David Liners
Retired community organizer
Democrat
Milwaukee
Elected Experience
None
Q&A with the Candidate
Why should voters elect you?
Mine will be a clear voice for progressive change and economic fairness in Madison. Being an Assembly representative will be my fulltime job. I am a lifelong advocate for social justice, not a career politician. I will listen to constituents and will be transparent, even when I know people do not agree with me.
What is the top issue in your district? How would you address it?
People are very worried about the future of public schools. And, they are concerned about property taxes. We need to restructure the way we pay for schools (and childcare, and health care) by raising corporate and upper-income tax rates so the state can pick up a greater share of the total costs. The second biggest concern is data centers; we need a moratorium on construction while we sort it out.
How should Wisconsin government operate differently than in the past?
Wisconsin's government, especially the legislature, needs to be much more transparent. We need an end to deals made in back rooms that result in things like the $1.5 billion tax break for data center construction. We need to be open about the tradeoffs when policy is made, and we need legislators and the governor to be held accountable for their decisions. We need public hearings with adequate notice, and not just rushed hearings called after leadership has already made its decision.
What is your favorite fun Wisconsin history fact?
Wisconsin is the birthplace of so many good things: Workers' comp; primary elections; rural free mail delivery, the first kindergarten (in my hometown!), Earth Day and the electric guitar, to name a few. Though we occasionally come up with a stinker, like Joe McCarthy, we have been leaders in the U.S., and we can be again.