Kathleen Vinehout in State of Wisconsin Archives

On Abortion: Respect woman's right to make her own decision on abortion

We can do better in making sure all women and babies are safe and healthy. We know that more than half of the unplanned pregnancies result from the few women who can't easily access women's health services. As Governor, I will expand pre-natal care, childcare, and support services for mothers with young children. Having a baby or an abortion is an intensely personal decision. Such a decision is private and emotional. We must respect her choice. Source: 2018 Wisconsin Gubernatorial website KathleenVinehout.org Feb 22, 2018

On Budget & Economy: Investing in more support for people helps economy thrive

Budgets are a blueprint of our priorities. What we spend state dollars on truly reflects what we value for our people and our communities. When government provides the supports that increase opportunities for people, the economy thrives. The corporate think tanks tell us that the "business climate" is good when the choice is low taxes and few regulations. But, research tells us the states with good public services are the states that thrive. Source: 2018 Wisconsin Gubernatorial website KathleenVinehout.org Feb 22, 2018

On Civil Rights: Equality requires real change and hard work by everyone

To address the problems surrounding inequality, race, and justice will take a lot of hard work by a lot of people, in every community, and from every walk of life. We have to change the political, economic and social structures that continue to contribute to our present experience. Source: 2018 Wisconsin Gubernatorial website KathleenVinehout.org Feb 22, 2018

On Crime: Revamp policies so we don't jail so many

We have to change our criminal laws so we are not jailing twice as many of our citizens as Minnesota. Truth in Sentencing standards need to be changed. Bail procedures must be changed. We need treatment alternatives to prison for those with substance abuse and mental health problems. We need more effective probation and parole. Supports are essential in helping those released from prison to reintegrate into our communities. Source: 2018 Wisconsin Gubernatorial website KathleenVinehout.org Feb 22, 2018

On Education: Let's get back to old fashioned teaching in the schools

We have to rethink how we go about educating our children and what we want to accomplish. The creativity, excitement and challenge of teaching have been stifled by rules, regulations and testing requirements. We spend so much time and money on testing and evaluating that teachers don't have the time to teach or the resources and energy to try innovative approaches. We need a different plan. Source: 2018 Wisconsin Gubernatorial website KathleenVinehout.org Feb 22, 2018

On Environment: Preserve natural resources for future generations

We put people first when our air, water, natural resources are preserved and enhanced for everyone's use and enjoyment. We put people first when our children, our grandchildren, our great grandchildren inherit the blessings of the land, sky and water from us. Their future welfare is our obligation. Don't put pollutants into the air. Don't put contaminants into water. Go back to having DNR run by an independent Secretary appointed by the Natural Resources. Source: 2018 Wisconsin Gubernatorial website KathleenVinehout.org Feb 22, 2018

On Government Reform: Eliminate the tools that diminish our democracy

Democracy is a set of rules that allows all of us to participate in making community decisions. At its best, democracy puts people first. People are first when the rules make voting easy, allow for more public participation, more openness, more disclosure, and more public discussion. Restrictions on voting, floods of corporate money, and speed and secrecy in the making of laws are the tools of those who seek to centralize control, restrict democratic practices, and take power from the people. Source: 2018 Wisconsin Gubernatorial website KathleenVinehout.org Feb 22, 2018

On Health Care: Healthcare is more than a right; it's a moral obligation

It's our responsibility as a society to make sure that nobody goes without health care. People who are sick shouldn't have to worry about how to pay the bills. They should focus on becoming healthy. Healthcare is more than a right. It's a moral obligation of civilized society to all of its members. The Badger Health Benefits plan that I have authored would give Wisconsin the ability to assure patients and providers that our healthcare system will be stable despite changes at the federal level. Source: 2018 Wisconsin Gubernatorial website KathleenVinehout.org Feb 22, 2018

