This is our third and final blog before the election that digs into what various candidates are saying about conservation, energy, sustainability, the environment and more. If your district is not listed here, please check our first and our second blogs in our election series, compiled by one of our political interns, Jake Levicki.
For more information about Sierra Club’s endorsed candidates, view our full list of endorsements at http://www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/lobbying-elections/political
Debra Kolste, D-Janesville (AD 44)
“Republicans rejected compromise on the mining bill and the result has been that no metallic mine seems likely to open for years, if ever. My first speech on the floor of the Assembly was in opposition to the mining bill. The Republicans continue to block wind energy operations and seem intent on making Wisconsin completely dependent on oil.
I believe we need mining and wind energy and that Republicans threw away opportunities to add jobs and protect the environment.”
Gary Hebl. D-Sun Prairie (AD 47)
“This past session I fought hard to protect Wisconsin’s valuable natural resources. I introduced legislation that would restore environmental standards that were rolled back to appease one singular mining company that has since left the state. I was in favor of bills that would protect shoreland, restore funding for recycling programs, and preserving farmland. I voted against weakening natural resource protections in state forests, allowing over pumping of groundwater, and preventing state agencies from enforcing Clean Air standards. The Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters has named me a “Conservation Champion” for the 2005-06, 2009-10, 2011-12, 2013-14, and2015-16 sessions.”
Art Shrader, D-Reedsburg (AD 50)
“From our rolling bluffs to our dense forests to our endless lakes, rivers and streams, Wisconsin is blessed to have such bountiful natural resources. Coupled with our strong hunting and fishing traditions, it is no wonder we are a top tourism destination! Responsible development that respects the rights of landowners while also protecting our invaluable natural resources is a delicate, yet important balance to strike. We cannot continue to auction off our land, air and water to the highest bidder. Furthermore, increasing investments in conservation programs like Wisconsin’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program is important to preserving our outdoors for generations to come.”
Jeff Wright, D-Plain (AD 51)
“Wisconsin has a long history of being a leader in conservation. By being good stewards of our resources, we not only protect our land, air, and water, we preserve many of our traditions rooted in the outdoors -- from farming to fishing. We also secure longterm economic opportunity as we attract tourists and residents seeking a connection to our remarkable landscape.”
Paul Czisny, D-Fond du Lac (AD 52)
“My family has spent countless hours hiking, biking, fishing and enjoying the great outdoors. Our generation must be guardians of our natural resources; their preservation for future generations is a moral imperative. But in the last biennial budget, Republicans eliminated all public funding for our beloved state parks and forests, increased user fees and allowed the DNR to sell corporate naming rights to our parks. I will be a tireless advocate for policies that protect our resources from short-term exploitation and that reverse the GOP attack on our--and our children’s--precious natural heritage . We must not drill for oil in the Great Lakes. We should fully fund the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund--slashed by $30 million dollars in the last GOP state budget--to protect our beautiful state wild lands and waters. We need to preserve and strengthen our state’s Smart Growth Law to promote sensible land use planning. We should also seek to assist recycling in our communities (Republicans cut $4 million from these programs) and make recycling facilities accessible throughout the state. We should reestablish the Wisconsin Conservation Corps to allow low-income youths to earn money by working on conservation projects.”
Gordon Hintz, D-Oshkosh (AD 54)
“I am committed to work toward policies that will protect Wisconsin’s precious natural resources and public health while promoting job creation. There is no doubt that every Wisconsin citizen values clean air to breathe and clean water to drink. Our robust tourism economy depends on protecting recreational opportunities, especially healthy rivers, lakes and streams, and the renewable energy sector is showing some of the biggest job growth in the United States.”
Bob Baker, D-Appleton (AD 55)
“If the disaster in Flint, MI has shown us anything, it’s that we need to protect and care for our natural resources. The current assembly is talking about privatizing and removing local control of our water supplies. Removing the people most impacted by the privatization from the process serves only the people who stand to profit from the waters sale, puts our water supplies at risk, and puts communities all over Wisconsin at risk.”
