Oshkosh Northwestern Editorial Board Hails Rep. Spanbauer for his Independence

Editorial: Spanbauer showed gutsy independence. (Oshkosh Northwestern, 6/30/2011)

Excerpt:  One of the more refreshing developments of the recent tumultuous Wisconsin legislative session is the emergence of Rep. Richard Spanbauer as one of the more credible voices in the legislature.

Spanbauer, in his second term, is a Republican who represents the 53rd Assembly district that includes portions of rural Winnebago and Fond du Lac counties. He distinguished himself by demonstrating uncommon independence in the face of overbearing partisanship in the capitol. He showed his loyalty was to his conscience, his constituents and his party — in that order.

He voted against the budget-repair bill.   ("How can I make you understand the impact of this if no one here has worked in a collective bargaining situation?")

He worked against the budget provision that requires local governments to use private contractors for public works projects exceeding $100,000.

He lobbied the Governor to eliminate a provision that mandates a freeze on local property taxes.