Sheridan prepares for legislative session
Podcast Episode
Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan discusses job creation
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Open Mic: jobs creation; who's responsible for deficit; health care reform; preserving the Tallman House
Photo
Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan meets with a Janesville Group at the State Capitol.
JANESVILLE — A year ago, Rep. Mike Sheridan was preparing to open the Assembly 2009-10 legislative session with his inauguration as Assembly Speaker.
On Tuesday, Sheridan will open the first Assembly floor period of 2010 with a year of leadership experience under his belt.
In advance of that, the Janesville Democrat sat down with the Gazette to look back at his first year in the leadership post. He also offered some observations on upcoming legislative action.
Q: With a year of Assembly leadership behind you, what surprised you most about the job of Assembly Speaker?
A: My leadership style is to try to bring people together, and I was surprised that we were able to develop a positive relationship with the business community, particularly with the launch of the Partnership for a Stronger Economy to boost businesses and create jobs.
We don’t always see eye-to-eye, but it was neat to be launching this and have James Buchen from Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and Phil Neuenfeldt of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO up there with me.
Q: What was most disappointing?
A: It’s the continuing partisanship in Madison. That was evident with the minority leader’s first statement that the budget deficit was the Democrats’ problem. It’s like the attitude is that they’re just waiting for the Democrats to fail so they can take back control. It’s irresponsible. Instead, they should be rolling up their sleeves to help up fix the problem.
It’s all about power, and it shouldn’t be that way.
Q: How did the Janesville area benefit from having you in the leadership post?
A: I think the economy is starting to turn around, and I will continue to use the leverage of this position to help Janesville.
We’re still working to bring the Talgo train project to Wisconsin and hopefully Janesville.
We’ve kept a good relationship with General Motors as it relates to Janesville, and while it didn’t work with the small car production, we’re one of just two (idled) plants that have a chance for future production. With GM, I think the community really needs to move on, but it would be irresponsible not to maintain that relationship.
We also did some things in the state budget with the Development Opportunity Zone for Janesville and tax credits that make new economic development tools available.
Q: As you look at Janesville now, do you see it as the “ghost town” that so many predicted after the closure of the local GM plant?
A: It’s not a ghost town. All you have to do is go out to Blackhawk Technical College or UW-Rock County and see the number of folks who used to be blue-collar workers who have returned to school to prepare themselves for the new economy. The recurring theme I see is one where people are using this opportunity to reinvent themselves.
And if you want to know where Janesville’s at, just look at that food drive last Christmas that raised $40,000 in just three weeks. This is a community that has taken a huge economic hit, but the spirit is still alive.
Q: At this time last year, there seemed to be a lot of statewide legislative interest in the economic plight of the Janesville area. Will that continue in 2010?
A: I think it’s been tamped down a little bit, but there still is interest. Even colleagues on the other side of the aisle have expressed their interest to me about the situation in Janesville. I think there will continue to be an aggressive interest in Rock County, and as the economy recovers, specific opportunities will present themselves. I wish I could say more on that, but I can’t.
Q: What do you expect will be the legislative priorities of 2010?
A: I think jobs and the economy will be No. 1. We want to get ideas on what we can do to provide jobs in this state and things we can do on regulatory reform. Foreclosures are still a big issue, and we want to continue to work with banks and lenders on that.
Education reform, Race to the Top and the Milwaukee Public Schools debate will continue to be hot topics, as will discussion on the Clean Energy Jobs Act. The potential for green job growth is great, and we should support that industry. But we also want to listen to the business community.
My main focus continues to the economy in Rock County, and I will look for opportunities to improve that.
Q: While 2010 isn’t a budget year, what steps can be taken now to ensure that Wisconsin balances it budget to avoid a general fund deficit of $2.7 billion?
A: We slashed state spending to historic levels. Some say “baloney, you raised taxes.” That’s in the eye of the beholder.
For example, we did the hospital tax assessment, which will ultimately bring more money back to the state. We will continue to look for ways to balance the budget the right way, without using gimmicks. You still have to fund roads, education and infrastructure, and there’s a real fine line there.
There’s only so much that can be cut.
Feb 2, 2010 at 8:59 a.m.
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In Sheridan's own words in the media"I work for the State Assembly" Gee I thought you worked for the people!! Maybe you can promise the people a new GM plant again 80 more years. The truth is NOT you continue to slither and slide and personally I'm happy your lack of ethics are finally being exsposed to the public the people you have forgotten!!
Jan 18, 2010 at 5:39 p.m.
