Affordable Health Care; Quality Education among Top Goals for New Term
Madison – State Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton), sworn in for his third Senate term Wednesday, said Senate Democrats would use their new majority to make progress for affordable health care and to protect public education in the new legislative session.
“Democrats have not held the State Senate and the Governor’s office at the same time in nearly a generation,” said Erpenbach, chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. “We have a chance to help make Wisconsin affordable once again for the middle class.”
Democratic gains in the State Senate showed Wisconsin voters were ready to make real improvements for health care, education, tax fairness and ethics reform, said Erpenbach.
“Senate Democrats will be working with Governor Doyle to move Wisconsin forward,” said Erpenbach. “We have a historic opportunity to help the people of Wisconsin and the Senate will move decisively.”
Erpenbach said he was looking forward to working with members of both parties and both legislative houses in order to find common ground and real solutions to the challenges facing middle class families.
“There will be disagreements between Democrats and Republicans,” said Erpenbach. “But Senate Democrats are as committed to civility as we are to moving Wisconsin forward.”
In addition to his responsibilities as Health Chair, Erpenbach will also serve as co-chair of the Joint Committee on Tax Exemption. His other committee assignments include the Education Committee, the Campaign Finance Reform, Rural Issues & Information Technology Committee and the Transportation, Tourism & Insurance Committee.
