Latest News Clips
Kind likes what he's hearing from Obama on agriculture
- 12/8/08
U.S. Rep. Ron Kind said in an interview with WisPolitics.com last week he is optimistic about President-elect Barack Obama's early statements on the farm subsidies program. A GAO report this week found that taxpayer subsidies continue to go to individuals with incomes in the millions of dollars, Kind said. Read more »
Kind: GAO Report Shows Illegal Farm Subsidies Went to Millionaires
- 12/4/08
A Wisconsin lawmaker is calling for more oversight after a report by the Government Accountability Office showed that nearly $50 million in farm subsidies were paid to ineligible multi-millionaires from 2003 to 2006. Congressman Ron Kind says the findings are 'a slap in the face' to the other American families who are struggling, and it creates a lack of trust for the government.
Read more »
US House farm-subsidy reformers to meet Obama team
- 12/2/08
Farm-subsidy reformers from the U.S. House of Representatives will meet members of the Obama transition team next week to discuss possible changes in the farm program, said Rep. Ron Kind on Monday. Read more »
Reps. Kind, Walz call for cooperation as Dems increase control of Congress
- 11/6/08
Democratic Congressmen Ron Kind and Tim Walz weren't gloating over their re-elections Wednesday, or the prospect of a strengthened majority working with a Democratic administration.
Calling for "a dose of humility," Kind said Democrats must work with Republicans to govern effectively. Read more »
Rep. Kind upbeat after re-election
- 11/5/08
U.S. Rep. Ron Kind is excited about working with a Democrat-controlled Congress and Democrat Barack Obama in the White House. Everyone will have to work together, however.
"These are going to be exciting days," Kind said Wednesday morning. "But it took awhile to get us into this (economic) situation, and it's going to take a while to fix it. The challenge is great." Read more »
Kind continues to focus on small business growth
- 10/29/08
Small business is the background of the economy here in the Midwest and everywhere else in America, according to Ron Kind. Read more »
Congressman Ron Kind brings campaign to Tomah
- 10/27/08
Congressman Ron Kind discussed health care, the financial crisis and stressed government unity on the campaign trail in the Tomah area on Thursday. Read more »
For Congress: Ron Kind
- 10/27/08
Since 1997, incumbent Congressman Ron Kind has been working for area residents on issues including farm policy, conservation, the environment and the Mississippi River.
Read more »
OUR ENDORSEMENT: Kind for Congress in Dist. 3
- 10/25/08
Voters in western Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District should return Kind to Washington for a sixth term so he can keep fighting for farm families and public schools. Read more »
Kind touts oversight, taxpayer protection in economic bailout plan
- 9/29/08
Like most members of Congress -- and their constituents -- Ron Kind isn't thrilled with the $700 billion Wall Street bailout. But he is happy with changes made to the proposal put forth last week by President Bush. Read more »
Kind says invent now, not drill now
- 9/17/08
This week U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., is supporting a measure in the U.S. House that would give states the right to allow off-shore drilling as long as it is at least 50 miles off the coast. Read more »
Kind visits Hudson, tours Energy Concepts
- 9/5/08
U.S. Rep. Ron Kind continued his "Energy Tour" of western Wisconsin Tuesday, Sept. 2, with a visit to Energy Concepts Inc. in Hudson. Read more »
Kind pumps up fitness message in Madison
- 9/5/08
A Wisconsin congressman brings his "FIT Kids" message to a Madison elementary school. It's not in his district, but La Crosse Democrat Ron Kind thinks Lapham Elementary School's innovative phy ed program is a great example of what he'd like to see more of, in schools across the nation. Read more »
Rep. Ron Kind honored for land trust support
- 9/4/08
Two land conservancy groups honored U.S. Rep. Ron Kind on Wednesday for his support of tax breaks for people who donate conservation easements on their land. Read more »
Finding New Energy Resources
- 8/11/08
As part of the 3rd Congressional Energy Tour, Representative Ron Kind has been visiting businesses in Wisconsin that are helping save money and the earth. Read more »
Rep. Ron Kind: Energy crisis a man-on-the-moon challenge
- 8/7/08
Nearly 50 years ago, President Kennedy issued a bold challenge to Congress: Put a man on the moon within a decade. Many said it could not be done. But eight years later, when Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong took that first step for man and mankind, it became the single most powerful image of our strength as a nation to achieve the impossible. Read more »
Democrats Seek Tougher Line on Drug Patent Rights
- 8/4/08
Congressional Democrats want U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab to take a tougher line on protecting the intellectual property rights of U.S. drugmakers. Read more »
Work to protect Hmong urged
- 8/4/08
Lawmakers have called on the State Department to persuade the Thai government to stop forcibly returning Hmong refugees to their homeland. Read more »
Ron Kind introduces tax relief bill for disaster victims
- 8/2/08
Natural-disaster victims would automatically qualify for tax benefits under a bill introduced last week by Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind. Read more »
Kind holds listening session on economy
- 7/29/08
People shared concerns about the economy and other issues Monday at a listening session hosted by Rep. Ron Kind at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Read more »
Simmons behind Kind's fitness bill
- 7/25/08
One described himself as an ex-fatty kid from Louisiana who lived on bearnaise sauce and didn't exercise -- at all -- until after college.
