Johnson said that much needs ….

Johnson said that much needs to be done to improve the roads, bridges and ports which have been allowed to decay. He said he feels the way to pay for these would be to scale back the portions of the recent stimulus package that are to be spent after 2022 and instead put those funds toward infrastructure needs.

As far as trade, while Johnson said he supported former president Donald Trump’s efforts in dealing with China and felt that it was the right course of action, he did not agree with Trump when it came to the use of tariffs. Particularly tariffs on materials such as aluminum have driven up costs for Wisconsin manufacturers across many industry areas. Johnson noted that as much as the tariffs are a tax on imports, they are ultimately paid by the consumers. Former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch also spoke at Saturday’s Republican Party event sharing the work being done by her 1848 Project (1848project.org). She explained that the organization is currently going around the state asking people about the issues they feel impact Wisconsin’s future and ways to improve the state. She said the group will then use that input in the development of policy goals and the creation of the “Forward Agenda” which she said would be a conservative plan for Wisconsin’s future.

Kleefisch cited concerns over the election process as one of the biggest issues people have raised as she has traveled around the state. She cited concerns about absentee ballots and the use of drop boxes, canvassing for absentee ballots and rules that prohibit counting absentee ballots as they arrive.

Kleefisch served as lieutenant governor for Wisconsin under Gov. Scott Walker from 2011 to 2019 before losing in the 2018 election.

Kleefisch is eyed as one of the Republicans likely to launch a challenge to incumbent Gov. Tony Evers in the 2022 gubernatorial race.

According to Taylor County Republican Party chairman Mike Bub, Saturday’s event had one of the largest turnouts in recent memory with 116 people in attendance for the dinner. In addition to Johnson and Kleefisch, 7th Congressional District Rep. Tom Tiffany also was in attendance as well as state representative James Edming, state senator Jerry Petrowski and local elected officials.

While the event was going on indoors, a handful of area residents picketed in the parking lot with signs supporting president Joe Biden and critical of Johnson and Tiffany.