Scott has had a bunch of personal and financial issues that don’t sit to well with me. I completely understand that people can have these problems but they’re adding up over in the Newcomer camp and I tend to try to hold my elected officials to a higher standard. If people make the laws, they should be able to follow them. If people are in charge of how much my financial responsibility is to the state, then they should be responsible enough to handle their own finances.

I’m not exactly wild about the private lives and private finances of public officials becoming an issue unless there is some compelling reason.

I think the issue in the Newcomer case is whether the accumulation of personal scandal amounts to a larger concern for the voters in the district. The Journal Sentinel had the list:

In July, Newcomer reported to police that Keith Brouwer of Hartland had been going to Lake Country Pool and Spa stores, of which Newcomer is co-owner, and harassed employees and customers. Newcomer filed for divorce from his wife in August, and Brouwer accused Newcomer of having an affair with his wife last year.

Newcomer has other problems as well, according to court documents.

American Express Bank filed a lawsuit against Newcomer and Lake Country Pools LLC, claiming the business has $35,015 in unpaid credit card bills.

Also, the state Department of Revenue has filed seven tax warrants against the business for delinquent taxes totaling more than $31,000. Newcomer has said he is not affiliated with Lake Country Pools LLC.

This year, four lawsuits have also been filed against the firm, naming Brouwer’s ex-wife as well as four small claims. Two of the lawsuits have been settled, totaling nearly $30,000 in judgments.

Joe DeKlotz, Newcomer’s primary election opponent, has his website up. I don’t think it’s an accident the prominence of “values” on his website. These are just the first four:

1. Live up to your commitments and keep your word.
2. Be open, honest, and available to everyone you support.
3. Be consistent and transparent when making decision.
4. Hold people (and Government Officials) accountable for their actions; actions do have consequences.

It will be interesting to see if anyone else jumps into the race. When Newcomer was first elected in the district, five Republicans competed in the primary.

He has been named in lawsuits related to his business, and the ex-husband of a business partner has repeatedly made threats against Newcomer’s life. Newcomer and his wife also have filed for divorce.

The man allegedly threatening Newcomer alleges that Newcomer is having an affair with the man’s wife. Newcomer also had a number of financial issues surrounding the sale of his home in Elm Grove, his actual residence at the time he was elected to the Assembly from Delafield.

Newcomer does have a primary challenger, Joe DeKlotz of Delafield. It will be interesting to see if the voters in the 33rd Assembly District (mostly western Waukesha County) will hold Newcomer’s personal life against him, or if the election will be a referendum on his conservative voting record.

Given that it is a Republican seat in what is likely a Republican year, it’s likely the winner of the Republican primary will win the general election.

That said, I don’t know if there’s any larger point to be made other than we shouldn’t be surprised if any of our state representatives experience financial difficulties, especially of this kind, in our current economy.

Newcomer told the newspaper that the property is being sold in a short sale and that the issue has been resolved. Had it been any other state representative, or had it been another property, I doubt the item would have rated a mention.

Assembly Republicans today elected Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald of Horicon as minority leader and Rep. Mark Gottlieb of Port Washington as assistant minority leader.

“Our focus is going to be getting back in the majority,” Fitzgerald told his colleagues.

Fitzgerald defeated Rep. Scott Newcomer of Hartland; Gottlieb beat Rep. Leah Vukmir of Wauwatosa.

Of Gottlieb, one lobbyist is said to have remarked, “No Republican should win the League of Municipalities Outstanding Legislator Award.” You know, everyone liked Congressman Bob Michel, too. He spent his whole career in the minority. 38 years.

Meanwhile,

Members also elected Rep. Scott Suder of Abbotsford as caucus chairman. He defeated Rep. Mark Honadel, who made an unsuccessful run to stay on as caucus chairman.

Joel Kleefisch of Oconomowoc was voted caucus vice chairman.

Wauwatosa representative Leah Vukmir is in line for assistant minority leader. If there’s a challenge it may be from Mark Gundrum. Either way that means southeastern Wisconsin.

Finally, it looks like Scott Suder for Caucus Chairman. The leadership elections look like they will be held on Monday.

Rather than continuing to take beatings from their local elected officials, they simply pack up and move to tax-friendlier climes. This is in part, why Milwaukee’s population continues to decline, while its suburbs are all growing rapidly. The people that can move do, leaving the people who can’t afford to move to pick up the property tax tab.

Long time Wigderson Library & Pub readers will love the illustration:

Other topics include the proposed hospital tax, cable TV and football, and a roundup of the latest referendum results.

Find classic movies at Amazon.com

Rather than continuing to take beatings from their local elected officials, they simply pack up and move to tax-friendlier climes. This is in part, why Milwaukee’s population continues to decline, while its suburbs are all growing rapidly. The people that can move do, leaving the people who can’t afford to move to pick up the property tax tab.

