As I See It
New Year’s resolution from Wisconsin’s Legislature should be all the things — or just one? — it failed to do in 2023 and 2024
New Year’s resolutions can mean many things for many people. A kickoff to being healthier, working out, losing weight, giving up a vice or reading more.
But what those resolutions are mostly about are failure.
This isn’t about you starting some new, or kicking some old habits, though.
This about the Wisconsin state Legislature. Which hasn’t come through an many of its resolutions in 2023 or 2024 — taxes, childcare, a 175-year-old abortion ban, legalization, PFAS or healthcare to name a few.
For two years, it’s sat on a multi-billion dollar budget surplus. For two years, it’s had millions set aside to combat PFAS and help emergency rooms.
But, instead of Republicans hashing out differences with Democrats to use the $125 million for PFAS or $15 million for hospitals, the Legislature has been out of session the past eight months — again. At any point, they could have worked one day, maybe two, and come up with a plan on any number of those things.
Instead, nothing. And, next week, the new Legislature will vote on a calendar that gives itself another eight months off in 2026.
So, if you’re looking to set a goal, see if it can’t be a little loftier than the ones lawmakers set for themselves to work in Madison.
That should make your New Year’s resolution very attainable.
As I see it, I’m Rick Solem
Nick
December 31, 2024 at 6:46 am
The legislature not doing anything is partly our fault. Our fault for not taking the time to write ten and get it done or your gone. If they do not, vote them out. If it does not get done then, vote them out.
I do not , as you should know, care about party labels. I have stated that the Republican legislature not releasing money for PFAS is immoral.
The legalization of marijuana when it is more dangerous than smoking tobacco is NUTS. We should be having the same campaign against marijuana as we did against tobacco
William J Feehan
December 31, 2024 at 7:47 am
Funny stuff Rick. Rep. Steve Doyle voted four times just in 2024 against Republican bills to cut taxes. So did Senator Brad Pfaff. Governor Evers vetoed tax cuts as well. The $125 million appropriated for PFAS protects small businesses and property owners. But Dems would rather campaign on problems than solve them. Here is a toast to voters seeing through the lies in 2024.
John Broughton
December 31, 2024 at 5:19 pm
Isn’t the reason those PFAS aren’t released yet is because Republicans are insisting thee manufacturers are exempt from liability? You conveniently forgot to mention that. Very misleading, as always.
Bob N.
January 1, 2025 at 11:17 am
I can’t discern between editorials you write or the “news stories” that you compose, Rick. If you’re now going to offer “As I See It” on a regular basis, may I suggest that you take the Associated Press’ journalistic rules course.