In the race for the State Assembly 62nd District, incumbent Robert Wittke is fighting to keep his seat. His opponent is August Schutz.
Here are the answers Wittke provided to the Racine County Eye. To learn more about August Schutz, click here.
Where do you live?
Caledonia
How long have you lived in the community?
All of my life. I was born here and have raised my own family here.
What is your educational background?
BBA – Accounting University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 1975; Graduate of Wm. Horlick High School
What civic organizations do you belong to?
Member of the Academies of Racine Steering Committee
What position are you running for?
Re-election as Wisconsin State Assembly Representative District 62
Have you ever held elected office before?
Yes.
If so, what positions were you elected to?
Wisconsin State Assembly Representative District 62 (Vice-Chair of Assembly Ways and Means Committee, Member of Assembly Education Committee, Member of Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee, Member of Assembly Jobs and the Economy Committee, and Member of Assembly Science and Technology Committee) and Racine Unified School District Board of Education (Served as Board President for 2 Years)
In thinking about your election bid, what top three issues need to be addressed? *
The top three issues that I feel need to be addressed are our economy, our education system, and healthcare.
Rebooting our economy to take advantage of new opportunities presented by this health emergency that put our workers back on the job and move our industries and small businesses towards achieving operating levels experienced at the start of 2020.
Improve our education system from pre-K through our university systems and their related student outcomes. There is much to be learned from how our system delivered these past few months especially around the choices and education experiences provided to parents and their children. In addition, we have to ensure our education system links to the skills employers require and is the cornerstone from which we build our workforce.
Continue our work around access and affordability of healthcare. Individuals and small businesses impacted by the health emergency are extremely concerned about coverage and rising costs. It is projected that there will be a sharp increase in the demand for mental health services in the next cycle. We must also work with service providers to develop solutions to address shortages of industry professionals.
How would you plan to address those issues?
I plan to address these issues by continuing our work from my first term. There is legislation we passed out of the Assembly, such as the Taxpayer Enhancement Package I authored, that needs to be enacted into law. The highest priority in the first year will be to develop a fiscally responsible budget that establishes state spending to drive prosperity and the quality of life our families demand. Our Committee work will focus on policy legislation to address the challenges posed by the recovery from our current health emergency. The solutions we develop are based on the interaction we have with constituents, businesses, and local government entities.
In reference to those issues you have identified, what would success look like to you?
My vision for success is that the result of our work strengthens our communities, addresses the issues our residents face, and provides an environment for our families and businesses to prosper.
Why are those issues important to you?
These issues are important to me because they are important to the people and businesses I was elected to represent. Living in the community and raising a family here, I face some of the same challenges. As I meet and speak with constituents, business owners and local elected officials, their main concern is how we recover from our economic shutdown, deliver education options to parents that fit their children’s needs, continue to provide access to affordable health care and build a workforce sufficient for employer demand. I, like my constituents, want to see our state return back to the path to prosperity!
At the end of your term, what would you like to have accomplished?
I want to have a positive impact on the quality of life of the people I was elected to serve and address the issues and concerns they bring to me.
Why should people vote for you?
It is an honor serving as your Assembly Representative in Madison. A highlight during my first term was getting legislation passed to “close the roof” on the Miller Park Sales Tax. Something my constituents wanted for years! This next term is going to pose unprecedented challenges for the state government. I believe there is not a time like the present where my private industry, financial, personal experiences and proven leadership skills will be of great benefit to the best interests of my constituents. Send me back to Madison so I can continue to work for you to ease your tax burden, establish a fiscally responsible budget, build an adequate workforce for our employers, and continue to create an environment where our small business and families can flourish. I would be grateful to earn your vote on November 3rd.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know?
My primary responsibility is to serve all my constituents. I face the same daily challenges they do. I love this District: its people, its history, and its unique communities. I will continue to work in Madison to make this a thriving place we are all proud to call home!
READ MORE: Election Guide 2020, 2020 Partisan Primary Election Voting Guide
