This Just In...
Kevin Fischer is an award-winning veteran broadcaster who has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for nearly three decades.
Kevin, who is a legislative aide to state Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, “INTERchange,” on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, in Franklin.
Jump starting the state's economy
By Kevin Fischer
Wednesday, Nov 19 2008, 12:44 PM
Wisconsin's economy is in pretty rough shape. Before the end of the week, we'll have a better grip on how close Governor Doyle is to his predicition that the state budget defciit is around $5 billion.
Tax and fee increases are NOT the way to fix our budget crisis or our economy. The Wisconsin Institute for Leadership has issued the following news release that outlines some solid suggestions on how to get Wisconsin back on its economic feet again:
WIL Calls for Economic Stimulus Package
Wisconsin Institute for Leadership Says Immediate Action Needed to Boost State
[Madison, Wisc..] The Wisconsin Legislature should immediately pass a series of economic development proposals to stimulate the state's economy, according to the Wisconsin Institute for Leadership.
"Before any expensive new government programs are contemplated, and before the State comes to individuals and businesses for even more taxes, the legislature and the Governor should pass these common sense economic development measures to stimulate the free market in Wisconsin," said WIL Executive Director Brian Fraley.
WIL says Wisconsin should:
¨ Stop the Grey Drain and keep assets in our economy by completely eliminating the tax on retirement benefits for Wisconsin citizens over the age of 65
¨ Encourage investing by doubling the Angel Investment Credit limit
¨ Reward risk by providing inducements of in-state reinvestments of capital gains
¨ Get the government off the backs of law abiding business by passing public nuisance law reform
¨ Create jobs by lifting the nuclear power moratorium
¨ Help small businesses by allowing Health Savings Account tax deductibility
¨ Restrain state spending by launching a website which lists all agency expenditures over $100 within 15 days.
"The first rule of holes is that when you find yourself in one, stop digging," said Fraley. "So the first order of business for the new legislature is to rein in state spending and state agencies that stifle growth. And we should be encouraging investment and rewarding risk in order to shore up our economy here at home."
About WIL: The Wisconsin Institute for Leadership is a state-focused independent advocacy organization that works to educate and mobilize Wisconsin residents on policies that expand individual liberties, encourage free markets, promote high quality education and demand accountability from public officials. For more information, visit WIL's website: www.WiLead.org and participate in the free grassroots WIL Forum at http://wilead.ning.com/.
Earlier this year WIL created a YouTube video listing the thousands of jobs lost in the first 7 months of 2008. The piece also bemoaned the fact the Governor was looking for his fourth Commerce Secretary in four years. The video can be watched here: http://www.youtube.com/user/WiscInstLead.
WIL also ran an 'obituary' in the Wisconsin State Journal on Labor Day to mourn the departed jobs and call for leadership on the Wisconsin economy. That ad can be
viewed here: http://wilead.org/blog/?p=47.
