Brian Bock
DemocraticQ1 America has a growing artificial intelligence (AI) industry, supporting cutting edge innovation and reshaping businesses, but raising concerns about education, ownership, and security. Application of AI technology has increased the demand placed on data centers, controversial for their resource use (such as water and land) and raising utility costs. What are your policy positions in regards to data centers and AI? What sources of evidence informed these positions?
I support responsible AI innovation that balances economic growth with environmental stewardship and community health. As a clinical pharmacist and public health advocate, I prioritize evidence-based policies that protect Wisconsin families while fostering technological advancement.
I advocate for transparent environmental impact assessments before approving new data centers, requiring water usage disclosure and sustainable cooling technologies. Evidence shows AI data centers consume exponentially increasing energy, straining local utilities and resources. Streamlined permitting should not bypass community input or environmental safeguards.
I support public investment in AI research focused on healthcare applications, education, and workforce development, ensuring benefits reach all communities rather than consolidating corporate power. Wisconsin should leverage AI for medication management, behavioral health outcomes, and technical college training programs.
Clear data ownership laws and cybersecurity standards protect patient privacy and prevent algorithmic bias in healthcare and criminal justice.
Evidence Base: Congressional testimony on AI’s economic impacts, University reports (Stanford & Vanderbilt reports were reviewed) on AI regulation, and environmental studies on data center resource consumption inform these positions.
KEYWORDS: AI regulation, data center sustainability, healthcare innovation
Q2 Making the US competitive in the bioeconomy (using technology applied to renewable biological resources to produce food, energy and industrial goods) requires innovation and investments in business, academia and government. Please describe policies you will support, if any, that relate to workforce development in Wisconsin’s strengths such as agriculture, biotechnology, and energy; and explain their rationale.
I support expanding Wisconsin Fast Forward grants to fund biotechnology, agricultural innovation, and renewable energy training programs at UW System campuses and technical colleges. Evidence shows programs like MREA’s Solar Ready Wisconsin successfully placed 27 interns with solar contractors, demonstrating public-private partnerships work.
Biotechnology & Healthcare: As a clinical pharmacist, I would look to increase UW-Madison and MCW biohealth research funding, creating pipelines from technical colleges to specialty pharmacy and behavioral health careers. Wisconsin’s Biohealth Tech Hub shows strong ecosystem growth requiring skilled workers.
Agriculture Innovation: Support UW Extension’s agricultural education programs and FFA partnerships, training workers in precision agriculture, sustainable farming, and food processing—Wisconsin’s economic backbone.
Clean Energy: Expand Wisconsin Solar Corps and Focus Force Milwaukee models statewide, prioritizing disadvantaged communities for renewable energy career pathways. DWD’s $1 million green jobs investment proves effective.
Rationale: Wisconsin faces workforce shortages in high-skill sectors while workers need re-skilling opportunities. My healthcare background shows targeted training improves outcomes—same applies to bioeconomy sectors. These policies leverage existing UW System infrastructure, technical college networks, and proven models like MREA’s NABCEP certification programs.
KEYWORDS: workforce development, bioeconomy innovation, technical training
Q3 Wisconsin’s public K-12 education systems have seen a significant decline in the past two decades, with more than 600 public schools closing and statewide student enrollment dropping 7%. These impacts have been especially pronounced in Wisconsin’s many rural counties, where opportunities for STEM education are already fewer. What policies, if any, would you support to improve K-12 education for students across Wisconsin?
I support fully funding Wisconsin’s public schools to reverse the 600+ school closures and 7% enrollment decline, particularly impacting rural STEM access. As a school board treasurer and pharmacist preceptor, I’ve seen how underfunding devastates educational opportunities.
Equitable Funding Reform: Restore state commitment to cover two-thirds of school costs through Fair Funding formulas, reducing property tax burdens while ensuring rural districts have resources for science labs, technology, and qualified STEM teachers.
