Progressive Thinking

Senator Smith writes about green energy tax credits now available to homeowners thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act which passed in 2022.

EAU CLAIRE, WI - As the ranking Democratic member on the Senate Utilities Committee, I’ve spent much of my career fighting to make utility costs more affordable for families while addressing the urgent need to transition to cleaner energy.

There’s only so much we can do as policymakers for families to afford their energy costs. Oftentimes, it takes planning and action from individuals to capitalize on new incentives. There are a lot of opportunities for families to save money with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed by the federal government in 2022. Now is a great time to consider taking concrete steps to help your family lower the cost of owning and maintaining your home. By providing incentives for energy-efficient home upgrades and solar panels, and even electric vehicles, the IRA is not only helping Wisconsinites save money, but also moving us to a greener economy.

The IRA offers substantial support for energy-efficient home upgrades, which can have a massive impact on both utility bills and environmental sustainability. For instance, proper insulation and air sealing can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 20%. With tax credits available for these improvements, homeowners can now afford to make those critical upgrades that pay off in the long run. And for anyone unsure where to start, the IRA covers the cost of home energy audits, so families can get expert advice on how to make their homes more energy efficient.

In addition to making homes more efficient, the IRA also makes it easier for families to generate their own clean energy. One of the most effective ways to do this is by installing rooftop solar panels. Tax credits now cover 30% of the installation costs, and these can be combined with state-level incentives to bring the cost down even further. Families who install solar panels can save about $300 per year, or $9,000 over the life of the system.

Heating and cooling costs are a great way to save money too. Heat pumps can transfer heating and cooling more efficiently through the home and they are becoming more efficient than traditional systems. In Wisconsin’s brutal winters, heat pumps can make a significant difference. Through the IRA, families can claim tax credits of up to $2,000 for heat pump installations, with state programs offering additional rebates that cover up to 90-100% of the costs for low-income households. This means that thousands of families in our state could have new, energy-efficient systems installed for little or no cost.

Here in Wisconsin, we’ve received $150 million to help homeowners make these green upgrades. Under our HOME Rebates program, families can receive up to $4,000 for energy-efficient retrofits, and under the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program, low-income households can receive up to $14,000 for electrical upgrades.

While taking advantage of home efficiency incentives, people can also save money while going to and from home with the expansion of tax credits for electric vehicles (EV’s). These credits are available now for up to $7,500 for new vehicles, or $4,000 for used ones, and are helping families save an average of $950 per year on fuel costs. To qualify, a married couple would need to make less than $300,000, or $150,000 for individuals which ensures the credits are targeted toward middle and low-income households. The vehicles must also be built in North America.

By taking advantage of these new incentives, families can make their homes more affordable, save money while also helping us tackle the climate crisis. Now is the time to act for energy efficiency so you can keep a little extra of your hard-earned money.

Senator Smith represents District 31 in the Wisconsin State Senate. The 31st Senate District includes all of Buffalo, Pepin and Trempealeau counties and portions of Pierce, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson and St. Croix counties.

Trump’s claim that he is a "protector" of women falls apart when placed under even the slightest scrutiny. Women are far more aware of Trump’s contradictions than he gives them credit for.

LAKE GENEVA, WI - In recent attempts to court female voters, Donald Trump has rebranded himself as the "protector" of women. At rallies across Pennsylvania and North Carolina, he boldly declared that under his leadership, women would be safer, healthier, and happier. He even went so far as to claim that if re-elected, women would “no longer be thinking about abortion,” as if the controversy surrounding reproductive rights would magically disappear with a stroke of his hand. But this narrative is as false as it is insulting.

Trump’s self-proclaimed title of "protector" is laughable, considering his pivotal role in stripping women of their constitutional right to choose. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade—a victory Trump openly boasts about—has ignited protests and mobilized women across the country. His appointment of three conservative justices was central to this ruling, a direct attack on women’s rights. Yet, Trump now tries to downplay the significance of abortion, acting as if handing the issue back to the states has settled the matter. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The contradiction in Trump's stance is blatant. He says he will “take care” of women, but his actions over the years reveal someone far more interested in controlling and belittling them. His campaign’s message of protection rings hollow when you consider his troubling history with women. In 2022, Trump was found liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll. He has publicly insulted women for their appearances, questioned their intelligence, and belittled their contributions. How can anyone seriously believe that this man, who has repeatedly attacked women, now positions himself as their guardian?

Trump’s remarks about women being "happier, healthier, and more confident" under his leadership are not only condescending, but they're also dismissive of the real challenges women face. His solution to abortion? Make it a state issue and pretend that resolves everything. But this isn’t protection—it’s avoidance. He’s not advocating for women’s autonomy or safety; he’s simply sidestepping the issue, leaving it to individual states to decide whether a woman has control over her own body. That’s not protection—it’s control, wrapped up in a false promise.

