The Issues:

  • It is time we do what we can in Wisconsin to deliver better care. I support a single-payer health system, but until the federal government acts, we need to provide the best system possible in Wisconsin. Some things we can do now:

    1. In 2025, 1.3 million Wisconsin residents relied on Medicaid. Numerous Wisconsin medical clinics and hospitals would close without Medicaid funds; I oppose any cuts to Medicaid and will work to expand Medicaid in Wisconsin.

    2. Rural health clinics, elder care support programs and nursing homes are the front line keeping us healthy in our communities. I will support these programs.

    3. We need better reimbursement for mental health and dental services. Mental and dental health services should not be the province of the wealthy. Wisconsin is losing providers to adjoining states with higher reimbursement rates.

    4. We need policies to lift up our volunteer rural emergency services. The state should help counties fund rural emergency services.

  • Education

    It is long past time to fix our education funding system. Our public schools are the heart of our rural communities and the state is systematically underfunding public schools through vouchers and the local levy structure that places outsized burden on local property taxes for schools. 

    1. Reform the antiquated school funding formula that creates huge financial burdens for rural school districts. Under the current system we are unable to borrow enough to fix our aging rural schools - it is a system that will eliminate some schools by slow neglect. It’s not fair and not smart to let our rural schools fail.

    2. Support local schools by replacing funding lost to local school districts through vouchers. 

    3. Provide greater funding to cover the cost of special education, raising the reimbursement rate to 90 percent from the current 29 percent.

    4. Eliminate unfunded mandates that drive up costs for our school districts.

    5. The State should match referendum funding to support communities willing to invest in their schools.

  • Local Control

    Serving in local government, I see the many ways state regulations take away local control, increase costs and fail to address local concerns. It’s time to get some common sense into

     government and get a few things done.

    1. Protect our property rights, water and natural resources. Local governments should be able to regulate water usage, the operation of industrial farms, data centers and other developments that fundamentally change our neighborhoods.

    2. State guidelines should set minimum zoning standards to protect natural resources and communities, but local communities should be allowed to reasonably regulate beyond these minimums. 

    3. Housing. A lack of affordable housing affects our northern communities. Local zoning can help bring costs down with state support for common-sense regulations for short-term rentals, multi-family housing and alternatives for rural septic systems like grey water and compost.

    4. Repeal limits on conditional use permits. Counties should be able to issue conditional use permits within reason by repealing S59.69(5e) that ties conditions to a “substantial evidence” standard forcing counties to choose between denying permits or largely unchecked developments.