The other didn't merely exercise, he was a star high school athlete and Harvard University quarterback.
But Richard Simmons and U.S Rep. Ron Kind now have at least this much in common: They testified Thursday, along with 1987 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown, before the House Education and Labor Committee about their passion for the FIT Kids Act. Read more »
Bipartisanship only way to cure disease
- 7/12/08
I believe that the only way we are going to tackle this crisis is to do it in a bipartisan way - not only because Social Security and Medicare don't discriminate by party, but also because history has shown that broad reform simply does not work when it is one party shoving its proposals down the other party's throat. Read more »
Expanding access to health care
- 6/11/08
A new effort in Congress could make health care coverage more accessible for
small business owners and their employees. Read more »
Legislation seeks to retool small-business insurance
- 6/10/08
A bipartisan congressional health care proposal was unveiled during a
Capitol Hill news conference Tuesday.
U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, and others introduced the legislation,
which was endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Businesses,
National Association of Realtors and Service Employees International Union. Read more »
Fort McCoy Gets Money for Barracks Improvements
- 5/30/08
Fort McCoy is among the Army posts getting money to improve living
conditions in the barracks. Representative Ron Kind announced Friday Fort
McCoy is getting $13 million for barracks improvements. Read more »
Venture capitalists see what area has to offer
- 5/28/08
Taking the expression "nothing ventured, nothing gained" to heart, U.S. Rep.
Ron Kind decided it was worth investing the time and effort to bring a group
of venture capitalists to western Wisconsin on Tuesday. Read more »
Capitalists venture to Wisconsin
- 5/26/08
It's not exactly a beaten path for venture capitalists.
But 10 financiers from firms as far-flung as Palo Alto, Calif., and Boston
will visit western Wisconsin today at the invitation of U.S. Rep. Ron Kind
(D-LaCrosse). Read more »
Kind, others in Congress call for earmark reform
- 4/16/08
U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, is one of several members of Congress calling for creation of a bipartisan commission to recommend reforms on Congressional spending for pet projects, commonly referred to as earmarks. Read more »
Kind hears from his constituents - electronically
- 4/12/08
Washington - Some 5,700 constituents joined Rep. Ron Kind on the telephone last week to share thoughts about the economy, health care and energy policy.
Read more »
Whatever happened to the idea of a balanced federal budget?
- 4/9/08
Remember the Ross Perot movement of 1992? It was a remarkable movement in which citizens got involved in politics out of concern about government spending.
Read more »
Plant farm bill on new ground
- 4/9/08
Congress ought to replace the old subsidy system with a more efficient farm safety net, similar to one Kind proposed last year. Read more »
War, healthcare costs and the price of gas - Congressman hears from constituents during listening session
- 4/2/08
U.S. Rep. Ron Kind held a listening session last week at the Dunn County Judicial Center. Attendees asked questions and expressed concerns they had with the federal government. According to the congressman, listening sessions provide a direct link between Kind and his constituents. Read more »
BOUNTIFUL HARVEST Farm Lobby Beats Back Assault On Subsidies
- 3/27/08
With grain prices soaring, farm income at record highs and the federal budget deficit widening, the subsidies and handouts given to American farmers would seem vulnerable to a serious pruning. Read more »
Spectrum to add jobs in Fennimore
- 3/18/08
New alkaline battery technology is bringing 50 jobs back to the Rayovac plant in Fennimore, Spectrum Brands announced today. Read more »
Kind's anti-pork pledge laudable, necessary step
- 3/17/08
The issue: U.S. Rep. Ron Kind pledges he won't put earmarks in federal spending bills this year and calls for a reform of the process.
Our view: Foregoing pork barrel projects is a small but important step toward fiscal sanity in Washington.
