2010-05-12    Mike Bisbach, Iowa County GOP Chair, endorses Howard Marklein

Mike Bisbach, Chair of the Iowa County Republican Party, as endorsed Howard Marklein for the 51st Assembly District. Mr. Bisbach's endorsement is as follows:

It is with great pleasure that I take this opportunity to officially endorse Howard Marklein for the 51st Assembly Seat.  I have had the privilege to get to know Howard over the last year and have found that he is a man of great character, unquestionable integrity, deep conservative values, and unstoppable work ethic.  He has already knocked on thousands of doors in the 51st Assembly District.  Why, because he truly cares about what the people of this district have to say and is willing to listen to everyone in the district.  That is refreshing given the current “government knows best” mentality of our present Legislature.

 

Howard brings with him a broad range of experience that will make him a great representative.  He has been on the Board of Directors for a Hospital for 10 years with nearly 4 years as the Chairman.  This experience gives him the knowledge of how the Health Care system works and will enable him to make very informed decisions regarding Health Care in the future.  Howard has been a partner at an accounting firm, which gives him great insight in how to create jobs, and handle finances in a fiscally responsible manner.

 

Most importantly, Howard understands that Wisconsin’s current business climate is dismal at best.  He has made job creation in Wisconsin a centerpiece of his campaign.  It is about time we elect someone with priorities that make sense for the people of Wisconsin.  Howard understands that government spending is out of control and raising taxes is not the solution.  He will change the direction of the current administration and it’s misplaced priorities.  We will need Howard’s financial experience to get us out of our State’s current financial mess.

 

I am proud to endorse Howard Marklein, Republican Candidate for the 51st Assembly seat.  But most of all I am grateful that Howard has stepped up and is willing to take on the difficult task that lies ahead.  It is because of people like Howard that I am confident that we can get Wisconsin back on the right track and return to better times.  A strong Wisconsin economy will benefit all Wisconsinites.

2010-02-17    We're Number 1

The state contoller recently released the annual financial statements of Wisconsin for the year ended June 30, 2009. This report is based on generally accepted accounting principles(GAAP), not on the accounting gimmicks used by our state legislators and governor to "balance" the budget. The financial statements reflected a budget deficit of $2.7 billion. How does that compare to other states?

Much has been written about the state of California budget woes. California can not hold a candle to the budget deficit that our state government has created, when viewed on the basis of per capita deficit. We can now claim the dubious distinction of having the worst per capita deficit in the nation! Our per capita deficit of $445 comapres to "only" $113 for California.

It is time for our state government to operate at levels that our citizens can support. It is time to stop the deficit spending!

2010-02-04    Importance of Agriculture

On Wednesday, February 4th, I had the pleasure of attending "Ag Day at the Capitol."  It was a great event where we were able to advocate for pro-agriculture ideas at the State Capitol in Madison.   Agriculture is a vital part of our economy here in Wisconsin and I support keeping it strong!

2010-01-10    It is time to be honest with taxpayers

The state controller recently released Wisconsin's financial statements for the fiscal year ending last June 30. 

As a CPA and a taxpayer, I have an interest in this report because it more accurately reflects the state's financial condition. That's because it must follow what accountants call "generally accepted accounting principles" (or, GAAP for short). The beauty of GAAP is that it eliminates the creative accounting gimmicks that the career politicians have used for years to hide Wisconsin's true financial condition. 

According to the controller's new statements, the state general fund had a deficit of $2,711,626,000 on June 30, 2009. This means the state spent $2.7 billion more than available resources. What is even more disturbing is the underlying trend: The deficit has increased for five consecutive years. 

We cannot continue to mortgage our future--either in Washington or in Madison. It is time for the state legislature and governor to perform the duties for which they were elected. Taxpayers have every reason to expect that state government live within its means, that state spending be limited to what we, the people, can afford. 

Taxpayers recently received property tax bills with larger-than-average increases. Those tax increases are due, in large part, to state budget cuts in aids to our schools, municipalities, and counties. To avoid a repeat of that, state government needs to get its fiscal house in order, rather than shift the burden of their mismanagement to our school districts and local units of government. 

It is time to truly balance our state budget. It is time to be honest with taxpayers.

2009-12-23    Holiday greetings from Howard Marklein

I hope that you will enjoy a blessed holiday time with your family and friends. If your holiday plans include travel, may your travels be safe and stress free.

