Announcements:
Mike Orr to be a guest on The Lee Rayburn Show on The Mic 92.1 Madisons Progressive Radio Station Tuesday, June 17 at 7:00am.
You can listen Live or download the podcast. Go to the archives and listen.
July 14,2008
I had such a good time at the Bristol Progressive Days Parade. The people were so warm and friendly. Even people who supported my opponents were warm to my message. Remember if you would like a yard sign just give me a call or email me with your address and I will bring it to you.
July 6, 2008
Some thoughts to share. I have noticed through the signature process that allot of candidates have struggled to meet the number required to be on the ballot. I think this shows how strong my own campaign is relating to the people of this district. Through your support I will be on the ballot on September 9, 2008 and then on to November.
More food for thought. Senate and Assembly Democrats and Republicans — voted 8-1 to increase legislative pay 6.3 percent to $50,438 in 2009.
Voters, why should they earn more than many Wisconsin taxpayers who are real eight-plus hours a day wage earners.
It seems unlikely that any resident would think part-timers should get $47,413 plus an office expense account, and an average $8,771 in food and lodging expenses a year (paid for by taxpayer dollars). They have called off more sessions then they have attended, which is the lowest in the country. Does this make you feel good? It turns my stomach. We can't have a workable budget done and we are all worse off financially now with the rise in everything. I guess their answer is to help themselves and not YOU!! Remember this when you vote to re-elect. I am on your side and think there should be a cut and I will push for this.
Thank you people of Somers and Twin Lakes for their great support for me during the parades this weekend.
June 30, 2008
I have 347 signature confirmed by the elections board. These were all done by going door to door and meeting with people like you. Everything is complete for the September election now and turned in. I look forward no to your votes to help me become your Assembly Representative. We all want a new direction. With your support this can happen. Look for me at the following locations this week. July 4th in Burlington at Echo Park and in Twin Lakes on the 5th of July at Libertyfest.
June 22, 2008
Great news I have gone well over the number needed on my nomination forms. I am still going to go out to get people to sign up and to meet them personally. Every signature I have received has been by done by me. I felt it was so important to do this myself so the people of the 66th District can actually talk with the candidate. I want to thank everyone who have sown there support for me and there desire for meaningful change. It was very touching some of the problems people shared with me. One couple in Burlington area who hasn’t had electricity since February and another that just can’t afford having healthcare because they can’t afford the premiums. The one thing they have in common is the lack of support they get from the people running this state currently. They feel these people don’t care and are losing hope. I believe I gave them a reason to hope. The future can be bright if we elect people who feel our issues and have live with the same problems they are facing.
June 18, 2008
Being on with Lee Rayburn was a great experience. We talked about healthcare primarily. I was not able to attend the State convention. My house and neighbors houses were over run with flood from the Fox River here in Burlington. The water reached 10 feet from my basement door. The good news is that the water is going down.
June 5, 2008
The people of the 66th district have been great. They are signing for my bid to take the Assembly seat. They have responded to my message of a better non-partisan approach. I have not only been able to get Democrats to sign but also Republicans and Independents. These fine people are tired of the approach they have seen by both parties and are encouraged that I will work for them on there behalf regardless of party ties and keeping there best interest at heart. This is the grassroots approach they have been waiting for, that my opponents have failed to give them. I am announcing a plan today to not only help the economy, but businesses and the environment. I purpose an income tax rebate for plastics companies that recycle back into there products. I will support a bill that give plastic companies an up to 50% rebate of there income taxes if they use 100% recycled material back into there product. If they use 50% recycled material they would get a 25% rebate and so on. This not only encourages companies to bring in recycled plastics but gives them necessary tax breaks to grow and pay better wages. I feel this plan will also bring companies to our state providing much needed jobs and give relief to the companies we currently have in the state.
Good news on my wife tests were negative on her mamagram. She will be having a spinal tape next Tuesday though.
May 29, 2008
My wife health news. Again bad news hits her. She not only may have MS(a brain scan on Friday) but now doctor has found a lump on left breast. She is to have a mamagram next week. Please pray for her.
Thank you and God be with you.
Mike
May 28, 2008
ChocolateFest was a great boost for my campaign and my daughters foundation. I handed out 400 fliers and gave out information on Lymphangiomatosis and Gorham's Vanishing Bone Disease that took the life of my daughter Dyan in July 07. People enjoyed watching the video on her and getting awareness. Donations were down but getting the word out so parents are aware was the most important thing. This we did get done. God bless to all.
When I arrived early Monday I stopped at the Zamba booth to say hello to Larry. To my amazement his booth was gone. I went to The Burlington Area Progressives and Democratic Party booth to find out what happen to Mr. Zamba and they told me He packed it all up Sunday night. The Dems told me he was getting allot of flack from the Republicans and he was leaving. One of his staff and the Dems tried to talk him out of leaving but he did anyway. The organizers of ChocolateFest were furious(he signed a contract to have a booth until Monday Night). They came to my booth and told me they will do everything in there power to make sure he is not elected. Burlington is important to take Rep. Kerkmans base away to win in November. Mr. Zamba blew this and showed he is not up to the task of meeting the challenges that will defeat Kerkman in November. Mr. Zamba needs to see that if you can't bring the indepentant and moderate conservatives over winning in November won't happen. Being progressive means favoring reform: advocating social, economic, or political reform. This has to appeal to all people. When I am elected I will represent all. I am not about gimmicks. Mr. Zamba said in his interview with the Kenosha News that the Zamba Eco tour was just a publicity stunt. This appauled me because I don't think making light of our enviroment and using it to get picture in paper is the thing I want to see in my assemblyman.
