Rep. Clark to seek seat in new district - Rep. Fred Clark, D-Baraboo, will seek another term in the Wisconsin Assembly. Clark announced his candidacy for the 81st Assembly District seat in a press release Tuesday, stating Republican Gov. Scott Walker's "policies and abuses of power" during his first year in office have deeply divided the state. (Baraboo News Republic 4/11/2012) Related: Clark to seek seat in new district (Portage Daily Register 4/11/2011),
Economy, recall election weighing on constituents - The recall effort against Gov. Scott Walker, how to promote growth of local businesses and Wisconsin's energy future were among the issues raised Thursday as Baraboo's representative in the state Assembly met with constituents. (Baraboo News Republic 3/31/2012)
Keeping guns out of kindergarten - A state lawmaker is worried a loophole in current law could allow guns to be carried into some kindergarten classrooms. (Wisconsin Radio Network 3/5/2012)
Proposed bill would outlaw guns around all kindergartens - An effort to close a legal loophole that allows people to pack heat in some Wisconsin kindergartens may prove difficult. (Baraboo News Republic 3/2/2012)
Wetland permit changes approved - The state Assembly has signed off on a controversial bill that makes changes to the permitting process for construction on Wisconsin's wetland areas. The bill creates a two-tier permitting system, allowing a closer review for more complex projects and giving developers an option to offset the loss of those areas. (Wisconsin Radio Network 2/22/2012)
Dear Friends,
As the 2011-2012 legislative session has come to a close I wanted to report on what your state representative - and my very able staff - have been working on this year.
I was proud to have drafted and personally introduced many bills to help our local community, local businesses, local schools and local people.
Especially in today's business climate I am concerned that too many of our downtowns are at risk of decline and loss of business.
I authored two bills to help our Wisconsin downtowns business districts. The Neighborhood Business Revitalization Loan Guarantee bill, AB 532, prioritizes existing loan guarantee funds to help business and building owners in our historic downtowns.
The Wisconsin Main Street Program promotes historic and economic redevelopment in our downtown business districts. The Wisconsin Downtown Development Program bill, AB-533, expands our Main Street program, and would offer services to even more communities.
Together these proposals would help maintain growth and vitality in our important and historic downtowns.
As a long-time small business owner, I am acutely concerned about small businesses and their unique needs. One of the big challenges facing small businesses today is the difficulty getting bank credit. As a result, many promising businesses that have had work in hand have lost opportunities or failed altogether in recent years. That is why two of the first bills I authored in 2011 were aimed at improving financing opportunities for small businesses.
Because traditional tax credits are received after an activity or investment is made, they are often of little use for businesses that can't borrow the money they need to make the investment to begin with. AB-90, the Tax Credit Now bill, helps small businesses secure financing by allowing them to receive existing tax credits as an upfront grant for financing business startup and expansion.
I also authored Assembly Bill 375 that expanded Wisconsin's Small Business Loan Guarantee Program for startup or expansion loans to small businesses.
Together these bills would help small businesses and help create jobs during a time when we were losing jobs.
I also reintroduced legislation this year to help young people. AB-616 would bring back our Wisconsin Conservation Corp. The WCC was active in Sauk County in the 1980s and 1990s and it should be again. Youth Corps programs like WCC build on our proud tradition of natural resource conservation while providing Wisconsin's youth with practical career training and meaningful work experience.
It's no coincidence that in addition to being the nation's leader in job losses in 2011, Wisconsin also became one of the leaders in cuts to public school funding - over $1.6 billion dollars. I hope we can all agree that those are the wrong things to be leading in.
I authored the Save our Schools bill, AB-677, to reinvest in our public schools, ensure that funding reaches students with the greatest needs, and to hold the line on growth of private voucher schools that are paid for by taxpayers but not accountable to voters.
The effect of home foreclosures continues to be felt in communities large and small throughout Wisconsin. That's why I introduced the Homeowner Protection Act. AB 137 requires all banks to do what responsible banks already do, by giving homeowners facing foreclosure the ability to modify their mortgage terms and stay in their homes. Reducing the glut of foreclosed homes in Wisconsin is good for homeowners, good for neighbors, and good for communities.
Through 2011 and 2012 my staff and I also continue to provide assistance of every kind to the people and organizations I represent.
We've assisted business owners affected by the Highway 12 bypass. We've helped charitable groups with everything from support for grant proposals to state permits. And my staff and I have responded to almost 5,000 requests or contacts, and we've assisted many hundreds of citizens with specific needs during the last 15 months.
2012 is far from over. Even with elections and re-districting coming up, I will continue to represent the 42nd Assembly District through the rest of this year, and my staff and I remain ready to assist in any way we can be of service.
As always, it's an honor to serve as your state representative.
Fred Clark
April 17, 2012