Bill Kramer claims Democrats are hostile to taxpayers

This is an excerpt from the latest e-newsletter from State Representative Bill Kramer. I'm reprinting it here because I think it of interest to my readers, especially those from Waukesha.

Biennial State Budget Update

During the early morning hours on Saturday (just as most people had begun brewing their coffee), the Wisconsin State Assembly had just finished a long night of debate and passed its version of the 2009-2011 biennial budget.

This budget, that was crafted beyond the prying eyes of the press and public by just a handful of key, Madison-area legislators, was simply an irresponsible document that pitted taxpayers against state government. You lost.

Despite the rhetoric of shared sacrifice coming from the budget's authors, the fact is that this budget -- despite the current recession -- will increase state government spending by 6.3% and increase taxes by $2.25 billion. In just five short months, the liberal majority in the State Assembly has proposed raising taxes by nearly $5 billion. Sacrifice is voluntary -- this budget was downright extortion.

The budget that passed the Assembly will increase property taxes on average by over $300 and still cuts aid to our local schools and repeals a key mechanism for controlling local school costs, the Qualified Economic Offer, or QEO.

Moreover, despite claims from supporters of this budget, the state is still left with a $2.3 billion structural deficit because of accounting gimmicks and the irresponsible use of one-time money.

Dick Butkus, the famed Chicago Bear, once said, "If I was smart enough to be a doctor, I'd be a doctor. I ain't, so I'm a football player."

Similarly situated, that seems to explain the downright hostility the Democrat majority has exhibited towards Wisconsin taxpayers and job creators. Their intellectual vacuity and failure to understand economic relationships has undermined job creators, working families, budget stability and the overall competitiveness of the state.

If you own a home, use a phone, buy gas, have a child at the UW, download music, have car insurance, or even take your garbage to the curb, you will end up paying more in taxes and fees and just the cost of eveyday living for your family will increase. And this certainly says nothing of the increase in taxes on job creators which will reduce Wisconsin's global competitiveness and hurt our working families with the prospect of yet even more job losses.

The process now moves to the State Senate where they are expected to act as soon as today, more likely tomorrow, on their version of the biennial budget.

Kramer calls it the "Worst. Budget. Ever."

State Representative Bill Kramer summed up his feelings on the state budget in a statement released Monday night:

Worst. Budget. Ever.

The biennial state budget that the State Assembly is going to begin debating - and likely pass - this week is a clear example that elections have consequences.

Whether it was the manner in which it was created (in private, away from prying eyes, and with the special interests hovering) or the policy that it creates, the state budget is an orgy of excess.

The foxes appear to be running the hen house.

Crafted by some of the state's most liberal and extreme politicians (State Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison) and State Sen. Mark Miller (D-Madison)), the budget increases state spending by almost 7 percent and increases taxes by NO LESS than $2.9 billion (which includes the $1.2 billion already tacked on earlier this spring).

This budget declares war on job creators, investors, and our working families. If you buy gas, have health insurance, have car insurance, download music, have investments, have a cell phone, produce garbage, have a child at the UW, or have a teenager who works, you will pay more tribute to your benevolent state government.

I cannot believe that when the voters gave Democrats full control of state government that they anticipated the special interest-driven agenda that is about to become law.

The Democrats have abused the authority given to them, have shunned scrutiny, and even broken their own rules and promises in their zealous drive to rewrite our social contract.

Bill Kramer looking for the 2003 version of Governor Doyle

State Representative Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) asks in his latest Capitol Correspondence what happened to the Governor Doyle we knew in 2003?

Where's the Governor Jim Doyle from 2003?

In 2003, Governor Jim Doyle had just started his first term as Governor and had delivered his first State of the State speech.

In 2009, he has proposed two budgets that raised taxes by $2.9 billion and base state spending since that first State of the State speech has increased 100%.

Below are some of the sentiments that Governor Jim Doyle shared with Wisconsin from his 2003 speech... and I ask: Where is THAT Governor Doyle?

"And I can summarize that condition simply. The state of our government is profoundly troubled. The State of Wisconsin is as vibrant as ever."

I agree, but your budgeting since has not reflected that sentiment, Governor Doyle. You have systematically raided segregated funds, borrowed too much from future taxpayers, and increased taxes on our job creators and families that have made Wisconsin vibrant.

"But here in Madison, we face a crisis -- a budgetary deficit that imperils state government -- one so severe it will, if we do not address it, imperil our people too."

I agree, but why does this seem to be a recurring problem? The more things change, the more they stay the same, huh?

"Our challenge -- here in this room -- is to prove Wisconsin's government worthy of Wisconsin's people. Let that challenge begin today. And let it begin with me."

