Getting To Know the Candidates

In an effort to give readers a better look at the candidates competing for the right to represent the 1st Assembly District in the State Legislature in Madison, the Pulse will be asking incumbent Representative Garey Bies and challengers Dick Skare and Chris Baeb to respond to a different question, without filter, in each issue from now until election day, November 4.

If you have a question or topic you would like to see the candidates address, please email it to [email protected], and we may use it in a future issue.

This week’s question:

The communities of Door and Kewaunee county have seen their young adult and family populations dwindle over the last decade, sapping schools of students and the area economy of its workforce and vitality. What can you as a representative in Madison do to help reverse this trend?

State Representative Garey Bies

Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay)

One of the biggest issues facing the legislature in the upcoming session is our state’s economy. Wisconsin is losing too many high-quality jobs, and here in the first Assembly District, we too are feeling this pinch. As your State Representative I fought for Wisconsin jobs with a strong economic development agenda, such as the help I helped bring to Palmer Johnson’s and Bay Ship Building. This agenda encouraged business to invest and grow to create good-paying jobs within our district and state.

This agenda included tax credits for Wisconsin’s dairy and meat processing industries and the elimination of capital gains tax if those capital gains were reinvested into Wisconsin businesses. I also supported legislation to provide tax credits for businesses that invest in new research and innovation. Unfortunately, my friends in the Senate did not follow-through on these proposals. Hopefully we’ll see a leadership change in the Senate so we can get things done.

Another important piece of legislation I supported will streamline and coordinate the state’s current economic development programs. This legislation, signed into law by the Governor, will allow for better tracking and evaluation of our current economic development programs. This will help the state determine which programs are effective, enabling the state to focus on those programs providing benefits to our state’s businesses and communities.

If re-elected, I will continue to work toward providing businesses the incentives they need to grow in the district and state. After decades of high taxes and stifling regulation, Wisconsin’s business climate is still favorable. We must do more to encourage business to prosper. In the upcoming session I will support legislation to expand research and development tax credits and tax exemptions for equipment used for research and development. A healthy economy is crucial to the future of Northeast Wisconsin.

Assembly candidate Christopher Baeb

Christopher Baeb (D-Luxemburg)

We need to do a better job educating our children in high school on where the job market is heading. Getting young adults to commit to a Technical College to learn welding and other trades that are in high demand in this district, is essential in getting future families to stay in our district. If we can get a comprehensive health care plan passed in Madison, it may change the demographics of the workforce available. Future and current employees may not seek employment outside of our district just for health insurance benefits.

Assembly Candidate Dick Skare

Dick Skare (D-Fish Creek)

The communities in District 1 are made up of hardworking people. The majority own or work for small businesses and farms. Nationally, small business has accounted for 75 percent of new jobs created over the past 10 years. As your representative in Madison I will support initiatives that help small business and farms grow and make our economy more vibrant.

Health care reform is a critical issue in our area. I will support initiatives which enlarge the insurance pool, where no one can be denied coverage and policies are transportable, pricing is open, transparent and affordable. Incentives would be available to employers to help with the cost as well. These changes would help free the people of District 1 to go about their business, to relieve a huge worry.

Education is critical to economic growth. To attract people to our area, to educate our young people so they can contribute to the vitality of Northeast Wisconsin we need strong schools. The current funding method is flawed. When in Madison I will work for funding changes that provide an education for our children mindful of Wisconsin’s tradition of excellence.

By supporting initiatives in affordable housing, tourism promotion, sustainable economic growth (people, planet and profit are given equal consideration), renewable energy, and protection of our water and environment, your representative in Madison can make a difference for District 1.

By listening to the concerns in the lives of the people in our District I will be able to shape policy that will help us grow and provide opportunity. This is my commitment – to listen, learn and act on your behalf.