Contact: Alec Zimmerman (608) 257-4765 [Madison, WI]— While Republicans are fighting for health care reforms for hard-working Wisconsin families, Senator Tammy Baldwin is continuing to align herself with the Obamacare status quo. Wisconsinites facing increased premiums and providers leaving exchanges have found no signs of relief from Senator Baldwin, only a defense of a mess she helped create. “Senator Baldwin and Democrats in Washington continue to offer no solutions or signs of reforms for hard-working Wisconsin families,” said Alec Zimmerman, spokesman for the Republican Party of Wisconsin. “Instead of fighting for real relief from the disasters of Obamacare like skyrocketing

Contact: (608) 266-7513 Madison, WI – Senator Duey Stroebel (R-Cedarburg) released the following statement after the press conference releasing the State Senate budget position: Today, the State Senate released a budget that repeals three taxes including the state forestry mill tax, alternative minimum tax, and the personal property tax. The personal property tax is a burdensome tax on Main Street Wisconsin created in the 1840s. This repeal is long overdue. The Republican focus should be to repeal taxes rather than raise taxes. In the end, Republicans are looking to improve our tax rankings. These major tax policy changes will likely

Contact: Brandon Weathersby brandonw@wisdems.org 608-260-2409 MADISON — The following is the statement of Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning on the Senate budget proposal revealed today: “Budgets are about priorities and the top priorities of Senate Republicans don’t reflect the priorities of hard-working Wisconsin families who just want their roads fixed and their schools fully funded. “The proposal introduced today does not address the desperate needs of public schools today. Local public schools are the heart of our communities and we need to make sure we are retaining quality teachers, investing in modern facilities and meeting high educational standards to give students

Contact: (608) 266-2635  Senator Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) issued the following statement regarding the release of proposals from the Senate Republican Caucus to move the 2017-19 state budget process forward towards completion:  “Senate Republicans are working to resolve the remaining issues on transportation, K-12 education and taxes.  We are debating serious policy issues with our colleagues in the State Assembly and also working to meet the fiscal priorities established by Governor Scott Walker.  In the end, I will support a budget that protects middle class families by addressing their tax burden and continues to force state and local governments to adopt

Contact: (202) 280-1990 Statement from the Wisconsin Federation for Children and School Choice Wisconsin: “We are pleased that both houses of the legislature have now agreed to expand the number of families eligible for school choice. Last week, Assembly Republicans acknowledged that they would be willing to raise the income eligibility limit in the statewide program to the level long enjoyed in Milwaukee and Racine – 300 percent of the federal poverty level. This week, Senate Republicans agreed to raise the income limit to 220% of the federal poverty level. We are hopeful that in the end, both houses will

Contact: Craig Thompson, Executive Director craig.thompson@tdawisconsin.org 608-256-7044 (Madison) — As lawmakers continue to grapple with our state’s transportation budget, the public consensus favors a long-term funding solution that does not rely on running up the state’s credit card. More than 550 local units of government have passed resolutions encouraging lawmakers to provide enough resources to fully fund Wisconsin’s transportation needs. But they are not alone in encouraging budget negotiators in Madison to “Just Fix It.” “The public wants lawmakers to develop a sustainable funding solution that will work for not only this budget, but into the future,” said Craig Thompson,

Contact: Senator Frank Lasee Phone: (608) 266-3512 MADISON – On Tuesday, State Senator Frank Lasee (R-De Pere), issued the following statement about the release of the State Senate Republican Budget Proposal: “I am proud to have worked with my State Senate Republican colleagues to come up with a budget proposal that cuts taxes, increases funding for local roads, and puts more state money into K-12 schools all while keeping Wisconsin’s fiscal house in order. The proposal announced today eliminates three burdensome taxes that will result in real savings for Wisconsinites. Eliminating the Personal Property Tax, Forestry Mill Tax, and Alternative

Contact: Senator Jon Erpenbach, 608-266-6670 “This state budget will spend over $76 billion dollars, more than any other state budget. The money is there to support our schools and our roads; Republicans just have to make that their priority. Our schools have faced over $1.1 billion in cuts in the Governor Walker Republican era in Madison and anything short of fully restoring those funds is shortchanging our communities and our children. Without strong educational experiences our children will not be ready to work at Foxconn or anywhere else when they graduate.” “For years Democrats have been willing to work with

Contact: Sen. Leah Vukmir (608) 266-2512 Sen.Vukmir@legis.wi.gov Senate budget proposal lowers taxes, funds Wisconsin priorities MADISON, Wis. — Senate Assistant Majority Leader Leah Vukmir, R–Brookfield, Thursday announced her support for the newly released Senate Republican budget proposal: “Our constituents sent us here to hold the line on taxes. This budget does that and more. Not only are we eliminating the state property tax, but we are also abolishing the personal property tax, which will give much needed relief to small businesses and startups. “Senate Republicans have also taken a hard look at how to manage Wisconsin’s transportation budget without any

Contact: Tony Palese, tony.palese@legis.wi.gov, 608-266-5490 Senate Republicans propose more credit card spending, tax breaks for millionaires MADISON – With funding for schools and road projects in jeopardy, Senate Republicans are poised to announce a plan for more state borrowing that already appears dead on arrival. With a state budget more than two weeks overdue, Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) released the following statement: “It is completely irresponsible for Republicans to continue racking up credit card debt while expanding tax breaks for millionaires. I can’t imagine why anyone would support a budget that prioritizes tax breaks for 11 millionaires over funding

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 GREEN BAY – Governor Scott Walker joined Charter Communications, Inc. leaders at The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Green Bay today to promote broadband access and Spectrum Internet Assist, a low-cost, high-speed broadband service now offered through Charter Communications. “Every Wisconsin citizen deserves access to high-speed, reliable, affordable internet,” Governor Walker said. “And Charter’s Spectrum Internet Assist service helps to make this a reality by offering a new, low-cost broadband option to our students, families, and seniors. We know it’s crucial our small businesses, schools, and citizens have internet access, regardless of