Amanda Stuck, D-Appleton (AD 57)
“It is an honor and privilege to be your voice Madison. I love this community and this state. I care deeply about each and every one of my neighbors and constituents and strive to make sure their best interests are heard in Madison. My freshman term as a legislator has been an interesting and humbling experience. I ran for office in 2014 because I have a vision for Wisconsin. I have a vision where every child gets the very best education, where Wisconsin is a leader in renewable energy and conservation”
Amee Janus, D-Trevor (AD 61)
“The resources that allowed our nation to grow and prosper in the past – major highways, local roads, bridges, train lines, airports, reservoirs, water pipes, sewers, and utility lines – are beginning to erode and crumble from time and wear. Our public parks, schools, hospitals, community centers, fire and police stations are also facing shortages of trained personnel and supplies. All of these resources depend on public support and funding. Moreover, without them our community, our state and our country cannot function efficiently now or in the future. As YOUR representative, one of my top priorities will be to provide our communities with the resources and funding needed to repair, rebuild and reinforce the infrastructure of our communities at every level.”
Andy Mitchell, D-Burlington (AD 63)
“Did you know that the water in our state has national attention for being at risk? High capacity wells, aging lead pipes, coal ash, radium, and bacteria are damaging our water supply. Since the Republican Majority took over our State, water regulations have steadily lost their necessary legal clout to protect our water. The DNR scientists and budget were cut. Water violators are not charged. Our rights to sue have been curtailed and in some cases ended. Water is becoming one of the greastest issues in Wisconsin. But we don't see it. We see our beautiful streams, lakes, rivers, ponds and wetlands everywhere. It looks like there is plenty of water. The danger is lurking below.”
Cory Mason, D-Racine (AD 66)
“If we do not take aggressive action, our fishing and recreation economies could be destroyed and the natural habitat of our lakes will be drastically altered. Legislators and the public deserve an opportunity to hear the DNR’s plan for dealing with this threat to our waterways, and to ask questions about Wisconsin’s plan.”
Mark Holbrook, D-Altoona (AD 70)
“If you think or believe that the responsibility of the state to protect the property rights of all its citizen should be primary, you are wrong, according to our Attorney General, who puts his opinion over the 2011 opinion of the state Supreme Court. According to our Attorney General, the DNR has no responsibility or authority to concern itself with the environmental impact of high capacity wells on underground water tables of adjacent properties. We need to get back to protecting our natural resources, and protecting the environment that is so important to the future of Wisconsin's citizens. Protect Our Natural Resources.”
Katrina Skankland, D-Stevens Point (AD 71)
“I got my start in the nonprofit sector, where I helped manage solar training grants at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association. I will be a strong advocate for Wisconsin’s Natural Resources and Sporting Heritage, Energy and Utilities, and upholding the Constitution and Ethics. In the legislature, her focus is on clean government, environmental sustainability, renewable energy, and economic opportunity.”
David Gorski, D-WI Rapids (AD 72)
“Our environment, our business community, and multi-generational households are imperiled as never before. I am not afraid to fight for clean water, clean air and clean resources for Wisconsin citizens and future generations. I will put our local communities and people ahead of foreign and out-of-state corporations who have seized local control out of our hands with the help of a handful of politicians that put campaign donations and dollars ahead of the citizens of the State of Wisconsin."
Beth Meyers, D-Bayfield (AD 74)
“I have supported strong conservation efforts that protect the natural resources that make Northern Wisconsin an amazing place to work, visit, and call home. Since 2011, the Legislature has passed over 100 laws which take power away from local governments. Decisions involving shoreland zoning, protecting waterways, and school funding require local input and are best decided at the local level. I have introduced and supported bills that protect the ability of local officials to determine what is best for their communities.”
Chris Taylor, D-Madison (AD 76)
Chris knows that Wisconsin’s environment is essential to a strong economy, community, and 76th district. Despite deteriorating standards for environmental health, she is a staunch advocate for protecting and creating natural spaces. She has supported the Child Lead Safety Act, which mandates more water testing to find lead poisoning, and the Children’s Outdoor Heritage Act aimed at increasing the amount available outdoor recreation for children.
Lisa Subeck, D-Madison (AD 78)
“As a member of the City Council, Lisa has worked to protect our natural resources by supporting policies that improve the quality of our lakes, ensure smart growth, and provide infrastructure for transportation alternatives such as public transit and bicycling. On the state level, she has advocated for policies that preserve the ability of local governments to regulate mining and other activities dangerous to our environment. As your State Representative, Lisa has fought back against corporate attempts to privatize of our water and sponsored legislation to protect Wisconsin’s valuable natural resources, our clean air, and our clean water.”
