June 11, 2018, Kewaskum, Wisconsin

Today Jesse Kremer, the Representative for the 59th Assembly District, announced his support for Ty Bodden as his successor.  Rep. Kremer, a citizen-legislator who had no political experience prior to running for office in 2014, was a champion of pro-life legislation, school security concerns, free speech protections, welfare reform, and took the federal government to task through a variety of federalism proposals.

Rep. Kremer issued the following statement regarding Ty, “I am proud to support Ty Bodden and endorse him as my family’s next representative and the voice of the entire 59th Assembly District in Madison.  Ty is young, energetic, an independent thinker and one who espouses staunch protections for the pre-born and has vowed to defend those freedoms we cherish most – including the 1st and 2nd amendments to the US Constitution.  Ty is a strong family man whose Christian upbringing and morals have grounded him as an honest citizen who has the integrity and to hold firm to those values in Madison.”

Ty assisted Rep. Kremer as the campaign manager in the northern half of the district in 2014 and also interned with the Kremer office for several months during Kremer’s first term.

By Rep. Jesse Kremer

July 31, 2017, Kewaskum, Wisconsin

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Although initially well-intentioned, government agencies operated by un-elected, ideological bureaucrats at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been promoting over-the-top environmentalist policies at the behest of the “green” movement. Many of these well-intentioned, but futilely useless policies have had devastating effects at the expense of family supporting jobs, small businesses and the quality of life for lower, middle and fixed income classes. While we should encourage stewardship of the blessings we have been given, we must be cautious that we do not worship at the altar of planet earth.

The heavy hand of the EPA and DNR have been decimating economic growth in select regions of Wisconsin by creating artificial, government sanctioned, economic inequality from one region to the next. These locales have been dubbed “No Growth Zones”. Case in point: Sheboygan County. Two air quality monitors are located in the county. One is illogically placed upwind of the factories and located on the shores of Lake Michigan. The second one, quite rationally, is located downwind of factories with atmospheric emissions. The upwind monitor collects transit air that has been percolating over the lake from a few larger cities south of our border – Chicago, for example. Interestingly, the more accurately placed monitor falls within EPA limits, but the arbitrarily placed monitor that doesn’t even sample Sheboygan emissions is not. This unscientifically placed monitor is the EPA’s stalwart and has elicited an F air quality score by the American Lung Association, a score that would remain an F even if the county did not have a single resident or operating motor within its borders! No one is against clean air standards, just the complete lack of common sense and scientifically inept location of a monitor by government bureaucrats. Why should a small business in this “No-Growth Zone” be required to spend 3-4 months on red tape approving a new piece of machinery while a similarly sized company a few miles away in another county can install that same equipment in a matter of weeks? And then there is the issue of reformulated gas. If it is such a great idea, then why doesn’t everyone in the country and every gas station have to provide these blends? Reformulated fuel blends (RFG) have been harming hundreds of small business owners and countless residents in the six county region of SE Wisconsin for decades. Who wouldn’t cross over the county line to save ten cents per gallon if they were just a few miles from the border? One small business owner near a “No Growth Zone’s” county line recently told me that he lost nearly 50% of his business since the 1990’s Congressional solution: “The Clean Air Act”.

Manipulations by government to artificially and arbitrarily stifle the economy affect everyone – from seniors fueling their vehicles on a fixed income to the business owners that have to deal with cumbersome red tape and ultimately, the lower wage employees who lost their jobs at the behest of big brother D.C. or Madison when sales went south. It is time to for us to wake up, eliminate the status quo, and force the hand of the un-elected within government to end their ideological stranglehold on our economy and society as a whole.

By Rep. Jesse Kremer

June 8, 2017, Madison, Wisconsin

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Representative Jesse Kremer (R-Kewaskum) issued the following statement regarding the elitist media losing their minds over someone with a different opinion.

“I appreciate the concerns of my Democrat colleagues and the liberal media for providing some well-timed lightheartedness and comedic relief with their inquiries and stories related to a vital policy issue – the age of the earth. Wisconsin has completely skipped fake news and progressed to no news. Apparently this crisis trumps the need to report on the increase in shootings, carjackings, or the drug epidemic, and our Republican led solutions.

Interestingly enough, my hypothesis regarding the need for 1st amendment and free expression protections on our college campuses was made abundantly clear by the left’s unhinged attacks following the reporting on a different point of view.”