May 2, 2008
The past two weeks I have addressed 8 different organizations on the importance of having a Healthy Wisconsin, Autistic children being covered by insurance and having hearing aides covered by insurance. I received rousing ovations at each location. Thank you to all who where there and there support for these measures.
I was thinking about the differences between myself and my opponents and what we need to get done to help the 66th district.
I will list out some of the things I bring to the table that the others don't.
#1. I have been responsible directly or indirectly for creating, adding over 100 good paying jobs in this District.
#2. As a manufacturing guy and former Plant Manager for multi-million dollar companies I have the experience with large scale budgets and economic growth in a large way.
#3. I am the President of The Dyan Orr Foundation and a former Human Resource Manager that give me a better understanding of the healthcare issues that plague our district.
#4. I have worked for a union and currently belong to a union. I have always supported the union spirit and work ethic in our country. In 1981 I tried unsuccessfully to organized the workers in the company I worked for to get better wages and health plan.
#5. I served in the US Military
#6. I have been a treatment foster parent with many kids from both Racine and Kenosha counties.
#7. I have owned my own business.
#8. I was involved in stopping a new airport in coming to our state that would have destroyed our precious wetland and habitat.
These are just some of the experience I bring that will help us all in the 66th district. I bring substance and experience. These are some of the reasons I can get not only Democratic votes, but moderate conservatives and independents that will be needed to defeat the incumbent in November.
Friday, May 09, 2008
This week has been a busy week. I believe I will be getting some key endorsements within the next month after my meeting with these groups. I want to thank them for letting me talk with them and share my views on the issues we have and how to correct them.
I also spent time with the Iron Workers Union pickiting the new Kohls construction in Burlington. The workers there are not receiving any benefits. This is a terrible thing to see and here about. I'm glad these fine people were showing courage and letting there voice be heard.
I noticed that one candidate had said on the website that the small business owner was the backbone of the country. I have always said it was the labor worker that has been the backbone of this country for over 100 years. It has since been removed from the website. There is a place for our small business owners and workers, but for the most part to be able to pay your bills, inflated gas prices, food prices and medical expences you need mass employment with good wages and benefits. I profess I am not an expert in a small retail business except what I read, but I do know about large scale manufacturing jobs and how they boost the economy in every town they are in to support the small retail businesses. I know I will be able to help the 66th bring good paying jobs here as I have done so in the past.
It is very disturbing to me how the legislature is not meeting to discuss key issues in our state. We are last in this great country in meeting as a legislature. Do they feel the problems are all solved? We have a budget crisis that will cost communities in the 66th district allot of hardship this year. We need a change. The change has to be done to create a working relationship between all bodies of the government. I know I can work with the Republicans and I am my own man who keeps your interest at heart. I consider myself a moderate who wants only to better this state an withd it takes everyone!
To win the election in November and bring this seat back to the Democratic Party you must be able to win over the Independents, Moderate Democrats, and Moderate Republicans. This is the key to defeating the incumbent where she is so strong. If you look at my qualifications and my track record you will see I am the only candidate who could do this. I vote for me will help us BRING BACK WISCONSIN TO THE PEOPLE!
Sunday May 18, 2008
Saturday allowed me to talk with union brothers and sisters on the importance of healthcare for all. I was excited to see they share my concerns. Did you know that the US ranks 37th in the world on healthcare. And did you know that Representative Kerkman has been on the frontlines for preventing a budget, having healthcare for all, having kids with Autism cover by insurance and allowing kids to get hearing aides covered by insurance. Also did you know she sits on the committee on Jobs and The Economy. What jobs has she brought into the 66th? Ask yourself is her plan on the economy working?
We found out Monday my wife Tonya may have MS. The doctor found spots on her brain MRI. He has ordered a new MRI with contrast. Please pray for her she has had enough to deal with in her life loss of a daughter, heart condition, and Hep C positive.
This week going to Madison for a talk with fellow democrats and talk with a union on potential endorsement. Also from Thursday until Monday I will be at the Chocolate Fest.
Monday May 19, 2008
A couple of comments I need to make.
Today I went to the Republican reponse to Healthy Wisconsin Hosted by (R)Rep.Vukmir with Rep. Vos and Rep. Kerkman at Gateway in Burlington. I found the conversation they were having with the people that attending enlightening. They kept pushing the health savings account. If you are making an entry level wage $8.00 to $10.00 per hour how can you afford that with gass at $4.00 per gallon milk over $3.00 per gallon. One thing that really struck me is the conversation they had on the purposed hospital tax. Rep Vukmir said the Republicans couldn't change there mind now because it would show weakness and hurt there party and the other Reps agreed. I guess that is where I am a different candidate. We need to be able to work together to get things done. These people can't even agree on a budget. We need all of them out and people with our beliefs and best interest in Madison.
Secondly Mr. Zambas Eco- Energy tour as admitted by him (see Kenosha News) was a publicity stunt. He claims to be progressive, but this was a self-serving act. He claims to be different yet he has taken PAC money where I haven't and won't. That is one thing he has incommon with Rep. Kerkman. I believe in campaign reform. His last statement on his website is asking for money and then thanking you. Well a grass roots campaign is not about the money but the people. If you want to donte to me and you can afford it that's Ok. I am not about the money or gimmicks and can't see taking your hard earn money when our economy is so bad and getting worse. I bring the common sense approach. You all need to think about what values you would like to see in a candidate. To get things done it would be nice to see us working together! Here are some number that I would like to change.:
Unemployment as of March 2008
Racine County....6.6%
Kenosha County..5.7%
Wisconsin..........5.6%