David Daniels
Business owner
Republican
Neenah
Elected Experience
None
Q&A with the Candidate
Why should voters elect you?
I believe strongly in service to the country. That's why I served in the Air Force. All of my experiences have prepared me to serve effectively. Starting a business, growing it, leading employees, balancing books, finding ways to save money and become more efficient are all experiences to help me succeed. As national president of AARST, I worked with different personalities and organizations to facilitate and accomplish goals. I’m level headed and I think before I speak. When it comes to making decisions, I ask other experts for counsel and form a decision. This new role will take a lot of work, which I’m prepared to do. I’m willing and able to work with my counterparts to make life better for constituents in my district.
What is the top issue in your district? How would you address it?
The overwhelming response I have heard when meeting people and talking issues is "Please promise you will find a way to reduce my property taxes." And that is what I promise to do. We will look for ways to expand our housing base, increase tourism dollars and give back the state surplus to tax payers. When I accomplish that one thing for my district I will consider my first term a success.
How should Wisconsin government operate differently than in the past?
We have to put Wisconsinites first and foremost, and be willing to work better together to help Wisconsin families. I am a family man with five kids. I know what it is like to struggle. No one gave me anything when starting out. I had to work two jobs, seven days a week to make ends meet. So, I know what it is like to struggle. Hard work is a good thing but families should be able to put some money away each month for retirement, emergencies, and some fun. We need to find a way to make living in Wisconsin and our district more affordable.
What is your favorite fun Wisconsin history fact?
A piece of Sputnik, Russia's first satellite crashed onto a street in Manitowoc in 1962. To this day Manitowoc still celebrates with a party called Sputnikfest.
NEW News Lab general election questions
Relevant Experience
Past national board member, vice president and president of American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists
Wisconsin has a large budget surplus. What should lawmakers prioritize: tax cuts, increased spending on public services, or something else?
I believe the money should be returned to the taxpayers. It is their money.
What policies are most important to address Wisconsinites’ concerns about cost of living?
Right now what I am hearing from voters is "lower my property taxes." And do whatever you can to make it more affordable to stay in Wisconsin.
Housing costs have risen in many Wisconsin communities. What role should state government play in creating more affordable housing?
The word housing can mean apartments or homes. As a builder I would like to see more affordable homes constructed. Because of the costs of supplies these would have to really be "starter" homes. Which would be smaller with less features. But would let first homebuyers get into a home. Also find ways to simplify the permit process and lower those prices.
What policies would best address Wisconsinites’ concerns about property taxes?
First we need to repeal the 400-year property tax increase that Evers set. Then we need to consider people at 65 and older who are on fixed incomes and below certain income levels. Lets help them and eliminate their property taxes, which would require a constitutional amendment due to Wisconsin's uniformity clause.
Funding of public education has been an issue and has been tied to property taxes for years. Schools often rely on local referendums for funding staffing, programs and maintenance. What specific changes would you support to the state’s school funding formula and how would you pay for them?
First I would like to see each school district treated fairly. Some districts are given more funds per student than others. So, the formula needs to be changed. One student in Milwaukee should be worth the same as a student in Menasha per pupil funding.
Should the state direct more funding toward voucher and school-choice programs and what evidence supports your position?
I think parents should be able to decide where their children are educated. My kids all went through public schools. But I do support vouchers for other school choices. It comes down to parental control, not taking free choice from parents. I think the current funding is good, but will need to be looked at in the next session because of inflation.
What steps can the Legislature take to alleviate court backlogs and address the need for more judges, prosecutors and public defenders?
We can support filling vacant judge appointments. We also need to create more assistant DA positions. We also need to see how this can be funded without raising our tax burden.
How do you feel about the number of prisons in Wisconsin - should there be more? Less? Why?
I wish we didn't need so many prisons. That would mean people were not committing as many crimes. We do need to provide public safety for our citizens though. I would like to see overcrowding addressed. If another prison is needed to help alleviate overcrowding it would be the safest route for staff, inmates and citizens to build another prison.
How significant an issue is climate change? What would you advocate for related to climate change if elected?
Climate change is happening. The earth has cycles, that has been proven. This is a tough balancing act to hold business accountable for their emissions while also supporting a free market. I want our parks and trails to stay pristine.
Wisconsin’s bipartisan support for a PFAS law to hold polluters accountable and the state's lower maximum contaminant levels for drinking water put it out in front nationally on forever-chemical protections. Some say the best way to prevent PFAS contaminations is to outlaw their use, while others hope to reverse the regulations. How important is this issue? What still needs to be addressed? How should remediation costs be raised?
This is tough. It is proven that there are harmful side effects from these forever chemicals. I would like to see (things) like Teflon that is put on cookware along with other chemicals replaced or made in such a way that the chemicals cannot leach into the food as we cook. The companies that make these chemicals should should be held responsible, just like asbestos.
What do you think of the implementation process for the new Medicaid work requirements so far in Wisconsin? What has worked? What could be improved?
I think the new requirements are fine. If you fall in the category where you would need to show $580 income in a month or 80 hours of volunteer work in a given month you should do something to help the state out. The program is to help people get on their feet. Insurance gaps have been taken care of. Fully expanding Medicaid could draw more federal funding which would help lower consumer costs.
What do you think about funding the 988 crisis line long-term at the state level?
I am all for this. I would like to see this funded long term. You can't put a price on saving someone's life.