After comical media reports detailing the serious policy discussion that ‘Jesse Kremer believes in a young universe’, the left’s internet rage machine was turned on as vitriol and hate spewed forth, just as is done towards conservatives on college campuses.  A virtual shout down campaign calling him a “raging lunatic”, an “f***ing idiot”, a “colostomy sack”, requests that Rep. Kremer go out and kill himself and even assassination threats on him and his family all proved the point – legislators must ensure that the free exchange of ideas are allowed to be fostered on university campuses without the fear of threat for expressing those ideas. What happens to a UW geology student who is a creationist?  What happens to the student who hands out a copy of the Bill of Rights or a Bible on the campus?  What happens to a meteorology major who defies global warming as “settled science”?  Simply because one doesn’t elicit their belief system means, once again, that differing beliefs and viewpoints shall not be heard.

Even more fantastical though, is the fact that the Freedom from Religion Foundation, a paradoxical bastion of freedom that exudes a lacking coexist mentality, also weighed in.  Annie Laurie Gaylor told a Madison AP reporter that, Rep. Kremer, an “ignorant creationist”, is a bad choice to sit on the Assembly Colleges and Universities committee.  Limiting Christians, Jews, Muslims, or others of faith from serving in government due to their religious beliefs is absurd, and they know it.

“As one who is fighting to preserve our constitutional rights and liberties, I am highly appreciative that Rep. Berceau, Annie Gaylor, and the elitist media not only gave me a platform to proclaim my faith and personal, deeply held beliefs, but quite plainly proved our point regarding the need to ensure that 1^st amendment freedoms are fostered and protected within the State of Wisconsin, especially at our institutions of higher learning where commonly held truths and facts should be challenged. I’m calling on my colleagues, Republican and Democrat alike, to take up real policy like the Campus Free Speech Act, and stand up for the 1^st amendment.”

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By Rep. Jesse Kremer

March 21, 2017, Kewaskum, Wisconsin

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I was blown away when I opened a recent letter from my own Wisconsin American Legion. The topic?  If legislators don’t act, 2000 Wisconsin veteran construction jobs and $113 million in wages will be lost and 200 more veterans will be in poverty – within a year… if legislators complete the repeal of artificially inflated wages on state projects, otherwise known as prevailing wage.  As I dug into this astounding union-generated propaganda piece, I became more concerned.  The highly charged prevailing wage debate is not reminiscent of past American Legion endeavors.  The Legion was vital in the creation of the VA, fought in Congress for a US Flag Code and helped to author the GI bill – honorable achievements for all veterans.

Having been a union member for 35% of my employed days, I am not one to promote or dissuade union membership.  That being said, I was disturbed to find that the newest legion post in Wisconsin, Post 139, not only bears the same numerals as the Local 139 Operating Engineers, but membership in the post is strictly limited to Operating Engineers.  (Coincidentally, the Operating Engineers 139 lobbyists in Madison have been fighting desperately to prevent a repeal of prevailing wage – something that would allow greater entrepreneurship and small business creation.)  At a time when the American Legion has a dwindling membership, potentially compromising non-partisan integrity through a muddled relationship with a third party politically leftist lobby is not only disturbing on many levels, but begs the question, how can they maintain relevancy?

When queried, Wisconsin’s Adjutant General David Kurtz, was adamant with me that the resolution and study touted in the promotional material was “peer reviewed by a Marquette professor.”  Incidentally, Professor Abdur Chowdhury, Ph.D. was the same individual whose studies became gospel for the left when slamming Right to Work legislation.  I asked General Kurtz multiple times during the course of our conversation, “Have you talked to any of our construction companies in Wisconsin to garner anecdotal evidence?”  His response, “It is a peer reviewed study.”  Large construction companies have told us that, yes, there are worker shortages and no lack of projects on the horizon.  To top it all off, the Wisconsin Legion leadership dropped the ball by failing to represent its membership during Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Secretary Zimmerman confirmation hearings in Madison last week.  It is time to get back to our fundamentals as a Legion, maintain our relevancy, and remember that “From the outset, The American Legion kept out of politics.  As a result, it rapidly acquired great political power.”  Richard Seelye Jones, “A History of the American Legion” 1946.

Respectfully,

Rep. Jesse Kremer

By Rep. Jesse Kremer

March 9, 2017, Madison, Wisconsin

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On February 18^th, 2017, Officer Nelson responded to 228 Oak Street for a 24 year old woman who was concerned about an ex-boyfriend who had been stalking her.  Nelson was invited into the woman’s home, took a statement and asked if she had any protection.  The woman advised Nelson that she has a concealed carry permit and has a firearm in the house, but wanted to make the police aware of the situation “just in case”.

