By Press Times Staff
BROWN COUNTY – Looking for his fourth consecutive term, Republican incumbent John Macco is being challenged by Dr. Kristin Lyerly, a Democrat, for the seat representing the 88th Assembly District.
Macco received 53 percent of the vote in 2018, edging out Tom Sieber with 46 percent.
After graduating from Green Bay Southwest High School, Macco, with his father, founded Macco’s Floor Cover Centers.
He has since started a financial planning services group, now run by his son.
Lyerly, an OB-GYN, grew up in Kaukauna, and after master’s and doctorate degrees, is still paying off student loans.
The Press Times emailed each candidate the same questions and gave them 100 words to respond to each.
The 88th Assembly District covers parts of De Pere, Ledgeview, Allouez, Bellevue and Green Bay.
John Macco
What’s the biggest issue in District 88?
I conduct weekly town hall meetings and Ask Me Anything sessions.
We have been safely talking with thousands of district voters face-to-face, and in this order they are saying;
• Safety and security, defunding the police and destructive protests are unacceptable.
• Kids in school, our voters are frustrated that their children are falling behind.
• Jobs and the economy, livelihoods are at stake and they resent being classified “nonessential.”
• COVID, they want to reopen safely and are concerned for the vulnerable population.
What should be done on the state level to handle the COVID-19 pandemic?
We’ve been very responsive and have already passed emergency legislation to ensure adequate PPE, testing and support so that health care providers can do what they do best.
We passed legislation to help farmers and business owners.
We extended tax filing to provide all Wisconsinites some flexibility.
We extended benefits to the unemployed and gave the governor the tools he needed to reallocate support staff and pay claims. As we look forward, we’ll need to be careful not to dictate a one-size-fits-all policy from Madison that treats Melrose the same as Milwaukee and Bayfield the same as Brown Deer.
How should state lawmakers regulate the use of force by police? Should uniform standards be implemented statewide?
As legislators, we are called to create equity under the law and work to establish a “more perfect union,” which isn’t a one-time project, but an ongoing part of what Wisconsin is.
We live in a time where lifting oneself up has never been more widely available, and yet our “war on poverty and injustice” has not eliminated poverty and injustice.
Why is that?
As Churchill said, “However beautiful the strategy, we must occasionally look at the results.”
Clearly, we need a different approach and I look forward to having those discussions and making Wisconsin better for all Wisconsinites.
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?
There are many opportunities to create a statewide funding system that looks like we designed it on purpose.
The 2019 Tax Foundation report outlines options we’ve worked on and my Democratic colleague Evan Goyke and I have had multiple hearings on his proposals.
In addition to being the Assembly Tax Committee chairman, I serve as chairman of the Budget and Revenue Committee for NCSL.
I know there are best practices throughout the nation we could emulate to create a funding and tax system that is fair, low and simple.
I am committed to our good work in supporting governments.
How should lawmakers in Wisconsin work better together with less partisanship?
Listen more.
I am immensely proud of the fact that 79 percent of the bills that pass through my committee are completely unanimous.
I work hard to include both sides.
Our various family companies now employ upwards of 440 people of all races, gender and political persuasion, it’s how I’ve always run things.
It’s how my dad ran things, and it’s how my brothers and sons run things now.
I am committed to that principle in all my dealings in Madison.
Also, term limits.
Term limits statewide would drain the Madison swamp and foster better relationships.
Kristin Lyerly
What’s the biggest issue in District 88?
COVID-19, and the effect of COVID on our businesses, our schools and our health is easily the most pervasive and pressing issue our community has faced in our lifetimes.
With hospitals at capacity and health care workers in peril, coronavirus cases rising, flu season looming, and a total lack of leadership, there’s no end in sight.
My patients are skipping routine preventive care and failing to seek treatment for acute problems while their businesses are failing and their kids are stuck at home with virtual school.
We’ll rise above this, when we start to work together for the common good.
What should be done on the state level to handle the COVID-19 pandemic?
First, we need representatives who stand together and amplify the message of public health officials, rather than contradict or condemn it.
In terms of legislation, there’s a lot to do: funding for more PPE and robust, statewide contact tracing are a must.
Additionally, we need accessible, user-friendly COVID data at our fingertips – technology to pinpoint outbreaks and create opportunities for containment on a small scale to prevent the need for mass closures in the future.
How should state lawmakers regulate the use of force by police? Should uniform standards be implemented statewide?
It is important that our law enforcement is well equipped with the training and supplies they need to keep our communities safe, regardless of department or location.
I see uniform standards, when created with input from law enforcement and data, as a valuable tool in ensuring this.
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?
This is a difficult problem with a complicated answer based on local needs and priorities.
Wisconsinites value public education, which consumes about one-third of the state budget.
We need to grow the pot and think creatively about how to accomplish that through an equity lens, especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
How should lawmakers in Wisconsin work better together with less partisanship?
Wisconsinites are sick and tired of ideology, partisanship and, frankly, politicians who fail to do the work that they were elected to do.
My friends and neighbors have different values and beliefs, but they all want one thing – answers.
We will never agree with anyone about everything, so we have to look to our common experiences, desires, and needs to determine where we can achieve compromise and solve problems.
And that is exactly what I will do to represent the people of the 88th Assembly District.