7QUESTIONS+PLUS

Jim Kreuser, the state’s Assembly Minority Leader and a Kenosha democrat, who took time out of the state’s budget-negotiations this week to answer questions from the people of Kenosha. He told us about what it’s like to work in the Wisconsin Assembly, whether he plans to run for Kenosha mayor and whether he thinks the Milwaukee Brewers can make the postseason.

Jim Kreuser will now take your questions ...

Another year, another extremely tight budget — why is Wisconsin continuing to have such a tough time finding ways to meet its fiscal needs? How can this be changed in the future? Wisconsin has a pretty good track record when it comes to budget conference committees. This is only the third time in our state’s history that a budget has taken this long to complete. Some time has been spent posturing — especially now that the committee proceedings are televised on Wisconsin Eye. But we’ve gotten to the point where the extreme right and the extreme left are less relevant and we can begin to compromise and meet in the middle.

After it’s all said and done, do you believe the new state budget will be good for Kenosha? Will it include

any special perks or programs for the area? Kenosha does indeed have a lot at stake in this budget. Buildings at UW-Parkside, funding for schools and hospitals, support for the Kenosha Civil War Museum and important economic development projects such as KRM are just some of the budget items that would impact our community.

How has the Legislature changed in the 14 years you’ve served? Is it a more or less partisan atmosphere, or the same, as it was when you first went to Madison? Since I was first elected to the legislature, relationships have become less personal and more partisan especially during the Scott Jensen and John Gard years. However, the current Assembly Speaker and I meet frequently and discuss the budget and other top issues and we often have nice conversations about our families and other things too. With close margins in the legislature, people are forced to work together to get things done, which means bi-partisanship is growing in this legislative session.

Your name popped up as a possible mayoral contender after John Antaramian announced he would not run again? Do you have greater political aspirations? What about trying to take on Paul Ryan one of these years? I am humbled to have my name included in the mayoral discussion and it would indeed be an honor to follow in the footsteps of John Antaramian, who has done so much for our community. I also love my job as a state legislator and love fighting for the Kenosha community in Madison. As tempting as the mayor’s office is I still feel I have work to finish in the State Assembly. However, I wouldn’t rule out options for a different position sometime in the future.

What is the difference between a Wisconsin Democrat and a Wisconsin Republican? The current budget is a perfect example of the key difference between Democrats and Republicans. The Democratic budgets of Governor Doyle and the Senate focus on our state’s priorities. They fund schools and local governments, do more to protect our environment and the most vulnerable in our society. Meanwhile the Republican budget cuts all of these priorities giving schools, local governments and universities less than they need to keep up with rising gas and energy costs, not to mention increases in inflation.

How does being affiliated with the Democratic party influence your decision-making as it pertains to criminalization, tax relief, and improving health care, and improving equal opportunity for equal education? While party considerations play a factor since I was chosen as the Democratic Leader in the Assembly, the overriding factor still remains what is best for my constituents, our community, and the state as a whole. As a Democrat I feel strongly that we have to invest in our young people, make college more affordable, fight for tax fairness so that everyone is paying their fair share and find a long term solution to our current health care crisis.

What do you like about Madison that you wish we had in Kenosha? Madison certainly lacks the great Italian food we have in Kenosha, but it would be nice to have Badger football in town on Saturday afternoons.

If there’s one thing you could accomplish before leaving office, what would that be? As the world’s leader in the 21st Century there is no reason why we can’t have a safe and reliable health care program for everyone in this state and nation. Finding a workable and reasonable solution to the health care crisis that truly addresses access and affordability would be a great accomplishment.

What was the highlight of your summer? Hiking with my family while on vacation in a national park with no cell phone reception.

What’s your favorite memory of growing up in Kenosha? Family gatherings during every holiday throughout the years.

If you weren’t a politician, what would you be doing? Some other job that I love, most likely outdoors.
A bartender gives you some quarters and tells you to punch in three songs at the jukebox. What songs do you pick? Frank Sinatra - Fly Me to the Moon, Tim McGraw - Live Like You Were Dying, AC/DC - Back in Black

Do you believe in ghosts? Only at Wrigley Field (I’m a Brewer fan) and the Kemper Center.

What are your thoughts on the Brewers’ chances of making the postseason? Outstanding. Avoiding injuries will be the key, especially in the area of pitching. It has been a great season so far and I look forward to extra games in October.

Who do you like right now in the presidential race? John Edwards