We have experienced difficult economic times. I hope that 2010 brings a better economy for all of our hard working families.

May God provide you and your families peace and joy at this holiday time!

Howard

2009-11-14    Wisconsin Needs Better Budgeting

A recent study and report by the Pew Center on the States has ranked Wisconsin's state budget as one of the top ten worst in the country.  The study made comparisons between Wisconsin and California based on budget problems.  In fact, Wisconsin was ranked worse than New York.

Click here to read more about the study.

We can and must do better.  Our state's fiscal health must become a priority.

I have a simple idea to improve this problem:  start running our government's budget like any family or small business would have to.  We must stop the state from spending more than we bring in and eliminate the harmful borrowing of billions on the states credit card.  

One solution I support to greatly improve our state budget problems is to implement Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).  This measure would put an end to the harmful budgeting gimmicks that have plagued our state budget for years.  As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) of nearly 30 years, I believe I have the experience and vision to help guide our state budget out of the red.



2009-11-12    Endorsement: Lafayette County GOP Chair

Howard Marklein recently received the endorsement of Denise Dammen. Denise is the Chair of the Lafayette County Republican Party.

Denise Dammen's endorsement included the following comments:

"It is an honor and a privilege to endorse Howard Marklein as our next candidate for Representative of the 51st Wisconsin District.  He has passion and truly cares about his family and "we, the people." He has strong moral values and responsible spending habits.  He has the energy, the intelligence and the strength to fight for this community; for job growth and fiscal sanity.  He believes we should live within our means, not keep adding more taxation to the American people, especially during this stressful economy."

2009-09-03    The Monroe Times Article

Click on the link below to read a recent story published about Howard's campaign:

http://www.themonroetimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=13776

2009-07-20    Accounting gimmicks have a cost

For several years, Wisconsin has used various accounting gimmicks and creative "solutions" to plug holes in our state budget. The reality is that these tricks were short term and easy solutions to a more serious fundamental problem with our state finances.

So what are the long term consequences of these budget gimmicks? Contrast how another state used its tobacco settlement compared to Wisconsin. Which state made the better investment?

Reprinted from Focus by the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance:

"After investing $1.2 billion in the past decade, North Carolina has over 54,000 people working in about 500 biotech firms, third only to California and Massachusetts. Part of Carolina's funding came from tobacco industry payments. Wisconsin used those funds to "balance" budgets."
June 29, 2009; No. 11

There is a cost for using accounting gimmicks to "balance" our state budget!

2009-07-16    Follow Me on Facebook

Vist my new facebook page and become a fan to get updates about the campaign:

www.facebook.com/howardmarklein

2009-07-09    Howard Marklein announces candidacy for State Assembly

Howard Marklein announced today his candidacy for the 51st Assembly District.

 

“As I listen to people in our district, it is obvious that jobs and the economic climate is foremost on people’s minds”, said Marklein.  “People are concerned about their future.  I believe that we need to encourage private sector job creation in Wisconsin, rather than drive business and jobs from this state.”

 

Marklein is a CPA and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).  He has spent over 30 years in the public accounting field, and has worked with business, not-for-profits and governmental units during his career.  Marklein served for ten years on the Board of Directors of a community hospital, including almost four years as its Board Chair.

 

“The hard working people of this District are telling me that they are not happy with the level of state government spending and with the pork included in the state budget,” said Marklein. “As a CPA I know the importance to our citizens of keeping our spending at affordable levels. I believe we need the same common sense decision making in Madison that occurs on a daily basis out here in the real world.”

 

The 51st Assembly District includes the southern half of Sauk County, Iowa County, the majority of Lafayette County, and a small portion of Richland County.

 

“Like many citizens in the 51st Assembly District, I have observed with a great deal of frustration the development of the state budget by the current administration and legislature,” said Marklein.  “The approved budget contains policy items that have no business being included in the budget. These policy items deserve to be debated out in the open, and not included as an obscure part of our fiscal budget.  I will fight to have these issues removed from future budgets.”

 

Marklein is a 1972 graduate of River Valley High School.  He earned his BBA in accounting at UW-Whitewater in 1976. Marklein lives outside of Spring Green in Wilson Creek, near the dairy farm where he was raised. He will run on the Republican ticket.