What do these apparently unrelated items all have in common?

There are several school districts in La Crosse County that recently held referendums.

Many roads, streets and bridges in the area are in dire need of maintenance.

This summer’s flooding has shown many area levees and dams to be in disrepair.

If you own a home, your assessed value has been increasing rapidly.

The state’s unemployment fund is extremely low and the rainy day fund is the same.

The answer to the above question is, legislative action taken under the impetus of Mike Huebsch in his role as legislative leader. Mr. Huebsch has irresponsibly droned the mantra of tax cuts and he has favored and promoted bills that radically disrupted revenue sharing and funding arrangements. At the same time, he limited levy increases by local and municipal governments.

Now, despite rapid increases in property assessments, local governments have been unable to meet expenses and have cut spending in the least immediately painful areas, such as maintenance of bridges, dams, etc.

Under Mr. Huebsch’s state budgets, funding of the rainy day fund was cut. He knew that such reduction would be painless, unless the money is needed like it is now.

Mr. Huesbsch’s fiscal policies have been reckless and irresponsible. To cover this up, he tries to paint any opposition as “tax and spend.” We need new leadership in the state legislature. Vote Cheryl Hancock for the state Assembly in the 94th District.

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