VOTE411 Voter Guide

The Treasurer must do more for Wisconsin. I will use Public Power for the Public Good by:

*Bringing Government Transparency into the 21st Century by building a public state budget dashboard & accompanying “Guides to the System” to clarify government systems. I will take publicly available information and make it publicly understandable.

*Defending Public education by protecting the Common School Trust fund from political interference and building capacity for the Board of Commissioners to support our schools and communities.

*Working with local school boards and municipalities to bring property tax transparency to tax bills. We deserve to know how much property tax is being funneled quietly into voucher programs and out of public schools.

The priority of the next State Treasurer must be to ensure stability and independence at the BCPL. The trust funds provide critical resources and funding to our local governments, which helps to reduce local property taxes. Republican leadership has starved the BCPL of the necessary expertise and authority to properly function, in hopes that this will cause the agency to collapse so that they can take it over. Effective management of the trust lands and funds requires a public agency with the capacity to use its power to support our communities. As an elected official, it will be my responsibility to secure the legal and budgetary tools the experts need to make sure that can happen.

A fiscally responsible government means a fair economy for Wisconsin families and workers. As I work to make our publicly available information more understandable, I will keep asking one question: “Are we using public power for the public good, or for private profits?” We must stop using working and middle-class tax dollars to fund tax cuts and handouts to massive corporations. Instead, we must properly invest in our communities so that we have stability and prosperity in every zip code. Today, private government contractors and consultants seem to get more benefits from the money we send to the state government than our own local communities do. I will be a state treasurer who works to expose these failures and the misuse of funds.

Strong, fully funded, public education will always be one of the most effective and reliable ways to reduce inequity in the long term. Our schools have been underfunded for decades. This has hurt our ability to deliver quality education across the state, especially in communities that cannot afford to supplement funding with high property tax values. It has always been a core responsibility of the Treasurer to defend our public schools. I will help protect the trust funds that support our schools, and fight for increased funding and the implementation of an equitable school funding formula. The State Treasurer has a duty to fight for Wisconsinites so that we can deliver the constitutional guarantee of quality education to all students.

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I believe my qualifications uniquely position me to serve the people of Wisconsin effectively. Having served five terms as a County Supervisor, I have gained valuable experience on various committees, including Finance & Transportation. My five terms on the DC Everest School Board, where I held positions as Treasurer & Vice President, have further reinforced my understanding of educational finances.

In addition to my local government experience, I have spent over a decade as a nonprofit executive. Most notably, I revived the Hmong American Center in Wausau from the brink of closure. When I assumed the role of Executive Director at just 21 years old in 2016, I transformed it into a thriving organization valued at $1.9 million when I left in January 2025.

As State Treasurer, I will focus on using my experience in managing public dollars to protect and grow the school trust fund. I aim to be an independent fiscal watchdog, ensuring accountability &transparency in our state's finances.

I envision a proactive and strategic approach to managing trust lands and funds aimed at benefiting public school libraries across Wisconsin. My commitment to sustainable practices drives me to promote responsible land management, focusing on forestry and conservation to ensure that our resources remain productive for future generations. Transparency is a cornerstone of my philosophy. I believe that making financial reports clear and accessible is essential for building trust with the public. By allowing stakeholders to scrutinize our financial dealings, we empower communities to hold us accountable for our actions. Engaging with local communities and educators is also crucial. I will actively seek input from library officials and community members to ensure our management strategies align with their needs. Through this collaborative effort, we can create innovative funding solutions that enhance resources for public libraries, ultimately benefiting students and educators throughout WI

To ensure our state government remains fiscally responsible, I believe in implementing accountability measures similar to those required of nonprofits receiving grant funding. Each department should produce clear budget justifications, showing that every dollar spent is necessary and aligned with our state's objectives. This would require the state to undergo strategic planning to ensure there is a clear direction moving forward.

Additionally, I envision comprehensive annual reports detailing expenditures and highlighting achievements. This transparency will allow the public to track progress on key initiatives.

Furthermore, with experience in the nonprofit sector, I will implement public dashboard for real-time updates on government performance, showcasing success metrics and tangible outcomes. This will build trust and ensure taxpayers understand how their money is spent, broken down by county for complete clarity.

As State Treasurer, I would focus on dismantling social inequities by prioritizing outreach and financial access for underserved communities in Wisconsin. Drawing from my experience as a nonprofit executive, I am committed to connect with diverse groups, including farmers and the Hmong, AAPI, and Hispanic communities, ensuring their financial needs are addressed.

I would implement programs designed to promote financial literacy, providing resources and education that empower citizens to manage their finances effectively. Additionally, I would advocate for equitable distribution of state resources, ensuring that all regions, urban or rural areas alike, receive the attention and support they need to thrive. This is about serving Wisconsin as a whole.