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Dear Editor;
Look what our current Republican leaders have accomplished:
Nearly half of rural Wisconsin residents don't have access to a broadband internet connection according to the FCC.
Our water quality and environment are suffering, and our road conditions are the third worst in the nation.
We have the highest farm bankruptcy rate in the nation, a rising suicide rate among farmers, and our children are leaving for other states.
With recent huge budget cuts to education, Wisconsin schools receive less state aid than they did in 2011. Our school funding formula benefits large urban schools over small rural ones, and needs fixing. We have an unsustainable system, increasing an already high property tax burden. Every kid needs a great school, regardless of zip code.
Wisconsin is the only state in the upper Midwest that has refused $1 billion in federal money to expand Medicaid and Badger Care. We also have some of the highest medical and prescription drug costs anywhere. Our leaders are suing the federal government with hopes of abolishing the Affordable Care Act, which would leave insurance costs and coverage in the hands of private profit-driven insurance companies.
Senator Marklein led the way to make Wisconsin state parks among the most expensive, to be "self sustaining" like a system that failed in Texas.
He was a sponsor to reduce regulations of high capacity water wells. Sierra Club gave him a 0% rating on his environmental voting record.
The Wisconsin GOP is in the pockets of the American Transmission Company with its destructive and costly high-voltage power lines. By June 2017, ATC and the utility industry had contributed $2.10 million to the re-election efforts of Wisconsin GOP canditates. I'm sure the money is still continuing to flow in the same direction.
We should invest taxpayer dollars back into our communities, rather than expensive and risky ventures that give breaks to billionaire developers of stadiums and factories in other parts of the state.
What a relief that in November we can elect some candidates who will work for real change and bring a positive, unifying approach that advances the best interests of all their constituents.
If you want Wisconsin to be a state we can be proud of, vote for Tony Evers (Governor), Kriss Marion (State Senate) and Jeff Wright (Assembly), and re-elect Tammy Baldwin (US Senate).
Sincerely,
Marie L. Baker
Dodgeville