DARLINGTON - The two candidates running to replace retiring Rep. Steve Hilgenberg, D-Dodgeville, have a long history of dealing with money and finances.
Republican Howard Marklein spent his career as a certified public accountant. For more than 30 years, he advised businesses, not-for profit agencies and government agencies in financial matters - and has experience in fraud and forensic accounting investigations.
Democrat John Simonson taught economics at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville from 1966 until his retirement in 2004. During that time, he also worked in Washington D.C., as a policy analyst for the Urban Institute, the National Association of Realtors, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the World Bank.
Both candidates said pocketbook issues - the economy and taxes -are what people talk to them about as they travel throughout the district on the campaign trail.
And while the concerns of constituents might be the same, the two candidates have sharply different ideas on how to solve Wisconsin's problems.
"Its about balancing budgets and getting the (state) government to function more effectively," Marklein said. "I know how to balance budgets in practice, not just in theory."
Marklein, who grew up on a dairy farm near Spring Green, said he's familiar with the issues facing small businesses and farmers across the state.
"I understand the obstacles they face," he said. "If we can improve the job climate, we can help small businesses succeed."
Marklein said property taxes are too high, and the state takes money from the 51st Assembly District to help other areas, such as Madison and Milwaukee. Moreover, he said there's too much waste in the state budget. Trim the waste and the state can get by with lower property taxes, he added.
Simonson, who also grew up on a dairy farm, said voters have to be a little skeptical when they hear someone say they have the answers to the state's problems.
"Anyone who promises they can solve the state's job issue with a quick fix isn't being honest," Simonson said. "There's no quick fix. The state is better able to foster long-term growth."
Simonson said the state faces a deficit of up to $3 billion and it must get the budget under control. One way is for the state to collect more tax dollars from existing sources.
"A recent report stated that there was $1.2 billion in taxes the state didn't collect," he said. "Large corporations use loopholes to pay no taxes at all. They've been getting away with that for years."
Simonson said another possible solution would be to raise the state's sales tax. Other states have done it, and Wisconsin should consider it, he said. However, Simonson was quick to point out that the increases in sales tax wouldn't come from necessities such as food or medicine. The state could look at raising sales taxes for advertising and legal services.
School funding is another area where the two candidates differ.
Simonson said school funding needs to be reformed, with the legislature seriously looking at how it funds smaller school district that face declining enrollment.
"We need to base financial aid on need rather than head counts," he said. "The referendums are divisive to local school districts."
Marklein said school funding needs a long-term solution.
"It's more than a school finance issue or an enrollment issue," he said. "A long-term solution must include job growth and an increase of families in the districts. We need to focus on growing our economy."
Both men said the Assembly needs to work to solve the state's problems and both are willing to work with the other side of the political aisle to get things done. They agree constituents are weary of partisanship in Madison.
For his part, Marklein said he isn't beholden to a party, but instead wants to work for his constituents.
"If the other side has good ideas, I'll listen to them," he said.
Simonson also wants to see a change in Madison. He said both Democrats and Republicans need to work together.
"If reasonable people sit down together, they can get things done," he said.
Ultimately, Marklein said, he decided to run for the Assembly because he's concerned about the state.
"I'm angry, frustrated and scared," he said. "We need to change the direction of the state. I think the state is driving businesses and jobs out of the state."
Simonson said he's running because he knows the issues and is passionate about solving them.
"It's a Wisconsin idea to offer your services,' he said.
Republican Howard Marklein spent his career as a certified public accountant. For more than 30 years, he advised businesses, not-for profit agencies and government agencies in financial matters - and has experience in fraud and forensic accounting investigations.
Democrat John Simonson taught economics at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville from 1966 until his retirement in 2004. During that time, he also worked in Washington D.C., as a policy analyst for the Urban Institute, the National Association of Realtors, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the World Bank.
Both candidates said pocketbook issues - the economy and taxes -are what people talk to them about as they travel throughout the district on the campaign trail.
And while the concerns of constituents might be the same, the two candidates have sharply different ideas on how to solve Wisconsin's problems.
"Its about balancing budgets and getting the (state) government to function more effectively," Marklein said. "I know how to balance budgets in practice, not just in theory."
Marklein, who grew up on a dairy farm near Spring Green, said he's familiar with the issues facing small businesses and farmers across the state.
"I understand the obstacles they face," he said. "If we can improve the job climate, we can help small businesses succeed."
Marklein said property taxes are too high, and the state takes money from the 51st Assembly District to help other areas, such as Madison and Milwaukee. Moreover, he said there's too much waste in the state budget. Trim the waste and the state can get by with lower property taxes, he added.
Simonson, who also grew up on a dairy farm, said voters have to be a little skeptical when they hear someone say they have the answers to the state's problems.
"Anyone who promises they can solve the state's job issue with a quick fix isn't being honest," Simonson said. "There's no quick fix. The state is better able to foster long-term growth."
Simonson said the state faces a deficit of up to $3 billion and it must get the budget under control. One way is for the state to collect more tax dollars from existing sources.
"A recent report stated that there was $1.2 billion in taxes the state didn't collect," he said. "Large corporations use loopholes to pay no taxes at all. They've been getting away with that for years."
Simonson said another possible solution would be to raise the state's sales tax. Other states have done it, and Wisconsin should consider it, he said. However, Simonson was quick to point out that the increases in sales tax wouldn't come from necessities such as food or medicine. The state could look at raising sales taxes for advertising and legal services.
School funding is another area where the two candidates differ.
Simonson said school funding needs to be reformed, with the legislature seriously looking at how it funds smaller school district that face declining enrollment.
"We need to base financial aid on need rather than head counts," he said. "The referendums are divisive to local school districts."
Marklein said school funding needs a long-term solution.
"It's more than a school finance issue or an enrollment issue," he said. "A long-term solution must include job growth and an increase of families in the districts. We need to focus on growing our economy."
Both men said the Assembly needs to work to solve the state's problems and both are willing to work with the other side of the political aisle to get things done. They agree constituents are weary of partisanship in Madison.
For his part, Marklein said he isn't beholden to a party, but instead wants to work for his constituents.
"If the other side has good ideas, I'll listen to them," he said.
Simonson also wants to see a change in Madison. He said both Democrats and Republicans need to work together.
"If reasonable people sit down together, they can get things done," he said.
Ultimately, Marklein said, he decided to run for the Assembly because he's concerned about the state.
"I'm angry, frustrated and scared," he said. "We need to change the direction of the state. I think the state is driving businesses and jobs out of the state."
Simonson said he's running because he knows the issues and is passionate about solving them.
"It's a Wisconsin idea to offer your services,' he said.