We should begin to address this challenge, unfortunately, you've taken six years to take your clarion call seriously. Your solution: Raise taxes. Increase spending. Raid segregated funds. The problem? It's still there and every passing day the news gets worse.

"But this is a moment for protecting what's most important rather than launching a host of new undertakings. I wish that wasn't the case. This isn't the kind of speech I wanted to give, nor, I'm sure, is it the kind you wanted to hear."

I'll take this speech over any you've given since -- especially any where you've proposed new spending initiatives, expanded the size and scope of government, and raised taxes. This was good advice... you should have heeded it. Instead of blaming the current economic recession on national circumstances brought forth by previous presidential administrations, perhaps you should instead say "thank you" for allowing you to live off the prosperity that many Wisconsinites enjoyed and which enabled you to increase state spending by 100%. Your most recent budget proposal calls for a 10 percent spending increase.

"There's a lot I'd like to do that we can't -- and a lot we'll have to do that I'd rather not -- and both of those circumstances trouble me greatly."

It didn't stop you, did it, Governor Doyle?

"The simple fact is this: We're spending too much -- and we have been for a long, long time."

And it never slowed, stopped, or retreated under your watch, did it?

"We can no longer rely on the economic boom to mask spending growth. More than 166,000 of our people are out of work. Revenues to the state are down by more $900 million. All the while, government has continued to spend more and promise more."

Compared to 2009, those are halcyon days. We continue to hemorrhage jobs and the budget deficit keeps getting worse and worse.

"Meanwhile, the combination of soaring spending and dubious bookkeeping resulted in our bonds being downgraded. Only two states' ratings are worse. I wish we weren't in this mess. I believe firmly that we shouldn't be. But we are. We must get out of it. And we can."

What's that you say about soaring spending, Governor Doyle?

For years, many of us, myself included, have tried to reform the fiscal mismanagement of state government and have proposed legislation that would have required the state to prepare budgets using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and zero-based budgeting so that we could better manage and understand the state's fiscal position. Both Republicans and Democrats have shown tremendous reluctance to embrace these ideas. If we are to abide the admonition given by Rahm Emanuel, President Obama's Chief of Staff, that we ought not waste a good crisis, then now is the best time for a complete restructuring of government bookkeeping procedures.

"Going forward, my mind will be open to every solution -- except one. We should not -- we must not -- and I will not -- raise taxes.
Wisconsin's problem is not that we tax too little. It is that we spend too much.
If common sense doesn't lead us to that conclusion, simple arithmetic will.

Wisconsin is already one of the nation's most heavily taxed states. Adding to the burden would make it virtually impossible to attract new jobs while destroying more than 50,000 of the ones we already have.

By costing us jobs, raising taxes would trigger an economic spiral that would cost us revenue too. In the long run -- and perhaps in the short term too -- raising taxes will make the deficit worse, not better."

If it was true then, why is it not true now, Governor Doyle? In February you signed more than $1.2 billion in tax increases into law, and then immediately proposed another $1.7 billion in tax increases within days of that. When all is said and done, taxes in Wisconsin will have increased by no less than $2.9 billlion.

"Working families are already stretched to the limit. They're paying more for groceries -- housing -- utilities -- gasoline -- and other basic needs. It would be unfair -- and it would be wrong -- to raise their taxes too."

Where is that $2.9 billion going to come from, then? You are proposing more in garbage fees, cell phone fees, hospital taxes, and investment taxes. That turnip has no blood left to give, Governor.

"Finally, let's solve this problem once -- and let's solve it right."

Tick, tock. Tick, tock.

"For too long, Wisconsin has budgeted for today without thinking about tomorrow. We've allowed structural problems to accumulate that make each budget more difficult than the one before. In the past, government resorted to easy, cosmetic fixes rather than making the tough calls."

Like that time you raided the Transportation Fund? Or the Injured Families and Patients Compensation Fund? Or the Petroleum Environmental Cleanup Fund?

"You know, the budget shortfall is serious, and we'll have to make painful cuts to overcome it. But let's not lose our perspective. We're still going to spend more than $22 billion over the next two years -- and that's enough money to make a real difference in a lot of people's lives."

If $22 billion is enough money to make a real difference in a lot of people's lives, Governor Doyle, then what is the justification for a 100 percent increase in state expenditures since you gave this speech, and a nearly 10 percent increase in the upcoming budget alone? What was it you said before about spending too much? And cosmetic fixes?

I ask again, where is the Governor Jim Doyle from 2003?

