Madison NORML

It's aptly titled the "Backroom Blog." After all, is it not the backrooms of the Capitol where decisions to block popular issues like medical marijuana are made? Speaking of “back,” Vukmir said mmj was a "backdoor" to full legalization. In her introductory message, she shows her hypocrisy by stating her vision of government, totally ignoring the overwhelming support for medical cannabis in her district and this state. How does she sleep? Meanwhile, it’s been a week since we delivered Jacki’s letter, and no answers from Vukmir yet.

MONDAY, April 23, 2007, 3:57 p.m.
Backroom Blog: Leah Vukmir click here

By Rep. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) click here.

I am grateful for this opportunity to talk about the legislative process and am particularly pleased to share the Backroom Blog with my colleagues, Rep. Fields, Sen. Kedzie and Sen. Plale.

I was first elected to the Assembly in 2002 and am currently in my third term. I consider it an honor and privilege to represent the people of the 14th Assembly District and I take seriously my oath and charge.

People often ask me how I decide to vote on the various bills put before the legislature. Do I take a poll of all my constituents on each and every issue or do I base my decisions on the philosophy of government that I represented to the people when I first campaigned? The answer to that question is simple. The people of my district elected me because we share a similar vision and philosophy of government. That philosophy of government guides me in the decisions I make on a daily basis. It provides a roadmap for the path I take as I work to move our state forward. My constituents trust me to stay true to our shared philosophy and they keep me informed through their letters, calls or during my visits throughout the district. In the end, they trust me to uphold those values shared by the majority in our district.

So what is my philosophy of government? Simply put, the role of state government is to empower people to take care of themselves, but at the same time keeping in mind that government must also provide a safety net for those who cannot care for themselves. I evaluate every piece of legislation that comes before me with that in mind and by asking two essential questions: What is the underlying problem the bill is attempting to solve? Is it the role of state government to solve this problem?

Often times, people look to government to address a problem that could be solved through their own initiative or through the private sector. Frequently, government solutions create more problems than they solve or are inefficient. As a conservative, my belief in the limited role of government acts as my primary guiding principle.

My top priority this session is to help our Assembly Republican team deliver a budget that has no tax increases, no segregated fund raids and reduces the size of state government. Wisconsin’s tax burden is the 7th highest in the nation and it is time for our legislature to put the interests of taxpayers first by rejecting the Governor’s proposed $2 billion in new taxes and fees.

Education reform – the issue that initially sparked my involvement in the legislative process - will continue to be a priority of mine. In the last session, it was a privilege to lead the fight to lift the cap on our Milwaukee parental choice program. I will continue the battle to protect this landmark program. The success of Milwaukee’s children determines the future of our state.

This session as the chairman of the Assembly Committee on Health and Health Care Reform, I am in a unique position to draw on my 25 years of experience as a pediatric nurse practitioner. We are at a critical juncture in health care and I look forward to advancing free market reforms that will create competition, improve access, lower costs, and most important, put patients first.

As the session unfolds, I look forward to sharing my thoughts and perspectives on these and many other issues. Let the blogging begin!

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