While some women at his rallies may support the idea of leaving abortion to the states, others see through this charade. Laura Hinton, one such attendee, expressed her "mixed emotions" on the topic, acknowledging the importance of reproductive rights while questioning whether it would stop her from voting for Trump. This illustrates the broader division among women voters. But one thing is clear: women know when they are being patronized, and Trump’s attempt to simplify a deeply personal issue shows just how disconnected he is from the realities of women’s lives.

Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris has offered a stark contrast, addressing women’s rights with clarity and urgency. She calls out Trump’s hypocrisy and the damage his policies have inflicted. Harris understands that true protection means ensuring that women have the freedom to make choices about their own bodies. It means supporting their autonomy, health, and rights—not using them as political pawns.

Trump’s claim that he is a "protector" of women falls apart when placed under even the slightest scrutiny. His track record is one of attacks, insults, and undermining women’s rights. His recent comments feel more like an attempt to control women’s choices than any genuine offer of protection. The truth is, women don’t need someone to "take care" of them—they need a leader who respects their independence, their intelligence, and their rights.

Women are far more aware of Trump’s contradictions than he gives them credit for. They know that actions speak louder than words, and Trump’s actions have consistently proven that he is no protector. He is the attacker who pretends to defend, but women see right through the façade.

Senator Smith writes about the glaring gap in school funding for special needs students which is contributing to the price tag of referendum questions asking voters to make up for the shortfall.

EAU CLAIRE, WI - Over the past decade, you’ve probably noticed more and more referenda questions on your ballot to help fund your local school districts. While there are many reasons for why a school would request an increase in funding, such as facility improvements, better teacher pay or even to cover their standard operating costs, it seems Wisconsin’s lack of state funding for special education could be an underlying motivator.

Under federal law, Wisconsin’s public schools are required to meet the needs of students with disabilities, regardless of how much it costs to provide that service. Currently, our public schools receive a base reimbursement rate of 33% from the state to help pay for special education, but this then leaves them to pay the remaining costs. While some public schools in wealthier districts can help cover these expenses with referenda, our rural public schools in Western Wisconsin are not always able to.

This system is not sustainable for Wisconsin. This last spring, only 60% of all school referenda throughout the state were passed. While those of us in western Wisconsin tend to pass referenda to fund schools, this is not a viable long-term solution. In the last state budget, Governor Evers recognized this funding shortfall and put forward a plan to get the state to a 60% reimbursement rate while paving the way to achieve 90% in future budgets. But, Republicans in the state legislature rejected the proposal, leaving our public schools high and dry.

This gap in funding means school districts have to supplement the cost of special education in other ways. Most often, this means our schools are required to pull funding from their general fund to cover the rest of the special education cost. The lack of state funding for special education does not only impact the students who require special education services, it impacts the entire student body. Whether that be the need to cut back on teachers’ salaries or not being able to purchase classroom materials, school districts in western Wisconsin are struggling to make do with the little funding they receive.

On the November 5th ballot this year, the Eau Claire Area School District will be asking for a 4-year $18 million per year referendum to help cover their operating costs. When comparing this to the unfunded special education costs the school faced in the 2022-23 school year, the result is shocking. The school district had to pay roughly $17.9 million on special education, meaning that roughly 99.6% of the Eau Claire Area School District’s shortfall could be attributed to the state’s lack of special education funding.

Public schools are federally mandated to educate all children with disabilities by providing them with a free public education they deserve. But when our Republican-controlled state legislature continuously fails to provide funding for these services, citizens are on the hook for continual referenda to raise taxes.

As we head into the new year and approach another budget session, we must remember this funding gap and push state legislators to do their job for our schools. Increasing the special education reimbursement rate will help all students in our Wisconsin school districts by freeing up funding that could go to the entire student population. Republicans must be held accountable for failing our state’s public schools.

Senator Smith represents District 31 in the Wisconsin State Senate. The 31st Senate District includes all of Buffalo, Pepin and Trempealeau counties and portions of Pierce, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson and St. Croix counties.

Trump’s rhetoric tries to make it seem like the economy is on the brink of collapse, but the truth is, we are on the verge of the "soft landing" we've all been hoping for.

LAKE GENEVA, WI - Trump is full of shit when he talks about the economy, because the facts just don't support his claims. He paints a picture of a failing economy, but in reality, the Federal Reserve's recent moves show that we're in a much better place than he would have us believe.