Governor Doyle gives me gas

Governor Doyle's tax on "big oil" profits is not likely to pass the legislature. (Will any Democrats apologize to State Representative Bill Kramer now that they are the tools of Big Oil, too?) So the usual suspects are going back to their favorite revenue source: raising taxes directly at the gas pump.

Gov. Jim Doyle said Monday he’s open to a 3-cent gasoline tax increase as an alternative to his proposed tax on oil company sales.

Doyle said he preferred his plan to pay for roads by raising taxes on oil companies by $272 million over two years and barring the firms from passing the tax on to consumers.

But some business groups have instead been pushing an increase to the state’s gas tax — currently the second highest in the nation — saying it wouldn’t face the oil tax’s potential legal challenges.

"I give them credit. They’ve really worked to come up with a proposal, and I think it’s one that’s worthy of consideration," Doyle said.

The plan by groups representing oil companies, grocers, car dealers and convenience stores would include $306 million in new money over two years for the state’s road fund through the gas tax hike and new fees.

As the Wisconsin State Journal reports, Wisconsin already has one of the highest gas taxes in the country. That high tax has allowed Governor Doyle and the legislature to raid the transportation fund for nearly $1.3 billion, far more than this new tax would raise. If the governor and the legislature could keep their hands off the transportation fund, we could actually cut the gas tax and vehicle fees, not raise them.

The new taxes and fees, according to the Wisconsin State Journal:

• Raise $170 million from the gas tax.

• Raise $61 million by increasing the fee for car titles to $78 from $53.

• Raise $15 million by putting a $50 annual surcharge on hybrid vehicles.

• Use $42 million already in an environmental cleanup fund.

Nice to see the "environmental cleanup fund" is just a slush fund along with the rest of the transportation budget.

"Unpaid taxes may be the Lord working in mysterious ways"

It was a packed house at today's town hall meeting with Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner and State Representative Bill Kramer. There were 90 people there (not including staff), three times the normal amount according to Congressman Sensenbrenner. Among the notables: former Waukesha mayoral candidate Jim Young, blogger M.E. from Stand in the Trenches, Alexander from A Little Off Main, Waukesha County Treasurer Pam Reeves, former Waukesha County Supervisor Alicia Silva. The Spring City Chronicle also reported Lynn Gaffey, owner of the Almont Gallery, was there. Token liberal Waukesha Mayor Larry Nelson was there but did not speak or ask any questions.

I say "token liberal" because this was clearly a conservative crowd. The most critical questions were those wishing the Republicans would fight harder against President Obama and Governor Doyle.

Sensenbrenner replied that "elections have consequences" and that he and Kramer are "out of the legislating business." The agenda is being set by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan. However, he pointed with some hope to the House Republican unity in voting against the "non-stimulus stimulus bill." In response to a question about universal health care, he also pointed out Democrats had a bigger majority when Hillarycare was shot down in the House.

When asked about alternative fuels, Sensenbrenner explained some of the problems with ethanol, noted that biomass fuel is still a ways off, and then declared his support for nuclear power to applause from the room.

To the amusement of the room, one woman asked who is it in Washington that determines they don't have to pay a fine when they don't pay taxes. "Why, the secretary of the treasury," replied Sensenbrenner. He then explained that he did not think Treasury Secretary Geithner made an innocent mistake, and he praised Feingold for voting against Geithner.

Along the same lines, in response to another question about universal health care, he pointed out that the President hoped to have an easier time pushing it through because former senator Tom Daschle is a former majority leader and something of a policy wonk on the issue. "Unpaid taxes may be the Lord working in mysterious ways."

One person asked about the federal stimulus bill, noting that the $13/week we'll be giving back next year in taxes. Sensenbrenner told her, "Your calculator works better than the one in Washington."

On the subject of global warming, Sensenbrenner called the proposed "cap and trade" carbon tax "cap and tax." He said global warming sceptics were being subject to "scientific fascism" in the way they are ridiculed and personally attacked.

"What is clear," he told the audience, "is the economic devastation of cap and tax."

But the repeated question was what could the members of the audience do to help fight the Democrats? Both Sensenbrenner and Kramer answered the best thing people could do is stay informed and tell their friends and neighbors. To one member of the audience with a brother-in-law in Wausau, Kramer and Sensenbrenner listed the Democrats representing the city and told him to tell his brother-in-law to call those Democrats. Sensenbrenner also suggested they all show up the next time Feingold had a meeting in Waukesha and express their concerns to him.

As for Senator Kohl, Sensenbrenner noted dryly that the only way any of the audience would see him is to "purchase $110 seats at a Bucks game. You might see him there."

It's too bad neither Kramer nor Sensenbrenner said, "Join the Republican Party."

