It’s not just political opponents facing off in 2020 - it’s core values.
I’m no politician, and I’m not afraid to say there’s never an easy answer to any persistent problem. No one party has a monopoly on the truth. But today in America and in Wisconsin, fundamental rights and human dignity are on the ballot. Democracy itself is at risk. I’m running against an incumbent Republican that voted 100% with hyper-partisan party bosses in the last session, standing by while the power of the governor to lead on COVID was challenged, litigated and cancelled. Those same party bosses have refused to call the legislature into session to work with the Governor to address the needs of hurting Wisconsinites since it was snowing in Madison. Time to bust up the logjam at the Capitol because we simply have to get Wisconsin back to work. That starts with controlling COVID, but we need a bold plan to stimulate the economy as we recover. Team Kriss has developed a "Rural Routes to Wisconsin's Post-Pandemic Recovery" plan that prioritizes rural opportunities and local control, but starts with broad-based state tax reform that's long overdue. To begin, we should close big box store loopholes and end give-aways to corporate giants like the failed Foxconn project. Make big players pay their fair share, instead of small businesses and homeowners shouldering the entire burden for providing public services through property taxes. We've got to build a long-term growth-oriented funding platform that moves Wisconsin out of the austerity era and into prosperity.
We’ve got a lot to tackle. Here’s where I’ll start:
Healthcare: Accept the federal Medicaid expansion so rural hospitals and nursing homes, struggling as a result of COVID, can be reimbursed adequately for services provided to the poor and elderly. Wisconsin refuses over $1 billion per year that could help provide quality care for everyone. Entrenched legislative leadership, including my opponent, has blocked expansion for almost a decade and refused to address skyrocketing prescription prices. I've pledged to never take a dime of campaign contributions from pharmaceutical companies or private health insurance lobbies, because I think it's imperative to put constituents before corporations. Learn more about how I will work for you and your family on this most important of kitchen table issues.
Clean Water: Make sure that rural places can provide the clean water and quality of life that will attract and retain workers, farmers, families and businesses. With the valuable data coming from the SWIGG (Southwest Wisconsin Geology and Groundwater) study and the recommendations of researchers, I'll insist we make evidence-based decisions to protect the valuable waters of the Driftless Region.
Education: Fully fund education infrastructure at every level, including our essential technical colleges. Now more than ever, we understand the important role public education plays in the lives of every American. Education is the institution that binds our rural communities together, and you can count on me to advocate for our rural schools, technical colleges, and UW campuses in Madison.
Small Towns: Invest in universal internet, roads, senior housing, mental health, and Main Streets. Rural places are the soul of our state and the engine of our economy, and they are my particular passion. I will simply not rest until our exceptional small towns are thriving again.
Family Agriculture: Support diversification so farmers and local economies can bounce back after COVID. Develop short supply chains and local processing. Incentivize a "Solar Field for Every Farm." Increase profits by expanding direct farm sales. Give consumers and schools access to more farm-to-table goods.
Fair Maps: Pass a non-partisan redistricting solution in 2021. If you hate the partisanship and dysfunction in government, ending gerrymandering is the single most powerful way to encourage representatives to work together on solutions.
Tax Reform: Enact comprehensive tax reform to stem the flood of giveaways to special interest groups like the Dark Store loophole and Foxconn disaster. Wisconsin wastes billions every year on tax breaks for billionaires, and the result is an irrationally complex tax code that stifles small businesses, pushes out family farms, and underfunds services we all need: roads, schools, universal internet, affordable healthcare, and local government. Wisconsin needs tax reform to stimulate the post-pandemic economic recovery and get our great state back on sound financial footing. As a fiscally responsible Democrat, I'll work across party lines to get this necessary reform enacted into law.
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