STEM & Robotics Expansion: Mandate K-12 STEM programming as fully funded extracurricular activities, including robotics teams, coding clubs, and science competitions. Treat these like athletics—essential enrichment, not luxury add-ons. Research shows hands-on STEM improves retention and college readiness.techplan+1
Rural School Support: Increase sparsity aid beyond $2 million, recognizing rural schools face higher per-pupil costs. Fund regional STEM hubs where multiple districts share resources, teachers, and equipment like 3D printers and robotics kits.
Teacher Development: Expand science teacher professional development funding ($250,000 insufficient) and create loan forgiveness for STEM educators in underserved areas.
Rationale: Wisconsin’s education spending trails national averages while voucher programs drain resources. My healthcare career was built with a strong WI public university science programing—every child deserves that foundation.
KEYWORDS: school funding equity, STEM education access, rural education support
Q5 If elected, in what capacities would you refer to scientists when you are deciding how to vote on a policy?
As a clinical pharmacist who precepts pharmacy students and manages behavioral health patients, I rely on scientific evidence daily. If elected, I would consult scientists in multiple capacities:
Direct Policy Areas: Healthcare legislation (medication safety, mental health outcomes), building and construction (engineers, union tradesmen) environmental regulations (water quality, air pollution), education curricula (STEM standards, evidence-based teaching), and public health emergencies (pandemic response, vaccination policy).
Advisory Mechanisms: Establish relationships with scientific experts within Wisconsin, UW researchers, medical professionals, and public health experts to review legislation before votes. My advisory plan mimics how healthcare uses pharmacy & therapeutics committees for medication decisions.
Evidence-Based Decision Making: Consult peer-reviewed research, CDC guidelines, and Wisconsin-specific studies from Wisconsin college and university institutions when crafting policies affecting schools, healthcare, and environment.
Transparency: Publicly disclose which scientific sources informed each policy position, allowing constituents to evaluate evidence quality. Scientists serve as honest brokers presenting options, not advocates dictating choices.
Rationale: My healthcare career demonstrates that ignoring scientific consensus harms patients—same applies to public policy. Wisconsin faces complex challenges (climate change, healthcare access, education outcomes) requiring expert input alongside constituent values and fiscal realities. Science informs but doesn’t replace democratic decision-making.
KEYWORDS: evidence-based policy, scientific advisory committees, transparent decision-making
Q7 Wisconsin has faced an increasing number of infectious disease outbreaks in recent years, for instance with rising numbers of measles and avian influenza cases that threaten human health and agricultural industry, respectively. What policies, if any, would you support to manage the burden of infectious disease in the state and respond to future outbreaks?
As a clinical pharmacist and behavioral health specialist, I’ve witnessed how infectious disease outbreaks devastate healthcare systems. I support evidence-based policies aligned with Wisconsin Public Health Association (WPHA) recommendations to protect communities and agriculture.
Vaccination & Prevention: Strongly support mandatory school vaccination requirements with medical exemptions only, following WPHA’s 2019 measles resolution urging vaccination of every eligible person. Fund public health campaigns reaching vaccine-hesitant communities through pharmacists and local health departments.
Surveillance & Response: Increase CDC PHEP grant funding for disease surveillance, immediate reporting systems (Category I diseases within 72 hours), and outbreak response teams. Protect local health officer authority to act swiftly during emergencies.
Healthcare Preparedness: Require long-term care facilities maintain PPE stockpiles, respiratory illness protocols, and staff training—lessons from COVID-19 and current avian influenza threats.
Workforce Investment: Address public health nurse shortages through recruitment initiatives and restore the DHS Director of Public Health Nursing position, recognizing workforce as critical infrastructure.
Agricultural Protection: Coordinate DHS, DATCP, and UW Extension for zoonotic disease monitoring, protecting both farm workers and livestock industries from avian influenza.
Rationale: WPHA emphasizes collective action on root causes and evidence-based policy. My pharmacy experience shows prevention saves lives and costs less than outbreak response.
KEYWORDS: vaccination policy, disease surveillance, public health preparedness