Something to add to your calendar this morning

Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner and State Representative Bill Kramer will be at the Waukesha Public Library (aka the Taj Ma Larry) for a town hall meeting at 1:00 PM today. The massive explosion in federal and state spending will be the main topic today, although I'm sure both Sensenbrenner and Kramer will have more than a few things to say about Governor Doyle's taking of the money for the Real ID program.

As both the Badger Blogger and Lakeshore Laments reported, the state has been collecting the $10 fee per driver's license to institute the federally mandated Real ID. Now Doyle's raiding the money for the state budget.

Glenn Frankovis at Badger Blogger:

Jim Doyle has decided that he will not budget any money to comply with a federal anti-terrorism law even though the state has been collecting a $10 fee per driver’s license to do so for over one year amounting to about $12.5 million so far. Why? “Doyle said he expects the law to be overhauled now that his fellow Democrats control Congress and the White House”, or to put it in the new motto of the Democrat Party, BECAUSE WE CAN!

From Kevin at Lakeshore Laments:

It’s no secret to any Wisconsin political watcher that Governor Jim Doyle - a wholly owned subsidiary of WEAC - has hated the REAL ID Act from Day One. The only shocker is it’s taken him this long to finally attempt to worm his way out of it.

The fact he’s screwed the lot of us by taking the already paid fee money and is re-routing it for other budgetary purposes shouldn’t shock anyone. After all, this is a man who’s literally rewritten more laws with his powerful line-item veto than anyone in state history.

There’s two ways this will be handled. One will be either the Department of Homeland Security declaring the State of Wisconsin is in non-compliance, calling down the thunder if/when Congress lacks the time to make the changes Doyle believes are coming down the road.

The second is Jim Sensenbrenner raining down fury, because Doyle’s messing with one of his babies.

Kramer on the budget repair bill

State Representative Bill Kramer issued the following statement on the budget repair bill passed by the legislature on Wednesday:

“It has become apparent that Democrats in the Legislature have little interest in actually seeking and seizing opportunities to better position Wisconsin in the current recession, instead choosing the politics of derision and division.

Too many previous bi-partisan budgets were fiscally unsound, but this budget bailout bill is not only unsound but economically flawed and will only prolong Wisconsin’s economic recovery.

The budget bailout bill that passed tonight, that Democrats mistakenly call a stimulus, is nothing short of irresponsible, will kill commerce and jobs, and demands tribute to Madison from the very companies that working families depend on for economic security.

We saw tonight the same recklessness that has gripped Congressional Democrats as they throw money out the door, shun any modicum of oversight, and burden our fragile economy with billions of dollars in new taxes that our working families can ill-afford.”

At least Assembly Democrats will feel good

The Wisconsin State Assembly passed two bills today, Assembly Bill 1 and Assembly Bill 2, that will do nothing to help the taxpayers of Wisconsin or make Wisconsin government more efficient. But, hey, it will make some legislators feel better.

Assembly Bill 1 would require state and local government "to try to purchase at least 20% of materials and supplies from Wisconsin vendors. The bill also requires that in each fiscal year, the percentage of the total amount spent on Wisconsin-based businesses may not be lower than in the past fiscal year."

Assembly Bill 2 would require almost all services purchased by the state to come from within the United States.

State Representative Bill Kramer issued the following statement to explain his votes against the two bills:

“This afternoon I voted against AB 1 and could not, in good conscience, vote for AB 2. While I support the idea of bolstering Wisconsin’s businesses, AB 1, unfortunately, does not immediately create a single job outside of government. It merely sets a goal that is already being met by local governments. It is fantasy that this bill does anything more than demagogue an issue while people are genuinely feeling the pain of the current recession.

Likewise, AB 2 is nothing more than an opportunity for Democrats who now control the State Assembly to grab headlines while providing no new opportunities to struggling families in Waukesha. It is both technically flawed and poorly targeted legislation.

It is my sincere hope that the next time Democrats make promises to the hard working people of Waukesha that they are more thoughtful and pragmatic about what legislation they propose so as to not sacrifice people’s livelihoods on the altar of political gamesmanship.”

I'll see that and raise you a legislature

Disappointing news this weekend as we learned State Representative Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) is accepting the legislative pay raise. Kramer told the Waukesha Freeman that he plans to invest the money into his business.

I sympathize with Kramer when calls giving back the pay raise towards the state budget deficit as "gimmicky." I would even go so far as to argue that a case can be made that members of the state legislature deserve a raise. I'm also sympathetic to the argument that it would affect Kramer's tax liability, which perhaps explains why some of his colleagues promised the raise to charity.

