Recent Assembly Happenings Jan 25, 2008

Rep Hintz wants Public Defenders to be more accessible to low-income individuals. According to Hintz's release: The legislation would update the SPD’s financial eligibility criteria to be the same as that of the W2 program (except the SPD criteria limits the asset exclusion for a home to $30,000, and takes the cost to hire an attorney into account). Under the new eligibility requirements, the SPD would be able to provide legal representation in about 15,400 additional cases per year. Additionally, the new requirements would ultimately eliminate the liability for counties to provide counsel to people who do not qualify for SPD representation.

Rep Kaufert wants mandatory breathalyzers attached to your ignition for all repeat drunk driving violators. They would need to breath into it before being able to start the car and randomly while driving.

As many other sources have already told you, Rep Carol Owens is stepping down after 16 years of government service. You can read her release here. Rep Owens, like Rep Roth, would not respond to questions from this site, because she would only provide feedback to constituents in her district and we may or may not have had an address in her region. Hopefully the next official in the 53rd will be more open to disclosing their opinions and positions. Good luck in retirement Carol. This local site linked here didn't care much for Owens.

The Oshkosh Northwestern interviewed Rep Hintz and State Sen Roessler on their response to Doyle's state of the state address. The entire interview can be found here. Really not much is said, but here is one statement from each:

• Hintz, when asked if anything was left out of Doyle's address: "..one thing that was missing was campaign finance reform. We seem to be closer to getting our governor’s attention when he called for a special session and we certainly still have time this year to act. I’m a little bit disappointed that we haven’t heard anything about campaign finance reform. It’s just because to me one of the biggest issues that needs to be addressed in Wisconsin. I think the support is there from the public."


• Roessler, when asked about Doyle's Health Care proposal: "my first comment is that it puts a further nail in the coffin of the Senate Democrats Healthy Wisconsin proposal. The governor continues to not support that proposal. What he did talk about is that the public cares about disclosure, how much they are paying for and they want to see those costs and who is performing the service. They want to be more in charge of it, consumer driven. The governor is now talking about the involvement of consumers and again, the Democrat majority simply want to pour more money in it and raise the money and then have a board determine what the benefit plans are going to be. A board of absolute generalists and no one from the medical community and on and on.A government operated health care system and government run system is costing $15 billion in taxes on our workers and employers is not the way to go. Now, the first that I heard of BadgerChoice is tonight. It is all about the cost. I agree with the governor that it is all about the health care cost. He said something there that it is the cost. He is the saying the same thing that we republicans have said for months when we came up with Healthy Wisconsin that it is about the cost. I do not know really the particulars about this plan. This is the first that I heard of it tonight."

The "Labor Chicks" are back to life, with early endorsements of any Democrat that will run. According to the site, they would support "Any Democrat who will do a good job in the 53rd Assembly district. All you have to do is be able to stay awake during Assembly sessions and you will be doing better than the incumbent. " Oddly naive - this blind Dem support at any cost leads one to endorse Chuck Chvala over Bob Lafollete. Not everyone has to like Bob.

Rep Roth and friends have introduced a bill that would require the Legislative Fiscal Bureau to prepare report to be released to the public for 48 hours before the Joint Committee on Finance, the Assembly, or the Senate can approve a budget bill. The report will bring to light all earmarks, including the cost, location, beneficiary, and requesting representative or senator. Their press release can be found here.

Rep Kaufert sponsored a resolution paying tribute to former state assembly rep and WW2 decorated veteran Richard Steffens, who passed away Jan. 2.

Roth Deploying to Iraq

According to the Appleton Post Crescent, 56th Assembly Rep Republican Roger Roth of Grand Chute will be deploying to Iraq later this month with the Madison-based 115th Fighter Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard.

Rep Roth plans to hold his seat while gone, having all business run by his staff. While Roth's press release indicated he could be back as soon as March, we have seen deployments of far longer periods.

This site wishes Rep Roth the best and hopes for a safe and quick return for Rep Roth and the entire 115th.

For a video of Rep Roth and additional biographical information, go to WisEye.

