By Press Times Staff
BROWN COUNTY – After advancing from the Aug. 11 primary, Democrat Jonathon Hansen faces Republican Eric Wimberger for the 30th State Senate District Nov. 3.
The seat is being vacated by Sen. Dave Hansen, who will retire after holding it since 2001.
Jonathon is Dave’s nephew and has served on the De Pere Common Council since 2017.
He also served as his uncle’s campaign manager in 2016, and has been a legislative aide in the state Capitol.
Jonathon Hansen defeated challenger Sandra Ewald, 6,906 to 4,405, in the Aug. 11 primary.
Wimberger, an attorney in Green Bay, previously lost to Dave Hansen in 2016, by just under 3,000 votes.
The Press Times emailed each candidate the same questions and gave them 100 words to respond to each.
District 30 covers parts of east De Pere, Ledgeview, Bellevue, Green Bay, Howard, Suamico and up to Marinette.
Jonathon Hansen
What’s the biggest issue in District 30?
The biggest issue facing the district is addressing the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic: We must support our small businesses and keep our residents safe.
As an alderman, I pushed for the creation of a pandemic relief loan program, which has been a lifeline for many of De Pere’s small businesses.
Many residents are also concerned about health care, and I will work to create a more affordable health care system by accepting the federal Medicaid expansion, creating a public insurance option through BadgerCare that residents can buy into, and lowering the cost of prescription drugs.
What should be done on the state level to handle the COVID-19 pandemic?
The Legislature should provide consistent statewide standards, rather than forcing local governments to fill the void.
We should also create a statewide plan that includes mobile testing sites, and work to facilitate the production of PPE manufactured right here in Wisconsin.
The Legislature should provide additional relief to small businesses and hospitals, work to clear the unemployment claims backlog by finally giving DWD the resources they need to upgrade the IT system and hire additional staff, and pass the Healthcare Heroes Act, which would provide paid sick leave, hazard pay, and full health insurance coverage for all medical workers.
How should state lawmakers regulate the use of force by police? Should uniform standards be implemented statewide?
I believe that uniform standards would be helpful, and support Gov. Tony Evers’ proposal to ban the use of chokeholds.
The job of a police officer is incredibly difficult, and I think we expect our police officers to wear too many different hats.
They are expected to respond to every type of crisis, including when people are having a mental health and substance abuse crisis.
We should invest in hiring additional social workers and mental health professionals who could work with first responders to respond to these types of situations.
What changes should be made to the state funding formula for public school districts to place less of a burden on property taxpayers and to avoid referendums?
Over the past decade, education funding by the state has been slashed significantly, and that has unfortunately forced public school districts to rely on property tax referendums.
I support restoring the state’s commitment to funding two-thirds of the cost of K-12 schools.
Additionally, we should create a state grant program for school construction projects so that municipalities are not entirely reliant on referendums for building projects.
How should lawmakers in Wisconsin work better together with less partisanship?
As a state senator, I will focus on finding common ground and working across the aisle.
Many of the issues that we face as a state can, and should, be addressed in non-partisan ways.
As an alderman, I have worked with officials of all affiliations to pursue non-partisan solutions, such as generating momentum for the Brown County Southern Bridge project.
If I am elected, I will bring more of how local government operates – with its focus on getting things done by acting pragmatically – to Madison.
The State Legislature can also support bipartisan cooperation by ending gerrymandering and implementing nonpartisan redistricting.
Eric Wimberger
What’s the biggest issue in District 30?
Safety and security are very important across the district.
Without law and order, people can’t strive to better their personal circumstances.
I’m endorsed by all district attorneys and sheriffs in the 30th Senate District in my effort to make property safe and apply justice equally.
Different localities have other important priorities as well, like finding PFAS solutions in Marinette, Fox River coal pile cleanup in Green Bay, and the Southern Bridge in De Pere.
COVID-19 and economic recovery are continuing concerns needing attention.
What should be done on the state level to handle the COVID-19 pandemic?
The CARES Act allotted some $2 billion for Wisconsin to allocate for COVID-affected areas, and there’s $200 million left to spend.
The Legislature should be monitoring to supplement as needed.
Thanks to GOP legislatures and budgets past, our rainy-day funds were replenished from massive depletion, and the budget may not run a large deficit this year.
I hope to continue that tradition of fiscal responsibility, so when emergencies arise, Wisconsin can handle them.
We should continue diligence managing health needs and focus on economic recovery.
Limiting COVID-19 liability for businesses will also help with economic recovery.
How should state lawmakers regulate the use of force by police? Should uniform standards be implemented statewide?
The DOJ already has use-of-force standards. State law requires localities to create use-of-force standards, also.
In the absence of regulation, the Supreme Court has use-of-force standards it applies when there’s a claim force was excessive.
Codified uniformity in Wisconsin won’t alter the outcomes in use-of-force cases, since proposals mirror standards already in place.
Victims of excessive force need private fund assistance with litigation costs to hire use-of-force experts when determining if a particular instance of force was “excessive” under the circumstances.
Police training in professionalism should be a constant emphasis.
What changes should be made to the state funding formula for public school districts to place less of a burden on property taxpayers and to avoid referendums?
Wisconsin’s diverse districts in city, suburb and rural areas mean a balanced approach toward statewide spending is necessary.
There are constant forces in formulas to adjust for variable costs, relating to student population, and fixed costs, relating to needs regardless of student population.
I would expect the formula to be addressed every budget to account for changes, make sure schools aren’t left behind, and to supplement as needed.
How should lawmakers in Wisconsin work better together with less partisanship?
Bipartisanship starts with a respectful understanding that your rights and property are not for politicians to use as their own.
When both sides understand that large percentages of people disagree with everything that government does, a respect develops about assessing taxes and creating rules.
With prioritized spending founded on a respect for what taxes mean for taxpayers, all sides should be able to conclude what the truly important issues are in Wisconsin.