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Articles by Eric Bott
Rockwall Resident Responds to Mayor’s Endorsement of School Bonds and Tax Increase
By | This is an open letter to Rockwall Mayor Trace Johannesen detailing the community’s concerns about the mayor endorsing a double-digit property tax increase and $838 million in tax-funded bonds that Rockwall Independent School District trustees placed on the November ballot. As a long-time resident of Rockwall, I feel compelled to address your recent endorsement of the school bonds and the VATRE (Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election).
Opinion | Law would drive up consumer electricity costs
With Wisconsinites increasingly worried about inflation and rising energy costs, you’d think state officials would be acting to alleviate the situation, not make it worse. But if legislation recently filed in Wisconsin goes into effect, residents may be in for a shock when they get their electric bill.
Locked Out Of Twitter, Live On Locals!
Locked Out Of Twitter, Live On Locals! I’ve been locked out of Twitter for a completely true statement. Let’s discuss…with tequila!
Eric Bott: Entry-level professions freed from license requirement
Eric Bott: Entry-level professions freed from license requirement WAUNAKEE — Wisconsin is on its way to becoming an even better state for entrepreneurs, employees and their families. Gov. Scott Walker last month signed a law prohibiting local governments from creating any new occupational licenses. These restrictive laws force would-be entrepreneurs and new employees of certain professions to obtain onerous state licenses before opening their doors or starting new jobs.
Eric Bott: Wisconsin needs licensing laws that work
At Americans for Prosperity, we believe in removing barriers so that every American can achieve their full potential — especially when those barriers make no sense. Take, for example, Wisconsin’s occupational licensing laws. If you want to become a shampooer, you need to complete 233 days of education and experience, pass two exams and pay $391 in fees . Just down Lake Michigan, in Indiana, you don’t need a government license. Do we really need more stringent requirements than our neighbors?
PRO Act threatens a decade’s worth of progress, protection for Wisconsin’s workers
Wisconsin is no stranger to the fight for worker freedom. Who can forget the protests that rocked Madison when then-Gov. Scott Walker brought about several much-needed labor reforms via Act 10? And then the numerous legal challenges against Wisconsin’s right-to-work law, which passed in 2015 and, thankfully, has been upheld again and again? Thanks to Act 10 and right-to-work, both public- and private-sector workers are free to choose whether to join a union, without fear of retribution.
Instead of hysterics, let’s talk about what’s in the lame-duck reform bills
A group of local officials called them “Unfair and undemocratic!” The president of Wisconsin AFL-CIO described them as “unprecedented power grabs and ruthless partisan politics!” One state senator said they were “a permanent stain on … our state’s legacy.” They were all referring to the recent bills passed by the Wisconsin state legislature in the wake of the midterm elections – bills that are said to “restrict” the incoming governor’s powers – and signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker.
Tailgates at the Green Bay Packers' Lambeau Field are under attack, thanks to shameless lobbyists
Packers fans have much to be excited about as the free agent period comes into full swing. Previously the Packers have been notoriously quiet during the offseason, but new Packers GM Brian Gutekunst looks to take a more aggressive approach in free agency to revamp a defense ranked as one of the worst in the league.
Donald Trump's tariffs: Conservatives say they are a bad idea in every way
President Donald Trump’s first year in office has been a triumph for jobs and the economy. The administration has been the most aggressive ever in pursuing regulatory reform, ensuring businesses have a predictable and competitive environment free from red tape. The badly needed and long overdue tax cuts passed by Congress and signed by the president in December are unleashing investment, wage gains and job growth.
Donald Trump's tariffs: Conservatives say they are a bad idea in every way
President Donald Trump’s first year in office has been a triumph for jobs and the economy. The administration has been the most aggressive ever in pursuing regulatory reform, ensuring businesses have a predictable and competitive environment free from red tape. The badly needed and long overdue tax cuts passed by Congress and signed by the president in December are unleashing investment, wage gains and job growth.
Donald Trump's tariffs: Conservatives say they are a bad idea in every way
President Donald Trump’s first year in office has been a triumph for jobs and the economy. The administration has been the most aggressive ever in pursuing regulatory reform, ensuring businesses have a predictable and competitive environment free from red tape. The badly needed and long overdue tax cuts passed by Congress and signed by the president in December are unleashing investment, wage gains and job growth.
Donald Trump's tariffs: Conservatives say they are a bad idea in every way
President Donald Trump’s first year in office has been a triumph for jobs and the economy. The administration has been the most aggressive ever in pursuing regulatory reform, ensuring businesses have a predictable and competitive environment free from red tape. The badly needed and long overdue tax cuts passed by Congress and signed by the president in December are unleashing investment, wage gains and job growth.
Donald Trump's tariffs: Conservatives say they are a bad idea in every way
President Donald Trump’s first year in office has been a triumph for jobs and the economy. The administration has been the most aggressive ever in pursuing regulatory reform, ensuring businesses have a predictable and competitive environment free from red tape. The badly needed and long overdue tax cuts passed by Congress and signed by the president in December are unleashing investment, wage gains and job growth.
Donald Trump's tariffs: Conservatives say they are a bad idea in every way
President Donald Trump’s first year in office has been a triumph for jobs and the economy. The administration has been the most aggressive ever in pursuing regulatory reform, ensuring businesses have a predictable and competitive environment free from red tape. The badly needed and long overdue tax cuts passed by Congress and signed by the president in December are unleashing investment, wage gains and job growth.
Donald Trump's tariffs: Conservatives say they are a bad idea in every way
President Donald Trump’s first year in office has been a triumph for jobs and the economy. The administration has been the most aggressive ever in pursuing regulatory reform, ensuring businesses have a predictable and competitive environment free from red tape. The badly needed and long overdue tax cuts passed by Congress and signed by the president in December are unleashing investment, wage gains and job growth.
