SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) – The two candidates for the 26th Assembly Seat sharing their differing viewpoints on what needs to be done in Madison.
Democratic challenger Rebecca Clarke says she wants to continue her conservation efforts in Madison. “I really have not been happy with what I’ve seen over the last six years in terms with how we manage our natural resources and how we’re protecting our natural resources. So when I was asked to run, it was just perfect timing.” Clarke is the park naturalist at Maywood, and is pushing for reform in the DNR and an end to the new environmental policies put into place by Governor Walker and the Republicans.
Republican incumbent Terry Katsma says he wants to continue helping Sheboygan County’s economy grow and thrive. “There’s been a lot of progress that’s been made, and I want to continue in that path and continue that momentum that we’re seeing right now.” Katsma has worked in the financial industry for over 30 years, and says that background helps him track spending and help plan out budgets for the state.
Both Katsma and Clarke agree that there needs to be more work done on improving the state’s budget shortfalls. Incumbent Republican Terry Katsma says the state needs to do a better job of managing its taxing and budgeting. “I’m going to be fighting for no increase in taxes, and fighting for government to be more efficient and more effective.” Clarke says she wants to plug corporate tax loopholes. “I really want to make sure that we look at that so we have the funds to provide the services that everyone’s accustomed to. This isn’t tax and spend, it’s tax and get stuff done.”
Roads and transportation also on the agenda for the pair. Clarke says that the state needs to buckle down and spend the money necessary to improve the state’s infrastructure. “We’ve kicked this can down the road long enough. It’s time to look at our revenues and get these contracts budgeted and start to do them.” Katsma says he’s not prepared to raise taxes to pay for road repairs, but that the state can no longer rely on gas tax funding. “Over the last ten years it’s less than one percent because we’re driving more efficient vehicles. And the cost of road replacement has gone up about 2 and a half percent a year.”
Tomorrow is the last day of early voting in Wisconsin. We’ll have complete Election Night coverage along with Fox News Radio here on WHBL on Tuesday.
