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Politics & Government

Rep. Ron Kind Talks About the Fall Congressional Session

Also in the news, reactions to Obama's address of Congress, and the Wisconsin Legislature reconvenes on Tuesday, Sept. 13.

Rep. Ron Kind was back in D.C. this week, as congress reconvened for the fall. He took the time out of his busy week to discuss his hopes for the latest congressional session.

Kind stated that his top priority for this fall "remains getting this economy back on track, and creating good paying jobs, especially for western Wisconsin."

He added that "it's the small businesses that are the backbone of our regional economy, their the ones that will be able to create the jobs the quickest back home."

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In response to President Obama's proposed American Jobs Act, Kind commented that "a lot of the measures that the President is proposing make sense, including the investment we need to make in our nation's infrastructure."

"We've got a deteriorating 20th-century infrastructure that's not ready for 21st-century growth," he said. 

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Kind pointed to the I-35W bridge collapse and the need to replace the Stillwater Lift Bridge as two examples of our deteriorating infrastructure.

"We've got bridges falling down on us, for crying out loud. It's inexcusable, and the replacement for the Stillwater Bridge project has been 50 years in the making. It's long overdue," Kind said.

He also noted that the St. Croix River Crossing project has bi-partisan support, with all the senators from both Minnesota and Wisconsin in favor of it.

In addition to the St. Croix River Crossing project, Kind is still pushing hard for farm bill reforms. In August, he held a series of farm forums discussing the issue.

"It makes no sense that we have huge taxpayer subsidies going to a few, but very large agri-businesses. That's were the bulk of the funding is going, and it's not helping our family farmers back home."

Kind added that "it's not fiscally responsible. We've got federal paychecks going to addresses in Manhattan, Chicago and Hollywood, all under the Farm Bill. It just makes no sense."

The biggest hurdle that needs to be cleared this fall is the ability to compromise on legislation.

"There's too much of an attitude of my way or no way at all, and that leads to political paralysis," said Kind, adding that "we need to start coming together on this, and forming a bi-partisan approach, because that's what people expect us to do back home."

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Rep. Dean Knudson (R-District 30)

Sen. Sheila Harsdorf (R-District 10)

  • The Wisconsin Legislature reconvenes on Tuesday, Sept. 13.
  • On Wednesday, Sept. 7, Sen. Harsdorf posted a note on her Facebook page, reminding constituents that Wisconsin Act 35 (the conceal and carry legislation) does not go into effect until Nov. 1, and that the training requirements have not been finalized by the Department of Justice.
  • On Saturday, Sept. 10, Harsdorf posted an entry on her Facebook page, commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
  • Harsdorf has a meeting for the Joint Committee on Finance scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 14.

Rep. Ron Kind (D-District 3)

  • On Thursday, Sept. 8, Rep. Kind put out a press statement in response to President Obama's proposed American Jobs Act.
  • On Friday, Sept. 9, Kind voted in favor of H.R. 1892, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. The legislation seeks to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2012 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and other appropriations. The bill passed the House of Representatives with 384 voting in favor and 14 voting against the act, it now awaits a vote in the U.S. Senate.
  • Tweet of the week: "I asked the President to keep the speech short last night - to avoid interference with the big game. #gopackgo http://yfrog.com/nu83hwj"
  • In his weekly YouTube video, Kind commemorates the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
  • Kind has no committee meetings scheduled for the week.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI)

  • On Wednesday, Sept. 7, Sen. Johnson announced new mobile office hours for his legislative staff.
  • On Thursday, Sept. 8, Johnson posted a video response to President Obama's proposed American Jobs Act.
  • On Thursday, Sept. 8, Sen. Johnson put out a press statement in response to President Obama's proposed American Jobs Act.
  • On Thursday, Sept. 8, Johnson voted against H.R. 1249, the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. The legislation seeks to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reform. The bill passed the Senate with 89 in favor and nine voting against the act. Having already passed in the House of Representatives, the bill will proceed to a conference committee of senators and congressmen to work out differences in the versions of the bill each chamber approved before it can be signed into law by President Obama.
  • On Friday, Sept. 9, Johnson released a press statement commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
  • Tweet of the week: "Wish I could be at Lambeau tonight, but I’ll be rooting for @ClayMatthews52, @AaronRodgers12 and the Packers from DC. Go Pack!"
  • Johnson has three meetings scheduled for the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, they are on Tuesday, Sept. 13; Wednesday, Sept. 14 and Thursday, Sept. 15. 
  • Johnson has a meeting scheduled for the Senate Budget Committee for Thursday, Sept. 15.

Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI)

  • On Thursday, Sept. 8, Sen. Kohl released a press statement in response to President Obama's proposed American Jobs Act.
  • On Thursday, Sept. 8, Kohl voted in favor of H.R. 1249, the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. The legislation seeks to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reform. The bill passed the Senate with 89 in favor and nine voting against the act. Having already passed in the House of Representatives, the bill will proceed to a conference committee of senators and congressmen to work out differences in the versions of the bill each chamber approved before it can be signed into law by President Obama.
  • On Sunday, Sept. 11, Kohl posted a new blog post on Patch, .
  • Kohl has three Senate Judiciary Committee meeting scheduled for the week; they are scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 13; Wednesday, Sept. 14 and Thursday, Sept. 15.
  • Kohl has two meetings scheduled for the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; they are scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 13 and Wednesday, Sept. 14.
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