MONROE - Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, has represented the 27th Senate District, which includes all of Green County and portions of Dane and Rock counties, since he was first elected in 1998.
Erpenbach begins a new session in the Senate on Jan. 5.
"I'm looking forward to being a part of the solution on the state budget and Wisconsin's economic crisis," Erpenbach said.
Wiscon-sin's budget will play an important part in the Legisla-ture's deliberations over the next few months. Wisconsin is projected to have a deficit of about $5.4 million.
Erpenbach said the state will be challenged to meet the deficit. He hopes federal funding will help bring more money to the state but he also understands there may have to be cuts.
"We will have to make significant cuts to state spending," he said.
User fees paid to the state for various licenses could increase, he added.
"As a last resort, we may have to consider closing some current tax exemptions." he said.
He doesn't want to see a general tax increase, he said.
Tougher times for the state will mean tougher times for local governments, too. He doesn't see any increases in state aid to local governments in the near future. County and city governments have requested the state allow for increases in spending limits to help offset the rising costs of such things as winter maintenance budgets.
"Counties will have to do what they state will do, which is examine each expenditure and prioritize," Erpenbach said.
Erpenbach does see some changes in the next two years with a Democratic-controlled Assembly. He expects more bills to be passed by both houses.
"It will be nice to see some bills move ahead that have just died in the past few sessions because of partisan policies," he said.
Among the bills he expects to see passed include advertising regulations in campaigns, campaign finance reform, laws that affect traveling sales crews and Healthy Wisconsin, a universal health care proposal for the state.
"I think there will be less partisan bickering in the operation of the Legislature," Erpenbach said. "There will still always be a balance on issues, just not petty games on getting bills to the floor."
He expects reform of health insurance laws and autism coverage in insurance to pass.
Erpenbach said he looks forward to the chance to pass bills that will help Wisconsin families.
"This can only be done with a focus on the economic crisis and the state budget," he said.
Erpenbach begins a new session in the Senate on Jan. 5.
"I'm looking forward to being a part of the solution on the state budget and Wisconsin's economic crisis," Erpenbach said.
Wiscon-sin's budget will play an important part in the Legisla-ture's deliberations over the next few months. Wisconsin is projected to have a deficit of about $5.4 million.
Erpenbach said the state will be challenged to meet the deficit. He hopes federal funding will help bring more money to the state but he also understands there may have to be cuts.
"We will have to make significant cuts to state spending," he said.
User fees paid to the state for various licenses could increase, he added.
"As a last resort, we may have to consider closing some current tax exemptions." he said.
He doesn't want to see a general tax increase, he said.
Tougher times for the state will mean tougher times for local governments, too. He doesn't see any increases in state aid to local governments in the near future. County and city governments have requested the state allow for increases in spending limits to help offset the rising costs of such things as winter maintenance budgets.
"Counties will have to do what they state will do, which is examine each expenditure and prioritize," Erpenbach said.
Erpenbach does see some changes in the next two years with a Democratic-controlled Assembly. He expects more bills to be passed by both houses.
"It will be nice to see some bills move ahead that have just died in the past few sessions because of partisan policies," he said.
Among the bills he expects to see passed include advertising regulations in campaigns, campaign finance reform, laws that affect traveling sales crews and Healthy Wisconsin, a universal health care proposal for the state.
"I think there will be less partisan bickering in the operation of the Legislature," Erpenbach said. "There will still always be a balance on issues, just not petty games on getting bills to the floor."
He expects reform of health insurance laws and autism coverage in insurance to pass.
Erpenbach said he looks forward to the chance to pass bills that will help Wisconsin families.
"This can only be done with a focus on the economic crisis and the state budget," he said.