Read more »
Editorial: Plow new ground
- 3/16/08
Congress is threatening to pass another bloated farm subsidy bill. Instead, lawmakers should trim subsidies and set a reasonable income cap for farmers to receive them. Read more »
Lift farm policy into 21st century
- 3/15/08
That may be the only way to explain why Congress wants to spend $1 billion a year more to subsidize American farming when farmers are enjoying incomes that are 51 percent above the average of the past 10 years, thanks to a boom in biofuels and other factors. Read more »
Kind vows pork fast, says he will not request earmarks
- 3/12/08
U.S. Rep. Ron Kind announced Tuesday he would not seek any federal funding through the earmark process for 2009, calling the process broken. Read more »
Stuck on the Farm
- 3/9/08
AS CONGRESS and the administration wrangle over a new farm bill before the current version expires next Saturday, here are two numbers that may help clarify the issues: $5.74 and $92.3 billion. The former is the price of a bushel of corn on Wednesday, a historic high. The latter is the Agriculture Department's estimate for farm income; it is 4.1 percent above the $88.7 billion farmers made in 2007 and 51 percent above the average for the past 10 years. Read more »
Reform delegate process
- 2/17/08
On Tuesday, all eyes will be on Wisconsin. The tremendous strength and appeal of the candidates and the competitiveness of the race for the Democratic nomination have put our state in a pole position to decide who will go on to represent the party in the general election. Read more »
Save Money, Help the Economy
- 2/16/08
Congressman Ron Kind has an idea to put an extra 200 dollars a year into the pockets of most Americans. Read more »
Rep. Kind introduces bill that would help businesses offer savings plans
- 2/14/08
U.S. Rep. Ron Kind said Wednesday he has introduced legislation to encourage small businesses to offer retirement savings plans to their employees.
Read more »
Kind critical of super delegate system
- 2/14/08
A Wisconsin Congressman is criticizing the use of "super delegates" to determine the Democratic Party presidential nominee. Read more »
Kind says his superdelegate vote will follow 3rd District
- 2/14/08
U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, said today hes not going to endorse either New York Sen. Hillary Clinton or Illinois Sen. Barack Obama before Tuesdays Wisconsin presidential primary.
Read more »
Kind asks DNC to lose superdelegates
- 2/14/08
Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.) has asked the chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to revisit the issue of superdelegates so that those public officials and party leaders, who could decide the 2008 Democratic nomination, will not do so in the future. Read more »
Battleground WI: State Democrat Says Scrap Superdelegates
- 2/14/08
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rep. Ron Kind called on the Democratic Party to scrap its super delegate system Wednesday, while announcing he'll cast his super delegate vote for whichever presidential candidate wins his congressional district in next week's primary. Read more »
Bill targets small businesses
- 2/13/08
Small businesses will have an easier time providing employees with retirement benefits under proposed legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse. Read more »
Ron Kind Offers Proposal to Fight High Gas Prices
- 2/12/08
Congressman Ron Kind is encouraging President Bush to take action, in order to put a halt to rising gas prices. At a news conference Monday, Kind talked about his proposal. Read more »
Kind: Stop filling up U.S. oil reserves to pump up economy
- 2/12/08
The Bush Administration would better jump-start the U.S. economy by suspending purchases for the nations oil reserves, a move that would reduce gas prices by putting 70,000 gallons a day back into the market, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind said Monday.
Read more »
Kind's Iraq read is sound
- 12/12/07
We do not always agree with U.S. Rep. Ron Kind's approach to the Iraq occupation.
But we appreciate his thoughtful assessment of circumstances on the ground in that country. Read more »
Millions In Subsidies For Profitable Corn?
- 11/23/07
A lot of my farm families and neighbors come up to me and say, 'Why are we getting these payments when prices are so good?' And I say, 'You're right, this is crazy.'
Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wisc. Read more »
Kind to push for peace in Iraq
- 11/21/07
Like the nearly 170,000 American troops deployed in Iraq, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind will be a man on a mission when he departs next week on his fourth trip to that country since the U.S. invasion in 2003.
Kind, D-La Crosse, plans to meet with Iraqi officials to try to persuade them to take advantage of the lull in violence to work toward political reconciliation, he said Tuesday in a meeting with the Leader-Telegram editorial board.
Read more »
Kudos to Kind, a rare voice of sanity on farm bill
- 11/19/07
Our view: Ron Kind's efforts to reform our overweight and out-of-date farm policy is commendable, but his gutless colleagues won the day.
Read more »
Veterans Day brings attention to oral history project
- 11/10/07
This coming week is National Veterans History Project Week, as per a new U-S House resolution.