Let's be clear: inflation, which peaked at 7.1% in June 2022, has dropped down to 2.5% today. That didn’t happen by accident. It took strong, decisive action from the Fed to raise interest rates and cool off the economy. Sure, it wasn't easy for everyone—families dealt with higher mortgage rates, and businesses had a harder time borrowing—but this "short-term pain" was crucial for long-term stability. And guess what? It worked. Inflation is now under control, nearing the Fed’s 2% target.

Meanwhile, unemployment has ticked up slightly to 4.2%, but that’s still historically low. Let’s not forget, Trump loves to brag about the job numbers during his term, but the economy now has more jobs than were forecasted before COVID hit, and this recovery has been strong, thanks in part to immigrants boosting the labor market. So when Trump says the economy is a disaster, he's conveniently ignoring the facts—unemployment remains low, and inflation is under control.

Trump also conveniently leaves out the Fed’s smart moves to lower interest rates recently. The Fed knows what it's doing—they slashed the federal funds rate from 5.3% to 4.8%, and mortgage rates are already falling in response. This helps prevent unemployment from rising any further. And some economists wanted the Fed to wait until inflation hit 2% before cutting rates, but that would’ve been a mistake. The Fed rightly understood that lowering rates now would help avoid a bigger unemployment problem down the road.

Trump’s rhetoric tries to make it seem like the economy is on the brink of collapse, but the truth is, we are on the verge of the "soft landing" we've all been hoping for—a scenario where inflation falls back to 2% without sparking a recession. The Fed’s actions, which Trump would no doubt criticize, are bringing us closer to that goal.

Trump’s critiques of the economy are nothing more than political hot air, ignoring the real progress that’s been made. The facts speak for themselves: inflation is down, unemployment remains low, and the Fed’s strategic rate cuts are setting the stage for continued economic stability. Trump’s doom-and-gloom narrative simply doesn’t hold water.

Senator Smith writes about the innovative approach some county health departments are taking to address the opioid overdoes epidemic by offering free vending machines with Narcan, and other items like gunlocks and fentanyl test strips.

MADISON - Fentanyl is an extremely powerful synthetic opioid, which is 50 times more powerful than heroin, and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is typically used to treat severe pain following major surgeries with strict oversight from nursing staff and doctors who understand how life threatening even a small amount can be. It only takes a two-milligram dose (equal in size to a few grains of salt) to cause an overdose of an average sized adult. Now that fentanyl is getting laced with other street drugs, people young and old are dying at an alarming rate by mistake. Even though the risks of accidental overdoses are real, the good news is that these deaths are preventable.

More and more, awareness is increasing about how effective overdose reversal drugs like Narcan are at saving lives and give people struggling with drug addiction another chance at recovery. The introduction of harm reduction kiosks in Eau Claire and Dunn Counties reflects an evolving, pragmatic approach to this public health nightmare. These kiosk vending machines provide free access to items like naloxone (aka Narcan), which can quickly reverse an opioid overdose. Other items at these vending machines include fentanyl test strips people can use to see if the something they are about to take has been laced with the powerful drug.

Since making a free vending machine available to the public last June at the Eau Claire County Jail lobby, they have dispensed a total of 2,188 doses of Narcan and 3,090 fentanyl test strips.

Dunn County installed their vending machine in July at the Health Department building and they go even further by offering additional items like gunlocks, Deterra bags to neutralize and dispose of drugs, menstruation products, condoms and even socks.

Earlier this summer, Eau Claire, Chippewa and Dunn County each released a community health report regarding the biggest issues facing each community. While the three main concerns facing all three counties were alcohol misuse, accessible childcare and access to health care, the report also noted substance abuse as a major issue.

Between 2018 and 2022, 82 people died due to drug overdoses in Eau Claire County and 62 of those deaths (76%) were opioid-related. During the same timeframe, more than 488 suspected nonfatal opioid overdoses occurred in Eau Claire County.

In 2021, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services found that fentanyl caused 91% of opioid deaths statewide. Provisional data from DHS shows there were 1,358 opioid overdose or poisoning deaths in 2022, a slight decrease from 2021, but it was still a 62% increase from five years ago.

I want to applaud the work of our county health departments for coming up with innovative and accessible solutions like these harm reduction kiosks. They may not be the silver bullet for solving incredibly complicated issues, but they provide a bridge to treatment and recovery services while reducing the burden on emergency services by helping individuals avoid fatal overdoses.

It’s clear these vending machines are practical and effective because they are anonymous and free for anyone to use. My plea for families is to have these lifesaving products in your home, in your car or any place you could find someone who might need them. People who need these items may not use the kiosks, but citizens having these items nearby might just be the way to save a friend or family member who struggles with addiction. You might just save someone’s life, or your own, one day.

Senator Smith represents District 31 in the Wisconsin State Senate. The 31st Senate District includes all of Buffalo, Pepin and Trempealeau counties and portions of Pierce, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson and St. Croix counties.