His opponent, Racine County Supervisor Van Wanggaard, a Republican, is following his party’s advocacy for reinstating tax breaks for wealthy individuals and corporations, developing a concealed carry system in the state, and opposing embryonic stem cell research.
But Lehman and Wanggaard aren’t the only factors in the race. On Nov. 2, Racine County voters will weigh in on a nonbinding, advisory referendum on the funding of the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee (KRM) commuter rail line. The referendum was introduced by conservative Racine County Executive Bill McReynolds; Wanggaard, in his role as supervisor, voted to place it on the ballot. It reads: “Should any new tax to support transit or rail services, such as a sales tax or a local vehicle registration fee, be permitted in any part of Racine County?”
KRM funding is a potent issue in Racine, and one that the various tea party groups have rallied against.
Lora Halberstadt, a co-founder of the Racine TEA Party, said that her group has already held two events in opposition to the KRM and says her allies don’t want the train, which they view as being too heavily subsidized by the government.
“We had members who spoke at the county board meeting in favor of that being put on the ballot,” Halberstadt said.
She said the referendum would “definitely” affect voter turnout in November, saying it’s the biggest local issue this fall.
Wanggaard has spoken at a number of tea party events but has not responded to the Shepherd’srequests for an interview for this article. Lehman’s positions on the issues were taken from an interview with the Shepherd last week; Wanggaard’s were taken from his campaign materials on his website.
Lehman and Wanggaard On the Issues
The State
Budget
Lehman:
Has been a member of the Joint Finance Committee, which helps to craft the
budget. “I’m very proud of the state
tightening its belt in a way that still provides basic services throughout the
state. We reduced the state budget 3%, essentially across the board.”
Wanggaard: Wants to cut taxes but doesn’t offer plans to increase state revenues.
“Jobs are created in the private sector. The Legislature’s job is to craft an
appealing business climate that is conducive to existing businesses and outside
companies. The Legislature creates the economic landscape and the job-growth
climate… the rest is up to the hard-working entrepreneurs and employees that
keep the state’s propeller blade turning.”
Business Tax Breaks
Lehman: Favors targeted tax breaks for companies that want to add, retain or
retrain workers, which he says brought A&E Manufacturing and CalStar to the
Racine area. “It’s
very targeted help. That is against the Republican approach, a trickle-down
approach, which says, ‘Give all the folks at the top these big tax breaks and
don’t make them promise that they’re going to develop any jobs, just be assured
that it’s going to trickle down to jobs for the rest of us.’” Supported closing
the Las Vegas loophole, which ensures that
corporations with multi-state operations pay their fair share of taxes in Wisconsin.
Wanggaard: Wants to reopen the Las Vegas
loophole, which would reduce state revenues by an estimated $200 million over
the two-year budget cycle. Opposes targeted tax breaks. “Let’s think ‘macro’
and change the entire business climate so that we don’t rely on expensive
carve-outs to keep jobs in the state.”
Personal Income Tax
Lehman: Supports tax breaks for working and middle-income residents but higher
income taxes for individuals who earn more than $150,000 and families with more
than $300,000 in annual earnings. That change raised state revenue by an
estimated $124 million annually. Supported increasing capital gains taxes. “I
can’t see how you can realistically support the schools and support the police
and the fire and rescue services and also give these tax breaks [to the
wealthy] without some other kind of tax increase. What are we trying to do,
shift taxes from rich corporations and wealthy folks to the property taxpayer
in a small home in Racine?
I’m not willing to do that.”
Wanggaard: Wants to eliminate the new tax bracket on high-income earners, which
would decrease state revenues by an estimated $136 million to $175 million, and
reduce taxes on capital gains. “The next Legislature should restore the
[capital gains tax] exemption, with an eye on eliminating the tax altogether.”
KRM and High-Speed Rail
Lehman: Supports the KRM but would require a public referendum on funding it
with a sales tax. Voted to accept federal funds for high-speed rail and says
that the $7 million needed annually to operate the system is money well spent.
“I think [high-speed rail] will take us into the next century. People will view
this differently if fuel prices really spike as they have in the past.”
Wanggaard: Opposes an appointed board being allowed to levy a local tax.
Disagreed with the state’s acceptance of funds for high-speed rail. “There are
simply too many scenarios where Wisconsin
taxpayers will have to pick up the tab for these projects over the long term.”
Education
Lehman: Is a “strong supporter” of public schools and of requiring more
accountability for publicly financed voucher, charter and virtual schools.
Supported a bill that allows the state superintendent to intervene in failing
schools.
Wanggaard: Wants to reinstate the QEO salary restrictions, recommit to two-thirds
state funding for schools, consolidate or break up school districts and
implement a merit-based pay system for teachers.
Concealed Carry
Lehman: “I haven’t seen a concealed carry law proposal that I’ve liked yet.
For example, we’ve seen these bills that allow concealed weapons in churches,
day care centers and university campuses.”
Wanggaard: Has an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association and in 2003
sponsored a successful Racine
County resolution that
supported state legislation to create a concealed carry permitting system.
Reproductive Choice
Lehman: “I’m strongly pro-choice.” Has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood
Advocates of Wisconsin.
Wanggaard: Has been endorsed by Wisconsin Right to Life and Wisconsin Family
Action. Both groups (and the state Republican Party) have pledged to grant
constitutional protections to fetuses.
Health Care
Lehman: Has supported the expansion of BadgerCare and SeniorCare and federal
health care reform, especially its provision to require insurers to cover
individuals with pre-existing conditions. “We had a number of folks contact the
office who have been excluded from health care because they’re a little bit
overweight or they had something happen to them years ago. That’s terrible,
especially regarding children.”
Wanggaard: Wants to repeal federal health care reform and supports free-market
solutions to the health care crisis. “It’s time to stop the mandates and work
with the private sector to ensure families have access to quality, affordable
coverage that isn’t controlled by government bureaucrats.”
Environment
Lehman: Hailed as an “environmental champion” by the Wisconsin League of
Conservation Voters for his 100% pro-environment voting record.
Wanggaard: Did not support the Clean Energy Jobs Act and opposes cap and trade on
carbon emissions.
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