However, the case for a raise was not made by the legislature, nor was the case made by any legislative Republicans for accepting it. The money was allocated without so much as a vote, let alone any debate. On that principle alone the raise should have been rejected or sent to charity.

Perhaps even more disappointing than Kramer's reaction was the mixed reaction from all legislative members of the Republican Party in Madison. It's not like this pay raise was unexpected yet there was no strategy for dealing with the issue. Instead of being used to partisan advantage, the issue seems to have been rolled under the GOP tent like a live hand grenade. The reaction, sadly predictable, has been every man for himself.

At a time when many of Kramer's constituents are facing no raise or even unemployment, the least Kramer and his colleagues owed them was a vote on his own pay raise.

Bill Kramer, chips & salsa

Spotted this item over at the Waukesha GOP website:

Republican Party of Waukesha County
SOUTH CENTRAL BRANCH CLUB
ANNUAL DINNER MEETING

Thursday, January 15, 2009
CASA del RIO Restaurant
408 E. Main Street, Waukesha

Social: 5:30pm - Dinner: 6:00pm
Program & Meeting to Follow

Cost: $20.00 - Cash Bar

GUEST SPEAKER:
BILL KRAMER

Call the Republican office, 262-542-8532, for reservations by January 12th, 2009

Food and entertainment. I'll try to find out if it's buffet or sit-down, but either way I've always enjoyed the food at Casa Del Rio.

C'mon big eight. Baby New Year needs a new pair of shoes

Let’s take a last look back at 2008 at the eight events that shaped Wisconsin and Waukesha.

Waukesha’s Big Eight:
1. The Flood. How often does a city emergency come up where a city handles it well?
2. The Great Lakes Water Compact passes, complete with a process for Waukesha to apply for a diversion. Speaking of water, you can never have enough. Where do we stick the $50 million straw?
3. Todd Gray becomes Waukesha Schools Superintendent. Already we’re seeing the changes. But do we have to have four-year-old kindergarten? Gray has ended talk of referendums and has moved the debate to reforms.
4. The great Frame Park baseball stadium debate. Compared to other cities, when we argue, we argue nicely. Unfortunately, the home team lost. But I predict we have not heard the last of some of the people involved in the argument, and this city will be better for it.
5. Bill Kramer defeating Ruth Page Jones after her squeaker victory over Steve Schmuki. It’s official. The seat is mostly safe for Republicans, especially if the Republican works hard to keep it.
6. The passing of Governor Lee Sherman Dreyfus. An institution.
7. Chris Lufter steps down as head of the Waukesha Taxpayers League. Great work is done by great people.
8. Evil genius Lori Luther takes over as the new city administrator. She sends the other guy to funerals, ribbon cuttings, and to buy lunch occasionally.

Wisconsin’s Big Eight:
1. The Flood. Governor goes golfing with contributors while parts of the state are washed away. Lake Delton still recovering. Golf course got free advertising.
2. Hillary Clinton bypasses the Wisconsin primary. What? Is she lactose intolerant?
3. The state assembly falls to the Democrats. You Maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!
4. Judge Gableman defeats Justice Louis Butler. State Supreme Court race still stirs political rancor and sets the stage for the Koschnick – Abrahamson battle.
5. Great Lakes Water Compact passes. I know some on the right disagreed, but a generation from now we’ll be thankful it passed.
6. Rose Fernandez leads coalition of virtual school parents and teachers to Madison. WEAC, Democrats back down and virtual schools are saved.
7. General Motors announces closure of Janesville plant. Ripple effects just beginning. Look at Paul Ryan’s support for the auto bailout.
8. Tommy Thompson’s presidential ambitions end in the cornfields of Iowa. I never did understand the logic behind his campaign.

The foggy oracle of 2008

Each year at this time I peer into the magic crystal ball, and each year I just see my reflection. But I still make predictions. Using the typical sportswriter's accuracy for predicting NFL games as my benchmark, I don't do half badly. On the other hand, have you noticed how few sportswriters chuck the job and move to Las Vegas?

Herewith are the results from last year's predictions with the update in italics.
1. Despite high turnover on the Waukesha County Board, Jim Dwyer will remain as County Board Chairman. Meetings will still continue to be held during the day preventing many qualified people from running and serving.
Well, yeah. I gave myself an easy one to start.

2. The Waukesha School District will win its arbitration case with the teacher’s union. The teachers will retaliate by behaving unprofessionally even though the district didn’t get very much.
The school district opted instead to punt.

3. At least one local radio personality will be suspended for something said on air.
Not even off air. I was really betting on Joel McNally.

4. State Representative Bill Kramer will only face token opposition from the Democrats.
Well, define token. Okay, I was wrong, but it proved to be a safe Republican seat.