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Right. And one could say the same thing about the Great Depression. The majority of people were still working....It was Herbert Hoover who had that same attitude....Everything is perfectly fine, most are still working. As the masses unemployed held signs like "In Hoover we trusted, now we are busted!"
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Double digit unemployment is the formula for an economic disaster. It's effects will have devastating consequences across every segment of the economy, and those who are employed. No matter who one puts the blame on, the ones in office will be the ones taking the heat for it now.
Jan 18, 2010 at 2:47 p.m.
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JustAskMe: I understand what you're saying, but the "unemployment rate" understates the actual number of unemployed, by not counting certain groups, such as the those deemed to have "given up" looking for a job.
Jan 18, 2010 at 2:43 p.m.
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bobb1951 - I can understand that 'jobs' is your number one concern, but my number one concern is healthcare reform - and my neighbor's number one concern is credit card debt.
Jan 18, 2010 at 2:38 p.m.
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carlitosway - I looked again and ran the numbers again - same result. If we are 18% unemployed, then we are 82% employed (100 - 18 = 82).
Jan 18, 2010 at 2:09 p.m.
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justaskme i dont know where you see that we are in good employment "the Janesville economy did not change a whole lot in the last few years for most of us. There is no need for it to 'turn around' - my calculator tells me that the vast majority of Janesville workers are gainfully employed" most of my friends are now unemployed and the company I worked for is still laying off so where ever you get your facts LOOK again. We are still the highest county for UE claims. As far as Sheridan no comment for the sabotage he has done.
Jan 18, 2010 at 1:21 p.m.
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New economy? Is that the economy where everyone becomes a geriatric nurse and lives off of previous generations' pension plans and retirement?
Jan 18, 2010 at 1:15 p.m.
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Sheridan just needs to stop helping.We don't need anymore problems in this state.
Jan 18, 2010 at 11:23 a.m.
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bobb1951 - I can only imagine what a list of Rep. Mike Sheridan's concerns would look like. It would probably include taxation tactics, budget balancing, job creation, healthcare reform awareness, illegal immigration, and so on ....
Jan 18, 2010 at 9:47 a.m.
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"Our elected officials have discovered that if the attach the word “jobs” to any “bill” it goes right thru"
sweeeet. someone needs to introduce the 'PLENTY OF JOBS FROM LEGALIZED MARIJUANA ACT' real soon:)
Jan 18, 2010 at 9:14 a.m.
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I'm but one of the majority unemployed. I had income for 40 yrs.Went through a plant closing 10 years ago and took jobs just to pay bills like so many of you have. went through that again 3 yrs ago. I was displaced and receiving unemployment and am still attending tech college in my last semester. I am told I no longer qualify for unemployment. I have contacted my state senator and rep. to congress. No one can explain why I no longer am eligible. I will not complain. I have no income, BUT I have a vote. I will use that vote to help unseat all incumbents.
Jan 18, 2010 at 6:59 a.m.
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The Clean Energy Jobs Act, what a joke. This scheme has been tried in other countries with total failure. Mr. Sheridan will spend a million dollars to create each (GREEN) job that pays $25,000.00 per year, and when the federal dollars run out the job ends. Worse yet for every (GREEN) job they fabricate they will kill 2 good paying jobs in Wisconsin.
Our elected officials have discovered that if the attach the word “jobs” to any “bill” it goes right thru.
Why do the people we send to Madison think that federal dollars are free? We as taxpayers have to pay for all their foolishness.
The only thing green about the Clean Energy Jobs Act is the color of the money that will fill the pockets of a select few.
State Rep. Mike Heubsch spells it out very well in his recent news letter, you can read it here.
Rep.Huebsch [Rep.Huebsch@legis.wisconsin.gov]
If Mr. Sheridan really wants to make an impact how about a bill that would force the babies in Madison to get along be requiring any bill to have at least 25% support from the minority party.
They could call it the Let’s Work Together Jobs Bill.
Jan 18, 2010 at 5:01 a.m.
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Unemployment is an issue, but Rep. Mike Sheridan will need to focus on the issues that are most important to the MAJORITY of his constituents.
Jan 18, 2010 at 4:57 a.m.
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As I said before kiowamohican, despite double-digit unemployment, my calculator tells me that most Janesville workers are currently working.
Jan 18, 2010 at 4:53 a.m.
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I think we all know that matman - we will support Rep. Mike Sheridan for what he 'will do' - not for what he 'has done'.
Jan 18, 2010 at 4:28 a.m.
