APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate were in Appleton on Wednesday. Small business owners and farmers had a chance to ask the candidates questions.
Owner of Ariel Dance Paula Brusky had to clear her schedule in order to attend the Main Street Alliance roundtable.
But she’s glad she did, “Now I actually have a clue who I should vote for and that I should vote in a primary because I’ve never done that,” said Brusky.
One topic Brusky wanted to hear was how the candidates plan to help small businesses like hers.
Candidates Steven Olikara, Kou Lee, Tom Nelson, Peter Peckarsky, and Mandela Barnes all were in agreement that small businesses deserve equal opportunity.
However, Lee left the table after the third question.
When asked, Lt. Gov. Barnes and the candidates say they support the The Small Business Lending Disclosure Act
“Making sure that fair access to capital and credit is a key part of the success but making sure that we live up to our responsibility in providing that support for small business, especially the minority, veteran-owned, women-owned businesses,” said Barnes.
“There were 30 registered lobbyists from the payday lenders. I mention that not just payday lending, but when you take on an issues like this you are going up against a lot of corporate power,” said Nelson.
Nelson says he knows it takes a fight to take on big companies.
Olikara says there needs to be more people in the senate who back the businesses who can’t stick up for themselves.
“Small business owners and entrepreneurs do not have the time, do not have the money to be playing politics,” said Olikara, “Meanwhile you’ve got companies like Pfizer and Cocacola and all of them have lobbying shops right there within a mile from congress.”
Farming, was also a topic. Peckarsky says big corporations are taking over small dairy farms in Wisconsin too.
“Get them into addressing the issue of the monopolies between the farmer and the consumer. There is a lot of concentration, as I think we just heard, in the middle,” said Peckarsky.
Lee says he doesn’t want to wait for politicians to bicker about big ag, instead he wants Wisconsin to expand elsewhere.
“Why not look into the cannabis industry. That would also help the farmers, that would also help Wisconsinites,” said Lee.
The candidates say universal healthcare and Medicare for all would help entraupenuers.
“I talked to some farmers when I was knocking on doors having to pay $20,000 premiums and a $10,000 deductible. So they have to pay $30,000 before they get any type of benefit. I’m telling you on a per capita basis medicare for all is not going to cost you $30,000 a year and you can get the care you deserve,” said Nelson.
“Even if you think America is broken and you’re disillusioned like I personally am, the only way we are going to change it is by voting,” said Brusky.
Brusky says she’s happy with the roundtable. She hopes other small business owners in the state have the same motivation to vote on August 9th.
Bucks executive Alex Lasry could not attend due to a family emergency.
and State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski is quarantining for COVID-19.
To find a sample ballot, learn where to vote, and register for the primary election CLICK HERE.