Long time Wigderson Library & Pub readers will love the illustration:

Other topics include the proposed hospital tax, cable TV and football, and a roundup of the latest referendum results.

Find classic movies at Amazon.com

“Today I have a choice to stand up for families and taxpayers, make them a priority and work to move Wisconsin out of the top ten list of highest taxed states, or side with bureaucracy and exasperate our already too-high tax burden. The choice for me is simple- I will side with families and taxpayers every time. Anytime we raise taxes, spend on the government credit card, or expand bureaucracy, we cut real income from household budgets throughout Wisconsin.

The bottom line is simple; this budget fails to make our state more competitive or to do what is needed to get our economy moving forward again. It raises taxes by $420 million, and raids $200 million from the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund. It puts bureaucracy first by creating one of the largest state agencies in history by creating the Department of Children and Families.

While I applaud Speaker Huebsch for forcing the Democrats to back down from numerous ill-advised tax increases, including the $15.2 billion Healthy Wisconsin payroll tax, $418 million sick tax, $277 million gas tax, $142 million home tax, $35 million nursing home bed tax, even the $5.6 million tax on filing taxes, because of Governor Doyle’s insistence on higher taxes and expanded bureaucracy, this budget is a still bad deal for taxpayers.

Wisconsin’s tax burden is one of the highest in the nation. This budget does not move our state in the right direction.”

Find classic movies at Amazon.com

“Today I have a choice to stand up for families and taxpayers, make them a priority and work to move Wisconsin out of the top ten list of highest taxed states, or side with bureaucracy and exasperate our already too-high tax burden. The choice for me is simple- I will side with families and taxpayers every time. Anytime we raise taxes, spend on the government credit card, or expand bureaucracy, we cut real income from household budgets throughout Wisconsin.

The bottom line is simple; this budget fails to make our state more competitive or to do what is needed to get our economy moving forward again. It raises taxes by $420 million, and raids $200 million from the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund. It puts bureaucracy first by creating one of the largest state agencies in history by creating the Department of Children and Families.

While I applaud Speaker Huebsch for forcing the Democrats to back down from numerous ill-advised tax increases, including the $15.2 billion Healthy Wisconsin payroll tax, $418 million sick tax, $277 million gas tax, $142 million home tax, $35 million nursing home bed tax, even the $5.6 million tax on filing taxes, because of Governor Doyle’s insistence on higher taxes and expanded bureaucracy, this budget is a still bad deal for taxpayers.

Wisconsin’s tax burden is one of the highest in the nation. This budget does not move our state in the right direction.”

Find classic movies at Amazon.com

Today, State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) called on Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen to investigate the Doyle Administration’s procurement process following the indictment of Larry J. Lupton, a vice president for UGL Equis Corporation. Mr. Lupton is the real estate agent for the State of Wisconsin, responsible for the sale of the State Department of Administration Building in Madison.

“I am calling for an investigation into the Doyle Administration’s procurement process by the Attorney General of Wisconsin. The sole real estate agent for the State of Wisconsin has been charged with taking $75,000 in kickbacks. The public deserves to know the facts and we have the responsibility to fix the system that allowed this to happen,” Kanavas stated.

According to a news release issued by the United States Department of Justice, Mr. Lupton, hired by the Doyle Administration, was charged with wire fraud and corruptly soliciting an improper payment. The report indicates Mr. Lupton allegedly sought $75,000 in kickbacks from a potential bidder. If convicted Mr. Lupton faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of $500,000.

“Something is seriously wrong with this process. Governor Doyle has entered into an exclusive contract with the Equis Corporation to sell the State Department of Administration building for $30 million to backfill his budget. That’s wrong,” Kanavas concluded.

On March 31, 2006, Senator Kanavas along with State Representative Scott Newcomer (R-Delafield) sent a letter to Governor Doyle requesting a review of the state contract with the Equis Corporation. The letter asked Governor Doyle to rescind the agreement that the Department of Administration entered into with UGL Equis granting them the right to broker surplus state property.

Governor Doyle’s people know the drill at this point: Statement from DOA Secretary

Michael Morgan on Equis charges
5/10/2007

Equis owed the State of Wisconsin an obligation to act strictly on our behalf. These allegations, if true, demonstrate a serious breech of that obligation. We are cancelling the contract and reviewing our legal options to recoup any taxpayer loss.

Here’s part of the statement from Biskupic and JB Van Hollen, (click to enlarge in a new window)

I’m going to make my prediction now and stand by it – Neither Governor Doyle nor anyone in his administration will ever face a criminal charge as a result of the charges against Larry Lupton.

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