5. There will not be a school referendum in 2008 in Waukesha.
Hah! Score one for me.

6. Jonah Goldberg’s book will be judged more by its cover than by its content.
Too easy.

7. Mayor Larry Nelson will wear a suit, tie and even real shoes to a city function.
Yes, yes he did. Unfortunately, it was Governor Lee Dreyfus' funeral.

8. Alderman and County Supervisor Kathleen Cummings will be caught talking to herself oddly. No, but how can you be in favor of train whistles?

9. I will lose weight, stop snoring, and figure out my sinus problems. (Cross-reference my New Year’s resolutions) I stopped snoring, just in the nick of time.

10. The Dallas Cowboys will win the Super Bowl. Only if you play Madden 2008.

11. Rumors will start about Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas running for governor in 2010 (even if I have to start them). I'm trying Allison, but I'm the only one mentioning his name. The problem is there's this guy over in Wauwatosa...

12. The Milwaukee Brewers will finish 88-74. (88+74=162, okay I didn’t screw that up this year.) 90-72, not a bad prediction.

13. Bud Selig will not finish 2008 as Baseball Commissioner. This was wrong early.

14. Some politician will go to jail in Madison but it won’t be Governor Doyle or former Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen. Close. How's the drunk tank, Representative Wood?

15. Paul Soglin will be arrested for counterfeiting tickets to enter downtown Madison on Halloween. He’ll be sentenced to community service – snowplowing Madison’s bike trails. He'll be caught this year.

16. The Republican nominee for President will be… Mitt Romney. So much for the barnstormin' Mormon.

17. The Democratic nominee for President will be… Barack Obama. Do we have to kiss his ring?

18. Joe Liebermann will run for Vice President. And I’m leaving it at that. He gave a great vice presidential speech at the Republican convention.

19. Britney Spears will be pregnant. With John Edwards' love child.

20. Assembly Democrats will win the state assembly and State Senate Democrats will retain control. Oh, the humanity!

21. There will be a human rights protest or incident at the Beijing Olympics that will be ignored by the media until the blogs and talk radio forces them to cover it – too late. The protestors were better organized worldwide than the Chinese.

22. Jim Doyle will propose his own version of Healthy Wisconsin. Lord help us, but Doyle may be the only one to save us from the madness.

23. Jim Doyle will propose shifting school funding to the sales tax. He’ll call it "property tax relief." I think this idea is actually DOA. How'd that happen?

24. State Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler will win re-election. Federal Judge Louis Butler. It's like whack-a-mole.

25. Local activist Steve Edlund will be caught skinny-dipping in the Waukesha South High School Pool. No, but we had to hear about sex in Frame Park. Ewwww.

26. Ed Thompson will be elected mayor of Tomah. Somebody in the family has to hold a steady job, even if he is a conspiracy theory nut.

27. The United States will have forces inside Pakistan by the end of the year. Barack has a list of 41 other countries to invade, too.

28. Ann Coulter will be fined by the FCC for uttering an obscenity on the air. She will blame her critics. I think the broken jaw saved her.

Bonus leap year prediction:
29. JB Van Hollen will not find any terrorist training camps in Wisconsin.
No, the GAB doesn't count.

I count 10 of 29 for a correct score of 34%. Better than your daily horoscope, almost as good as the weatherman.

Kramer vs. Jones, the correction website

State Representative Bill Kramer, in response to Ruth Page Jones' last-minute campaign mailers, has put up a special page on his website correcting the falsehoods in Jones' mailed hit pieces. I think the hardest-hitting attack she has used is the $400,000 the Waukesha School District had to raise taxes last year because of the state budget battle delay. Kramer goes into a lengthy explanation in response:

Her assertion:
"For example, my opponent stood by and did nothing while the last state budget raised Waukesha school taxes by $400,000 to provide a $2 million rebate to Brookfield taxpayers."
Reality:
It's not that I did nothing; the compromise budget was a bad deal. I voted against it. It borrowed too much, spent too much, relied on transfers and gimmicks - including the theft of money from the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund - and relied on revenue projections that didn't consider the current economic downtown. By September, most of us knew that those projections were not going to hold up. The budget passed in October.

When we passed the GOP budget in July, the numbers were more reliable. We didn't rely so heavily on the levy credit, whereas the final compromise that passed included all the profligacy of the Senate Democrats necessitated that more dollars be routed into the levy credit versus the equalization aid calculations.

Again, I voted against that budget, in part, because the way Waukesha schools were treated under the compromise.

