FOR CITY TIMES
CENTRAL WISCONSIN – Democrat Criste Greening is facing Republican Scott Krug (Incumbent) in the Nov. 8 general election, in a race for the 72nd District seat in the state Assembly. The 72nd Assembly District covers portions of Wood, Portage, Adams and Waushara counties, including the city of Wisconsin Rapids, the villages of Biron, Port Edwards and Plainfield and the towns of Rome and Big Flats. In an effort to bring you some information about the candidates, and their views on certain subjects, we posed the same set of questions to each of them. Their responses follow.
Criste Greening
Why have you chosen to run in this election? Like many, I feel a Representative, regardless of political affiliation, should always represent the people first. This is the primary role of any elected official and literally why they are voted into office. Unfortunately, this is not happening in the 72nd District. I have spent the past decade representing citizen interest in Madison, testifying in front of various Assembly and Senate committees and attending countless outreach events. Sadly, every trip had one thing in common. Our current representative completely ignored constituents’ input and concerns, and always – without exception – put Party politics, special interest groups, and big-money donors before his own people. I have chosen to run for office to change all this, and bring true representation of the people back to our 72nd District. What would you list as your qualifications for this elected position? Strong solid leadership skills, a high level of integrity, familiarity with local and regional issues of importance to our district communities, and experience in advocating for needed changes across the 72nd. I have worked tirelessly as an advocate for meaningful legislation that not only represents what constituents are asking for, but offers workable, fundable routes forward regardless of which party brings such bills to the floor. As a seasoned advocate, I understand the system in Madison that controls outcomes for rural districts. I understand how change is made, or not made, within committees. I have successfully pushed for change, and not settled for supporting legislation that serves only a minority. My willingness to put in the time this position merits stands in stark contrast to my opponent. As you campaign, what are the people of the district telling you are their biggest priorities, and how would you address those priorities as the elected representative? While speaking with constituents across the 72nd, affordable health care and prescription drug problems have been the most critical issues of concern spanning all ages and genders. Wisconsin’s Republican-led majority continues to sacrifice the health of our citizens by refusing to accept federal Medicaid Expansion funds totaling $1.1 billion (2014-19) and $1.6 billion (2021) solely due to partisan politics. We can immediately address affordable health care shortfalls by accepting these federal funds, putting politics aside and working across the aisle for all Wisconsin citizens. Statistics show that states which have accepted expansion funds have seen an increased level of health for their citizens, earlier detection of chronic illnesses, a higher level of care for the disadvantaged, and reduced debt from unpaid medical services. It is time to accept these funds for the betterment of all Wisconsin citizens. The so-called “Mill Bill” was vetoed by Gov. Evers in July, 2021. A second attempt never reached the Governor’s desk. Do you support state government assistance for the idled Verso mill in Wisconsin Rapids? If so, in what form, and to what extent? If not, why not? Constituents have been misled and need to know the facts about the proposed legislation and eventual mill-bill veto impacting our local community. In May of 2021 Governor Evers called a special session to accept Federal Medicaid Expansion (American Rescue Plan Act) money, allowing Wisconsin to receive an additional $1 billion in cost savings for economic relief following Covid. This special session, if acted upon, would have brought $1.6 billion into Wisconsin. Specifically outlined in Governor Evers’ economic relief plan was the directive to provide the requested $65 million dollar loan for the possible purchase of the Verso Mill to a newly-formed timber industry cooperative. The Republican-led legislature gaveled in and out of special session within 40 seconds, leaving the earmarked money for the Wisconsin Rapids facility sitting on the table without any mention or conversation. Within weeks the ‘Mill Bill’ was presented, targeting ARPA funds to be used for the requested loan, even though the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau warned previously it was unclear whether ARPA fund guidelines could apply to a third party purchasing the paper mill and would expire in December of 2024. Because the paper industry has been in a steady decline for years, and Verso did not close solely because of Covid, it was highly unlikely ARPA would allow for the use of funds for this loan. Instead of working with Governor Evers to supply the necessary loan through an alternate measure as offered, Rep. Krug and Senator Testin knowingly forced an unworkable bill through our legislature to the Governor’s desk, eventually resulting in the veto and complete loss of funding. This bill was all political game play. The Verso mill was eventually purchased by Billerud Korsnäs, a Swedish pulp and paper company, who have yet to make any commitments to reopening the Verso facility. In this current scenario, I would not support government assistance to a foreign-owned company that has not committed to reopening the mill, nor has shared any information regarding future plans for the idle facility. Local governments continually argue they are having a harder time meeting budgets and rising costs, particularly because state aids have leveled off, and because of state-imposed levy limits, which control the amount municipalities can raise taxes. Those levy limits, along with other state mandates, generally have not kept up with inflation. Is it time to adjust or do away with state levy limits, so local governments can tax and spend according to what their needs are? I believe it is time to not only adjust levy limits, but also restore local control to our municipalities statewide. In 2019 the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau conducted a review of legislative-enacted bills that consisted of unfunded mandates and items that would restrict local control. They identified roughly 180 pieces of such legislation. Levy limits and unfunded mandates create a significant and unnecessary financial burden on our local government systems, resulting in underfunded and understaffed departments, unenforceable mandates, and fostering inequality between communities based on individual tax base. Local elected officials and citizens know their communities and challenges best. Returning local