This is just one example of hundreds of scenarios that our law enforcement professionals handle on a daily basis.  However, there is a serious concern being raised among law enforcement, lawmakers and the public.  What if Officer Nelson had been recording the entire conversation with his body camera?  Not a problem, right?  This would offer protection for both the woman and the officer.

Consider this, the local media station reviews Calls for Service (CFS) on a weekly basis.  They have been writing a story on domestic situations and the CFS intrigues them.  Sgt. Roman, the records supervisor, receives a request from this media outlet for the video footage of the encounter.  Sgt. Roman determines that because the footage is a public document and there is no investigation that it can be released.  Is this concerning?  It should be.

21^st century technology, although beneficial, has placed us on thin ice with the Fourth Amendment and in situations where there is an expectation of privacy.  There is the “Balancing Test” that law enforcement agencies can use to determine what is redacted or released, but in recent discussions with various Wisconsin law enforcement agencies, I’m told 95% of what is requested is released under our Open Records Law.  I have grave concerns with this, and so does the law enforcement community.

In the very near future, we will be introducing a bill to protect known victims and witnesses who may be in a law enforcement officer’s body camera footage.  At the same time, we want to ensure that every department utilizing body cameras have policies in place and a mandatory minimum hold time before footage can be deleted.  This legislation will have the support of Wisconsin law enforcement for the security and privacy of Wisconsin’s citizens.

Respectfully,

Rep. Jesse Kremer

February 23, 2017, Madison, Wisconsin

This afternoon Rep. Jesse Kremer (R-Kewaskum) circulated a bill for co-sponsorship that would re-invigorate our agriculture sector, create new manufacturing and tech opportunities and have the potential to create additional jobs and tax revenue.

Industrial hemp, a distinctly different variety of cannabis than its cousin, marijuana, is non-psychoactive.  The Republican Congress’ 2014 Farm Bill gave states permission to begin research on industrial hemp, a material that is stronger than carbon fiber.  Hemp has dozens of high tech, manufacturing and health applications including the replacement of Kevlar in bulletproof vests, a lower cost substitute for graphene in costly high capacity batteries, and non-psychoactive CBD seed oils that are higher in Omega 3 than fish oils.

Rep. Kremer issued the following statement regarding the bill’s release, “I am really excited to have had the opportunity to educate myself on this topic over the past six months.  The 59^th Assembly District has a rich history of agricultural hemp production in the first half of the 20^th century and processed industrial hemp in Hartford for the war department.  Today, the future is bright for this commodity – new jobs, increased tax revenue, brand new tech industries and agricultural growth.”

Rep. Kremer went on to add, “I would like to thank our bipartisan authors, Senator Vinehout (D-Alma) who has been working on this issue since 2009, Senators Testin (R – Stevens Point), Harsdorf (R – River Falls) and Taylor (D – Milwaukee) and Representatives Kulp (R – Stratford) and Krug (R – Nekoosa).

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau recently adopted a policy that will support this legislation.

Rep. Kremer represents the 59^th Assembly District which includes Southern Calumet, Western Sheboygan, Northern Washington and Eastern Fond du Lac Counties.

Industrial Hemp Bill Language

Industrial Hemp Co-Sponsorship Memo

By Rep. Jesse Kremer
December 12, 2016 Kewaskum, Wisconsin

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It is time… time to take back our state and restore this nation to its founding principles! I was not an avid cheerleader of our President-elect early on, but realized in the last few weeks that we will have a real opportunity with this man in the oval office. I have been cautiously optimistic by the phenomenal experts that he is surrounding himself with. That being said, it is time to ensure that our rights are being protected. Yes, I have been researching RFRA (Religious Freedom Restoration Act) legislation, but, quite honestly, we have a much stronger state Constitution than most regarding this issue: “The right of every person to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of conscience shall never be infringed.” Nevertheless, we must remain vigilant regarding our first amendment freedoms. The 2nd amendment “right to bear arms” must also be addressed. Multiple states have begun to take back this fundamental right by changing their statutes to remove any language preventing law abiding gun owners the right to protect themselves without the requirement for a government issued permit. Wisconsin courts and legislators addressed serious 4th amendment issues related to search and seizure during the past couple of years, however there are still very precarious situations regarding police video footage and body cameras when recording in an area where there is an expectation of privacy. Police agencies have been very supportive of a bill that I will be introducing early this next year to help curtail and monitor these situations. Finally, there is the issue of federalism and 10th amendment protected states’ rights. I am very optimistic that the new administration and Congress in Washington will relinquish the choke-hold on many programs including education, transportation, public benefits and EPA regulations. I for one have had it with the EPA and their burdensome, illogical, non-scientific approach to strangulating state economies. Their latest overreach is an increase in regulations being imposed upon Sheboygan County related to non-attainment. I will not stand for this and will be pushing back on the blended fuel regulations and non-attainment zones. Will it be effective? That remains to be seen, but your votes on November 8 made these sci-fi dreams a reality. On Wisconsin!