On Jobs: No magic formula to more jobs, just create the environment

Study after study demonstrates people want to live and businesses want to locate where there are great schools, good transportation, safe streets, recreation opportunities, clean air and water, and amenities--all things that are the traditional jobs of the public sector. If the public sector does these things well, does its own job well, our communities will thrive, businesses will locate, jobs will come." What the state can do is create an environment in which the private sector thrives. Source: 2018 Wisconsin Gubernatorial website KathleenVinehout.org Feb 22, 2018

On Welfare & Poverty: As a society, we must help and support those that need it

All of us at some time need support from our community. We put people first when, as a community, we provide those supports that give individuals the opportunity to live their lives more fully. We put people first when those who work don't have to worry about child care. We put people first when we fund alternatives to incarceration.ÿWhen we provide treatment instead of punishment for addiction and mental health illness. We put people first when we provide support for those with disabilities. Source: 2018 Wisconsin Gubernatorial website KathleenVinehout.org Feb 22, 2018

On Immigration: Farmers want their immigrant workers able to obtain licenses

Concerns about immigration and police actions worry farmers whose livelihoods depend on the skills of their devoted workers. "We hire good, hardworking, legal Mexican farm laborers who have families," said one Pierce County farm couple. "They are continuously getting pulled over by police in the morning and receiving tickets for operating without a license." The couple was frustrated that legislative leaders were not taking up a bill to allow undocumented farm workers to get a driver's license. Source: The Cap Times on 2018 Wisconsin Gubernatorial race Feb 3, 2018

On Corporations: New businesses need local services and cultural amenities

"When looking to build, relocate or expand in a state, company after company emphasizes they look for good schools, skilled workers, a transportation network, safe streets, efficient local services, clean air and water, recreation opportunities, and cultural amenities," Vinehout said. "That is where we should be spending the public's tax dollars." Source: Journal Sentinel on 2018 Wisconsin Gubernatorial race Sep 25, 2017

On Drugs: 30% budget cuts but shift to drug addiction and recovery

Every dollar spent in the budget is a choice. Past budget cuts had serious consequences. An aging population, more mental health and drug addiction problems, and increasing childhood poverty are straining our capacity to respond. Addiction recovery, increasing mental health provider payments, caring for our elders and disabled and prenatal outreach are all changes I choose to make in the health budget. Moving administrative functions in-house rather than out-sourcing would cut costs by 30%. Source: Tomah Journal on 2018 Wisconsin Gubernatorial race Jun 5, 2017

On Tax Reform: $1.7B in business tax breaks should shift to schools

Democratic state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout has actually put a number on the cost of all income and property tax cuts, manufacturing credits, and other tax breaks: $1.7 billion. To her, these are giveaways that may not even sway the decisions companies make about where to invest. That investment would do much more for the state's long-term economic health if it went to public schools, she argues.ÿ Source: Christian Science Monitor on 2018 Wisconsin Governor race Nov 3, 2016

On Families & Children: Fan of Family Care programs defeating privatization

The frail elderly and disabled, and their families, learned the governor sought to privatize the successful Family Care and IRIS programs, handing them over to a few large insurance companies. More than 200 statewide and local organizations jointly passed a resolution against the governor's plan. The unconscionable actions by the governor and his legislative allies caused chaos in so many lives. However, a fighting spirit brought about the death of their very ill-conceived idea. Source: The Cap Times on 2018 Wisconsin Gubernatorial race Jun 17, 2016

On Gun Control: NRA "A" rating on gun rights reflects constituents' culture

Vinehout has received an "A" rating from the NRA. She also defended her pro-gun voting history and support for Castle Doctrine when I asked her about it, noting that 75% of her constituents wanted her to vote in favor of it and stressing that rural Wisconsin is "a different world" where guns and hunting are a large part of "our culture."ÿ Source: Monologues of Dissent on 2018 Wisconsin Gubernatorial race Dec 10, 2013

The above quotations are from State of Wisconsin Politicians: Archives. Click here for other excerpts from State of Wisconsin Politicians: Archives. Click here for other excerpts by Kathleen Vinehout. Click here for a profile of Kathleen Vinehout.
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Page last updated: Jan 29, 2021