Mike's Priorities

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Defend Our Democracy

Republicans in the Legislature have been attacking and undermining our democracy and the fabric of what holds us together as a state. I’m ready to fight for the right to vote, to end partisan gerrymandering, and to stop the purposeful spread of disinformation.

 

Republican attacks on institutions Wisconsinites hold dear, like the University of Wisconsin and public schools set us back, not forward. Meanwhile, our schools, crumbling roads, low wages, environment, and basic needs all get neglected.

 

Protect Our Basic Rights

 

Public Education

A strong public education in good and safe public schools with well-paid educators is the bedrock of our state. Mike's Mom was a public school teacher. Mike's wife teaches at the UW Law School. And Mike has taught graduate classes in public health at UW-Milwaukee. Mike has one child already in Verona public schools, and another who will be old enough soon.

 

Republicans in the Legislature have caused Wisconsin’s education ratings to slip, and parents’ confidence in schools to degrade. We must turn that around.

 

Mike has talked with educators and school board members across the 80th District, and hears their deep concern about flat funding from the state, student and educator mental health struggles, and conspiratorial attacks on the hard work educators are doing in classrooms.

 

Our schools must also be safe from violence and guns. Mike supports common sense gun control measures to ensure that students and teachers can be in school without worry. 

 

Mike will be a champion for educators and students in the State Assembly and actively work to protect and improve our schools.

 

Healthcare

Everyone has the right to affordable and high-quality healthcare, but not every Wisconsinite has access to it. This is especially true in the rural areas of the 80th District.

 

Mike was proud to work for U.S. Senator Russ Feingold when he voted for the Affordable Care Act, which expanded coverage to millions, and protects people from insurance company discrimination. Unfortunately, Republicans in Wisconsin have actively thwarted the success of the Affordable Care Act and play with people’s health for political gain. 

 

Mike has been a leading advocate in the Legislature for fully expanding BadgerCare to cover tens of thousands more Wisconsinites and capture our federal tax dollars. 

 

Mike will never quit on guaranteeing every Wisconsinite has access to affordable and high-quality healthcare and health coverage.

 

Women

Women’s rights, especially the right to choose, get Mike's full and unconditional support. Mike is a member of Men4Choice, founded by a friend of his, because it shouldn't just be on women to fight for their basic rights. Mike has also been an ally to women advocates in his day job on improving maternal care, expanding paid leave, and guaranteeing equal pay for women. When the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe, the clock will be turned back to an 1849 state law outlawing abortions, and many more of our rights will be under threat. Women of the 80th District will have an ally in Mike listening to them and representing them.

 

Common Sense Gun Control

The gun violence seen across our state and country in homes and on streets,

and in grocery stores, houses of worship, and schools threatens our right to

assemble, worship, and learn freely and without fear. We must urgently

implement common sense gun control measures to save lives. Mike supports

banning the sale of assault weapons; requiring a universal background check,

license, training, and waiting period to purchase any firearm; selling a trigger

lock with every gun; adding fingerprint access and tracking technology to

every gun; banning guns in schools and other government buildings and

polling locations; banning the sale of ghost guns and 3D printing of firearms; and more. 

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Workers

Wisconsin's public workers, like Mike's wife who is a state employee, had their rights systematically stripped away by Scott Walker and Republicans in the State Legislature. Our public workers should have the right to collectively bargain so that they are well-paid, their benefits are strong, they have protection from discrimination, and they are safe on the job. Private sector workers who want to organize have been under attack with a new Republican-backed "Right to Work" law and a slew of efforts to make them less safe, allow for discrimination, and cut their pay and benefits. Mike has proven he will never waiver in his solidarity with Wisconsin workers, and they can count on Mike to always have their back. 

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Housing

Far too many of our neighbors and school children struggle with housing insecurity and bouts of homelessness. Mike is an expert on housing policy and wants Wisconsin to transform how we guarantee everyone has access to affordable, quality, and stable shelter.

 

As a member of the County Board, Mike created a program to guarantee access to legal counsel for people facing an eviction and fought for it to be funded properly. Mike also supported significant investment in housing navigation and case management to help people find and stay in an affordable home. Mike has served on the Dane County Housing Authority and helped it secure $3 million in county funding to improve the quality of its housing and allow for future investments in more affordable housing. Mike will continue this work in the State Assembly, where so much more can be done to help those struggling.

 

Broadband

The lack of access to affordable broadband Internet service is one of the top issues Mike has heard during his time on the County Board. Every Wisconsinite has a right to access information and virtual tools that are vital to wellbeing, school, business, and social and family connection. Our state should guarantee that access.

 

Mike supported the creation and work of the Dane County Broadband Task Force, but it can be only so successful without significant state support and resources that he will fight for in the Assembly.

 

Save Our Environment

Wisconsinites are feeling the effects of our changing climate with more frequent severe weather events, and necessary changes in agriculture practice. We must work to ensure our planet will be safe for the next generation and their kids too. There is no longer a question about these changes, and they’re an urgent call to action.

 

Mike and his wife drive an American-made hybrid fuel-efficient vehicle, installed solar panels, replaced their furnace and air conditioner and windows with energy efficient models, and compost their food waste into their moderately-successful vegetable garden. They achieved their goal of nearly erasing their family’s carbon footprint. Protecting our environment requires action by every one of us, and Mike will be part of ensuring our state government expands incentives for us all to be part of the solution.

 

Mike strongly supported adoption of Dane County’s Climate Action Plan as a member of the County Board, and will support similar statewide efforts, because every level of government must be focused on this issue.

 

Mike has also heard from many voters across the 80th District about water quality and drinking water problems, including contaminated wells. Mike will be a part of ensuring access to safe drinking water.

 

As an owner of a small business in a public park, Mike loves to think about the potential our state parks have to be spaces Wisconsinites can enjoy. Many of them are in sad disrepair after Republican neglect. As a member of the County Board, Mike supported efforts to purchase land in the 80th District for preservation, including sponsoring a resolution to purchase the farm where the Badger Mill Creek and Sugar River meet to improve runoff management and return the land to natural parkland. Mike also supported expanding access to Dane County Parks by people with disabilities, and supported a $400,000 investment in improving the Ice Age Trail corridor through Verona. Mike will fight for investment in our state parks too.