By Rep. Jesse Kremer
November 21, 2016 Kewaskum, Wisconsin

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What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “hemp?” Marijuana? I asked someone who is very involved in the fight to end the drug scourge in Washington County and I was a bit taken aback by his answer. His first words were, “There used to be a large processing plant in Hartford years ago.” While I am 110 percent opposed to legalized, recreational marijuana, I have to admit I was ill-educated on the issue of industrial hemp.

Hemp served as a staple crop for the production of clothing and canvas, especially during World War II. Despite the fact that an individual could smoke an entire field of hemp and never become “high,” hemp was classified as marijuana in 1970 under the Controlled Substances Act. Under a Republican led Congress, the 2014 Farm Bill allowed Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to conduct research and pilot programs with industrial hemp if it was legalized. So why the original ban? The paper and cotton lobby had a lot to do with the statutory demise of hemp production. We cannot grow it, but have no problem importing $0.5 billion dollars of hemp every year! This is complete lunacy. We should be giving our own farmers this resource. Our farm families have been decimated by tanking dairy, grain and cattle prices while a crop exists that is not only perfect for the Wisconsin soil and climate, but is highly sought after. This could also give birth to a non-existent processing industry and thousands of new jobs in our rural areas.

Modern day hemp produces seed oils that provide more Omega 3s than fish oil; have stronger fibers that last longer than cotton; can be manufactured into super capacitors that store energy, like graphene, at a fraction of the cost; is being used to replace Kevlar in bullet proof vests; strengthens plastics making them 10 times stronger than steel and is also used in brake pads and clothing for firefighters. Wisconsin would not be the first, but we can be the best. Several nearby states are already working on hemp pilot programs and hemp legislation, including Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, North Dakota and Minnesota. I propose that Wisconsin take the lead and push to become the national leader in hemp production and processing.

By Rep. Jesse Kremer
October 24, 2016 Kewaskum, Wisconsin

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Printable School Forum Flyer

We live in a world of uncertainty, but Wisconsin legislators could provide a lot less uncertainty regarding the safety of our young children by giving parents complete control over their security. As a firefighter, I enjoy teaching kids and educating adults about fire prevention. Schools, and residences are filled with tools that prevent injury or death – smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, semi-annual fire inspections and sprinkler systems. The combined result of these safety measures? No children have died in a school fire for at least the last half century. Fire safety should be awarded a passing grade. Which begs the question, what grade should we assign to the security of our nation’s schools? What safety measures are in place at your child’s schools to dissuade or stop an active shooter? Locked doors with cameras, emergency drills, a school resource officer (if you’re lucky), windowless doors for the classroom? Some of these tools may prove effective, but there is an additional tool that state lawmakers have been denying parents and schools – the ability to utilize concealed carry if they so choose.

Wisconsin state law is currently much more restrictive than the federal “Gun-Free School Zone Act.”  Except for an off-duty law enforcement officer, Wisconsin law does not allow a law abiding concealed carry holder to protect themselves or their children when on school grounds. If this additional, untapped tool can be utilized to discourage a school attack or to disarm an attacker, then why are your elected officials preventing its use? After all, parents, school board members and school administrators know what is best for their kids, right? I feel that elected officials will be personally responsible if they continue to prevent a school from utilizing every security resource available to them. It is high time that Madison politics get out of the way of your child’s safety at school.

(To get the conversation started, a forum will be held at Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School in Jackson on November 12 from 10:00-12:00. Moderated by former Fox 6 reporter Katrina Cravy, audience questions will be answered and discussed by a panel of law enforcement, teachers, parents and concealed carry instructors.)