Will Martin Pitches $111 Billion Budget Rollback in Wisconsin Lt. Governor Primary
Updated
Updated · The Janesville Gazette · Aug 10
Will Martin Pitches $111 Billion Budget Rollback in Wisconsin Lt. Governor Primary
3 articles · Updated · The Janesville Gazette · Aug 10
Summary
Will Martin, one of two Republicans running for Wisconsin lieutenant governor, said affordability is his top issue ahead of the Aug. 11 primary.
Martin tied that message to cutting costs through more in-state energy production — Wisconsin consumes six times more energy than it produces — plus more housing, lower property taxes and a state-government reorganization.
He argued his edge is experience in the Thompson and Walker administrations, citing work he says helped save $30 million, expand housing efforts and finalize 120 Opportunity Zones that drew hundreds of millions in private investment.
On the state budget, Martin criticized the more than $111 billion biennial deal as a 15% increase and said any surplus should be fully refunded, while urging the sale of underused state property to steer more money to local governments and schools.
The Republican primary winner will join the party's gubernatorial ticket for the Nov. 3 election; Democrat Sarah Godlewski is unopposed for lieutenant governor in her party's primary.
Can streamlining state government and eliminating duplicate programs actually solve Wisconsin's affordability crisis without cutting essential local services?
As Opportunity Zone 2.0 approaches, will stricter rules and a new rural focus truly attract private investment or leave vulnerable communities behind?