Randy Koehn for 89th Wisconsin Assembly

Background:

I am married with two young children. I have lived my entire life in my district. After obtaining my AS at our local UW campus, I obtained a double major from UWEC (math & history education) and am currently working towards my Masters. I have taught and coached for 14 years in the district I hope to represent.

Goals:

I am running to help create not only a Democratic majority in Madison, but a Progressive majority. This district needs a voice to speak once again for its people instead of monied special interests.

Issues:

Incentives for new industry to replace those that have closed, especially sustainable energy sources in an agricultural region. Not only will these industries help break our dependence on foreign oil, but they will provide high paying jobs which cannot be exported overseas and help protect our environment for future generations.

Expansion of health care to all people through the AFL-CIO plan which would provide coverage for $340/month.

Close tax loopholes so that those individuals and entities that can afford to pay more, do so. Home owners need a tax break. The HOPE Plan will exempt the first $60,000 of homes from the taxes and keep up to $650 in the your pocket each year.

Grassroots Support:

Grassroots will be vital to my campaign. I do not have the personal finances to run a self-funded campaign, so volunteers and local contacts are going to be the lifeblood of my campaign. I was recruited to run for this office by people from around the district. I believe in being a candidate of and for the people.

DFA Values:

I strongly oppose the imposition of religion into our government and therefore stand for a women's right of privacy and guarantee of availability of contraceptive devices and against the proposed state and national gay marriage bans.
The current minimum wage, even when increased by our state, is not a livable wage and must be increased.

As a teacher, I have had to live with incessant budget cutbacks and still maintain a classroom that facilitates learning. Even moreso, the budget cutbacks have eaten into my paycheck, my union has taken two pay cuts in the past 10 years, despite the assurances of the QEO. Raising a family in this financial setting has made me more personally frugal than I already was, and I believe the government must mimic my personal habits - pay as you go and prioritize.