Throw a Pie at Hintz

If you are available Wednesday, November 28, you can pay a few bucks to throw a pie in Gordon Hintz's face. Event is at Fratellos in Oshkosh, between 5:30pm and 7:30pm. Proceeds go to the Oshkosh United Way. Rumor has it Rep Hintz will be dressed as Kry Tuff, his air guitar alter ego.

Rep Roth won't be present, but the Milwaukee JS did throw a pie at his immigration proposal, calling it " Just Counterproductive" while a letter in the Capital Times stated the following:

What the legislators (Rep Roth and State Sen. Glenn Grothman ) are truly attempting is to fuse the notions of "immigrant" and "dangerous criminal." Their campaign is based on deception and confusion, which only promotes fear, division and confrontation within our own communities.

Hintz and Mayor Tower at BGC

A side story that is great - public leaders engaging local youth. From the Oshkosh Northwestern:

Getting children involved in making decisions is just one of the goals of the town hall style meetings that are being held at the Boys & Girls Club as part of the leadership program designed by Teen Center Director Ben Perkovich.

"The goal is to get people to think about rules, why we have laws and government," Hintz said. "The earlier that you can stress the importance of involvement of any kind, the better."

Perkovich hopes to bring in local leaders, historians or business leaders about once every three months to talk to the children about their backgrounds, what they do and how they got there. But the town hall style meetings aren't just about the kids listening to the speakers, Perkovich said he hoped the children become involved and ask questions, allowing the speakers to"rap with the kids."

Hintz was the second person to speak to the group. Oshkosh Mayor Frank Tower kicked off the meetings when he spoke earlier in the week.

Another positive is Rep Roth participating in a program with the Harbor House. Agreed, Rep Roth, that anytime you are able to learn about the important things affecting the lives of your constituents, it is a positive.

Roth, Owens, and Illegal Aliens

Reps Roth and Owens are sponsors of AB569, legislation intended to seemingly protect the local policies that have been adopted in communities across the state in an effort to gain political clout by pushing the hot-button issue of immigration. This is an example of when elected politicians ignore significant issues within the state and the departments they "rule" over, and instead attempt to create the illusion that there is an issue regarding a controversial topic that will potentially provide them with political gains.

According the the LRB:

This bill prohibits a city, village, town, or county (political subdivision) from enacting or enforcing an ordinance, resolution, or policy that prohibits an employee of that political subdivision from inquiring about the immigration status of an individual who is seeking or receiving public services provided by that political subdivision and from notifying the federal government of the presence of illegal aliens in the political subdivision.

The bill also authorizes an elector of a political subdivision to file a writ of mandamus with the circuit court to require compliance with the requirements created by the bill if the elector is aggrieved by the failure of the political subdivision to comply with the requirements.

Kaufert and Roth to hold Budget Listening Session

Press Release From Rep Dean Kaufert:

May 7, 2007

For further information, contact:

Michael Ellis (608) 266-0718
Dean Kaufert (608) 266-5719
Roger Roth (608) 266-7500
Steve Wieckert (608) 266-3070


19th Senate District Legislators to Host Budget Listening Session

Madison... State Senator Mike Ellis (R-Neenah) along with Representatives Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah), Roger Roth (R-Grand Chute ) and Steve Wieckert (R-Appleton) today announced a State Budget Listening Session that will be held Thursday, May 10, 2007 at the Town of Menasha Town Hall from 6 pm to 8 pm. The listening session will allow local citizens the ability to directly address local legislators on the state budget.

“Citizen participation is vital to our form of government and this listening session will provide an excellent chance for people to offer their opinions and have questions answered about specific issues in the budget,” said Roth.

“It is important to schedule events like this in the district and do it in the evening because not everyone can make it to Madison, and it is often difficult to get away from work during the day,” said Kaufert.

The Joint Finance Committee recently finished a number of public hearings around the state and began voting on the $60 billion biennial budget last week. Legislative Fiscal Bureau Director, Bob Lang or a representative from his office will also be in attendance to give a brief overview of the biennial budget and to answer any fiscal questions that arise during the session.