Dave Considine, D-Portage (AD 81)
“As an educator, association leader, steward of the land, outdoorsman, and hunter, Dave has experience with a wide variety of areas and interests. Thanks to this breadth of experience, Dave is a true collaborator who understands and appreciates many perspectives. In the Assembly, he strives to find consensus through a common-sense approach to policymaking. He believes government should be about neighbors and friends working together to protect the values we all share: honesty, hard work, and cooperation. He is committed to protecting our precious natural resources, especially in the beautiful 81st District.”
Mandy Wright, D-Wausau (AD 85)
“Threats to our water, land, air, and native species in Wisconsin prove that we must elect Representatives that will protect our environment. Mandy and her family enjoy many outdoor activities including cross country skiing, deer hunting, camping, fishing, canoeing, hiking, and more. Central Wisconsin is a beautiful place to live, it’s our responsibility to keep it that way. Wisconsin can lead the nation in clean energy jobs that boost our economic security by creating prosperous local communities and reducing our dependence on foreign energy. Conserving resources and investing in cleaner energy sources is vital to our health and the long-term economy. Mandy was named a “Conservation Champion” by the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters for her work to conserve Wisconsin’s air, water and land during the 2013-2014 legislative session.”
Nancy Stencil, D-Wausau (AD 85)
“Environmental damage takes many forms. We must all be good stewards of the air, land and water. We need to conserve these as well as invest in cleaner energy. What we do to the environment comes back to hurt us in many forms. Here are a few of the many issues that concern me. Lake Superior has the largest surface area of any fresh water lake in the world. I have attended the Penokee Educational Summit, showing first-hand the damage of Wisconsin’s bad iron mining law. Laws that are written with a statute of limitations of 20 years regarding harming the environment. Well, guess how long it takes that water to come down to Lake Superior? You guessed it: 20 years. It’s time for us to fight back and reclaim our waterways in Wisconsin.”
Elizabeth Riley, D-Hayward (AD 87)
“Our state is under threat from pipeline expansion, frac-sand mining, and corporate high capacity wells. that destroy our precious lakes and riverbeds. The risk of silicosis because of frac-sand mining is rising. These sand particles may be in the air our families and our children are breathing. But, by the time we detect lung impairment it's too late because we can't feel lung damage happening. This means we need to preempt the dangers of frac-sand mining. But local control has been taken away by Republicans in Madison. If our water supply continues to drop, we are all affected. A low water table will affect our ability to maintain our farm crops and stifles our boating and fishing tourism while pipeline contamination to our water affects all of us and especially our children.”
Noah Reif, D-Green Bay (AD 88)
“We need to restore our city’s clean water. In Northeast Wisconsin, we are facing a public health crisis where thousands in our communities do not have access to safe drinking water. Legislation that was introduced by Senator Dave Hansen and Representative Eric Genrich with the goal of reducing water pollution was called a “political stunt.” With all due respect, I didn’t realize that helping thousands of Wisconsin taxpayers living without access to clean water was a “political stunt.” We need to take action to ensure that the tragedy in Flint, Michigan does not happen here.”
Heidi Fencl, D-Sobieski (AD 89)
“A healthy environment is also key for personal health and security (and is a vital part of Wisconsin’s tourism industry.) The DNR has seen cuts in both in staff and in its authority to enforce regulations, and the controlling members of the legislature have restricted local control over zoning. Local input and control are vital for preserving air and water quality in both the immediate and long term, yet Wisconsin regulations protecting our water and local voice are some of the worst in the nation.”
Dana Wachs, D-Eau Claire (AD 91)
“Dana introduced legislation that would protect the lakebeds in Wisconsin lakes, flowages, and reservoirs from being destroyed, drained, or filled in by mining activities. This proposal, known as the “Save Our Lakes” bill. “The ‘Save Our Lakes” bill will ensure that our lakes, flowages, and reservoirs will not be disturbed, filled in or drained due to mining or drilling. These bodies of water are critical to Wisconsin’s health, tourism economy, and sporting heritage, and by closing this loophole we are making sure that Wisconsin families can continue to enjoy these precious resources for generations to come.”
Chris Danou, D-Trempeleau (AD 92)
“My goals have always been to maintain strong support for increasing our usage of clean energy resources, and to provide resources to our rural infrastructure in order to fix our crumbling water systems across the state. I support protecting our environment and outdoor heritage as well as supporting our local businesses, our tourism and our agricultural economy. I respect local control and take pride in my ability to work across the aisle. “