Battle Royale For Chvala's Seat:  Hebl, Miller Differ Sharply  (original article)

The Capital Times :: METRO :: 1B

Thursday, August 19, 2004
By Matt Pommer The Capital Times

Going head to head for the Democratic nomination in District 16 are Rep. Tom Hebl, 58, of Sun Prairie, and Rep. Mark Miller, 61, of Monona. Both have strong ties to the Democratic Party, and both are well funded for the drive toward the Sept. 14 primary.

The race is for an open seat. Chvala, the incumbent from Madison, is under criminal indictment and not seeking re-election.

Hebl, now in his eighth year in the Assembly, is among those who regularly challenge the Republican majority during floor debate. He is sharply outspoken about what the Republicans are doing.

"I am a fighter. I'm vocal. I'm the best negotiator. I've done it for 30 years," said Hebl, who practices law in Sun Prairie.

Miller, now in his sixth year in the Assembly, likes to work on legislation before debate begins on the Assembly floor. Miller says "tough talk" on the Assembly floor reduces chances for compromise and improvement.

"It's pretty hard to attack someone and not affect the work on compromises and finding common ground," Miller emphasized in an interview.

The major difference between the two this year came on the so-called Jobs Creation Act, which was largely aimed at reducing permit requirements for developers and other property owners who wanted to build on, or alter, shorelines and other environmentally protected lands.

Hebl, who has the support of some business groups, backed the bill, which Gov. Jim Doyle's administration helped develop.

Miller voted against the measure, and he said the title of the bill is misleading. "It had nothing to do with job creation; it removed environmental protection," Miller said.

Miller on Wednesday was endorsed by more than 25 conservation and environmental leaders, and last month the Sierra Club, Clean Wisconsin Action Fund and Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters gave him one of only eight 100 percent rankings in the Legislature for his 2003-2004 environmental votes.

*

Health care divide: The two also have different views on health care. Miller was among those authoring a universal health care bill; Hebl calls that "pie in the sky."

Miller noted that Republicans held a public hearing on the universal care bill, and that's something that many Democratic bills never see. He the idea is ripe in Wisconsin and it could provide an economic boost for the state.

"Sooner or later we're going to have to do it. I'd like Wisconsin to be on the cutting edge of this," Miller said. Under his plan, all of the uninsured in Wisconsin could be covered with health care if 50 percent of the profits and administrative costs from the existing system were used, he added.

Wisconsin has among the lowest percentage of uninsured people in the nation, and the major for-profit operations in health care are not yet in Wisconsin, according to Miller.

Fourteen percent of the U.S. gross national product is now spent on health care, far more than other industrialized nations.

"We're paying for a platinum health system. We're just not getting it," said Miller.

Hebl says Miller's idea has little chance of becoming law.

"It's a field of dreams' idea," he said. A better approach would be creating tax incentives for health care. "We ought to make health insurance more accessible. A deduction or something."

*

The road ahead: What will the next two years bring in the Legislature?

"The next two years will be a political circus," replied Hebl. Assembly Speaker John Gard "is going to run for governor, and there will be one political move after another. How many times are we going to deal with guns, abortion and stem cells? Republicans need to deal with real issues -- health insurance and schools."

Miller said the election is important because it will set the tone for the coming two years. Even if Republicans keep majorities, the way the legislature operates might change.

"If Republicans maintain their margins, it will be guns, gays, and God' on the agenda." If the margins shrink or Democrats take over, "the current legislative leadership will be discredited."

*

Money and supporters: Both candidates appear adequately funded for the primary run. On the July 20 state reports, Hebl reported $87,971, including a $40,000 loan he himself made to the campaign. He reported receiving $9,200 from special interest campaign committees.

Miller reported having $67,530 on hand, including $1,250 from campaign committees. Miller has given his campaign $300.

More than 90 local officials, including Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, have endorsed Miller.

State Rep. David Travis, D-Waunakee, has endorsed Hebl.

Both Hebl and Miller come from large political families. Hebl's father Jack was Dane County clerk for 16 years, and Hebl is one of 17 children. Miller's stepmother, Marjorie "Midge" Miller, served in the Assembly, representing the near west side of Madison for 14 years. Miller comes from a blended family of nine children.

Hebl has practiced law for more than three decades. Miller was a pilot working for the Air National Guard.

The winner of the Sept. 14 primary will face Republican Eric Peterson in the November general election. The winner gets a four-year term in the state Senate.

\ E-mail: mpommer@madison.com