April 14, 2015, Madison, Wisconsin:

Today, Rep. Jesse Kremer (R-Kewaskum) circulated a proposal that seeks to help reduce fraud, waste and abuse within Wisconsin’s FoodShare program by adding photos to FoodShare EBT cards known as QUEST cards. The bill would require Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services (DHS) to submit an implementation plan to the Department of Agriculture (USDA), as well as a waiver request to seek federal permission to require that FoodShare recipients show their photo QUEST card when making a FoodShare purchase. Rep. Kremer issued the following remarks:

“Last year Wisconsin residents received over $1.1 billion in federal SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps. Also in 2014, DHS recorded over $6.5 million in fraudulent FoodShare overpayments. If approved by the federal government, the addition of photos to EBT cards will add an additional layer of fraud deterrence and continue to help combat FoodShare fraud in Wisconsin.”

According to the bill, the addition of photos to Wisconsin QUEST cards would be contingent on approval from both the USDA and Joint Committee on Finance.

To view the bill, click here >

By State Representative Jesse Kremer
March 25, 2015, Kewaskum, Wisconsin:

My first budget-oriented topic up for discussion is education – the future of our nation.

Unfortunately, the status quo is failing us. Partisan politics from the left and the right have pitted choice against parochial and private against public school systems – all in the name of the almighty dollar. This is not productive and will not allow our children to flourish. I feel that if the discussion is truly about the children, then we need to be honest about our preconceived notions regarding educational settings, whether they be Christ-centered or publically furnished.

Under the current administration, thanks to a variety of tax cuts, we have seen the largest revenue stream in state history. However, Medicaid programs continue to expand – gobbling up nearly one third of the pie. As such, all additional funding for state programs has been squeezed to the max, including K-12 and choice options.

The Governor’s current proposals are unsustainable for our district. Due to past court rulings prescribing gummed up Equalization Aid, our schools continue to receive negative funding while MPS sits on vacant buildings, raking in $5000 more per student than our supposed well-off districts.

I am a proponent of the Governor’s scrapping of Smarter Balanced tests and the requirement that DPI stop promoting Common Core State Standards. My alternative suggestion? With the glut of tests that we already require, why not use the recently mandated ACT and the available ACT Aspire testing to fulfill our federal obligations?

In conclusion, as responsible taxpayers, we must keep open minds and do what is in the best interest of our children and their futures – regardless of the school setting in which they may be receiving this education. As a legislator, I am going to do whatever is necessary to ensure that our school systems remain solvent and fiscally responsible for as long as I represent this district.

By State Representative Jesse Kremer
March 3, 2015, Kewaskum, Wisconsin:

There has been a lot of rhetoric and many a heated comment over the past two weeks regarding the recent introduction of “Right to Work” legislation in Wisconsin. As a new, conservative legislator, I would like to share two primary reasons why I support this issue: Right to Work will reinforce workers’ freedom to associate and will help our economy continue to grow.

It should come as no surprise to my constituents that I am in full support of this legislation. I ran for office with strong support for Right to Work, spelled it out in my flyers plain as day and was elected by a hefty majority. I do not feel that anyone should be coerced into joining a union, regardless of whether they are employed or will be employed by a union shop. This is simply a matter of freedom.

Concerning our state’s economy, I believe Right to Work will enhance Wisconsin’s attractiveness to potential new businesses and strengthen our middle class. According to state employment data from the U.S. Department of Labor, Right to Work states added more jobs and experienced faster job growth from 2004 – 2013 than non-Right to Work states. Wages also grew at a higher rate in Right to Work states; from 2003 – 2013, Right to Work states experienced an average growth rate of 15.1 percent compared to 8.2 percent in non-Right to Work states. Anecdotal evidence also shows that many businesses strongly favor Right to Work states over their union shop counterparts when considering where to locate and expand.

Let me be perfectly clear. I am not a union defender or antagonist. I have worked in two separate union organizations for over half of my adult life, and even voted for union representation at a previous employer that was taking advantage of its employees. However, I believe that employees should have the right to choose whether or not they wish to be represented by a union. If employees feel they can bargain for better wages or benefits on their own, more power to them! The freedom to associate is a fundamental American right, one that should not be abridged. Simply put, Right to Work is about worker freedom. I look forward to helping preserve and strengthen that freedom here in Wisconsin for generations to come.

January 26, 2015, Kewaskum, Wisconsin

I am excited that we may expand our base of excellent teachers through the discussion brought on by Gov. Walker this past week.  It is one thing to teach the theory behind a particular subject, but it is a totally different perspective to have lived and breathed that topic for 20 or 30 years and correlate the real-world with the theoretical. This may really stimulate some of our youth to the opportunities that are available in Wisconsin.

Teachers are already employed in this capacity with the blessing of the federal government and our technical colleges.

