Why Wasserman?

What Sets Me Apart

I'm Hardworking

I've attended every single Assembly floor session since I was first elected in 1994 and have only missed six votes out of thousands taken, for a voting record of 99.87%. As a "citizen legislator" who also maintains a practice as an OB-GYN, I'm very proud to have a record that few full-time politicians are able to match. 

I bring this same work ethic to my campaign for the State Senate. People say that Wisconsin's Senate districts are too big for candidates to get out and meet the voters, but I'm proving them wrong. Each week I visit hundreds of homes in the 8^th Senate District, listening to peoples' concerns, answering their tough questions and making the case for becoming their next State Senator.  

People in the district are seeing how much I want the job and how hard I'm working for it. No one will fight for the 8^th Senate District like I will and no one will work as hard for your vote as I will. This Senate race will not be bought - it will be earned. 

I Provide First-Class Constituent Service 

First-class constituent service has always been a priority of mine, and I consider my constituents to be my employers. They should not have to come to me - I go to them. I don't rely on "listening sessions" where only a handful of people might have the time to show up. I make house calls instead.  

One of the privileges of my job is being able to meet with students of all ages. When I visit schools in the district, I don't just take a tour, give a speech and leave. I stay and talk about the importance of civic involvement and public service. During my time in the Assembly, I've met with over 10,000 4^th graders. 

I Save You Money  

Lots of politicians like to talk about saving money, but how many of them are willing to take the bus to work? By taking the Badger Bus to Madison and sharing rides with other commuters, I've saved taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars. And that doesn't take into account the costs savings from my reduced "carbon footprint." 

I do not use state-funded healthcare insurance, and I'm proud to be at the bottom of the list when it comes to collecting taxpayer reimbursement for per-diem expenses. I voluntarily reduced my per diem by 15% and even returned a scheduled raise to the state. During my years Assembly, I've saved the taxpayers of Wisconsin hundreds of thousands of dollars.  

I treat my own budget as a state legislator the same way families across the state treat theirs - I cut spending and make every dollar count.  

What I Will Accomplish in the Senate

Lower the Costs of Pharmaceutical Drugs

The first question my patients often ask me when I prescribe a medication is, "How much will it cost?" Patients should be able to fill a prescription knowing that they can afford it. I introduced legislation that would lower drug costs by exempting pharmaceutical medications from Wisconsin's minimum markup law. Passed in 1939, the minimum markup law prohibits retailers from selling goods for less than their wholesale cost.  

Because of this law, Wisconsin residents aren't able to realize the costs savings of buying many generic medications that chain pharmacies in other states sell at deeply discounted prices. Patients in Wisconsin should not have to pay $28 for blood pressure medication that sells for $4 in Illinois. It's time for lawmakers to provide some relief. 

Lower Taxes by Reducing the Size of Government 

One of the reasons why taxes are so high in Wisconsin is that we have too many layers of government bureaucracy. A perfect example is the number of counties. Having 72 counties might have made sense in the 1800s, when people traveled by horse and buggy, but it makes no sense in today's world. I authored legislation to lower the number of counties in Wisconsin by 75 percent, which would save the state millions of dollars in redundant and needless costs each year.  

For example, Appleton is in three counties; Wisconsin Dells is in four. Bayside, in my Assembly District, is in both Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties. That means multiple sets of tax records, voting lists and ballots, as well as keeping track of multiple court systems, social service agencies, highway departments, registers of deeds, sheriffs' and veterans' offices.  

Creating new county lines that do not divide communities artificially will ensure that only one county serves each city, village or town. Reducing the number of counties will provide Wisconsin's residents with real property tax relief.  

A Fair Funding Formula For Our Schools  

Wisconsin's two-thirds school funding formula has failed the 8^th Senate District. We have schools in the district closing while we send more than our fair share of tax dollars to Madison. This short-changing of our schools must end. As a State Senator, I will make fighting for a fair funding formula my top educational priority. 
 

Wasserman's Report Card

Graduate of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and the Medical College of Wisconsin

Paid for by Friends of Sheldon Wasserman, Kelly Herda, Treasurer