Thankful for the Courage to Change

Earlier this week, we received news that our national debt now exceeds $15 trillion, a 42 percent increase since January 2009. 

Coinciding with that news was the failure of a so-called “super-committee” of U.S. congressmen and senators to find $1.2 trillion in federal budget cuts over the next several years. Thus continued the disease of job-killing policy that continues to emanate out of Washington and infect our state economy.

Amazingly, despite the public outrage against more government spending, the congressional super-committee could not bring itself to make the necessary decision to cut government to a level that taxpayers can afford. 

It reminds me of the sheer incompetence and failure of leadership that beset Wisconsin prior to 2011. For years, politicians have passed the buck onto the next generation of elected officials, allowing deeply-seeded budget problems to fester to the point of crisis. Their unwillingness to confront the inevitable cast our economy into a tailspin that we are still fighting to get under control.

That is why, this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for leaders in Wisconsin who are willing to stand up and make difficult – yet necessary – decisions to right the budgetary and economic ship. It has been a tremendous honor serving you alongside true leaders like Governor Scott Walker in what has proven to be a year of change unlike any in recent memory. 

I will always look back on the first 11 months of this year as a time when ordinary people summoned extraordinary courage to stand in the face of entrenched Madison special interests to declare, “You have nearly bankrupted our government, and we are not going to do it your way anymore.”

As I have discussed frequently, we are getting results.  As a direct result of our budget reforms, local school districts have already saved nearly $470 million without making significant cuts to services.  The combined statewide school levy is down, providing property tax relief for many Wisconsinites.

Our economy is showing signs of life after a massive legislative effort to make Wisconsin a better place to do business and find a job.  This year through October, Wisconsin has added a net 20,100 private sector jobs, including 8,800 in the manufacturing sector.  Just this week, I learned that agricultural exports from our state are on a record-breaking pace.  Through the first three quarters of this year, Wisconsin has exported $2.1 billion of agricultural products – a 24 percent increase over the same period in 2010.

We also continue to learn of new job creation ventures around the state.  Over the last two weeks, we’ve learned that Blue7 Solutions, LLC announced their intention to create up to 250 full-time jobs over the next five years in the Village of Bayside; Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry will create 43 new jobs in Manitowoc; Paul Davis Restoration will be bringing its headquarters and 100 jobs to the Milwaukee area; Epic Systems is expanding to create about 800 jobs in Verona by the end of 2012; and Ruud Lighting will create a stunning 469 jobs in Sturtevant.

Washington politicians could learn a lot by looking at – and emulating – Wisconsin’s policy decisions from the last 11 months.  I will continue to push aggressively to address our state’s problems so that future generations can reap the benefits of our responsibility – and not be stuck with the consequences of past negligence.  Continuing to move Wisconsin in a positive and “Forward” direction ensures a strong future for all.

To contact me with any questions or comments or to sign up for my regular e-updates, please send an e-mail to Rep.Knodl@legis.wi.gov or call me at (608) 266-3796.