“I hope this listening session will further my understanding of the priorities that Fox Valley residents see as the most important in this budget,” Wieckert said.

“This budget is critical for the State of Wisconsin and it is important to know how this budget is going to affect the residents of the 19th Senate District,” Ellis said.
State Budget Listening Session

May 10, 2007

Town of Menasha Town Hall
2000 Municipal Dr.
Neenah, WI 54956

6 pm to 8 pm

Confirmed Participants: Senator Mike Ellis, Rep. Steve Wieckert, Rep. Roger Roth, Rep. Dean Kaufert and Bob Lang or an analyst from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau

Owens & Roth: Pension income tax credit

Both Roth and Owens are coauthors of AB28, which creates an individual income tax credit for retirement plan income.

According to the Legislative Reference Bureau:

This bill creates a nonrefundable individual income tax credit that is calculated by multiplying the claimant's marginal tax rate by the amount of pension income received by the claimant each year from a qualified retirement plan under the Internal Revenue Code, except that the credit may not be based on pension income hat is already exempt from taxation.

The bill first applies to taxable year 2008, and limits the maximum amount of pension income on which the credit may be calculated. For taxable year 2008, the maximum allowable pension income is $2,500. The maximum amount of pension income increases each year from $2,500 to $5,000 in 2009, $10,000 in 2010, $15,000 in 2011, and $20,000 in 2012 and thereafter.

Roger Roth opposes United Council

From UW Oshkosh meeting minutes:

OSA-00-019(Senate Only)

WHEREAS: The United Council of UW Students has not addressed concerns brought by The Oshkosh Student Association in regard to conduct on the general assembly floor, and;

WHEREAS: United Council has failed to spend general assembly time discussing issues of student concern, including financial aid, academic advisement and especially the State Biennial budget;

BE IT RESOLVED: That The Oshkosh Student Association formally oppose membership in The United Council of UW Students, and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That The Oshkosh Student Association hold referenda on a semester basis in opposition to United Council membership.

Sponsor: Roger Roth Jr. – Representative, College Republicans

http://www.uwosh.edu/osa/documents/minutes/senate/2000-11-06-Joint-Meeting.doc

56th Assembly Profiles

Election profile: 56th Assembly District: Democrat Garcia Franz vs. Republican Roth
On Nov. 7, voters in the 56th Assembly District will choose between Democrat Susan Garcia Franz and Republican Roger Roth for a seat left open when incumbent Terri McCormick made a run for Congress.

In Outagamie County, the district covers the towns of Grand Chute, Center, Greenville and Dale, and wards 30, 31, 32, 51 and 52 in Appleton. In Winnebago County, it includes the towns of Neenah, Clayton, Winchester, Wolf River, Poygan, Winneconne and Vinland, the village of Winneconne and wards 1 and 2 in the Town of Menasha.

Members of the Assembly are elected to two-year terms and receive an annual salary of $47,413.

The candidates recently responded to a questionnaire from The Post-Crescent.

Susan Garcia Franz

Address: 1790 Wendy Way, Neenah WI 54956

Age: 34

Occupation: Wisconsin Well Woman program coordinator for Winnebago and Outagamie counties

Family status: Married, two children

Education: bachelor's degree, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Political experience: UW-Oshkosh Student Association senator; worked on several campaigns

Campaign Web site: www.susan garciafranz.com

Why are you a candidate and what are the key issues in the campaign? I am running for state representative because every day I am an advocate for people who have no health insurance. I get to hear the heart wrenching stories where women are forgoing important health screenings because they have no way to pay the bill. There are women no longer here today because they saw that as their option. I need to be an advocate in Madison and work for change. My key issue is affordable health care for every one in the state of Wisconsin. We can no longer accept 10 percent increases in premiums as a norm and reduced coverage of our health insurance. I feel this along with several other important issues like campaign finance reform and funding education have real solutions that need to be pounded out. I am just the person for that job.

