Today, Wisconsin State Senator Tom Tiffany formally announced his campaign for re-election to the 12th Senate District.
“Over the last four years, it has been a privilege to represent the people of the 12th Senate District in Madison. Every time I walk into the State Capitol in Madison, I think about the 171,000 people I represent in Northern Wisconsin and I take that responsibility seriously.
“I know the citizens of the Northwoods expect results and do not settle for rhetoric. When I was elected to the Assembly in 2010, I made three commitments to voters: to pass a balanced budget, to not raise taxes, and to reform the Department of Natural Resources.
“I kept those commitments and provided voters the confidence to elect me to the State Senate in 2012. Once in the Senate, I promised voters I would continue to reform state government with my colleagues. We have gotten results.
“The last three state budgets have been balanced and passed on time. We have the largest rainy day fund in state history. Bonding is lower than it has been since 1989. We’ve paid back debts to neighboring states and ended the budgetary gimmicks that had become commonplace. As a result property taxes have not gone up, income taxes are down and we have begun to simplify the tax code.
“I’ve been on the forefront to protect property rights – ensuring that Wisconsinites can repair and rebuild their homes. At the same time, I have helped enact reform for local governments. I authored legislation to return MFL fees to counties and municipalities. We eliminated prevailing wage requirements to reduce the cost of public works projects for local units of government and school districts in the future. Small reforms like allowing local governments to replace culverts with a streamlined permitting process, will save thousands of dollars and prevent unnecessary headaches.
“There have been many accomplishments since I was elected to the State Senate. However, there is still work to be done to make state government more responsive to the people. Today, I am formally announcing my campaign to continue to represent the 12th Senate District and to make sure the Northwoods is given a fair shake in Madison.”
Tom and his family have lived in the 12th Senate District for over 25 years.
Tom grew up on a dairy farm near Elmwood, Wis. After graduating from UW-River Falls, Tom worked for a Minnesota farm cooperative where he later became the manager of the cooperative’s petroleum division.
Wanting to move back to his home state, Tom relocated to Minocqua. There, Tom managed the Zenker Oil petroleum distribution. Three years later in 1991, Tom and Chris became the owner/operators of an excursion business on the Willow Flowage which they eventually sold in 2013. Tom and Chris are raising their three daughters on the Willow Flowage, along with their dog Carmel.
Before being elected to the Wisconsin Legislature, Tom served as a Town Supervisor in the Town of Little Rice and continues to work as a dam tender on the flowage. Tom also served on the Oneida County Economic Development Corporation Board as well as the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Restaurant Association. Tom was elected to the State Assembly in 2010 and elected to the State Senate in 2012.
He serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining, and Forestry and also serves on the Joint Finance Committee.