February 12, 2012

Johnson calls for action on gas prices

As the price of gasoline continues to creep up, U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) is calling on President Obama to take steps to lower costs.

During a stop in Chippewa Falls this week, the first-term Senate Republican discussed rising gas prices. Johnson, who supported ending federal subsidies for ethanol production, said the U.S. needs to look to energy sources at home.

For example, he says it would be “extremely helpful” if Obama would make a decision on the Keystone XL Pipeline.

The Obama Administration has delayed action on approving the pipeline, which would allow tar sands crude oil in Canada to be moved to refineries in Texas. The President has until February 21st to make a decision on the project. Environmental and clean energy groups oppose the Canadian pipeline

Johnson says oil prices are increasing for a number of reasons, such as threats of force from Iran over the presence of U.S. military forces in the Middle East. Analysts expect gas prices to hit record highs this year.

AUDIO: Sen. Ron Johnson (:16)

Dan Lea, WAYY

Johnson says tax cut likely to pass

A U.S. Senator from Wisconsin is confident that Congress will extend a payroll tax cut before lawmakers leave for the holiday recess.

Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) says the measure is likely to pass, even though he does not support how it’s being handled.

The Oshkosh Republican says Social Security is already underfunded and extending the tax cut will not help. Although, Johnson says he’s “also not in favor of increasing taxes.”

Continuing the cut means the government will continue to pay out more in benefits that it is currently collecting, which Johnson says is not going to change until the system is reformed.

AUDIO: Sen. Ron Johnson (:18)

The Oshkosh Republican says the road to compromise will not be pretty. He remains certain though that there will be a consensus. Johnson says Congress does not want to increase taxes on Americans right now.

Rick Schuh, WHBY

Johnson calls for cap on spending

Wisconsin’s freshman U.S. Senator says his fellow lawmakers need to get serious about cutting federal spending. To make that happen, Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) says Congress needs to set priorities and reform entitlement programs.

Johnson says the public understands that the current level of spending is unsustainable and lawmakers should give voters what they asked for last November. He says a main part of reaching that goal should be to establish spending caps on the federal government. [Read more...]

Johnson outlines priorities

The state’s first Republican to win a U.S. Senate race in 24 years says he’s going to Washington to try and control spending.

Republican Senator-elect Ron Johnson didn’t offer many specifics about his plans to cut spending while on the campaign trail, but today he announced that he wants to establish a spending cap and possibly create a Constitutional amendment to balance the budget. [Read more...]

Kohl campaigns for Feingold

Wisconsin’s senior U.S. Senator is making the case for keeping his colleague in office.

Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) was on the campaign trail Monday in Milwaukee for fellow Democrat Russ Feingold. Kohl says Feingold has passed every test for being effective and accessible to the people of the state, and deserves to continue serving the people of Wisconsin. [Read more...]