Oct. 4, 2017 – West Bend, WI – Neighbors in West Bend are shocked as news spreads about the death of Assembly Rep. Bob Gannon. Early word is around 9 p.m. Tuesday night the Allenton Fire and Rescue responded to a call for an unresponsive male in a vehicle at Gonring Drive and West Lake Drive.
Details on the exact cause of death will be released at a later date.
Gannon was first elected as a representative in the 58th Assembly District on Nov. 4, 2014. He was extremely active in the community on boards such as Family Promise and the Washington County Youth Hockey League. Gannon had also been a member of the West Bend Sunrise Rotary.
Gannon owned Richards Insurance Agency and was previous owner of the AmericInn Hotel in West Bend.
West Bend Mayor Kraig Sadownikow was shocked at the news. “He’s a one-of-a-kind guy, that’s for sure,” said Sadownikow. “His voracious appetite for all that is good about the state of Wisconsin will be missed.”
The Assembly tonight passed the state budget 57-39, with five Republicans joining all Dems in opposing it.
It now heads to the Senate, where it faces an uncertain future as Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says he doesn’t have the 17 votes he needs to pass it and three Senate Republicans circulate a list of demanded changes.
The Assembly vote came after nearly 11 hours of debate, the rejection of 19 Dem amendments and the adoption of a GOP amendment that makes what the authors call “technical” changes, including deleting a provision requiring DOT to install a railroad gate crossing in Winnebago County.
But in the end, Reps. Scott Allen, R-Waukesha; Janel Brandtjen, R-Menomonee Falls; Bob Gannon, R-West Bend; Adam Jarchow, R-Balsam Lake; and Joe Sanfelippo, R-New Berlin, all voted against the budget.
Good for my rep, Bob Gannon, for voting against this. This is not the kind of budget we expect from a Republican government. We don’t just want “well, it’s better than the Democrats would do.” We want a budget that actually moves the needle toward a better Wisconsin.
Three Senate Republicans are demanding a series of changes to the budget to win over their votes, including raising the income limit for the statewide school choice program and banning UW from spending money on diversity, sensitivity and cultural fluency training.
The three — Sens. Chris Kapenga, of Delafield; Steve Nass, of Whitewater; and Duey Stroebel, of Saukville — also want to move up the planned repeal of the prevailing wage on state projects to Jan. 1 rather than Sept. 1, 2018, and to delete language the Joint Finance Committee added to the budget that would pre-empt local regulations of quarries that produce material for road and construction work.
Driscoll and some other farmers say the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown is making it harder to find workers. But if Wisconsin farms face labor shortages today because they’ve relied on workers in the country illegally, state Rep. Bob Gannon, R-Slinger, doesn’t want to hear about it.
“If it takes illegal immigrants to make their business model operate, I think their model is broken,” he said. “I’m in agreement with President Trump that if you break the law in the United States, you should expect to get a one-way ticket out of here.”
He also has a problem with cities that don’t do more to help the federal government. Gannon is a co-sponsor of a controversial Assembly bill aimed at preventing sanctuary jurisdictions of all types.
Feb. 27, 2017 – West Bend, WI – State Representative Bob Gannon (R-West Bend) will be speaking to the West Bend Sunrise Rotary on Tuesday about a directive from the Rotary International Board that forbids local clubs from participating in events that relate to guns.
Some of the suggested events include gun shows, shooting events, gun raffles, etc.
During a one-on-one interview Monday morning Gannon said he learned about the decision by Rotary International last week.
“All I can assume is the Rotary International Board probably, as part of the debate to pass something this broad, somebody brought up that this wasn’t going to go over well in America and all I can assume is the people around the table said ‘tough,’” said Gannon.
“Rotary International has every right to act like a mini United Nations, but I also have the right to no longer support them.”
Meanwhile, two of the Assembly’s most conservative Republicans told the AP that they think Wisconsin gun laws should be loosened.