With regards to Ms. Jones' demagoguery on school funding, I find it ironic that she would point to Brookfield that receives 15% in equalization aid while Waukesha gets 49% (and that somehow Brookfield's tax relief is unfair), and Milwaukee gets 85% of its budget funded by state taxpayers (which, according to Ms. Jones must be simultaneously unfair to Milwaukee).

The funding formula that she claims is broken ostensibly works like Barack Obama's tax plan - it is redistributive in nature and is grounded in a "from each, to each" mechanism. It meets the constitutional mandate for equalized spending across school districts.

The point being, that any change to the formula will hurt Waukesha and its neighbors to the benefit of Milwaukee. Milwaukee and property-poor rural districts have enough legislators, they don't need her complicity.

I would have just said that if Jones was really concerned about how much the Waukesha School District had to spend because of the state budget delay, she should re-direct her fire to state Democrats that wanted to raise taxes, including the state senate that wanted to double taxes for "Healthy Wisconsin."

The Sheldon and Ruth show

In this week's column for the Waukesha Freeman (just $.50 at your favorite gas station), I took a look at the Sheldon Wasserman campaign and the Ruth Page Jones campaign. Wasserman is pretending to be a conservative while running against a liberal Republican while Jones is just a liberal running against the conservative Bill Kramer.

On Wasserman:

Like a college kid waking up on New Year’s Day, Wasserman says he’ll never, ever support tax increases again. But the Senate Democrats have huge spending plans, and if he won, Wasserman’s first vote would be for Senate majority leader. Taxpayers can expect it wouldn’t take long for Wasserman to fall off the tax-and-spend wagon again.

On Jones:

If Democrats do not upset state Rep. Bill Kramer, it won’t be for lack of trying. Ruth Page Jones has been hitting doors and spending money.

The Jones campaign finance report from Monday showed that she already has spent more than $20,000, and she claims more than $24,000 on hand heading into the final week. Jones has shown a personal commitment to the campaign of $1,500 in an actual contribution, and $15,000 in loans to the campaign.

Meanwhile, Jones has been hitting doors. She told me she’s been getting a good reception at the doors and that she’s really enjoyed that part of the campaign. Her volunteers have been out, too, dropping off her education hit piece.

Voted most likely not to get the Chamber of Commerce endorsement

Democratic state assembly candidate Ruth Page Jones must not have thought much of the Waukesha Chamber of Commerce. Her campaign is either completely out of typing paper or they filled out the Chamber's questionnaire over a couple of lattes at Sprizzo's.


I'm surprised they didn't answer in crayon. (Click on the pictures to see full-size.)


Does this mean she really did not want their endorsement? Didn't care?

My favorite is question four:

4. Taxes and spending: The state budget historically experiences ever increasing structural deficits, and growing expenditures.
a. Being specific, how would you bring the state budget back into balance?
(Jones, handwritten) Grow the economy by investing in growth industries + rebalance taxes.

How's that for specifics?

State Representative Bill Kramer's answers are also on-line.

Lit drop needs to go back to school

Ruth Page Jones' volunteers were out again in our neighborhood do a lit drop but they headed for the hills when the rain/snow started. They were dropping off the misleading "Education" hit piece I mentioned in last week's Waukesha Freeman column.

Aside from the ridiculous statement about virtual schools, Jones' literature tells some absolute whoppers. For example, the statement that Bill Kramer did nothing while the state took $400,000 from Waukesha to give Elmbrook $2 million is absolutely false. Blaming Kramer for that is like blaming Larry Nelson for muggings in Milwaukee. What the hit piece does not mention is that the legislature was tied up in knots because Ruth Page Jones' allies in the State Senate were trying to pass the largest tax increase in state history for their "Healthy Wisconsin" plan, a plan about which the worst Jones has ever said is that she didn't think Waukesha residents would support it. This legislative mess is the cause of the rebate to Elmbrook. If Jones had a problem with it, tell her to call the governor and the Democrats in the state senate.

Jones promises to overhaul the state school funding formula to benefit Waukesha. Again, what a whopper. She should sell used cars. She must have fallen asleep when State Representative Sondy Pope Roberts (Dem) would not reveal her secret plan for changing school financing but readily conceded that any change that would have the support of the Democrats would mean Waukesha taxed more and receiving less.

Jones also claims Kramer has no solutions for Waukesha's spending problems. Never mind that the school board and the district administration have run the district so incompetently they have sunk themselves into a black hole of an investment scheme. Never mind that the district still has not closed a school despite a recommended plan to do so. Never mind that Jones displays prominently the endorsement of the former school board president who was ousted just this last spring, and in his endorsement he actually makes the false claims the classrooms are overcrowded.

