Our Representatives

Representative Joel Kitchens

Kitchens issued the following statement regarding the most recent revenue projections from the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB), which stated that original tax revenue projections remain on target for the biennial budget.

“While our nation’s economy continues to sputter, I am pleased to see that Wisconsin’s future growth is projected at 4-5 percent. It is evident that our economy is continually getting stronger. New businesses are opening and more people are working.

“As the Joint Finance Committee and the Legislature continue to work on making the next two-year budget the best it can be, investing in K-12 education remains my top priority. As a former school board president, I know the importance of a quality education for preparing our future leaders and work force.

“I am very gratified that the Republican Assembly Caucus voted unanimously to make the restoration of funding to public K-12 education our first priority in the budget process. It was announced yesterday that we will put back the $150 per student cut that was in the Governor’s budget proposal.

“As we continue to move through the budget process, I will remain committed to finding ways to invest in our public school system.”

Source:  Kitchens press release

Governor Scott Walker

According to data released by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Wisconsin graduation rates jumped to 88.6 percent in 2014, up 0.6 from 88 percent in 2013, and up 2.9 percent from 85.7 percent in 2010.

“We have excellent schools in Wisconsin, and we will continue our work to build an even stronger education system for all of our students,” Walker said. “Thanks to all of the teachers, aides and administrators who work passionately to give students the skills and knowledge they need to earn their high school diploma, which is so important for their future success. We will continue our work to strive for excellence because every child deserves access to a great education.”

Source:  Walker press release

Representative Reid Ribble

Ribble released the following statement observing National Small Business Week (May 4-8) and the importance of our small businesses not only locally, but also on a global scale:  “Our small businesses are the embodiment of the American Dream. They are the results of families working hard to create a better life for their kids, and improving their communities with jobs and revenue in the process. However, our businesses don’t just impact our local economy. Wisconsin’s industries sell their wares all over the world, and almost 87 percent of exporters are small- and medium-sized businesses. We export a tremendous amount to nations like Canada, Japan, and Mexico – all countries that we would gain easier access to under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) for trade.” Ribble celebrates small businesses and supports the TPP negotiations because of the potential benefits for Wisconsinites. Last year, goods exports supported 124,913 jobs in Wisconsin and accounted for a total of $23.4 billion in merchandise shipped out of the country.

Source:  Ribble press release

Senator Tammy Baldwin

Baldwin and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) have reintroduced the Community Access Preservation (CAP) Act, legislation to ensure public access to local television programming.

“The 80-plus public, educational and governmental access channels in the state of Wisconsin deliver invaluable public programming on a daily basis, commercial free and with the sole purpose of informing and educating our communities,” said Baldwin. “As local budgets tighten and television delivery methods change, we must ensure that our local public access channels are able to continue to reflect local interests and bring diverse programming to the public.”

Source:  Baldwin press release

President Barack Obama

In this week’s address, the President honored the 70th anniversary of V-E Day (May 8). On this occasion, we commemorate the Allied victory in Europe during World War II. It is a day to pay tribute to the men and women who decades ago served and sacrificed for the cause of freedom. This was the generation that, by ending the war, literally saved the world, laying a foundation for peace. The President asked that in addition to commemorating this important anniversary, we honor the men and women in uniform who currently serve our country, and recommit ourselves to the values we share with our allies in Europe and beyond:  freedom, security, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law around the world.

Source:  Obama press release