Congressman Ron Kind (D-La Crosse) says Veterans Day and the following week is a great opportunity to get the word out about the oral history project and increase participation.
Read more »
Rep. Kind: Veterans care turning corner
- 11/9/07
Congress made a historic pledge to veterans with a series of health and welfare bills this year, says Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse.
Read more »
Kind's bill would help self-employed
- 11/8/07
Small-business owners across the United States have Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.) to thank for the introduction of the Equity for Our Nation's Self-Employed Act (H.R. 3660). The bill seeks to eliminate an inequity in the tax code that requires our nation's 21 million self-employed individuals to pay an additional 15.3 percent in payroll taxes on the cost of their health insurance premiums. Read more »
FROM THE HILL: Honor our veterans every day
- 11/8/07
Last summer I had the pleasure of interviewing Eugene Moran, a highly decorated World War II veteran from Soldiers Grove. This mans story was truly awe-inspiring. Eugene was flying a mission in a B-17 bomber in November of 1943 when he was shot down, falling 21,000 feet into enemy territory. He miraculously survived the fall, but he woke up a Prisoner of War. His struggle had only begun. Read more »
Kind failed in farm policy reform, but he shouldn't give up the fight
- 11/7/07
A story in this week's edition of Time magazine shows how difficult it is to be a Washington reformer.
The issue was American agricultural policy - which rewards the richest farmers who raise corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton and rice, and ignores the fact that while these few farmers are prospering, most of the rest of the population is living in depressed economic times.
U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, tried to change all this. Working with Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Mesa, Ariz., Kind tried to end no-strings-attached direct payments to farmers, end subsidies to rich farmers, increase spending for conservation and economic development, and send aid to farmers who were having tough economic times. Read more »
Why Our Farm Policy Is Failing
- 11/2/07
Agricultural policy is not sexy. You probably don't know the intricacies of "loan deficiency payments" or "base acreage," and you probably don't care. This was once an agrarian nation, but now there's a less than 1% chance that you're a farmer, and if you are, you're probably part time; the average farm family gets 82% of its income from nonfarm sources. We're not a people of the soil anymore, and for most of us, our eyes glaze over when we see farm statistics like the ones in that last sentence. Read more »
Active Ingredient
- 11/1/07
Childhood obesity has become a rallying point for politicians who've proposed countless pieces of local, state and federal legislation promising to make kids healthier, thinner and more physically active. Many of those bills haven't gotten far, often losing their initial support groups, proving too unwieldy for local jurisdictions or simply lacking necessary funds. Read more »
Editorial: Neglect on the Mississippi
- 10/20/07
In the decades since it assumed a central place in American culture and commerce, the Mississippi River has been called many things, including "The Father of Waters,"Old Blue" and, in the robust vernacular of Mark Twain, "the crookedest river in the world." Read more »
Self-employed seek equity on health deduction
- 10/15/07
Sole proprietors could save around $1,800 a year if Congress allows them to deduct the cost of their health care premiums before calculating their self-employment taxes. Read more »
FROM THE HILL: President's SCHIP veto was all about his priorities
- 10/11/07
Read more »
Editorial: Override this veto
- 10/4/07
Even some of the president's supporters in Congress realize he was wrong to veto the bill to expand health insurance for children. They need to convince others to override the veto.
Read more »
Health bill offers help to smallest businesses -- Proposal would give tax benefit when buying insurance
- 10/4/07
Reps. Ron Kind (D-Wis.) and Wally Herger (R-Calif.) have introduced legislation that would lower the cost of health insurance for people who are self-employed as sole proprietors of small businesses. Read more »
Sportsmen's Week spotlights industry
- 9/28/07
The week is the idea of U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, co-chairman of the caucus, along with Rep. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho. In Wisconsin, fishing and hunting make up a $4 billion industry directly employing 50,000 people. Nationally it's a $75 billion industry, Kind said Tuesday in a phone interview from Washington, D.C. Read more »
Kind, others introduce physical fitness bill
- 9/17/07
Law would boost school exercise Read more »
Editorial: Make physical education a bigger national priority
- 9/15/07
With childhood obesity at epidemic levels in the United States, it's time to put a greater emphasis on ensuring that schoolchildren are physically active. Read more »
Making Waves in Dairyland
- 6/22/07
WASHINGTON, June 19 - Ron Kind, a Democratic representative from Wisconsin dairyland, is making a name for himself as a crusader for big changes in farm policy. It's making many of his colleagues nervous.