Where was Ruth Page Jones when Kramer was in Madison fighting for a change in the QEO that would allow school districts to offer equivalent insurance if the school district could find it at a lower price than what the union charged? Where was Jones, despite her claims that over 80% of the district's costs are the result of personnel costs?

But hey, Bill Baumgart, former president of the Waukesha School Board, says Bill Kramer should go. Baumgart, who if he had any self-respect would resign from the board, says Bill Kramer should go.

Kramer is endorsed by the current school board president Dan Warren, who replaced Baumgart. I wouldn't accept either endorsement, but if I had to choose one?

*******

Speaking of endorsements, Ruth Page Jones received the endorsement of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Shocking, I know. Still, I'm not sure we'll be seeing the endorsement on anyone's doorknobs or in the mailboxes anytime soon.

In a very close call, we think Democrat challenger Ruth Page Jones deserves election based on her positions on such issues as the importance of regionalism and improving education in Waukesha and Milwaukee.

Specifically, what do they mean?

Among other issues, she supports a regional transit system and public financing of Supreme Court races.

In other words, pet causes far removed from the interests of Waukesha. At worst, her support of "regional transit" would mean, again, more taxes from Waukesha to pay for projects elsewhere such as light rail in Milwaukee. Instead of answering the question, who would be the better representative for Waukesha? The editors of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel looked for who from Waukesha would better represent them. Gee thanks.

At least we have an example of why newspapers should not issue endorsements.

Virtual schools and the 97th assembly district

In a race with real clear philosophical differences, Ruth Page Jones really had no reason to drag virtual schools into the 97th Assembly campaign. I made a bold prediction in my Waukesha Freeman column this morning. I said,

So we all agree that virtual schools are important to the students enrolled, to the entire Waukesha School District and even the entire state educational system. Then how is it productive for the Democratic candidate for the state assembly to complain about the time spent by Waukesha’s representative to the Assembly defending Waukesha’s IQ Academy?

Perhaps instead of attacking Kramer for supporting virtual schools Jones could spend her time attacking her fellow Democrats for their efforts last year to destroy this important piece of the educational system. Perhaps it would have been more appropriate for her campaign literature to call upon the governor and the Democrats to lift the enrollment caps they imposed last year and allow this great educational experiment to flourish.

In a campaign with such clear philosophical differences between Jones and her opponent there really is no excuse for this type of attack when the only purpose could be to stir up animosity through misinformation and misdirection.

I predict Jones will learn on Nov. 4 the voters of Waukesha have higher standards than this.

Last night's debate trivia

The Waukesha Freeman covers most of it. Between traffic and parking I was a half-hour late. Pretty good since I only found out about 1 1/2 hours before. Press releases must be a thing of the past.

Things of note:
1) If you had no idea who was the Republican and who was the Democrat in the room, it would not have taken you long to find out. There was a clear difference in philosophy.

2) Ruth Page Jones is not a comfortable public speaker.

3) Sixty seconds is really too short for an answer.

4) The cookies and lemonade in the back of the room were pretty good. Booze and hot sandwiches would have increased turnout.

5) Look Bill! An event away from the Country Springs hotel!

6) Waukesha Freeman editor Bill Yorth is still tall, handsome and extremely smart. (suck up - check)

7) Mayor Larry Nelson fashion report: orange Crocs with orange shirt. Halloween is coming.

8) Republican Bill Kramer's table was handing out Democrat Ruth Page Jones' education mail piece. No, really.

9) Ruth Page Jones had more supporters there. The college kids liked Bill Kramer.

A note from the Kramer camp

I received the following update yesterday from the Kramer campaign:

Just to update you... Kramer finished knocking doors in all wards - about 16k, excepting a few apartments/condos/businesses. He has started over, but obviously he won't be able to do them all again. Probably another ward or two before he'll sit down and start personally calling supporters and undecideds. By the end of the day tomorrow, we'll have about 500 signs out (plus 37 3x5s) with another 200 that need to go out when the next order is in (I know, yard signs don't vote...).

So if you're waiting on your yardsign, it's on order.

I really don't want to hear about who-stole-whose signs.

Candidates out for a walk

Beautiful day outside to get some yard work done. Also probably the last really nice weekend for candidates and their volunteers.

In the 97th Assembly District, Ruth Page Jones was out again with clipboard in hand, this time in my neighborhood. She stopped by minutes after the Kramer campaign dropped off a yard sign for my wife.

Jones told me she's only had about three difficult doors since she started the campaign. She had volunteers out last week, and she has mailings coming out in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, Kramer's volunteers are out with the list of yard signs and checking it twice. We'll check on Kramer's progress a little later.