Parochial School Tax Deductions

I'm pretty sure April 15th is the best day for accountants, calculator sales, the Postal Service & headache medicine! There are tax deductions (Wisconsin taxes specifically) for everything from home mortgage interest, property taxes, rent, medical & dental expenses to charitable donations & more. That's just for individuals. When you start to add in deductions businesses can take some really funky numbers come up. (Just wait until the Manufacturing & Agricultural Tax Credit is implemented & the proprietor of Pacur pays 0.15% tax on income). 

These tax deductions (as well as their counterparts on the Federal side) are often created to help people keep more of their income to pay for things that are needed, like medical care or rent. Some, like the American Opportunities Credit (originally proposed by President Obama) help families afford college tuition & fade out as income surpasses certain levels. This phase out helps concentrate the credit on working families. (Cue the menacing movie music)

Republicans in Wisconsin have pushed a budget provision that allows a tax deduction for private school tuition (K-12) in addition to funding private schools at the expense of public schools. Now Wisconsin is far from a pioneer in offering a tax benefit for private school tuition, but it is pioneering the charge in giving huge tax cuts to the wealthiest while gutting public education & sticking it to the working class. 

Eleven other states offer a tax deduction but they are all limited in the amount provided to a level far lower than Wisconsin & most have a requirement that the scholarship goes to low-income students. Rest assured, Wisconsin Republicans won't be followers! They are leaders in sending education off a cliff. The proposed credit offers a $4000 deduction for elementary school kids & $10,000 for high school students. Unlike the American Opportunities Credit, which phases out as income rises, Republicans are offering this to anyone, regardless of how much they make. Should someone making $1,000,000 receive a deduction that amounts to $765 because they choose to send a child to a private high school while these same legislators are gutting public education through the "Act 10 Tools" & funding private school vouchers?

Sure, it's easy to say Republicans have added $150 per pupil in spending to public schools. But make no mistake, this comes on the heels of Republicans slashing spending by $550 per pupil in the last Biennium Budget Campaign Contribution Payback. It comes on the heels of cutting Wisconsin's Homestead Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, a laughable $2 per week tax cut for working families, a flatter tax system, handouts left & right for big, corporate businesses while using WEDC to make redistricting look transparent & fair by comparison. 

Do we need more giveaways to the wealthy? Do we need more money pulled out of our state coffers to fund private schools? 

Did I mention that the latest estimates of the budget show a $500 million DEFICIT? So much for fiscal responsibility-it's about rewarding wealthy donors, Anti-Choice groups & self-preservation of politicians. 

Koby Schellenger

Winnebago County Democratic Party Chair

Wisconsin Nice =/= Mike Ellis

Below is a video of the conclusion of the 6/12 Wisconsin Senate debate on SB 206. My comments on the bill were noted on Monday. Wednesday, Senate President Mike Ellis proved beyond a shadow of a doubt just how classless he is, just how out of touch he is & just how much he MUST be replaced. 

There's a longstanding tradition of "Wisconsin Nice" that is recognized nationwide. Sen. Mike Ellis is an extreme ideologue who, when faced with opposition to his tinted vision, can do nothing but bang his gavel & yell at Democrats. Listen to what he's saying & read between the lines. He's telling Democratic Senators that their constituents don't matter. He's telling women they don't even get a full debate about the future of their health care decisions (even though this decision was made by a majority of men). 

So where is "Wisconsin Nice" in state government? Perhaps it's in Representative Michael Schraa's new gun bill which prevents local law enforcement from enforcing federal laws & allows the manufacture & sale of ANY firearm in Wisconsin. Or maybe we should look at his Twitter feed where he insults constituents regularly. I doubt that's "Wisconsin Nice". Maybe the nice part comes when you aren't the one with the weapon that is illegal in 49 states & every industrialized nation in the world but Rep. Schraa says it's ok for the other person to have it. That's when you play nice. 

I don't think we're going to find "Wisconsin Nice" by continuing to examine the right wrong side of the aisle. 

So you're upset that women's health is ignored. 

So you're upset that 40 years of upheld Supreme Court rulings are ignored so Scott Walker can pad his Presidential resume.

So you're upset that respect & dignity have left OUR Capitol quicker than Ellis lost his temper.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

We are canvassing in Neenah, Menasha & Winneconne Saturday June 15th & June 17th-23rd in a display of "Wisconsin Nice" to contrast Sen. Ellis' outrageous & embarrassing behavior. 

Send me an email & tell me you know what Wisconsin Nice is all about & you want to canvass or make phone calls. Don't get mad, get nice!


Koby Schellenger
Winnebago County Democratic Party Chair

SB 206: Please See Dr. Big Government, Referal by Small Gov't Republicans

The claims by prominent Republicans of the value of small government or local control have been made for years. But the legislative agenda hasn't always matched up. Sure, state Republicans have limited or eliminated tax credits for working families, food share benefits, unemployment benefits, educational opportunities & social justice issues. But at the same time they have been more than willing to give manufacturers a tax credit which will require a 0.15% tax rate on profits (1/28th that of a min. wage worker), fight to retain the "Vegas-loophole" to retain corporate welfare in Wisconsin & create two sets of rules for our schools that comes along with public money funding private schools.

