MONROE - On Nov. 8, Green County residents will take to the ballot boxes to elect a new president but will also have a decision to make between incumbent Republican Todd Novak and Democratic candidate Jeff Wright for the state's 51st Assembly District representative.
Education is a topic of discussion among both candidates. Wright, the assistant superintendent of Sauk Prairie School District, criticized the current formula for state funding to public schools. Novak, father to two sons, said the same, calling the calculation "inadequate."
"We have to soften the blow to districts losing enrollment, like Monroe," Novak said. "But on the other hand, property taxes are important to residents as well."
Novak said extending the time of rolling enrollment and increasing transportation aid to schools would improve rural public schools.
Wright sees public schools as "puzzle pieces" to a better, improved community. He said he plans to take a significant reduction in salary and duties if elected to the assembly and called out The American Federation for Children spending $46,000 in attack ads.
"It's not surprising they want to keep a public educator out of the capital," Wright said. "I think local control and local programming within the school benefits the area. It's important a school align with local needs."
Wright said that actions at the state level have "threatened" the chance for local individuals to have control over their schools. He said courses should meet the need for economic development in the area. Wright echoed the need for a new funding formula at the state level and promised change if he were elected to the assembly.
"Money leaves our community at a time when schools need more support," Wright said.
Novak was first elected to the assembly in 2014. In addition to the assembly, he serves as mayor of Dodgeville. Novak said he plans to move away from his mayoral responsibilities. He said the duties of mayor at $580 per month for $51,000 per year as an assemblyman is "a huge difference" from his opponent, who would also make two state-funded salaries. Wright serves as assistant superintendent for a total annual salary of $107,000.
Novak campaigns as an independent Republican. He said he is glad to break from the Republican party to do what his constituents have asked of him.
"I spent a lot of time concentrating on issues which promote growth," Novak said. "I have no problem bucking party lines. I've got a proven record."
Part of that record is Assembly Bill 771, which directed the Department of Justice to distribute $50,000 in grants for the 2015-16 and the 2016-17 fiscal years in Lafayette County. The grants sent to the Sheriff's Department are for drug law enforcement and drug intervention services. According to legislative documents, AB771 was passed in March of this year.
Novak said he is not in favor of voucher programs for schools. He said opponents have tried to manipulate his voting record to appear as if he supports them. Voucher programs, also referred to as school choice, utilize state funding to financially support a student whose parents want their child to attend a private school instead of a public school. Novak said his "number one priority" has been public schools, and particularly, rural schools.
In the 2015-16 assembly session, records show that the assembly voted against suspending the rules to consider AB 462 outside of its current committee, Novak included. The bill called for the end of the statewide parental choice program. Novak said the "rules are there for a reason" and so voted against suspending the rules.
Wright noted that his opponent has voted with Governor Scott Walker 96 percent of the time, pointing out that the legislator has supported a bill to limit the use of John Doe proceedings like the one recently brought against Walker in allegations of campaign funding misconduct. The senate bill, which was passed by a 61-36 vote in the state assembly, was pushed to the senate after a suspension of the rules. Novak was one of 61 representatives who voted in favor of that suspension. The bill was approved and signed into law in October 2015.
Novak said the reason he calls himself a champion for growth in southwestern Wisconsin is because of his ties to the area and is happy to call himself a southwest Wisconsin native. Along with 22 other legislators, he has worked to promote new and existing businesses and worked to improve healthcare. AB787, which was co-authored by Novak, provided $1 million of additional funding to the Department of Health Services for relief care under the Alzheimer's Family and Caregiver Support Program. Novak said because of a division between the urban and rural representatives, those from smaller communities, including himself, have worked together to advocate for their districts on issues urban-based legislators may not find important.
Wright said he is proud of his Wisconsin citizenship, noting that his ancestors began in rural Wisconsin. Wright said though he spent some time teaching in a public school on the south side of Chicago after receiving his master's degree, he is glad to be raising his family on a farm near Plain.
Education is a topic of discussion among both candidates. Wright, the assistant superintendent of Sauk Prairie School District, criticized the current formula for state funding to public schools. Novak, father to two sons, said the same, calling the calculation "inadequate."
"We have to soften the blow to districts losing enrollment, like Monroe," Novak said. "But on the other hand, property taxes are important to residents as well."
Novak said extending the time of rolling enrollment and increasing transportation aid to schools would improve rural public schools.
Wright sees public schools as "puzzle pieces" to a better, improved community. He said he plans to take a significant reduction in salary and duties if elected to the assembly and called out The American Federation for Children spending $46,000 in attack ads.
"It's not surprising they want to keep a public educator out of the capital," Wright said. "I think local control and local programming within the school benefits the area. It's important a school align with local needs."
Wright said that actions at the state level have "threatened" the chance for local individuals to have control over their schools. He said courses should meet the need for economic development in the area. Wright echoed the need for a new funding formula at the state level and promised change if he were elected to the assembly.
"Money leaves our community at a time when schools need more support," Wright said.
Novak was first elected to the assembly in 2014. In addition to the assembly, he serves as mayor of Dodgeville. Novak said he plans to move away from his mayoral responsibilities. He said the duties of mayor at $580 per month for $51,000 per year as an assemblyman is "a huge difference" from his opponent, who would also make two state-funded salaries. Wright serves as assistant superintendent for a total annual salary of $107,000.
Novak campaigns as an independent Republican. He said he is glad to break from the Republican party to do what his constituents have asked of him.
"I spent a lot of time concentrating on issues which promote growth," Novak said. "I have no problem bucking party lines. I've got a proven record."
Part of that record is Assembly Bill 771, which directed the Department of Justice to distribute $50,000 in grants for the 2015-16 and the 2016-17 fiscal years in Lafayette County. The grants sent to the Sheriff's Department are for drug law enforcement and drug intervention services. According to legislative documents, AB771 was passed in March of this year.
Novak said he is not in favor of voucher programs for schools. He said opponents have tried to manipulate his voting record to appear as if he supports them. Voucher programs, also referred to as school choice, utilize state funding to financially support a student whose parents want their child to attend a private school instead of a public school. Novak said his "number one priority" has been public schools, and particularly, rural schools.
In the 2015-16 assembly session, records show that the assembly voted against suspending the rules to consider AB 462 outside of its current committee, Novak included. The bill called for the end of the statewide parental choice program. Novak said the "rules are there for a reason" and so voted against suspending the rules.
Wright noted that his opponent has voted with Governor Scott Walker 96 percent of the time, pointing out that the legislator has supported a bill to limit the use of John Doe proceedings like the one recently brought against Walker in allegations of campaign funding misconduct. The senate bill, which was passed by a 61-36 vote in the state assembly, was pushed to the senate after a suspension of the rules. Novak was one of 61 representatives who voted in favor of that suspension. The bill was approved and signed into law in October 2015.
Novak said the reason he calls himself a champion for growth in southwestern Wisconsin is because of his ties to the area and is happy to call himself a southwest Wisconsin native. Along with 22 other legislators, he has worked to promote new and existing businesses and worked to improve healthcare. AB787, which was co-authored by Novak, provided $1 million of additional funding to the Department of Health Services for relief care under the Alzheimer's Family and Caregiver Support Program. Novak said because of a division between the urban and rural representatives, those from smaller communities, including himself, have worked together to advocate for their districts on issues urban-based legislators may not find important.
Wright said he is proud of his Wisconsin citizenship, noting that his ancestors began in rural Wisconsin. Wright said though he spent some time teaching in a public school on the south side of Chicago after receiving his master's degree, he is glad to be raising his family on a farm near Plain.