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Let's deal in plain truth here.Mike Sheridan used the local union to get where he is.Fact he was local 95 president and still held office while others under him struggled with the closing of the local plant.I am a member of local 95.I personaly heard him talk.Sounded like another member of the mangement.I think he mico managed the union for personal gain.He used the office that Wayne Wood heald for so many years to move up the to where he is today.We do not need these type of people in office.Get a clue Janesville....
Jan 18, 2010 at 3:29 a.m.
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I guess if you consider double digit unemployment as "turned around" then you are buying into the koolaid/spin machine. You can throw out all the bogus indicators you want, if people don't have jobs, it's hardly a turn around. The rate of unemployment here is higher then it has been in decades. As I stated; I would not want to be the known "leader" of the dog catcher dept right now. Any elected governmnet leadership position is setting yourself up for total failure as the economy flounders, whether it is your doing or not.
Jan 18, 2010 at 2:50 a.m.
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I expect Sheridan will receive the same bi-partisan assistance his party gave the Republicans when the Democrats were in the minority, i.e., none, zip, nada. He will deserve it and be worthy of such non-assistance, as long as he and the members of both parties continue to put their petty bickering ahead of their job.
Everyone who votes should contact both incumbents and new candidates and insist they openly support two things:
1. a "None of the above" constitutional amendment (see http://nota.org/ for details).
2. a term limitations amendment for Senate, Assembly, and Governor's positions in Wisconsin.
No public position statement in favor of NOTA and term limits - no campaign donation and no vote.
Anyone naive enough (naive is pronounced s-t-u-p-i-d) to believe they should vote for the lessor of two evils should note that prior voting by that method has been partially responsible for the mess we currently have.
Voting the party line? You're not voting "red" or voting "blue", you're voting sheep.
Jan 17, 2010 at 11:32 p.m.
Jan 17, 2010 at 11:04 p.m.
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The Janesville economy is close to turning around Hollynfaith. Some may say it is 'almost' getting better, while other think it 'already has begun' to get better. But you need to keep this in perspective - the Janesville economy did not change a whole lot in the last few years for most of us. There is no need for it to 'turn around' - my calculator tells me that the vast majority of Janesville workers are gainfully employed.
Jan 17, 2010 at 10:36 p.m.
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The economy is starting to turn around in Janesville? Is he blind to reality or just completely ignorant? Janesville's economy is a disaster. Who does he think he is selling this crap to? Oh, wait, I forgot...he's talking about the fake economic status, that got the fake money, in a fake town....ah...now it makes sense...the man lives in never never land!
Jan 17, 2010 at 10:16 p.m.
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I don't think now is the time you want to be associated with ANY leadership role at ANY level of governmnet. If what is happening today was happening 300 years ago, you'd see blood in the streets, and heads a rolling!
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Maybe ole Mike should go back his good old natural role. That of union boss/thug and "putting a hurting" on oh say Woodmans; HAHA.
Jan 17, 2010 at 10:04 p.m.
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Sheridan is a phoney blow hard bobble head that stabbed the UAW in the back to help himself. We can only expect the same from him.
Jan 17, 2010 at 9:07 p.m.
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Does any politician?
Jan 17, 2010 at 9:05 p.m.
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The question is does Rep. Sheridan actually believe the bs coming out of his mouth ?
Jan 17, 2010 at 8:43 p.m.
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If it was true, then do what I said.
Jan 17, 2010 at 8:14 p.m.
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Why would anyone remove the truth?
Jan 17, 2010 at 8:10 p.m.
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Hey Mike, how is the plan to "put the hurt" on Woodmans going?
Jan 17, 2010 at 6:51 p.m.
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FANG....I heard that when he first ran for office he was in the process of building a new house in his district.
If you have information that he does not at this time have a legal address in his district, please take that information to the proper authorities...otherwise you are just part of the problem.
Jan 17, 2010 at 5:50 p.m.
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Sheridon is the reason nobody should vote straight ticket .He was vacationing in Italy when he heard about the plant shutting down.He's afraid that legalizing med pot will lead to decriminalization OMG He is still in the 50's He's no democrat
Jan 17, 2010 at 5:37 p.m.
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I like it, things are good cause all the former blue collar people went to blackhawk to learn skills for jobs that don't exist in the area.
Jan 17, 2010 at 5:27 p.m.
Jan 17, 2010 at 5:05 p.m.
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Mike Sheridan, the Democrats & the Republicans are the problem. Why should Joe Average live within his means when the city, state, & the federal government don't.
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