Erpenbach Receives Appointments to Influential Senate Committees

Appointments to 2005 Senate Standing Committees Announced

MADISON -- Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) has been appointed to three influential Senate committees for the 2005-06 Legislative Session. Senate Democratic Leader Judy Robson appointed Senator Erpenbach to the following Senate Standing Committees today: Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care; Education; and Agriculture and Insurance.

Senator Erpenbach will be the ranking Senate Democrat on the Senate Committee on Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care. “Everywhere I go in my district, I hear from working families, businesses and seniors that they cannot afford their escalating health insurance premiums,” said Erpenbach. “The Legislature must find a meaningful solution to the health care affordability crisis—and soon. The Republican-controlled Legislature did nothing in the past session to prevent our constituents from having to make choices between necessary medical care and being forced out of their homes,” said Erpenbach.

Senator Erpenbach will return to the Senate Education Committee, after serving previously on the committee during the 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 legislative sessions. “We are fortunate to live in a state that has an excellent educational system, but it is being threatened by legislators that want to undercut local control of school districts and continue to cut back state financial support for our schools, which creates an increased reliance on the property tax,” explained Senator Erpenbach. “My priority while serving on this committee will be to ensure every child in our state has access to excellent educational opportunities, while increasing the state’s financial commitment to local schools to reduce the property tax burden on local taxpayers,” said Erpenbach.

This will be the first time Senator Erpenbach has served on the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Insurance. “Our family farmers are the backbone of our state’s economy and history,” said Erpenbach. “I am looking forward to working on this committee to ensure the tools and incentives are in place for our state’s farmers and agriculture industry to thrive,” said Erpenbach.

“I am eager to serve on these committees as we will discuss and act on issues of critical importance to my constituents,” stated Erpenbach. “Providing affordable health care for all citizens, maintaining our top quality education system in a fiscally responsible and fair way and ensuring the vitality of Wisconsin’s family farms are issues of great concern to my constituents,” explained Erpenbach. “Serving on these committees will allow me to take a leadership role on health, education and agriculture issues to the benefit of my district.”

Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) represents the 27^th Senate District, which is comprised of all of Green County and portions of Dane, Rock and La Fayette Counties. Constituents may reach Senator Erpenbach by contacting his office at sen.erpenbach@legis.state.wi.us, (608) 266-6670 or toll-free at 888-549-0027.