Romaine Quinn Bids Farewell

Editor's Note: The following is a submitted article from Romaine Quinn.

Hello Residents of the 75th Assembly District.

This will be the last time I write to you as your state representative.

It is hard to believe that 6 years have already come and gone. Words cannot describe how humbling and rewarding it has been serving you in the legislature. Thank you for taking a chance on that 24-year-old, recent college graduate from 6 years ago. The opportunity to serve you in Madison has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally, and for that I am grateful.

During my time in the legislature I have met some amazing people. Many of you have even become like family. I can honestly say that our district is filled with some of the best folks this state and our nation have to offer.

When I look back over the last 6 years, I know my time in Madison was fruitful. By listening to your concerns and working hard together, we have accomplished so much. While serving in the legislature we managed to invest millions of new dollars into broadband expansion, connecting thousands of homes and businesses with internet, including many right here in our neck of the woods. We provided more money for our area schools and worked toward bringing awareness to the fact that our rural, less populated districts are disadvantaged by the current funding formula. In fact, my very first budget amendment was to save the Chetek-Weyerhaueser and Chequamegon School District from losing their consolidation aid. All kids, regardless of zip code, deserve a great education.

We also invested more into healthcare for the poor and into our long-term care facilities. Protecting and taking care of the most vulnerable in society is a moral obligation we all have. That also includes protecting the unborn, which we have done by limiting taxpayer dollars for abortion and implementing a restriction on late term abortions. All life is precious and should be protected.

Less government is good government, and through prudent and careful management we were able to invest in the areas we all care about while letting you keep more money in your pocket, balancing our budget, paying down our debt faster, and setting aside funds for a rainy day.  We have shown that economic growth, not new taxes, is the way to raise the revenue needed for our priorities. It was definitely a challenge getting some of my colleagues to remember that the money they were spending was actually your money, not theirs.

Although politics today seems very divided, being your representative was not just about being a Republican. I always did my best to put our district first, regardless of party lines or the issue at hand. When southeastern legislators wanted to cut road projects in northern WI to fund theirs, I said no. When certain business interests wanted to take away township control of frac sand mining, I said no. When a deal was struck to spend millions on a new arena for the Milwaukee Bucks, I said heck no. And when bureaucrats in Madison tried to stop projects like the Kwik Trip in Cameron or the new Don Johnson Dealership in Cumberland, I worked hand in hand with local leaders to see those projects through. These are just a few instances of when I had to remind Madison that we not only exist north of highway 29, but that we will be taken seriously.

Once again I just want to say thank you. Thank you for those that have supported me and voted for me over the last 3 election cycles. Thank you to those that did not support me – your questions and opposition forced me to think more critically, to be open to new ideas, and to be a better legislator. At the end of the day I know I may have made mistakes, but I have always cared about you, your families, and the well-being of our district and state.

God bless you and your families, and may God continue to bless the great state of Wisconsin.