Higher prices are burden for Wisconsin families. Senate candidates outline their remedies.

James N. Fitzhenry, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·3 min read
People shop at a grocery store on August 14, 2024. A recent study placed the minimum annual salary needed to be happy in Wisconsin at upwards of $100,000.

One of the principles of the Main Street Agenda is that coverage of elections ought to focus on the issues voters care most about, starting with the question: "What do you want politicians to focus on as they compete for your vote?"

A scientific survey of nearly 4,000 Wisconsin residents by the UW Survey Center helped identify the top issues heading into the fall election. Throughout the year, we've been publishing opinion pieces from faculty at the La Follette School of Public Affairs at UW-Madison, our partner in the Main Street Agenda, exploring the public policy behind those issues.

Eric Hovde: Inflation crushing Wisconsin families. Blame federal spending, regulations.

Tammy Baldwin: 'Greedflation' is driving prices higher. I wrote a bill to stop gouging.

The top 5 issues include inflation, gun violence, health care, crime and income inequality/distribution of wealth. Since inflation was a resounding top choice, we wanted to put the question directly to the Republican and Democrat candidates for the U.S. Senate, Eric Hovde and Tammy Baldwin: How will you tackle inflation if elected in November?

We also invited Baldwin and Hovde to submit essays on gun violence and health care. Look for those to be published in the weeks ahead. In addition, we're in the process of inviting candidates for U.S. House seats to submit essays as well. These essays are intended to be antidotes to the overly simplistic attack ads that will air endlessly through election day.

This is the full text of the invitation to U.S. Senate candidates

Here is the text of the invite: A survey conducted by the UW Survey Center identified the most important issues for Wisconsinites as we head into the Nov. 5 election. On the top of the list is inflation.

Tell us what you think. Do Baldwin and Hovde hit the mark on addressing higher prices? Send a letter to the editor.

We are inviting you and your opponent to submit a 1,000-word essay outlining how you would address this issue if elected to the U.S. Senate. There are four specific aspects we’d like you to touch on in your submission:

  • Question: Although the topline inflation rate has fallen (standing at 2.9% in July from its 9.1% peak in 2022), the bottom line is that Wisconsin families continue to feel the pinch of higher prices. One of the starkest findings from the WisconSays survey is that 53% of people in the state are not certain they can find $400 in an emergency. What would you say to families facing that situation?

  • Question: What would you tell voters about your background and experiences that would make you uniquely qualified to tackle a complex and difficult issue like inflation?

  • Question: What specific legislation and policies do you support to lower inflation and keep it from spiking again?

  • Question: No matter the election outcome, neither party is projected to have a large majority in either chamber in Congress. How would you build bi-partisan support for your ideas to improve the finances of Wisconsinites?

You heard from the candidates. We want to hear from you.

Did the candidates provide plausible solutions? We'd like to your take on the essays. Send us a letter to the editor. Here's how:

  • Please include your name, street address and daytime phone.

  • Aim for no more than 200 words.

  • Be civil and constructive, especially when criticizing.

  • Avoid ad hominem attacks, take issue with a position, not a person.

  • We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions.

  • We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters.

  • All letters are subject to editing.

Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 330 E. Kilbourn Ave., Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. Fax: 414-223-5444. E-mail: jsedit@jrn.com or submit using the form that can be found on the on the bottom of this page.

Jim Fitzhenry is the Ideas Lab Editor/Director of Community Engagement for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Reach him at jfitzhen@gannett.com or 920-993-7154.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here's how Wisconsin's Senate candidates would address higher prices