Your Freedoms don't exist in a bubble--you can't practice your Freedoms while living in fear. One important Freedom is your ability to live life, seek liberty, and pursue happiness in communities that are safe and secure.
Legalizing Marijuana and Confronting the Drug Epidemic
It is time for the State of Wisconsin to legalize Marijuana. Legalization has strong bipartisan support with 61% of Wisconsinites favoring legalization [1]. This is also a great source of additional revenue for the state. In 2021, our neighboring states Michigan and Illinois reported $246 million and $317 million of marijuana tax revenue respectively [2], at least a portion of which comes from Wisconsin residents crossing state borders seeking legal marijuana sales and regulated products.
This additional tax revenue could be used to help us solve other major issues in our communities, especially addiction problems and the Opioid Epidemic. As of 2019, Fentanyl overdoses are now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45 [3]. The most effective way to reduce addiction--not just of opioids, but also alcohol, tobacco, and other substances--is to provide counseling and treatments services.
I will work with my fellow legislators to legalize marijuana, with tax revenue split between funding addiction rehabilitation programs and supporting mental health services in our schools.
This additional tax revenue could be used to help us solve other major issues in our communities, especially addiction problems and the Opioid Epidemic. As of 2019, Fentanyl overdoses are now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45 [3]. The most effective way to reduce addiction--not just of opioids, but also alcohol, tobacco, and other substances--is to provide counseling and treatments services.
I will work with my fellow legislators to legalize marijuana, with tax revenue split between funding addiction rehabilitation programs and supporting mental health services in our schools.
Affordable Healthcare
Access to affordable and effective healthcare is essential. We need to be able to see a doctor not just when something goes wrong, but also for preventative care and regular screenings to detect health conditions.
I support accepting the federal Medicare expansion, which would provide healthcare to over 90,000 Wisconsinites and comes with additional infrastructure money for the state. When Wisconsin refused the expansion, we lost out on a cumulative 1.7 billion dollars in benefits since 2014. However, your federal taxes are paying for this benefit that other states, including conservative states, receive. I believe that you should have access to the services too.
I support increasing access to affordable healthcare across the Northwoods, as well as efforts to reduce healthcare costs for all Wisconsinites.
I support accepting the federal Medicare expansion, which would provide healthcare to over 90,000 Wisconsinites and comes with additional infrastructure money for the state. When Wisconsin refused the expansion, we lost out on a cumulative 1.7 billion dollars in benefits since 2014. However, your federal taxes are paying for this benefit that other states, including conservative states, receive. I believe that you should have access to the services too.
I support increasing access to affordable healthcare across the Northwoods, as well as efforts to reduce healthcare costs for all Wisconsinites.
Protecting the Environment
Climate Change is an increasing threat to our security, health, and our economy. Our regional economy is largely dependent on tourism--tourism that is dependent on the natural beauty and natural resources that the Northwoods offers. It is important for our economy that we protect and preserve our region's natural areas, clean air, and clean water--not just for us but for future generations.
We need to transition away from fossil fuel reliance and develop renewable energy infrastructure in our region. We need strong natural resource policies that protect the wild places and wildlife we enjoy.
We need to transition away from fossil fuel reliance and develop renewable energy infrastructure in our region. We need strong natural resource policies that protect the wild places and wildlife we enjoy.
Commonsense Gun Safety
We need common sense gun laws to be sure that every Wisconsinite can be safe in their community. We need to take steps to eliminate gun violence in our communities while still recognizing the importance of guns as a tool in rural areas.
I support keeping our communities safe by enforcing universal background checks, reasonable gun safety training, and red flag laws to keep guns out of the hands of people who are likely to be a risk to themselves or others.
I support keeping our communities safe by enforcing universal background checks, reasonable gun safety training, and red flag laws to keep guns out of the hands of people who are likely to be a risk to themselves or others.
Relief for our Emergency Services
Our regional emergency services are struggling. We can do better and provide more support to our dedicated EMTs, law enforcement officers, and fire departments. We need to bring money back from the state for our local governments to invest in emergency services our communities need.
When you have an emergency, you want to know that help will arrive promptly. You want to live in a community that is safe for you and your neighbors. I will fight to give our emergency service providers the resources they need to be supported and fulfill their important jobs in our rural communities.
When you have an emergency, you want to know that help will arrive promptly. You want to live in a community that is safe for you and your neighbors. I will fight to give our emergency service providers the resources they need to be supported and fulfill their important jobs in our rural communities.
