed for recovery and ready for a new economy.
Rep. Mike Sheridan D-Janesville, is speaker of the state Assembly. He can be reached at P.O. Box 8953, Madison, WI 53708; phone 1-888-947-0044; e-mail rep.sheridan@legis.Wisconsin.gov.
Oct 11, 2009 at 1:42 p.m.
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I was under the impression that our elected rep's ALWAYS stood up for the families. Wow, what wonderful news from Sheridan----when did you reach this conclusion?
Some day, both parties will stop and realize that in this day and age, they are going to have an extremely hard time pulling the wool over the voters eyes like has been done in the past. You don't produce you don't get re-elected. You lie your out. We didn't elect you to play blame games we elected you to work for the people not the party. We demand honesty. We demand respect and we demand you start doing the job you were put in office to do. Failure to do that, then stop wasting our time and get out of the way so we, the people, can elect a person(s) who will not waste our time.
Oct 2, 2009 at 2:01 p.m.
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MadeinUSA, first off, you do not know anything about libertarianism (and I specifically hold to the little l version, not the capital L party line) if you made those connections. Go research classical liberalism, Goldwater republican, then libertarianism. Basically, it's a rejection of the welfare state, a rejection of big government, and a rejection of the modern liberal AND neoconservative (read DNC and GOP) movements.
Secondly, if you cannot count the word "Democrats" 5 times in the above article and the title of the statement, I can't help you.
In my first comment, I already pointed out 2 lies and a half truth in Mike Sheridan's statement. Try reading them.
Sep 25, 2009 at 9:31 a.m.
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MadeinUSA, as my username implies, I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican. Both parties sicken me. But when the Speaker of the Assembly uses the word "Democrats" 5 times, including in the title of his opinion piece, and then goes on to lie about their accomplishments, we, as citizens, have the right and duty to call him out on it.
Sep 23, 2009 at 8:11 a.m.
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This braggiosed commentary by Sheridan demonstrates he has outlived his usefulness as our political leader up in Madison. He doesn't get it. He is now too much of a liability for our community. Under clear and unbalanced (and unchecked!) Democratic leadership (state's Gov & legislature) our state's citizens now face paying over $2 bllion more in user fees, taxes, etc. in support of the clearly over spent budget Sheridan & his Democratic pals forced upon this state.
Now today it was reported that WI citizens now pay the 9th highest property taxes in the nation. Unemployment is also a huge issue for WI since it has lost over 150,000 jobs the past year; most are in manufacturing, or are manufacturing related.
It angers me when political allegiance is put ahead of reality by our elected officials. For Sheridan to even hint that the economy is recovering is insulting. Waht has this man done to save one job or ctreate a new job for Janesville or for any part of Wisconsin? Nothing - that's what!
Sep 22, 2009 at 5:14 p.m.
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People are starting to get it. I'm becoming mildly encouraged.
Sep 22, 2009 at 1 p.m.
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The headline should read: "Assembly Democrats given free ad space in Janesville Gazette in order to mislead WI voters."
Sep 22, 2009 at 11:29 a.m.
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"Through the budget and stimulus bills, we approved more than $200 million in business-boosting, job-creating tax credits and incentives. We’re encouraged to see our action has already caused two biotech firms to relocate here and has helped Wisconsin hold on to major employers such as Mercury Marine."
Lie. The union (after a petition drive by some members) begged Mercury Marine to give them another vote on the contract they rejected and Mercury Marine did, and the contract was approved. It had little to do with what the Assembly "offered."
"Earlier this year, we extended BadgerCare benefits to childless adults. With our action, 98 percent of Wisconsinites now have access to health care coverage."
Half truth. The fund was so overwhelmed in the first 30 days that people are going to have to go on a waiting list or the state is going to have to toughen up the requirements to qualify or do both.
"We will stand up for Wisconsin families by protecting them from drunken drivers—addressing both the need to toughen penalties and the need to tackle the root of the problem, our destructive drinking culture."
Lie. Making the FOURTH offense a felony isn't really helping anyone who gets killed on the first, second, or third shot, now is it?
Shall I go on? This is the most ridiculous statement I've ever seen.
Sep 21, 2009 at 7:09 p.m.
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Seems Sheridan is still dumping his usual load. Did it when he was uunion pres at GM Janesville at the same time he was elected to the assembly! He helped push GM in the tank now he works on the state, just spend, spend, spend!
Sep 21, 2009 at 1:57 p.m.
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I guess encouraging business growth to create more jobs so people can work and pay their mortgages takes a back seat. You can keep people in their homes till the cows come home, until they solve the unemployment problem, we will always have a foreclosure problem. Simple little equation.
Sep 21, 2009 at 1:37 p.m.
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Good grief! I am not buying what you're selling. But I guess that doesn't matter to you. You've already bought it. And you're hiding the recipt. And we can't feel it that much yet, because you bought it on credit. But doesn't it feel nice ... until the bill comes. And then what to do. But let's not worry about that now. That would just be negative and not very nice.
Sep 21, 2009 at 11:44 a.m.
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MadeinUSA;
"...farmers and teachers unions control the state and other local governments..."? Huh? Do you really believe the farmers and teachers unions have a huge impact on our property taxes? ---- You do understand how our schools are funded - right? This is set by the state, so what good does going to Rock Co courthouse do? You cant dispute the tax rate - only the value of the property.
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One thing I like about Mike's message is he is not passing the buck on to anyone.---- nope he's certainly not passing on any bucks is he, just keeping them all for himself (not foregoing his pay raise like others) & he's collecting all the bucks he can from all business' & taxpayers.
Sep 21, 2009 at 8:14 a.m.
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This IS bull...but for a different reason. Go back and read the agenda for the fall session?... Drunk driving bills...fine. But how does the DNR Secretary, wind mill siting and Supreme Court elections impact the average Wisconsin family? It's a pretty flimsy agenda, plain and simple. Hard to believe he's still trying to defend that lousy budget the Legislature passed. So what if it was passed on time.
Sep 21, 2009 at 7:57 a.m.
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This is bull. If the democrats would correct the property tax laws so it is fair and does not favor any particular sector and if the government would not let the farmers and teachers unions control the state and other local governments then I would agree.
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