Letter to the Editor: Democrats Invest in Our Future

Recently, two major investments of our tax dollars were announced in Door County: $3.5 million for child care and $1.75 for our tourism-industry infrastructure. Together, these two forward-looking, tremendous reinvestments of our tax dollars are strengthening the future of our county.

The child care grant, to the United Way, not only helps the working families and children of Door County today, but it also helps to provide a solid foundation for our kids down the road of life. 

The tourism grant, to the Door County Maritime Museum, also has both present and future implications. The museum is a significant tourist destination that attracts thousands of visitors annually to its three venues throughout the county. These visitors eat at our restaurants, stay at our lodgings, shop in our stores, use our marine-recreation businesses and more. Equally important is the future value of such a timely investment because it will continue to draw tourists and educate visitors well into our tomorrows, creating sustainable jobs into the future.

These two grants were made possible by a combination of federal funds, the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) and the state allocation of those dollars. ARPA was passed in Congress with 100% Democrat and 0% Republican support. That means that neither Rep. Gallagher nor Sen. Johnson voted in favor of the bill that has brought a minimum of $5.5 million to Door County. 

I believe our Republican lawmakers do not want to invest in our communities. They want to put the so-called state “surplus” of more than $1 billion – our money – in the bank instead of investing it in our communities.

The American economy is a partnership between the public and private sectors. Whether it’s schools, museums, bridges, broadband, highways, parks or public marinas, it’s the public infrastructure that underpins and enables a successful private sector. There is no private-sector success without a strong public sector. The Democrats understand that. Apparently, the Republicans do not.

Mike Brodd

Sister Bay, Wisconsin