What sets you apart from your opponent? I am a wife and a mother of two children. I have gone through the day-to-day struggles of affording child care, buying a house and prioritizing a budget. I believe that change is a must. I come from a family that isn't tied to politics and don't have special interests in helping me get elected.

Roger Roth Jr.

Address: 1789 Sanctuary Court, No. 51, Appleton

Age: 28

Occupation: homebuilder; Roth & Sons Construction, Roth Development Corp.; Egress Aircrew Technician, Wisconsin Air National Guard

Family status: Single

Education: St. Mary Central High School, 1996; bachelor's degree in history, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Why are you a candidate and what are the key issues? We need representation down in Madison that will stand and fight for the values and beliefs that we in northeastern Wisconsin share, and that is why I am running for the state Assembly. We value the role that marriage has played as the foundation and backbone of our society. Therefore we must work to defend it. We value human life and therefore must work to protect it in all forms. We believe that the fruits of labor belong to the people — not the government, and that taxation exists to provide for the common good and need of the people — not for the redistribution of wealth. And furthermore we must work to preserve our strong agricultural heritage for generations of farmers to come.

What sets you apart from your opponent? My experiences as a small business owner and those gained through military and community service have shown me that there are many challenges that we face, but none so difficult that they cannot be overcome. With your support on Nov. 7, I look forward to working together with you to overcome those challenges.

Appleton Post Crescent 10/1
www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061001/APC0104/310010018/0/APC0101

2006 Fall Election Results

State Assembly - District 54
27 of 27 Precincts Reporting - 100.00%
Name Party Votes Pct
Hintz, Gordon Dem 13,353 62.2
Pung Leschke, Julie GOP 8,111 37.8

State Assembly - District 55
17 of 17 Precincts Reporting - 100.00%
Name Party Votes Pct
Kaufert, Dean GOP 10,393 52.0
Westphal, Mark Dem 9,580 48.0

State Assembly - District 56
31 of 31 Precincts Reporting - 100.00%
Name Party Votes Pct
Roth, Roger GOP 15,591 59.1
Garcia Franz, Susan Dem 10,788 40.9

www.jsonline.com/index/index.aspx?id=81

Roger Roth - 56th Assembly Rep Interview 10/1

Election profile: 56th Assembly District candidate biographies

What's at stake: Voters in the largely rural 56th Assembly District will chose Nov. 7 from a pair of first-time candidates. They are Democrat Susan Garcia Franz, 34, of the Town of Menasha, and Republican Roger Roth Jr., 28, of Grand Chute.

The 56th District includes the towns of Center, Grand Chute, Greenville, Dale, Neenah, Clayton, Winchester, Wolf River, Poygan, Winneconne and Vinland, five wards in northwest Appleton, the village of Winneconne and part of the Town of Menasha.

The victor will serve a two-year term starting in January at an annual salary of $47,413.

Why are you running?
Garcia Franz: I hear stories every day from women who have to decide whether or not to go see a doctor for some of their health problems. I really want to turn that around and work toward getting health care available for everyone in the state.

Roth: I want to make a difference. Together with the residents of the 56th District, I know I can provide leadership (in addressing) high taxes and high health insurance costs.

What sets you apart from your opponent?
Garcia Franz: I'm a wife, mother and homeowner in the district. And I really have a lot of experience working with the health care problem.

Roth: He believes he better represents the district's beliefs "in life, in family values, in low taxes."

What's the key issue in the race and what would you do about it?
Garcia Franz: Affordable health care has got to be the No. 1 priority in the state. By putting us all together in one program, we can bring down the administrative costs. We'll simplify that process and put the savings right back into health care.

Roth: High taxes are a problem in Wisconsin. We're the 5th-highest taxed state in the country. We're going to have to make some tough choices. We're going to have to do what we can to reduce spending and bring relief.

Garcia Franz is available at her home, 920-727-1005, by email at vote@susangarcia franz.com, or at her Web site, http://www.susangarciafranz.com/.

Roth can be reached at his home, 920-734-6902, or by email at rothforassembly@ yahoo.com

From the Appleton Post Crescent: http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061001/APC0104/310010018/0/APC0101