Rep. Bob Gannon, of Slinger, said there’s no way to totally protect people in a free and open society. He said the state should reduce the number of gun-free zones, allow school personnel to carry a concealed weapon on school grounds and allow people to transport weapons in their car while on school grounds, all of which would make it easier for law-abiding citizens to protect their families and themselves.
Rep. Jesse Kremer of Kewaskum said Wisconsin gun laws shouldn’t be changed except to allow people to carry weapons on college campuses in the state. Kremer introduced a bill this past session that would have allowed concealed weapons in college buildings. He introduced the measure after a gunman killed nine people at a community college in Oregon. The bill failed.
A bill about carrying a gun in a car while on school grounds needs to be done just to clean up the law. It is a grey area of the law right now. The rest of it would be a positive change.
The shooting this weekend at the East Town Mall in Madison makes clear that the leftist theory that a gun symbol inside of a circle with a line through it does not make the citizens of this state safer. It is evident that the criminal whom shot off his pistol at the mall either couldn’t read the gun ban sign or he didn’t comprehend the universal symbol that is now referred to as a “target rich environment”?
Personally I’ve never been in East Town Mall, as I refuse to spend my money at any business that believes my second amendment rights have to be left in my car. I’ve been unable to get a safe and secure feeling with the extra mall security that is now in place, yes, those individuals carrying nothing more lethal than a flashlight and maps explaining how to get to the coffee shop. I’m sure these employees are there to help clean up the mess, as an unprotected shopper gets caught in the criminal cross fire.
Currently our university students are as unprotected as the shoppers at this mall. Unfortunately, these students don’t have the option of studying at a different state college, as I have the option of shopping at other retailers, as all state universities have implemented the “target rich environment” theory.
AB 363 is in process in the state legislature at this time, and needs to get passed quickly so that students have a fighting chance if a criminal element picks their campus as the location of their next shootout. This bill allows students, faculty, and visitors, the same rights of self-protection as are enjoyed by state residents throughout this fine land.
Wisconsin does not have a death penalty law, but with significant practice and careful aim, law abiding citizens can help clean our society of these scum bags. Criminals no longer have any fear of our courts or our prisons, so it’s time that the citizens of this fine state stand up and fight back. A gang banger in the mall with a gun is going to think twice if there could be a law abiding CCW holder standing behind them fully prepared to shoot center mass, as this is how you’re trained to eliminate the threat these creeps pose to you, your family, and all law abiding citizens unwillingly dragged into their public crime spree.
He had me up until that last paragraph. I agree that gun free zones merely serve to disarm the good guys while having, at best, no deterrent effect on the bad guys. I also agree that allowing people to legally carry weapons on campus, if they so choose, is a good thing.
But then we get to that last paragraph. I believe that Gannon is trying to express the common sense idea that good guys with guns deter, or limit the damage of, bad guys with guns from behaving badly. Unfortunately, his rhetoric comes off as advocating violent vigilantism.
As someone who often carries a weapon, I pray that I never, ever, have to use it. And if I do, it will only be as a last-ditch effort to preserve my life or the life of someone else. Encouraging people who carry weapons to use them to “fight back” is reckless and dangerous for everyone involved. No, don’t use your weapon to “clean up our society.” Only use them to as a last resort to preserve a life.
Furthermore, as a passionate supporter of exercising our Right to Bear Arms, Gannon’s comments are frustrating because they damage the cause by playing to the worst emotions of those who oppose our rights. It feeds their fear that 2nd Amendment supporters are a bunch of yahoos looking to shoot someone. The fight to protect and expand our 2nd Amendment rights has come a long way in the last 20 years by saying and demonstrating that armed, law-abiding citizens are a net positive to our society. Gannon’s rhetoric is not helpful. I fear that his last paragraph may have torpedoed the campus carry bill for which he advocates.
The State Legislature’s Finance Committee is set to vote this week on borrowing two hundred million dollars to finance new road construction and repairs to existing roads. This authority was given to them in the 2015 – 2017 budget that was just negotiated, but this vote of the Finance Committee is coming with a bi-partisan twist.
