Good For John Gard

From JSOnline

"Gard known for tough stances
Longtime state lawmaker lists welfare reform as top success
By STEVEN WALTERS
swalters@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Oct. 18, 2008

Madison - In the final hours of the 1987-'88 legislative session, Democrats in control of the state Assembly autographed a ceremonial Blue Book and gave it to a newcomer, Republican Rep. John Gard of Peshtigo." JS Online: Gard known for tough stances

Gard's legacy in Capitol politics includes:

Welfare reform: After Thompson said he wanted to pioneer a system that replaced the old entitlement-based welfare system with work and education requirements, Assembly leaders let Gard work out details of the plan. He lists it as his biggest legislative accomplishment.

Expanding school choice: Gard and Milwaukee-area Republicans led the fight to expand the program that lets poor Milwaukee children attend private schools at taxpayers' expense. Choice gives children "with no opportunities" more chances to succeed, he said.

Income tax reform: When Gard co-chaired the Legislature's budget committee, it developed a package of income tax cuts, including adjusting tax brackets for inflation, that became law.

Gay marriage ban: As speaker, Gard pushed through the Assembly a constitutional change that defines the only legal marriage in Wisconsin as between one woman and one man. Voters approved the change in November 2006.

Lambeau Field renovation: Gard was one of the Capitol leaders who pushed through a $295 million renovation of Lambeau Field, but insisted that a Brown County sales tax increase to pay for it be approved by voters there. With Gard acting as a cheerleader, voters agreed.

Some of the fights Gard lost also say a lot about him.

For years, he pushed through the Assembly a requirement that voters must show a photo ID to vote, but Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed it three times. The proposal died when Democrats took control of the Senate in 2007.

I like the following quotes from John Gard

Gard remains angry about the issue.

It's "embarrassing" that "so many people can cheat when they vote" in Wisconsin, he said.

Rep. Jim Kreuser (D-Kenosha), the Assembly Democratic leader for all four years that Gard was speaker, said the Republican pushed too hard and refused to compromise.

Good for John, why does the right always have to compromise? John has his own mind and sticks up for the people of Wisconsin.

Stick it to the left.

Vote Gard in 08