Feb. 24, 2010

Please provide a brief description of your professional background and your legislative district.

My original interest was to pursue a career as a university professor in meteorology and climatology, so I obtained a master’s degree in these fields and was working toward a doctorate when I had an opportunity to enter broadcasting full time as a weather forecaster.  I held this position at WTMJ radio and television for 30 years.

In 1995 I entered Marquette University Law School as a part time student since I felt a law degree would give me additional skills which could be applied to a wide range of specialties after my broadcast career ended.  I graduated in 2000.

I taught a class at the Law School on media law in 2001.

In 2006 the Assembly seat opened in the district in which I reside, and I won election in November.  I am now serving in my second term.

The 23rd Assembly District includes most of Mequon, all of Thiensville, Bayside and Brown Deer, and a small part of the city of Milwaukee.

How has your legal career/legal studies shaped your experience in the state legislature?

Having a firm grasp of legal principles and the working of government has been very beneficial.  Understanding the importance of constitutionality considerations when introducing or drafting legislation definitely results in a better work product.

What current pieces of legislation are you working on that might be of interest to the State Bar of Wisconsin ?

I have introduced legislation that would index the deductibility of capital losses at the state level to the federal loss value, which is currently $3,000.  Wisconsin only allows a $500 loss.  I have also co-authored a bill (AB 547) that will substantially toughen our drunk driving laws by criminalizing the first offense and allowing local law enforcement to use sobriety checkpoints as a deterrent.

There is a piece of legislation that may not seem of particular interest to the State Bar at first glance, but I think is very important to every resident of Wisconsin.  That would be the so-called Clean Energy Jobs Act, which is actually a massive 174 page bill based on the recommendations of Governor Doyle’s Global Warming Task Force.  I am strongly opposed to Assembly Bill 649 (Senate Bill 450) because its many mandates will dramatically raise energy prices and I believe cost our state thousands of manufacturing jobs all in the name of fighting global warming.  Our state needs a sensible energy policy and this bill does not provide it, while having a potentially very damaging effect on our economy.

What would you identify as the major issues/challenges facing the justice system?

The underfunding of District Attorney’s offices across Wisconsin is a serious problem right now, with the likelihood of cuts in the number of positions.  It would seem that keeping our citizens safe should be a top priority and considering the size of our state budget that should not be a problem.  Unfortunately the early release program now in effect in an effort to save money is taking us in the wrong direction.

Recidivism is also a serous problem, and I would like to see more effort/funds allocated to prisoner education, job training and treatment for drug and alcohol addictions.  While this may sound difficult during a time of economic distress, I believe our state has to look at some of our spending priorities.  There is too much waste and inefficiency in state spending, and by running more efficiently Wisconsin could actually increase spending on important programs without raising taxes.

Anything else you'd like to add?

In spite of the negative perception that some residents hold of state government I think our system of checks and balances works pretty well.  Before a bill becomes law it is thoroughly vetted through public hearings and must pass votes in committee, before it even comes before the full Legislature.  There is also ample opportunity to amend bills if further tweaking is needed.  Even after the Governor signs the bill it may still face a challenge of constitutionality in court.

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