Our state budget is a moral document that represents the blueprint for Wisconsin’s shared vision as a state. Unfortunately, the Darling/Walker budget signifies a radical reversal of our state’s long-held values and priorities by approving a budget that funds corporate tax breaks and special interest handouts while slashing billions of dollars from public education, healthcare, and local services.

Highlights and Lowlights

People throughout the 8^th Senate District believe the choices made by Alberta Darling and Governor Walker have taken Wisconsin completely off-course.  They decided to place corporate tax loopholes and special interest giveaways before adequately funding public education, ensuring access to affordable health care, and providing our local communities with the real tools they need to thrive and prosper. 

Under the leadership of Alberta Darling and Governor Walker this session, our state will be giving about $2 billion in tax breaks and loopholes to big corporations, wealthy donors, and special interests throughout the next decade.  They have done this while gutting aid to public schools by nearly $1.6 billion, granting sweeping authority for unelected bureaucrats accountable only to Governor Walker to gouge health programs for our most vulnerable by almost a half billion dollars, and forcing our communities to sacrifice the quality of vital services and programs that we depend on every day by slashing over $75 million in shared revenue.  

This budget does more than break promises to our kids, our local communities, and our most vulnerable populations.  It breaks Darling’s and Walker’s promise to not raise property taxes, as a non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau’s analysis projects a general property tax increase for property owners.  It also raises taxes on seniors on fixed incomes and working families.  And it also breaks their promise to not increase spending, hike fees, or raid funds, as their budget increases state spending by $1.1 billion, hikes fees by $111 million, and raids $411 million in various state funds.

Vision For Our Future

The people of Wisconsin and the 8^th Senate District need and deserve better.  Enough of billions in special favors to big corporations and special interests; enough of gutting public education for our future generations to come, and let’s ensure that everyone has a seat at the table when making tough decisions that will impact the lives of individuals within our community for years to come.

My vision for Wisconsin is rooted in my experiences as an educator, advocate, and state legislator.  And I firmly believe it is the vision that strongly represents the shared values and priorities of individuals and families throughout the 8th Senate District.