Notes from the West Wing

By State Representative Garey Bies

Freedom

             For this week’s edition of Notes from the West Wing, state issues will take a bit of a back seat.  I want to talk briefly about our armed forces and the war in Iraq. 

 I would like to encourage everyone to support our brave men and women involved with operations in foreign lands.  Not just Iraq, but everywhere.  These men and women, who have left their families behind, have chosen to serve our country and to fight for our country if necessary, because of their belief and support of the American way of life.  Whether you support the war in Iraq or not, the men and women of our armed forces deserve our utmost respect and gratitude.

 The dedication of our armed forces are what allow the people of the United States to take to the streets to voice their opinions on any given subject without the fear of persecution or incarceration.  The very right to protest the war in Iraq is a result of the sacrifices made by those who came before to secure our freedom.  The current efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan are a continuation of that fight for freedom.

 Here in America, I sometimes feel that we take our freedom for granted.  We are so accustomed to the liberties that are the basis of our country, that we forget what has been won and lost in the struggle.  So I ask of all of you reading today, that the next time you realize a political freedom, whether participating in or viewing of, remember what having that freedom means, how it was won, and our duty to thank those responsible for protecting it.

 Just briefly in closing, I want to mention a piece of legislation I have authored for this session.  The proposal, which I have circulated amongst my colleagues for co-authorship, relates to placing some control on the contracts offered by Technical College Boards to the District Presidents.  For me, the issue came to light when I heard Governor Doyle express his dismay over the situation regarding the President of Madison Area Technical College (MATC).  If you don’t know, the MATC President receives an annual salary of close to $200,000 and is currently on a paid, 3 month “sabbatical” to Spain.

 Given the state’s fiscal condition, this shows me that the Technical College Boards are out of touch with the taxpayers of our state.  As a result, I have authored a bill that will cap a Technical College President’s salary at the level of Wisconsin’s Governor.  This proposal is not meant as an attack on the Presidents, but is instead a requirement for the Board Members to make a reality check before making an inappropriate “sweet deal.”  Further, please remember that authoring a bill does not make it law.  The legislative process will require a hearing and debate on this proposal.  Maybe there are facts that justify some of these large contracts?  Maybe not?  I’m sure we’ll find out and that’s what this process is all about.

 As always, if you have questions or comments on this column or any other topic you might see or read in the news, I can be reached by e-mail at Rep.Bies@legis.state.wi.us or by telephone, toll-free at 1-888-482-0001.