There is no plan in place to pay the money back, so just like Washington D.C politicians, some in Madison think that putting this debt on future taxpayers is the route to go. Currently, the vast majority of road construction is paid through vehicle related fees and taxes, including the gasoline tax and automobile licensing. These funds are completely spent on road work now, so that means any additional road funding will need to come out of the general fund, think schools, universities, community aids, or they will need to come from a future source of unidentified revenue, a gas tax increase, registration fee increase, usage fee, toll road, or some other charge to the residents of the state.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is currently scheduled for a legislative audit, which should reveal if the bureaucracy is too large, and whether we are building roads as cost effectively as possible. This report will be done within the next twelve months, and I believe no additional funds should be spent on transportation until it is confirmed that we are using the current monies as effectively as possible.
If the case can be made that the order of road construction projects currently scheduled should be changed due to safety or other concerns, then let’s have that discussion. Spending money with no plan to pay it back is a guaranteed way to see an excuse for a tax increase when the loans need to be paid back.
It is with regret that I find myself writing this dissertation after the ambush by Representative Barca on myself at the start of the Assembly floor session on July 9, 2015. The information included in this document was shared with the offices of Barca and Speaker Vos this past Monday, July 13, 2015, with a request that they acknowledge their improper interpretation of the “log rolling statute”, which would allow this issue to be permanently put to rest. Unfortunately, neither Barca nor Vos saw fit to respond to my request, thus I have taken it upon myself to attempt to clear my name.
Barca was especially nasty on the floor that day, calling me “reckless”, “ridiculous”, “guilty of a rookie mistake”, as well as other derogatory terms. Barca threatened to submit a “resolution to form an ethics committee and possible censure”. This is a very serious threat, and must be responded to.
This was all as a result of my public statement that ‘I will not vote in favor of any budget that does not have real prevailing wage reform, including the removal of all local entities from the provisions of this law’. I made this statement after being told by no less than three members of the Republican Assembly leadership team that making this statement constitutes a felony, and a felony which provides for a penalty of jail. I felt then, and this has been confirmed again now, that this is not true, and that the law actually encourages debate such as I participated in.
Rep. Barca also spoke of Senator Gary Hart and his boat, Monkey Business, as well as Hart’s secret lover, Donna Rice. The inference from Barca is clear: quit causing problems by standing up for the taxpayers so vigorously or we’ll come after you with the Wisconsin version of the paparazzi. I’m sorry Rep. Barca, but your private investigator would be quickly bored to death following me around. My boat doesn’t have a name, but if I was to name it, I would call it something like “Over-Taxed”. As for women on my boat, this week I’m taking six senior citizens from the local retirement home on a cruise and out to lunch. Shoot your cameras away; these fine ladies will get a hoot out of your attention.
As for other bad habits, I quit drinking so long ago I don’t quickly recall the exact date I threw the bottle away and took a vow of sobriety, and can’t think of anything else in my life that is even interesting to me. As for any felony violations related to my outspoken criticism of the prevailing wage statute, I think the attached opinion from Ozaukee County District Attorney, Adam Gerol, is as clear as glass; there is not even a hint of impropriety in what I said about prevailing wage reform being a part of the budget, or a prevailing wage reform vote outside of the budget. I could request another opinion from the Washington County District Attorney, but that seems like a true waste of law enforcement resources when we have an expert opinion that speaks with such finality.
I felt that when local community prevailing wage repeal was passed in the budget, that some reconciliation in the Assembly would begin to occur. Obviously this is not the case, as the attacks continue. I’ve also noticed that after I vocally took the side of the taxpayers versus special interests in the Capitol, that this is when the dirty tricks seriously commenced. My friends, I will not be deterred, and I promise to remain steadfast in my fight on behalf of the overtaxed citizens of this fine state, to find as much reform as is needed to get our state out of the rankings of the highest taxed in the nation.
