The city is proposing to create a Tax Increment District (TID) #14 that encapsulates the majority of the Thrivent property on the north side of Appleton, about 500 acres.  The purported purpose of the TID is to "pay the costs of public infrastructure improvements and/or development incentives as determined by the city."  In so many ways, it is not good and right for the city or for you, the property taxpayers in the city. 

If Grand Chute will be significantly smaller in the future, due to annexations by Appleton, it calls into question the need for the size of the municipal complex expansion as planned today. A better solution would be to plan for the use of leased interim space to meet current space needs.

Wisconsin public schools now employ 1 adult for every 7 students, breaking the all-time record from 2025. Wisconsin public schools employ 113,171 staff in 2026. Unfortunately, Wisconsin educates just 791,794 public-school students, the fewest since 1991. Educating fewer students with more staff is a major cause of school referenda.

I have questions about the Wilden Portfolio Park development (at Thrivent) and the proposal that Appleton create a 14th Tax Incremental District (TID) to help incentivize this development. The Appleton City Council should consider both sides of this pancake. The colorful sprinkles presented by Thrivent’s request to create a Tax ID are all obtainable without a TID.

In the end, we agreed that we had different political views and that they wouldn’t sign my paperwork. We wished each other a Merry Christmas and shook hands. I left the conversation stating that this was why I had a Charlie Kirk sign. We were able to have a frank exchange of ideas, not get upset with each other and still part on good terms.

Congressman Tony Wied visited Charter Casting in Shawano for a tour of their facility. Charter Casting is an iron foundry specializing in large, complex iron castings and continuous cast iron bar. Thanks to President Shane Bonner, his incredible leadership team, and the hardworking men and women at the facility for hosting me and for your dedication!

The 2025-2026 legislative session reflected the ongoing reality of divided government, producing a mix of incremental victories and significant unfinished business. While lawmakers approved reforms to protect children, clean up PFAS contamination, expand healthcare access through advanced practice registered nurses, and place voter ID in the Wisconsin Constitution, major structural reforms remained unresolved.