Throughout his career, improving and innovating our kids’ education has been one of Brett Davis’ highest priorities in Madison.

As the chair of the Education Committee for two years and the current ranking member, Brett knows firsthand the challenges and rewards of education in Wisconsin.  From the critical responsibility of setting our children up for success in the future to the balancing act of property taxes and referendum votes, the stakes are high.

Brett has already proven himself as a leader this year when it came to making Wisconsin eligible for federal Race to the Top funding, and has proposed real-world reforms like eliminating the Milwaukee Public School residency requirement and the cap on Virtual Schools.

Brett has been a champion of school choice, from open enrollment options to charter schools to online education, because every child learns differently and every child deserves the best opportunity for success.

Brett doesn’t let partisan politics stand in the way when it comes to our kids, and has a proven track record of bipartisan cooperation and working with both sides to find common ground.

Year in and year out, education continues to be the single biggest spending item in the state budget, and we need leaders in Madison who understand the issues and aren’t learning on the job.  Only Brett Davis has the proven track record of understanding, cooperation and success to lead Wisconsin in the right direction.

Brett is a gun owner, hunter, and registered NRA member and understands how important it is to ensure that state law does not interfere with rights outlined in the U.S. constitution. Unfortunately, over the past two years liberals in Wisconsin, led by Governor Jim Doyle, have tried to pass a number of legislative proposals to regulate, control, and restrict gun use.  Brett fought back on these proposals and supported legislation making Wisconsin a concealed carry state.

He also understands that our freedoms cannot be taken for granted, which is why he worked to proactively defend law-abiding citizens 2nd amendment rights.  Last legislative session Brett co-sponsored Castle Doctrine legislation, which created a state law explicitly allowing a resident to use force in self-defense when an intruder unlawfully enters his or her residence.  

Over the last ten years, health care premiums have risen nearly five times faster than workers’ pay, meaning that insurance has taken a bigger and bigger bite out of our budgets.

Wisconsin, however, consistently rates near the top of all states for health care quality, and near the bottom for uninsured rates.  Blowing up the current system in favor of a government takeover could mean disaster for the parts of our system that work, and inject a new level of bureaucracy between you and your family doctor.

That’s not the reform Wisconsin needs.  We need real solutions to lower the cost of health care, especially at a time when budgets are strained to the breaking point.  And we need real leadership in Madison to stand up to politicians who think more government is always the solution.

Brett supports real reforms that can make a difference right now, like allowing businesses to purchase health plans across state lines and removing the tax on Health Savings Accounts, both of which would use the competitive market to control the cost of health care and save money for both employers and employees.

Brett supports real reforms like incentives for businesses to promote workplace wellness, attacking the root causes of out-of-control health care spending: chronic diseases and obesity.

Brett supports improved technology to reduce paperwork and costly medical errors.

Most of all, Brett knows that the government’s role in health care is to provide a safety net for those who truly have no other option, not injecting itself into the process with costly mandates and endless bureaucracy.

Our economy is at a critical point right now, with over 230,000 Wisconsinites out of work, a national unemployment rate in the double digits for the first time in 26 years and Wisconsin’s job climate ranked as the third worst in the nation

We need experienced leadership in Madison and real ideas during tough times, and we can’t afford to have our lieutenant governor learning on the job.

Brett Davis understands what it will take to get our economy back on track.  Wisconsin has to grow its way out of this recession by eliminating the government-imposed barriers to job creation.  That means lower taxes, less red tape regulations and curbing frivolous lawsuits. 

Government should be a partner for businesses, not an obstacle.  Brett will also take a hands-on approach to recruit new businesses to Wisconsin and keep the ones we have. 

As the president of his local Chamber of Commerce, Brett has worked firsthand with businesses looking to relocate and expand in Wisconsin, and has listened to the real struggles taking place across industry lines.  And as a member of a family-owned business - Hedeman Real Estate - Brett has seen the real impact of this recession firsthand.

As a pro-business, pro-jobs legislator, Brett has earned a  lifetime 100 percent rating from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, a lifetime 100 percent rating from the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, and a lifetime 94 percent pro-business rating from the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.

With experience in both the public and private sector, deep roots in the community and a proven track record in Madison, Brett Davis is ready to help get Wisconsin’s economy going again. 

Getting Wisconsin’s government back on the right track begins with a responsible budget.  That means spending within our means, rooting out waste and fraud, holding the line on taxes and saying “no” for a change.

With Democrats in Washington and Madison racing each other to see who can spend more, we need real leadership now more than ever. 

Brett knows that Wisconsin has had enough of the same old government spending and the never-ending parade of tax hikes and deficits, and he has the experience we need to make a real difference.

Brett has fought in the Legislature to hold the line on taxes, hold government spending to only what the taxpayers can afford, and provide much-needed property tax relief.  

Brett has been on the front line of calling out wasteful government spending - such as using taxpayer dollars for prisoners’ cosmetic surgery, and printing road maps for politicians to give away.  Brett has called for a return to responsible budgeting using real accounting, not budgeting tricks and gimmicks, and he has used his vote in the Legislature to stand up to billions in higher taxes and hidden fees.  And he has led by example - giving back his pay raise to the taxpayers at the beginning of this legislative session.

Brett supports permanent spending controls on all levels of government and will use the office of Lieutenant Governor to be the taxpayer’s watchdog against wasteful and fraudulent spending.

The single biggest impediment to moving Wisconsin forward is our oppressive tax burden.

Unfortunately, too many in government don’t understand the burden that taxes put on family budgets and small businesses throughout the state.  High taxes not only put a crimp on our own saving and spending, they send the wrong message to businesses looking to relocate or open their doors in Wisconsin.

Brett Davis has been a consistent voice in Madison for keeping your taxes in check.  Brett has voted to cut taxes 126 times while in the State Assembly, for a total taxpayer savings of $5.4 Billion.
 

Brett has voted for a property tax freeze, to keep Wisconsin families and seniors from being taxed out of their homes.  Brett has voted for a Taxpayers Bill of Rights, that would force the government to live within its means.  He’s voted for tax cuts for agriculture, dairy and manufacturing, to help create jobs.  He’s voted for tax cuts for Wisconsin families as well, on health care premiums and child care.  And just this session, he introduced Assembly Bill 127 - the Truth in Budgeting Act - to restore honest budgeting in Madison and end hidden tax hikes.

Tough times call for tough measures, and Wisconsin is fed up with our reputation for high taxes.  Citizens and taxpayers have been making our voices heard at TEA (Taxed Enough Already) parties throughout the state, at other taxpayer rallies and events, and in our own conversations with our neighbors.  The anger and frustration are clear - Wisconsin is fed up with being seen as nothing more than a bottomless pot of money for the Democrats to find new ways to tax.  What we need are leaders willing and able to do something about it.

So when that battle comes, year after year, we need someone in Madison who knows the stakes, and has the experience to make a difference.

We need Brett Davis.