It is an incredible honor and privilege that the residents of the 24th District have put their trust in me to serve another four-year term in the Wisconsin State Senate.

While the new legislative session may not begin for another two months, I have already decided on some of the issue areas I would like to focus on the most:

Increased Access to Healthcare in Central Wisconsin: Having dependable access to healthcare is vital to our state because regular doctor visits lead to better health outcomes. However, many communities in Central Wisconsin are without the luxury of having access to consistent care. About 40 percent of Wisconsin’s need for primary care providers is currently unmet and it’s likely that we’ll have to add more than 740 physicians over the next 10 years to meet the increasing demand for care. Yet, by 2035, the state’s supply of primary care providers is anticipated to grow by only 4 percent – well below the 740 threshold. Making sure we have enough medical providers in Central Wisconsin will be one of my top priorities.

Workforce Development: It’s no secret Wisconsin is facing a worker shortage and that local businesses are struggling as a consequence. I want to work with universities, technical colleges, high schools and business owners on bolstering youth apprenticeship programs so that our future workforce is properly trained and can thrive in their careers. It is a win-win situation for both sides that will result in a stronger economy for us all.

Assisting Military Veterans: We are forever in debt to the brave men and women who have put their lives on the line so our country can remain the land of the free. Because they have done so much for people they will never meet, I believe we should be doing everything possible to make sure we take care of them when they are in need. They answered the call for us – now it’s time for us to answer the call for them and thank them for their selfless service.

Returning the Surplus and Cutting Taxes: It would be fiscally irresponsible for the Legislature to use Wisconsin's $4.6 billion budget surplus to create new state programs or supplement the operations of existing ones. Once that one-time funding dries up, we will only have three options: eliminate the programs, make cuts in other areas or raise taxes. With many families living paycheck to paycheck due to inflation, I will work hard to return the surplus to its rightful owners: the taxpayers of Wisconsin. I will also continue to look for ways to reduce the tax burden on the middle class.

As always, please contact my office if you have any questions or concerns related to state government. My staff and I are here to serve you.