After being harangued by Rep. Barca, Speaker Vos rose to speak. He stated “The very best thing you can do when you make a mistake is…apologize”. He also said “Once in a while you say something stupid, and that’s okay. Sometimes it’s okay for someone to stand up and say I was stupid”.
Rep. Barca and Speaker Vos, this humble Representative doesn’t want to publicly call you “stupid”. I’m just asking for the damage to my reputation to be repaired, and an apology from both of you that you were wrong with your interpretation of my statements would be a good starting point.
The accusations of illegal activity were ridiculous from the moment they were uttered. Politicians have been saying stuff like this forever. But what this really reveals is the coercive behavior that goes on behind closed doors in the legislature. It’s just that the public rarely gets to see it. It also reveals the extent to which Speaker Vos fought against repealing the prevailing wage laws. He was dragged kicking and screaming into the compromise they agreed upon despite his public statements claiming support for repeal.
I’ve been told by members of my own caucus that it may be illegal to draw a line in the sand on what I will consider as acceptable terms for prevailing wage reforms in the 2015 – 2017 state budget. Now a liberal Madison, WI, news outlet, One Wisconsin Now, asserts that taking a position of this nature may be a felony act.
My legal counsel disagrees with these interpretations of the law, and while a rogue prosecutor can at times get away with wild eyed investigations and criminal charging decisions, I’m willing to take that chance. Martyr me if you must, but the financial integrity of this state is too important to cow to tactics of intimidation.
Here goes my allegedly illegal statement on the budget; “I will not vote in favor of any budget that does not have real prevailing wage reform, including the removal of all local entities from the provisions of this law”.
There, I got it off my chest, and I feel totally refreshed that I am taking a position that may not be favored by some special interest groups, but will save the taxpayers of this state as much as $300,000,000. Yes, even in Madison, WI, three hundred million dollars of taxpayer relief is worth going to jail for.
Here’s an indication of how fierce it is getting the Republican caucus right now. I’m thankful that my representative is sticking to his guns and fighting for the taxpayers.
From: Gannon, Bob Sent: Friday, July 03, 2015 7:48 AM To: Rep.Murtha; *Legislative Assembly Republicans Subject: RE: CAUCUS Tuesday, July 7
John,
I’ll be unable to attend caucus on Tuesday, but I am very comfortable with my level of understanding of the 2015 – 2017 budget. My vote will remain a no unless prevailing wage reform is dealt with as a part of this budget. I have offered to leadership to reconsider my position if they will allow the Lasee prevailing wage vote to come to the floor before the budget. At this time the only sound from leadership is crickets, thus they must be comfortable that they don’t need my vote, or the vote of any other like minded conservative interested in the best interests of their constituents, and not some special interest lobby.
Speaking of lobbyists, I was embarrassed, and fearful of media exposure to this dramatic public theater, that John Gard, appointed and highly compensated pimp for the road builders lobby, was working the room in GAR leading up to closed caucus on Wednesday. I’m sure the media would have a field day if any intrepid reporter had the wherewithal to actually have witnessed that abusive act. This is the kind of garbage behavior that makes politicians of all stripes get a certain level of stink on them.
For your own edification, I’ve attached a draft of a press release I’m working on to explain my position on the budget vote. Feel free to share this and my e-mail with the rest of the caucus if you wish, as I am more than willing to discuss my position with any of my peers or constituents.
As always,
Bob Gannon
Fighting for the 58th, and now, kind of a lone warrior fighting for the financial integrity of the entire state
From: Rep.Murtha Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2015 4:12 PM To: *Legislative Assembly Republicans Subject: CAUCUS Tuesday, July 7
Dear Members,
We will be having a caucus meeting next Tuesday, July 7th at 1:00 pm in GAR. Fiscal Bureau will be there to brief us on the budget and answer any questions, and we will also finish up discussions regarding the other issues on the floor next week.
As always, please be in your seats at 1:00pm sharp. If you cannot attend, please let my office know by 5:00 pm on Monday
On Saturday, the West Bend Daily News ran a column by Waring Finke, local liberal agitator, in which he hammered Assemblyman Bob Gannon for being too conservative… or something. Anyway, Gannon responded in the paper today with this.
