Your Representatives in the News

Representative Joel Kitchens

Kitchens will attend a special meeting of the Sevastopol School Board at 6:30 pm Monday, Feb. 16.

Governor Scott Walker

On Feb. 5 Walker released the following statement on the process of developing the proposed reforms in his budget proposal for the University of Wisconsin System. “Clearly, changing the Wisconsin Idea serves no purpose. That is why I made it clear on Wednesday that we would not change it in the budget. It is not a change of heart. It was a simple miscommunication during the natural back and forth of this process. The real debate should be about two things: 1) governance of the UW System and 2) how much an authority is worth in savings…Our proposal gives new cost-saving reforms to the UW through an authority – while freezing tuition. We believe it is a good plan. Let the debate begin.” See more at walker.wi.gov/newsroom.

Source:  Walker press release

Representative Reid Ribble

Ribble is continuing his mission to reform Washington in the 114th Congress by co-sponsoring H.R. 584, the End Pensions in Congress (EPIC) Act. This legislation would end pensions for all future members of Congress as well as those currently serving who are not yet vested into the congressional retirement plan. “Our political system was designed for Americans to be served by citizen legislators, not career politicians,” Ribble said. “In a time when pensions are no longer available to the vast majority of people working in the private sector, it is wrong to ask taxpayers to subsidize this benefit for politicians. Cutting pensions is a responsible step that should have been taken long ago.” Ribble is joined by Reps. Ron DeSantis, Rod Blum, Trey Gowdy, Thomas Massie, and Mick Mulvaney.

Source:  Ribble press release

Senator Tammy Baldwin

Baldwin has joined a bipartisan effort in the United States Senate, led by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Susan Collins (R-ME), to reintroduce S. 375, The Small Brewer Reinvestment and Expanding Workforce Act or Small BREW Act, that will stimulate regional economies nationwide with a reduction in the excise tax on each barrel of beer brewed by small brewers. The bill also changes the threshold definition of a small brewer to better reflect modern production. “Wisconsin’s brewers have been at the center of our culture and anchors of local communities since our state’s beginning,” said Baldwin. “They create jobs and reinvest their profits back into their local economies and we need to be investing in them. I’m proud to support tax relief for craft brewers across Wisconsin in order to help create jobs and grow our Made in Wisconsin economy.” The Brewers Association determined in 2012 that the economic impact of the craft brewing industry in Wisconsin was $856 million. Accounting for growth since that time, that figure is likely to have surpassed $1 billion. The Small BREW Act would enable Wisconsin’s craft breweries to reinvest mmore than $1.5 million into their businesses each year, which would facilitate additional hiring to keep pace with the growing demand for craft beer produced in local communities. The Small BREW Act of 2015 would reduce the federal excise tax on every one of America’s small craft brewers.

Source:  Baldwin press release

President Barack Obama

In this week’s address, President Obama highlighted the progress our economy has made, with more than 3.1 million jobs created in 2014 – the best year for job growth since the late 1990s. America has come a long way, and with the right policies, we can continue to grow our economy into one where those who work hard can get ahead. That’s why earlier this week the President released a budget proposal focused on middle-class economics – the idea that this country does best when everyone gets their fair shot, does their fair share, and plays by the same set of rules. The President said he looks forward to working with anyone, Republican or Democrat, who is willing to fight for common sense policies that will help the middle class succeed.

Source:  White House press release