As the budget process picks up in Madison, constituents in my district have been contacting my office with their concerns regarding various aspects of the budget.

I rely on my constituents to share their thoughts with me, so I hosted an economic roundtable discussion April 9.  Nearly 100 area business leaders came to listen to WI Taxpayers Alliance President, Todd Berry and a panel of five business leaders.

Small businesses like INOV8 have to reduce spending. Rebecca Faas, owner of INOV8, said her business had to cut back on operational costs. This is just one example of hundreds. A small business owner myself, I had cut operating expenses as revenue dollars shrink, yet state government is increasing spending by 7.7 percent!

People in my district look for legislators who will conduct responsible budgeting. We need legislators willing to look for budgeting solutions that will ensure that our deficit does not increase over the next two years. As Todd Berry mentioned, “The current state budget is laying the groundwork for a budget crisis well into the next decade.”

This is the only way to eliminate our budget deficit, regain economic strength and find a long-term solution. As Steve Loehr, panelist and vice-president of operations support at Kwik Trip said during the economic discussion, “Madison needs to look at a long-term solution, not short-term fixes.”

An essential part of a long-term solution is to strengthen our private sector by not burdening it with additional taxes.   We in the legislature need to heed business community; the private sector’s ability to do business in Wisconsin is being hurt by the institution designed to nurture it.

Wisconsin is a great place to live, work and raise a family, but we can and must do better. I know that through the grassroots efforts of the people in my district, we will improve Wisconsin’s business climate.

Dan Kapanke
WI Senator 32nd district