WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/19/2010) - Marshfield, Wisconsin alderman John Spiros is running for the Wisconsin 70th Assembly District seat held by Amy Sue Vruwink (D-Milladore). Spiros is also a Roehl Transport Vice President of Safety and Claims Management. Spiros says he will work to undo, what he calls, the Wisconsin reputation of being a state that is not friendly toward employers, blaming 10.3 percent unemployment on Democrats raising taxes and fees.

One year ago, 9.6 percent of Wood County’s residents were unemployed. Today, Wood County has a 10.3 percent unemployment rate. Portage County’s unemployment has also increased from a year ago. Republican Spiros blames that change on what he refers to as Democrats raising taxes and fees.

Spiros believes his leadership experience within the private sector and city government will serve the 70th Assembly District well in what he calls "these difficult economic times".

“I have heard from many residents who have lost their jobs and they tell me that they cannot afford higher taxes and fees when they’re having difficulty paying all of their bills,” said Spiros.

“Yet, the politicians in Madison voted to raise taxes and fees on families and employers by $5 billion. As a result, Wisconsin continues to bleed jobs,” Spiros added.

“I am proud that we’ve been able to keep Marshfield’s taxes in check and provide vital services, despite the reckless, Madison-first decisions those who are running state government are making right now,” said Spiros, who was elected to the Marshfield City Council in 2005.

“Considering our state’s budget problems now rank among the worst in the country, I think it’s time for some new leadership in our area,” Spiros said.

Spiros says that if elected, he will work "tirelessly to undo Wisconsin’s reputation as a state that is not friendly towards employers." Forbes Magazine ranked Wisconsin as the third worst state in that regard.

Spiros also noted that the loss of Wick and other local manufacturing employers is contributing to the fact that for the first time in history, Wisconsin now has more government jobs than manufacturing jobs.

“Unsustainable spending and prioritizing state budget wants over family budget needs has led us down this path,” said Spiros.

“I look forward to meeting as many voters I possibly can and earning their trust so I can go to Madison and reverse this train wreck of a trend we are currently on,” Spiros pointed out.

Spiros, 48, has lived in Marshfield for the last 8 years and has served in the transportation industry in a leadership role directing the overall safety and claims operations of major trucking operations for the last 22 years.

Spiros is also a former police officer, and served in the U.S. Air Force for 6 years with the last 3 years at SAC headquarters in Offutt AFB in Omaha, as part of the SAC “elite guard”.

The 70th Assembly District includes most of Wood County and the northwestern half of Portage County, as well as a portion of Marathon County.

The primary election is on Tuesday, September 14th and the General Election is on Tuesday, November 2nd.