Senator Mary Lazich (co-sponsor Representative Michael Schraa) & her extreme cohorts have introduced SB 206 which falls right in line with the Republican idea of small government: No government for businesses, massive intrusive government for actual people. SB 206 creates a litany of unscientific hurdles to accessing abortions in Wisconsin. Make no mistake, this is not a bill designed to protect anyone or make anyone safer. It is the work of extremists who believe that their position is superior to that of a Supreme Court ruling that has withstood 40 years of perpetual assault. Among other things, SB 206 infringes upon the ability of a woman to control her medical care by:

• Requiring an ultrasound to be performed before obtaining an abortion. 
• Requires the technician to impose a series of diagnostic information putting the State Government directly between the patient & her doctor during an ultrasound including (directly from the bill text):
• Display the ultrasound images so that the pregnant woman may view them
• Provide a medical description of the ultrasound images including the dimensions of the unborn child and a description of any viewable external features & internal organs of the unborn child
• Provide a means for the pregnant woman to visualize any fetal heartbeat
• Requires that as part of the information a physician must provide a pregnant woman at least 24 hours before an abortion is performed or induced.
• Requires any physician to have admitting privileges to a hospital within 30 miles. (This will force Planned Parenthood to close it's facility in Appleton)

These draconian coercion tactics by Republicans are abhorrent. There must be an educational process before obtaining an abortion but not before getting a concealed carry license. There is a waiting period for medical care, not grounded in medical research but in subordination of our system of government, but Republicans will fight to the end to ensure you can walk out of a gun show with a firearm that day, no background check, no questions asked. They will scream until they are blue red in the face about (& flush with PAC contributions) about waste, fraud & abuse in Medicaid but are forcing unnecessary procedures on women. 

Hypocrisy, thy party is Republican. 

What this comes down to, is do we have a right to our own medical care? Are you going to sit & watch the state government pop their head into the exam room to check up on you? To coerce women into holding the same morals as Mary Lazich? I'm not. I'm calling Senator Mike Ellis today & telling him we will not stand for this. Call Sen. Ellis at 608-266-0718 NOW!

Koby Schellenger

Winnebago County Democratic Party Chair

Post Convention Debrief and Rejuvenation

The speakers are some and they were great!  The resolutions debated, caucuses met, hospitality suites reunited old friends and brought new ones together. The elections are over. Now what?

Now we get to work. If there's one thing we learned from the speakers last weekend it's that none of them got where they are without help--be it Russ Feingold or Tammy Baldwin, Julian Castro or Sheila Stubbs. Today is the day Winnebago County Dems starts helping our Sheila Stubbs our Julian Castros, our Tammy Baldwins and our Russ Feingolds!

Come to the June meeting at 7pm at the Delta in Oshkosh or call Koby Schellenger at 920-420-6787.

The WCDP Is Asking...Are You Answering?

We are looking for people who can contribute a couple hours a month to strengthening the Winnebago County Democrats. We need people to join the membership, volunteers & event committees. 

The Membership Committee works to remind members when their membership is due as well as finding new members in the community. Membership is the backbone of a strong party!

The Volunteers Committee maintains our strong voter contact program & sets the table for success in 2014.

The Events Committee organizes parades (which means candy!!!) the corn roast & other events as necessary.

We are asking for a few hours a month. Please fill out the form below & you will be connected with the committee to begin propelling us to victory in 2014!

Special Meeting: April 24th

Upon the written petition of 10 members, a special meeting has been called by the County Chair, Koby Schellenger. The meeting will be held on April 24th at 7 PM at the Delta on Sawyer St. Per Article XI, Section 2 of our Constitution, the petition is to include a specific agenda. The petition read as follows:

"Petition to hold a special meeting for the second reading of the Constitution in two weeks."

For those unable to attend the General Membership meeting on April 10th, we read & ratified the Constitution that was recently passed out of committee. We are required to read & ratify the Constitution at two consecutive meetings before sending it to the State Party for final approval. 

Members who were unable to attend the last meeting & would like to obtain a copy, you may email Koby Schellenger. Amendments must be submitted in advance of the meeting to the County Secretary, Kara Anderson winnebagodemocratswi@gmail.com. Amendments will only be considered that are received by 5 PM on April 24th, contain the full text of the section or subsection for which you are proposing an amendment. If you have any questions, feel free to email Koby or Kara or call Koby at 920-420-6787.

-Koby Schellenger

Winnebago Democrats County Chair

Democratic Jobs Bill

Yesterday, Democratic Leadership in Madison set out a Jobs Package to correct the total jobs failure of the Republican Leadership & Scott Walker. Despite promises to create 250,000 jobs by the end of his first term, Scott Walker has dragged Wisconsin down to 42nd in job creation. The time for action is NOW. We can't sit around waiting any longer.