MY PERSONAL CASE:
As a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) student, I was mandated by the FAA to learn the theory of instruction, write lesson plans for every phase of flight, teach to FAA standards, and be tested by federal examiners on my understanding of the theory, ability to transfer that knowledge, and correlate all of the information into a practical setting. Following this training, I was entrusted to train safe and efficient pilots for the aviation industry.”

 

January 22, 2015, Madison, Wisconsin:

On the horrific anniversary of Roe v. Wade, 32 Wisconsin legislators had the courage to call for a non-partisan joint legislative audit of Wisconsin family planning organizations.

According to a recent audit by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), there have been serious Medicaid reimbursement inconsistencies with NEWCAP and the Wisconsin Family Planning Health Services (FPHS) to the tune of $3.5 million in over billing the state.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel stated the following on December 14, 2014, “If the office of the Inspector General’s audits are correct, and if they are expanded in scope, the state would stand to collect tens of millions of dollars.”

The response from Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin’s public policy director, Nicole Safar, concluded in the Journal Sentinel article that if Planned Parenthood bills in the same manner as NEWCAP and FPHS are charged with doing, they estimate a loss of $4.5 million in annual revenue to abide by the DHS requirements.

59th Assembly Representative Jesse Kremer (Kewaskum), recently appointed to both the “Health” and “Public Benefits” committees, added, “As an advocate for the lives of all children, including the pre-born, I will not lose any sleep over the fact that some of these so-called family planning organizations are on the hot seat and may be required to shut their doors if the audit proves that the people of Wisconsin were being defrauded.”

To view the entire letter, click here >

January 10, 2015, Kewaskum, Wisconsin

Madison, WI – Today, Representative Jesse Kremer (R-Kewaskum) took the oath of office and was officially sworn in to the 102^nd Wisconsin Legislature, filling the shoes of retired Representative Dan LeMahieu (R-Cascade). Rep. Kremer is one of 63 Republicans who will be representing the Assembly during the 2015-2016 legislative session – the largest majority since 1957.

Rep. Kremer, a 37 year old political newcomer, was joined at the inaugural ceremony by his wife Janet, daughters Keturah (age 11), Miriam (9) and Michaiah (5), as well as parents Reynold and Edith, in-laws Rod and Barb, brother-in-law Mark and brother’s family – Seth, Alycia, Ephraim, Zipporah and Hezekiah.

“I have always enjoyed volunteer public service, and was encouraged to run for State Assembly by watching the great strides Wisconsin has taken since Governor Walker took office four years ago,” said Rep. Kremer. “It is my honor to serve the people of the 59^th Assembly District, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature to keep moving Wisconsin forward.”

For the 2015-16 session Rep. Kremer has been appointed to serve as Vice Chair of the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee. “My extensive experience in the public safety arena, including my service as a Wisconsin National Guard war veteran, volunteer Kewaskum Firefighter and EMT, and two years as an Emergency Services Dispatcher will be a great asset to me as I serve as Vice Chair of the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee,” said Kremer. Rep. Kremer is also a member of the Public Benefit Reform, Health, Constitution and Ethics and Mining and Rural Development committees.

Rep. Kremer represents the 59^th Assembly District which includes Southern Calumet, Western Sheboygan, Northern Washington and Eastern Fond du Lac Counties. Rep. Kremer’s office is located at 17 West in the Wisconsin State Capitol, and he can be reached at (608) 266-9175 or by e-mail at Rep.Kremer@legis.wisconsin.gov. His legislative website can be found at RepKremer.com.

 

November 10, 2014, Kewaskum, Wisconsin

Good evening Executives of the Republican Governors Association,

I would like to know what is going on at the RGA that you folks are not backing Gov. Walker as promised. It seems pretty obvious and blatant to Republicans in Wisconsin and callers on local, high listener-ship talk shows, that Governor Christie is attempting to destroy a much better governor and potential presidential candidate than himself by holding back funds from Governor Walker.

I have just been elected to the Wisconsin State Legislature and do not have any long term political “ambitions”… only to do what is right for our state. Governor Christie and his motivations are what is deeply wrong with the Republican Party, thus, I could care less what he thinks of me. We will not, however, forget what he is doing to our state and is attempting to do should Governor Walker lose next week.

Sincerely,
Jesse Kremer
59th Assembly Representative Elect for the Great State of Wisconsin

Source: Mark Belling Late Afternoon Show and the Weekly Standard

1. I will be pushing to allow concealed carry in public college campus buildings and dormitories.  As far as I am concerned, a taxpayer funded college campus is a public/state owned building and should be treated as such.  There is no reason that responsible, law abiding 21 year old students should not be allowed to defend themselves.

I have been working with the “Students for Concealed Carry” (http://concealedcampus.org) to promote this movement and hopefully some adjusted legislation.

2. In addition, after discussions with local police chiefs and sheriffs, I DO NOT feel that we should put law abiding CCL holders at risk of a criminal offense if they fail to leave their personal protection in a vehicle if they are on a school campus dropping off their kids or at school sponsored events. This includes off-duty police officers!