Notes from the West Wing: Governor Signs Budget

Posted on 02. Jul, 2009 by Garey Bies in News

Good day and I’d like to wish everyone an enjoyable 4^th of July. I hope you are all able to celebrate with friends and family.

I hope you as readers have not grown weary of my e-mail updates recently. I know I have sent out quite a few Notes from the West Wing detailing the state budget and I must apologize in advance for the length of this update, but I felt it was important to get the word out on the many problems I see in this budget. The media has only so much space and time to devote to the budget and as a result, lack the ability to report on the many ways this budget will impact the lives of Wisconsinites. That is why I have written these budget updates and I really appreciate the feedback I have received so far. In response, today’s “Notes” will cover the budget as conceived by the Conference Committee established by the Democrats and then signed into law this week by the Governor.

First, some of the “big picture” numbers. The budget passed by the Democrats’ Conference Committee and signed into law by Governor Doyle will increase spending by $3.64 billion, or 6.2%, to a total of $62.24 billion while at the same time claiming “the deepest spending cuts in Wisconsin history.” Using federal stimulus dollars to prop up and expand unsustainable state spending is not a cut. The federal stimulus dollars should not have been used decrease state obligations which then would have allowed relief for taxpayers. Instead, we now have increased spending AND increased taxes.

The budget passed by the Democrats raises state taxes $2.25 billion and will increase local property taxes by an estimated $1.49 billion. In fact, already has the Sturgeon Bay School District indicated that “it’s a burden that will ultimately be shifted to the taxpayers.” In the first five months the Democrats have increased taxes in Wisconsin by $4.96 billion through the Budget Repair Bill, the State Budget, and the property tax.

This budget is not good for the Wisconsin taxpayer. The media is reporting that the Democrats are claiming this budget was crafted without an across the board increase to the state income or sales tax. While this is true, what is conveniently not mentioned is that just about every other state tax is increased. Their claim that the middle class taxpayer is protected is also true so long as the middle class don’t have a telephone, take out the garbage, have a retirement plan, pay a utility bill, end up in the hospital or nursing home, or own their own home. It’s no wonder they crafted this budget behind closed doors, if I were them, I wouldn’t want the people of Wisconsin to know about it either.

Despite the influx of billions of federal stimulus dollars and the billions in tax increases to inflate the state budget, the Democrats felt it was necessary to make certain spending cuts. Included are cuts to general school aids which are what the Sturgeon Bay School District is talking about, but also to the Department of Corrections that will result in the release of criminals back to the streets.

The state budget gives authority to the Department of Corrections (not judges) to release felons early from prison in an effort to cut costs. The criminals that are now available for release are those convicted of certain Class C through Class I felonies. Some of the Class C felonies in this list include: 1^st Degree reckless homicide, Homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, kidnapping, bank robbery, drug manufacturing and drug dealing. Just two of the Class D felonies include homicide by intoxicated use of a firearm and 1^st degree reckless injury.

Is this really where the state should be looking to cut costs? The release of violent criminals such as these? As a former law enforcement officer I certainly don’t think so. Yes, the state needs to cut spending, but I do not agree with the Democrats’ spending priorities.

In the end, the Democrats passed their budget. I voted against this budget because I believe it takes Wisconsin in the wrong direction. It is unfortunate to note that just yesterday, Briggs and Stratton announced the closure of two manufacturing plants and the loss of almost 500 more Wisconsin jobs. But what readers should take note of here is that Briggs and Stratton is not cutting these jobs but moving them to Georgia and Alabama.

Lastly, the icing on the cake with this budget is that it maintains a structural budget deficit. While technically the state budget is “balanced,” in two year’s time Wisconsin will be facing an estimated $2.26 billion deficit (see table 6 in hyperlink). The historical challenges faced by Wisconsin in this budget cycle afforded the perfect opportunity to change the course of government and reign in state spending and give the people a government that lives within its means. That did not happen.

While I agree that past legislatures have had a hand in the current fiscal imbalance I would remind readers of two things: one, the budget starts with the Governor, and Governor Doyle has now been in office for seven years; and two, if the legislature had passed the Assembly Republican budgets of the last several sessions, Wisconsin would not have been facing a deficit this spring.

That is all for today’s update. I hope everyone has a great 4^th of July and an enjoyable summer. As always, I can be reached by e-mail at Rep.Bies@legis.wisconsin.gov or by telephone, toll-free at 1-888-482-0001. You can also visit my website at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/assembly/asm01/news/.