Republican Leaders ignored bipartisan jobs bills last session & the partisanship demonstrated on such a fundamental issue to so many of us makes the Democratic package that much sweeter. To make matters worse, Republicans abandoned true jobs bills in favor of massive special interest giveaways & ideological crusades which have no impact on the jobs market.

It's a good day to be a Democrat. It's great to have leadership that understands that we have to work hard to close the skills gap for employees which has widened under Scott Walker. It's empowering that the Democrats plan will make it easier for Wisconsin companies to get investments allowing existing small businesses & manufacturers to stay open, stay in Wisconsin & expand. Opening up investments means Wisconsin is more attractive for businesses to relocate or small businesses to start up here.

Don't let this day go to waste. Tell your friends, neighbors & papers why you support the Democratic Jobs Package!


DATES TO KEEP IN MIND
February 13th-WCDP Meeting, 7pm, Delta
February 19th-State Supreme Court Primary
March 9th-Indigo Dinner (buy your tickets now)

January 19th: Day of Service

Members & Friends of the Winnebago County Democrats, our President has called for a day of service on January 19th, two days prior to President Barack Obama being sworn in for a second term.

During the campaign, our candidates spoke about how they want to improve citizens lives with sensible, honorable & helpful policies. We supported equal rights, financial accountability & oversight, access to health care & more. At our last meeting I asked for a collection of children's toys & non-perishable food to help our community during the holiday season. Our effort was outstanding! But improving our community doesn't end with a can of soup or a game of Battleship. We must continue to lead by example.

We are putting together service opportunities within the community for January 19th & are looking for help. I know this is a tough time of year to put something on your calendar, but this is our first post-election chance as an organization to live up to the promises we spoke of for months leading up to the November 6th. Do you know of an organization that could use a few extra helping hands? Can you lend a hand & be a leader? Email me at koby.schellenger@gmail.com if you commit to helping out!


Thank you!
Koby Schellenger


Authorized and Paid for by the Winnebago County Democratic Party – Evelyn Rieckmann, Treasurer

More Prison Time for Scott Walker Associates: A Legacy of Corruption

More Prison Time for Scott Walker Associates: A Legacy of Corruption MADISON -- Following is the statement of Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate in response to the two years prison time given to a Scott Walker appointee on Friday, as well as breaking news that Walker's former campaign chief has been cooperating with criminal prosecutors in the ongoing John Doe corruption probe.   "Scott Walker's legacy will not be one of reform, since it's business as usual for special interests in Madison. It will not be a legacy of job creation, since Wisconsin has been dead last under Scott Walker's watch.   "Likewise, Scott Walker will not be remembered for investment in infrastructure, advances in education or for advancing small "d" democratic values. He's been on the opposite side of all that.   "As it stands, the calling card for Scott Walker has been criminal corruption.   "Wisconsin never has had a governor so closely tied to criminals.   "Today, another of his associates was given prison time for schemes committed under Scott Walker's banner. Most of the crimes committed thus far have been committed for Walker's personal benefit, and recently released emails show that Walker himself clearly was involved in the commission of crimes.   "Walker's response has been evasive and self-serving. He wants to be congratulated for starting this investigation yet has to this point offered not a single concrete explanation for his central role in the conspiracies committed.   "Walker may never have to stand trial for his actions. But, as another of his associates heads to prison, the public has every right to fear that they have a governor who not only enables corruption, but may be practicing it." View this release online at: http://www.wisdems.org/news/press/view/2012-12-more-prison-time-for-scott-walker-associates-a-legac

Authorized and Paid for by The Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Michael J. Tate, Chair

5 Days Left, We need your help!

Hello Members and friends of the Winnebago County Democratic Party!

It has been a long two years of work and effort in elections local, statewide and now to re-elect President Obama.

Now is the time to put in your last, best effort.  We need your help to re-elect President Obama, State Senator Jess King and Representative Gordon Hintz.  We also need to send our next Senator, Tammy Baldwin to Washington, and Jim Crail, Richard Schoenbohm, Ryan Flejter to Madison.

We have shifts working out of the Winnebago Dems Office 480 N Main St.  Come down and pick up a door knocking packet or a phone list:

Sat:        9am       12pm     3pm       6pm

Sun:       9am                      3pm       6pm (no 12pm for Packer Game)

Mon:     9am       12pm     3pm       6pm

Tue:       8am       11am     2pm       5pm

We could also use supplies for our volunteers, some suggestions include: Soup, chili, sandwiches,  casseroles. Or snacks such as fruit and veggies.  Coffee for volunteers would also be a good item.

Please come down and volunteer.  Winnebago County, Wisconsin and our country’s future needs your effort.

Thanks,

-jef-

Authorized and Paid for by the Winnebago County Democratic Party – Evelyn Rieckmann, Treasurer