control would allow those most familiar, and importantly, most affected by such legislation, to have a voice. Scott Krug Why have you chosen to run in this election? This is one of the most important elections we have faced in recent memory. Runaway inflation is impacting daily life for folks in central Wisconsin worse than it has in close to 40 years. Yet, we have record-high tax collections at the state level. This is a warning sign. Our economy works best when taxpayers make the choices on where their dollars are spent. Keeping more of those dollars in the checkbooks of hard-working families is more important than anything else to keep our economy moving forward. Beyond massive tax policy reform, we have local issues that must be solved with help from the majorities in the legislature. Over the years I’ve excelled at finding state help to solve local problems by having amazing relationships building consensus in Madison. From finding solutions to blue-green algae concerns in Lake Petenwell by creating one-of-a-kind rules for the Wisconsin River watershed to assisting companies in remaining, growing, and thriving here in the area, local issues receive the bulk of time and energy in Madison. We need funding to replace the broken and busted 8th Street corridor, we have to find a solution for the Rapids Mill closure, funding local police and fire services (due to massive strain from calls for service) and continue the efforts to balance tourism and agriculture in the area. Plenty to do and we need a representative with a track record of accomplishments to get the job done. What would you list as your qualifications for this elected position? My best qualifications for this office are keeping myself grounded in real life. Working as a real estate agent, president of the local Elks Lodge and a county board member in Adams County, I get a first-hand perspective of the problems facing families, businesses and governments. Beyond those duties, being a parent of a school-aged child held out of in-person instruction early in his education, I am experiencing what so many families are dealing with in attempting to make up for lost learning and keeping our elementary students from falling further behind. Rapid intervention is needed to address the continuation of falling scores in our schools. My wife and I also have five young adult children. Watching them make their way in the world in times of crushing inflation is heartbreaking. The struggles they face to make ends meet while starting their adult lives is something completely created by forces they can’t control, with unforced errors by state and federal government. As a grandparent my ultimate worry is for the future we are leaving for that generation. It’s time for bold reforms and that only comes from strong leaders with strong convictions. As you campaign, what are the people of the district telling you are their biggest priorities, and how would you address those priorities as the elected representative? Crime and inflation are the absolute top issues at the doors. The desperation created by inflationary pressures is leading to increased desperation by some and criminal activity is on the rise in many communities. From theft to drugs and in between stabilizing our economy strikes at the heart of both of those growing problems. The best and most rapid solution is massive tax reform allowing families more control of their own lives. People have also talked a lot about issues of local concern knowing I have a good working relationship with local leaders and experience in local government. From getting sidewalk repairs done, to talking about issues at the schools with bullying, I take those concerns to heart and work hard to help them each find the resources they need to deal with the issue. I like being able to be the guy who can track down a path to solving a problem, being a referee of sorts at times to mediate concerns between parties and being someone who is trusted to be able to make things happen. The so-called “Mill Bill” was vetoed by Gov. Evers in July 2021. A second attempt never reached the Governor’s desk. Do you support state government assistance for the idled Verso mill in Wisconsin Rapids? If so, in what form, and to what extent? If not, why not? As the author of the Mill Bills, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever that funding the purchase by a home-grown entity should not already be completed. Through months of collaboration in the Rapids Together Task Force we identified a partner organization based in Wisconsin willing to make the purchase and then take on the expense on their own to reshape and reuse the facilities and machinery in Wisconsin Rapids. Upon making that identification and vetting, Senator Testin and I spoke with Governor Evers, who committed to the idea saying, “Whatever you guys come up with, I’ll support it.” Unfortunately, that promise was broken because of politics. The excuse to not use federal COVID money was an attempt to use state general funds – the problem being the federal government required a massive maintenance of effort on all general fund spending for even accepting COVID money. If we had gone with state funding to get the bill signed into law, it would have cost $80 million more than the original bill called for. Common sense calls for the path of least resistance that can create that opportunity without breaking the bank. Governor Evers can still make the right decision and allocate that money today. Local governments continually argue they are having a harder time meeting budgets and rising costs, particularly because state aids have leveled off, and because of state-imposed levy limits, which control the amount municipalities can raise taxes. Those levy limits, along with other state mandates, generally have not kept up with inflation. Is it time to adjust or do away with state levy limits, so local governments can tax and spend according to what their needs are? Every budget cycle we (the state) balance our needs similar to what local governments must do every year. It is highly frustrating to see the impacts of federal government-driven inflation on projects needed by our local government partners. The massive impact of price increases, from road construction to even the new Wood County jail, are budget breakers for so many local government partners. Increased calls for services for police and fire eat up those budgets fast as well. With some of the state surplus money the state must do a better job of assisting municipalities and counties reach the goals we set upon them. I am sure there will be adjustments made to the shared revenue, transportation aids and other municipal aid. I think we can have a conversation of adjustments to levy limits, but going back to the days of taxing and spending at will are not something I would support. Adjusting levy limits to address increasing need of police and fire service needs is a good first step.
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