Read more »
Campaign Spotlight
Sowing the Seeds of Reform
In 2007, Ron Kind took on powerful and entrenched special interests in an effort to reform our farm and food policies to be more equitable for family farmers and for taxpayers.
Check out why the New York Times called Ron a "crusader."
Read More about Ron.
Press releases
10/3/08
Kind: Proud to Support Phil Garthwaite For State Assembly
Kind supports Garthwaite's re-election
10/3/08
U.S. Rep. Kind Statement on House Vote to Approve Economic Rescue Plan
9/25/08
House Passes Rep. Kind's Disaster Tax Relief Plan Benefiting Victims of Wisconsin's June Floods
9/22/08
Congressman Kind endorses 91st Candidate Chris Danou
Kind supports Danou for Assembly
9/22/08
Congressman Kind endorses 92nd Candidate Mark Radcliffe
Kind supports Radcliffe for Assembly
9/11/08
U.S. Rep. Kind Statement on the Seventh Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
9/10/08
Kind to Chair Sportsmen and Women for Obama in Wisconsin
Highlights Obama's Commitment to Protecting Gun Rights, Strengthening Conservation
4/15/08
Kind Introduces Bill Creating Bipartisan Commission to Reform Earmarking, Restore Public Trust in the Process
"This is a Bipartisan Problem Requiring a Bipartisan Solution," says Kind
3/20/08
U.S. Rep. Kind Pledges Super Delegate Vote
Obama Wins Third Congressional District 57% to 43%
3/18/08
Rep. Kind, Spectrum Brands, Announce New Jobs for Southwest Wisconsin
Rayovac to Bring 50 Jobs Back to Fennimore Plant
3/13/08
Congressman Kind Pledges His "Super-Delegate" Vote to Winner of the Third CD
Calls for Reform of Democratic Primary Process to Best Represent Voters' Will
3/12/08
Nation's Only Middle-Class Congressional Scorecard Awards "A" Grade to Rep. Ron Kind
2/28/08
CDF ACTION COUNCIL NAMES CONGRESSMAN KIND
AMONG THE "BEST REPRESENTATIVES FOR CHILDREN"
2/21/08
LCV Releases 2007 National Environmental Scorecard
New Leadership and New Members Make Down Payment on Desperately Needed Change
2/19/08
Rep. Kind Column: Reform the Nomination Process
12/18/07
Rep. Kind Votes to Send Landmark Energy Bill to President's Desk
Energy Independence and Security Act Strengthens National Security, Combats Global Warming, Lowers Energy Costs, Creates Jobs
11/6/07
Rep. Kind Votes to Override Bush Veto of Water Resources Development Act
Legislation Would Benefit Upper Mississippi River Basin
11/5/07
House Passes Resolution Establishing a National Veterans History Project Week, Nov. 11-17
11/5/07
Rep. Kind: Despite Reduction in Violence, Without Political Reconciliation Iraq Cannot Move Forward
11/1/07
Rep. Kind Secures Expansion of Wisconsin Veterans Mortgage Benefit
Tax Package for Military Families Quadruples Availability of Home Loans for Wisconsin Veterans
10/25/07
Kind Co-Authors Legislation Benefiting Small & Family-Owned Businesses in Western Wisconsin
Tax Relief Measure to Help Area S Corporations Reinvest, Grow their Business
10/22/07
House Passes Kind's REPAIR Act, Legislation to Combat Invasive Species in Wildlife Refuges
Establishes Comprehensive Approach to #1 Refuge Threat
10/18/07
U.S. Rep. Kind Statement on House Vote to
Override Vote Came Up 13 Votes Short
10/3/07
Kind, Herger Outline New Legislation to Eliminate Tax on Health Insurance Premiums for Self-Employed
Equity for Our Nations Self-Employed Act Addresses Inequity in Tax Code
9/20/07
Rep. Kind Takes the Lead on Priorities of Wisconsin's Sportsmen and Women
First Ever Congressional Sportsmens Week to Highlight Importance of Hunting, Fishing, and Outdoor Recreation in Wisconsin and Across America
7/31/07
Reps. Kind, Wamp, Inslee Introduce FIT Kids Act
Legislation Would Focus on Combating Childhood Obesity through Education
7/24/07
Reform Coalition Unveils Fairness in
Members Taking Farm Bill Reform Proposal to the Floor
7/10/07
House Passes Kind Bill to Protect Mississippi River
Legislation Will Reduce Sedimentation, Improve Water Quality
3/22/07
Cong. Kind Announces $3.5 Million for Necedah Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center