It does not surprise me that Mr. Waring Fincke, the leftist mouthpiece for the Washington County Democratic Party and an occasional author of hit pieces in this newspaper on anything having to do with conservative political thought, would be offended that I will not accept every ridiculous claim from his entourage as truth.
His “respected local teacher” Tanya Lohr-Kougl, is a past Democrat candidate for the state Senate, who attempted to blow smoke to the audience that evening. She claimed that her family’s income was reduced by $60,000 by Act 10. I called her out as a “liar” as I know that this did not occur. I cannot allow someone in the audience to throw out outrageous comments, without call them on those fabrications.
The next day I called the school superintendent’s office to check on the validity of her statement. The answer from that office, “is to the best of their knowledge, no public school teacher in West Bend had their salary cut by Act 10, and if the claim is that their new contribution levels to their own retirement account and health insurance policy adds up to $60,000, that would be very difficult to believe.”
Additionally, a quick public records search shows that in 2012-13, this teacher and her husband made more than $140,000 for a nine-month teaching contract and received additional benefits in excess of $30,000. I do believe that she is probably paying more for those generous benefits, but $60,000?
So identifying this teacher as a “liar” might have been a bit strong, thus I’ll apologize. In the future I will use terms that are not so definite and will refer to the outlandish claims as dishonest, sneaky, unbelievable, misleading, devious, etc.
Exaggeration was exercised when Fincke claimed that I used “hostile, abrasive and disrespectful comments” toward the Democrats in the room. Maybe a bit over the top when you consider the abuse Republicans were and will be subjected to in Madison regarding right-to-work legislation? It was only recently when the abuse hurled by opposition to Act 10 was much worse than hostile, abrasive and disrespectful; it bordered on criminality. The audience in Richfield, excepting Fincke’s acquaintance, applauded my straightforward answers to the questions on right to work and University of Wisconsin system funding, and at the conclusion of both events I was thanked for standing up for the taxpayers. As a retired attorney, Fincke should be aware that you never ask a question if you may be uncomfortable with the answer.
Fincke also fails to mention that I met with Dean Paul Price and Assistant Campus Dean Dan Anhalt the week prior, and we had a very productive discussion on funding for UW-WC, as well as the UW system. I intend to try and reduce the amount of the funding cut proposed by the governor, and try to push the cuts more onto the UW-Madison campus, where there is clear evidence of financial waste, as well as massive reserve accounts that can be tapped.
The correlation between taxes and spending is taught as early as fifth grade. When a governmental entity increases spending or cancels a spending reduction, the way to make up for this is via a different spending cut, increased borrowing, or an increase in taxes.
I incorrectly assumed that his group understood this, thus I did not teach a remedial social studies lesson that evening.
Surprising that Mr. Fincke finds it hard to believe that I would vociferously disagree to his big government, tax-and-spend answers to all problems. Yes, the state budget is tight this year, and yes, part of that tightness is due to tax cuts given to the hard working taxpayers in Wisconsin. We are better off approaching this from a position of not having enough money, versus being flush, or big spenders like Fincke and friends in Madison would demand that we not challenge all government institutions to work as efficiently as is required by businesses in the private sector.
President Barack Obama infamously stated in 2009 after his first inauguration “that elections have consequences, I won.” This is tacky, though if it was said in a nicer way it would apply to this discussion. My campaign slogan was “Your Conservative Voice,” and I made it clear that I would be beholden to no groups in my mission to shrink government, support right to work, stop prevailing wage, protect the life of the unborn, defend the Second Amendment, as well as other conservative positions and ideals. To claim that I’m not willing to break that promise is a vindication of my character. I meant what I said, I am unabashedly fiscally and socially conservative, and I will not apologize, nor will I be swayed from my heartfelt beliefs.
(Bob Gannon is the 58th Assembly District representative).
Editor’s note: This column is a response to Waring Fincke’s column that ran in Saturday’s paper.
