Behnke listens to voters

CLINTONVILLE – Citizens expressed concerns about funding for long-term care for citizens with special needs at the listening session held by State Representative Elijah Behnke. It was held at the town of Mattson Community Center on March 8.
For Behnke, who represents the 6th Wisconsin State Assembly District, which includes the city of Clintonville, it was his fifth listening session held in communities he represents.
“This has been a great experience, Behnke told the Clintonville Tribune-Gazette. “My first one was in Bonduel and four people showed up, all friendly. The only one that was a little interesting was in the city of Shawano. The Democrat Party of Shawano County came and brought a bunch of members, so like a dozen people. It’s different at every town. That was kind of contentious, but they talked a lot about federal issues, which I don’t have any power over. We had civil conversations. I think people left at least knowing I’m a decent listener.”
He told those in attendance at the Matteson listening session that he has been meeting with taxpayers in his district to get a better understanding of what they would like to see in the upcoming bi-annual state budget.
“It starts with me listening to the taxpayers that I work for, and then moving up from there,” said Behnke.

After introducing himself, Behnke said, “A lot of times small communities like this don’t have a voice in Madison, so it’s kind of my mission to do a good job representing people like yourself.”

Proposed budget
Behnke told those in attendance that the budget proposed by Governor Tony Evers contains 1,800 pages of a lot of policy.
“So, we remove all the policy, and it’s probably going to be 550 pages when we’re (Republicans) done,” said Behnke. “The biggest expense in the state is schools, so we’re doing some auditing of DPI (Department of Public Instruction) currently. I know Milwaukee has failed an audit. So, making sure the money’s helping the kids learn, and not for these silly programs.”
Behnke said the tax hikes proposed by Gov. Evers would amount to $3.7 billion. The proposed budget also would turn the state’s $4 billion surplus into a $2 billion deficit.

“He’s kind of just a nice grandpa-like figure, he says yes to everybody,” said Behnke. “Anybody who comes to ask for money, he says yes, and throws it into this proposed budget. But really, we can’t live like that. We have an amendment in our Constitution that says we can’t go into debt like the federal government has.”
Questions
Those in attendance asked a variety of questions about funding for caregivers and long-term care facilities that help citizens with special needs. Behnke said he was in favor of increasing that funding.
One attendee told Behnke that getting increased funding for long-term care would be good for the community and residents, that it would be an investment for the future.
“I just don’t understand why nothing is happening,” said the attendee.
Another attendee asked why Republicans and Democrats can’t work together.
“My experience with the new (legislative) maps, you’re getting a little more friendliness (between the two parties), because the majorities are so much thinner, you have to work together,” said Behnke.
He added that money is ruining politics, and corporations are “buying politicians.”
Another attendee told Behnke that there is a group of the population that relies on community-based services. “Those community-based services have not been funded adequately to keep it afloat,” said the attendee.
The attendee added that that population “largely has no vote. The majority do not vote, so their voice is limited. Most of them live in poverty.”
“These workers are essential for the quality of life for this population,” said the attendee.
Behnke said, “I definitely, just so you all know, everybody’s created in God’s image, everybody has intrinsic values, so I 100% want to help. I really do. I’ve just not had to deal with this, so I’m not familiar with the program, but I will get familiar, and we will definitely try to increase funding. How that looks and where that goes, I don’t know.”