Donald Trump's tariffs: Conservatives say they are a bad idea in every way
President Donald Trump’s first year in office has been a triumph for jobs and the economy. The administration has been the most aggressive ever in pursuing regulatory reform, ensuring businesses have a predictable and competitive environment free from red tape. The badly needed and long overdue tax cuts passed by Congress and signed by the president in December are unleashing investment, wage gains and job growth.
Donald Trump's tariffs: Conservatives say they are a bad idea in every way
President Donald Trump’s first year in office has been a triumph for jobs and the economy. The administration has been the most aggressive ever in pursuing regulatory reform, ensuring businesses have a predictable and competitive environment free from red tape. The badly needed and long overdue tax cuts passed by Congress and signed by the president in December are unleashing investment, wage gains and job growth.
Wisconsin tops Minnesota in more than college football
Although last weekend's game was a blowout, Minnesota vs. Wisconsin remains one of the greatest and longest-running rivalries in college football. Football is a big deal, but it’s far from the only friendly competition between these two famously “Midwest nice” states. While Wisconsin and Minnesota share similar climates, friendly demeanors, and even accents, the two states have implemented vastly different economic strategies. And we’ve seen vastly different results.
Other Views: Baldwin has chance to fix rigged system
Back in 2013, shortly after being sworn in as Wisconsin’s junior senator, Tammy Baldwin delivered a heartfelt speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate saying, “as I’ve traveled the state, Wisconsinites have told me that the powerful and well-connected seem to get to write their own rules.” A letter to two influential members of a tax committee soon followed making the case for creating a tax code “that respects and rewards hard work and not just wealth.” Now Congress is set to dramatically...
Bott: State budget protect Wisconsin taxpayers
Can you cut taxes, reduce unnecessary borrowing and scale back excessive regulations while ensuring transportation and education are adequately funded? The answer is yes, and Gov. Scott Walker and the Wisconsin legislature proved it by signing into law the latest state budget. By going bold and doubling down on a pro-growth agenda that is serving the Badger State, Walker has laid out a template for other governors to follow.
Bott: State’s craft beer industry and wineries need protection
These growing industries have tremendous potential to create jobs, attract tourism and grow our state’s economy. Whether you prefer a hearty stout, a hoppy IPA, or a crisp lager, you can find it in the offerings of Wisconsin’s burgeoning craft beer industry. Not a beer drinker? Wisconsin’s wineries and distilleries have you covered. These growing industries have tremendous potential to create jobs, attract tourism and grow our state’s economy.
Bott: Judge Neil Gorsuch deserves a vote
When President Donald Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) promised to give “fair consideration to this nomination.” Just two days later, however, she announced that not only would she oppose his nomination, but she would support a filibuster to deny him a vote in the Senate altogether.
Prevailing wage comes at an expense
Veterans are heroes who deserve every chance to succeed in their civilian life, and that requires a thriving economy and ample opportunities to work when they’ve finished serving. Yet if you’ve been listening to the radio lately in Wisconsin, you’ve probably heard ads claiming that veterans’ success depends on the state setting a “prevailing wage” for certain construction projects.
Bott, Roth: Wisconsin’s chance to unleash opportunity
Wisconsin license requirements have grown more onerous over the past three decades. Wisconsin has become a case study in what happens when lawmakers shrink the size of government and return power to the people. During the past five years, nearly 200,000 new jobs have been created and unemployment has dropped from 8.1% to 4.1%. This is no small achievement. But economic flourishing doesn’t have to stop there.
Leave transportation taxes at the curb
After years of debate over whether to raise taxes to cover transportation projects, Wisconsinites still have good reason to watch their wallets. State legislators continue beating the drum to spend more of our money on roadwork. But not all politicians expect a taxpayer-funded free ride. In a recent open letter to Wisconsin Department of Transportation Chairman Mark Gottlieb, Gov. Scott Walker laid down new ground rules for road projects.
Leave transportation taxes at the curb
After years of debate over whether to raise taxes to cover transportation projects, Wisconsinites still have good reason to watch their wallets. State legislators continue beating the drum to spend more of our money on roadwork. But not all politicians expect a taxpayer-funded free ride. In a recent open letter to Wisconsin Department of Transportation Chairman Mark Gottlieb, Gov. Scott Walker laid down new ground rules for road projects.
Free Market Reforms Working In States Across The Country
Many have questioned the moves by state lawmakers across the country to grow their economies by cutting taxes, reducing spending and rolling back regulations. A new report from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) helps to settle the debate: These free market reforms are working everywhere they’ve been tried. That’s the conclusion of ALEC’s 9th edition of its Rich States, Poor States report — and the three of us should know.
Eric Bott: Entry-level professions freed from license requirement
Wisconsin is on its way to becoming an even better state for entrepreneurs, employees and their families. Gov. Scott Walker last month signed a law prohibiting local governments from creating any new occupational licenses.
Free speech is under attack in Wisconsin
Milwaukee's John Doe investigation may be over, but free speech is still under attack in Wisconsin. The John Doe investigation illustrated the dangers free speech faces today.
Wisconsin should learn from Germany's energy mistakes
It was surprising that the German experience was recently held up as an example of successful energy policy-making ("On energy, Germany is ahead of Wisconsin," Crossroads, Nov. 23). Germany's energy transformation or energiewende calls for a nuclear-free and carbon-reduced economy through the vast deployment of renewable technologies, but its results thus far have been higher prices, greater carbon intensity and a less reliable electric delivery network.
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