Assembly Candidates Weigh in On Budget

Since the 83rd Assembly District, which covers all of Muskego, Vernon, Waterford, East Troy and the southern part of Mukwonago, has been vacated by Scott Gunderson, there will be a special election in May to fill his spot.

Patch talked with the two candidates that are vying for the seat, Muskego resident Jim Brownlow, a former librarian with the Muskego-Norway School District who is a democrat and David Craig, a republican who previously worked for Congressman Paul Ryan and is from Big Bend (town of Vernon).  Each has spent time talking with voters since the budget proposal on Tuesday, and have come away with what each feels is a mandate from the people.

"I've heard from residents in this district, and they are angry that the governor's proposals are being obstructed," Craig said.  "They know we need to get back on track fiscally, and they totally support what the governor is hoping to accomplish."

According to Brownlow, the response he's heard is one of surprise. 

"Most people I have talked with are surprised at how unfair this budget is," he said.  "They just can't believe we need all of these cuts."

Brownlow also felt the most vulnerable have been made to bear the brunt in cuts to Medicare, while spending in other areas is unnecessary. 

"This is so unfair to the people who are the most defenseless, people who are on Medicare, and can barely make it to the end of the month," Brownlow explained.  "And I have always believed the adage that if you're in a hole, stop digging. The proposed spending measures Walker has can easily be delayed rather than having to cut so deep into the middle class."

Brownlow pointed to increases in salaries for prosecutors and defenders, as well as nearly $90 million in construction projects for I-39 in Rock and Dane County and the zoo interchange as expenditures that can wait.

Craig felt that the decision to require public union employees to pay more into their benefits and pension and to eliminate collective bargaining rights was "unfortunate, but something that needs to be done, rather than delivering layoff notices."

"The previous administrations have overpromised things to these employee, and it's been this administration that's been left holding the bag," Craig continued.  "It stinks to be demonized, but the majority number of people have echoed the need for these reforms."

Brownlow agreed that it's "sad that the State is in debt, but it's been in debt before, and it seems like these cuts are too extreme."

However, Craig, who worked for Congressman Paul Ryan for eight years, said that the election was a "clear mandate by the people for restoring fiscal responsibility."

Still, Brownlow expressed "disgust" at the new spending programs, and reiterated a theme ironically found in one form or another in each campaign:  "It's time to do something for the middle class."