Jim Jung: Kiefer is right choice to fix state's $1.7B structural deficit

Jim Jung:  —  7/08/2008 5:21 am

Dear Editor: I think I remember when Wisconsin had an effective state government. Things changed after the 1967 referendum replaced two-year terms for governor with four-year terms. In doing so, we decided to replace civic accountability, a professional state government, a part-time Legislature and a two-year term for governor with political accountability, political types heading our state agencies, a "jobs program" for wanna-be legislators, and a king-like governor because of his veto pen coupled with a four-year term.

Four decades later, we are living with the unintended consequences. We have elected state officials trolling for money, with re-election as almost a single goal, a broken Legislature, a "dial for dollars" governorship, and a $1.7 billion structural deficit. The greater good of changing our state government from one based on civic accountability to one based on political accountability has been neither great nor good.

Can we citizens fix our state government? Yes, we can. However, fixing it will take time and must begin with changing the budget process to eliminate the $1.7 billion structural deficit. What is needed is a wide public discussion.

The primary election is Sept. 9, at which time legislative candidates to run in November will be selected. There should be only one issue in the races for the Legislature: how to change the budget process so that we can do as much or more with less money and begin to work on that huge structural deficit.

The folks in the 81st Assembly District, Dave Travis' seat, have an opportunity to make a difference. It is an open seat because Travis is retiring. Because it is a solidly Democratic Dane County district and no Republican is running, whoever wins the primary can hold the seat forever. Therefore, the primary is the general election!

I urge the folks in the 81st to take a hard, long look at Tim Kiefer. He doesn't need a job with a good retirement program. His Harvard law degree, international experience and legal experience free him from the legislative special-interest game. He has the capacity and self-confidence to understand the full complexity of public and legal issues. And he is confident in recognizing what he doesn't know, but is more than willing to learn from your views.

Kiefer will represent you in the Legislature with energy and will work with others, regardless of party and ideology, to restore comity and civic accountability to the Legislature, including establishing a process for fixing the $1.7 billion structural deficit.

Jim Jung

Madison

Jim Jung:  —  7/08/2008 5:21 am