Every day, for some time now, I hear the geese honking overhead as they start their migrations south. Their long flights take a tremendous amount of strength and stamina, yet they do it two times a year.
The Almighty gave the geese strategies to optimize their efforts. They fly in a V formation, with the lead goose working the hardest to break through the wind. The geese flying behind the leader each benefit from that leader's efforts and HONK encouraging honks for the head goose to continue his difficult task.
It is time for us to give a HONK. Our state is still operating under last year's budget (there is no threat of government shut down as is the case in other states). The Assembly Republicans are coming under increasing pressure for not passing the Governor's budget which is loaded with $1 billion in tax/fee increases. They will be labeled as the bad guys for not passing the budget--not the governor for submitting such a bloated budget.
This week, I heard Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch on the radio. He stated that he thought they were holding firm on their no tax pledge. They will probably cave in on the 1/2 million dollar cigarette tax increase though, but that would be as far as they would go. That is farther than I would like to see them go.
If you don't want them to cave on other tax increases, such as the bed tax for hospitals or the oil company tax, it is time to HONK your support to the Republican Geese. Encourage them to hold fast to their no tax increase pledges.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
REPUBLICANS:
Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald (Assembly Majority Leader), from Horicon. Counties: Columbia and Dodge
Rep. Michael Huebsch (Assembly Speaker), from West Salem. Counties: LaCrosse and Monroe
Rep. Kitty Rhoades (co-chair of Joint Finance), from Hudson. Counties: Pierce and St. Croix
Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (Senate Minority Leader), from Juneau. Counties: Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, and Waukesha
Contact your representatives again:
State Representative Leah Vukmir, Republican, 14th District
Representative Rich Zipperer, Republican, 98th District
State Senator Jim Sullivan, Democrat, 5th District
State Senator Theodore Kanavas, Republican, 33rd District
Governor Doyle
While you are at it, did you HONK a thank you to our 7 aldermen who voted NO to moving the fire station and claiming 4 Brookfield homes with eminent domain? It is tough work being a lead goose. Encourage them with a thank you.
Bill Carnell williamcarnell@att.net 781-1058
Dan Sutton dano8287@aol.com 373-0173
Bob Reddin sreddin@wi.rr.com 781-4029
Ron Balzer ronbalzer@netzero.net 782-1177
Jerry Mellone jmellone@wi.rr.com 786-6719
Chris Blackburn blackbrn@ticon.net 821-5262
Lisa Mellone mailto:mlisa@betterbrookfield.com 780-0805
