Wisconsin Still Has A Budget

This is a load of crap. 

If legislators sitting on a budget conference committee cannot reconcile conflicting desires and ideologies and put a document before the state Assembly and Senate by mid- to late October, school districts will be at a loss to tell cities how much in tax levies they will need.

As has been explained time and time again, if the state budget is not passed, the state continues to operate under the previous budget.  So school districts can ask to levy exactly what they did last year and they will be just fine.  They may have to adjust their spending, but their tax revenue is settled. 

Perhaps if the Democrats would stop impeding progress with their insistence on a massive tax increase, Wisconsin could have a new budget. 

1. Actually, the revenue limits (per-pupil) would adjust by the rate of inflation - meaning the local levy would increase even though the state aid would remain the same.  Estimated levy increases statewide would be $63 million in 07-08 and $116 million in 08-09*. Of course, since this is still $79 and $156 million less than the Dems were going to give them, it will be called a deep cut in spending.

   *This is according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau (in a report provided to the members of the Assembly).

   Posted by on August 27, 2007 at 0003 hrs




2. So if the Democrats settled for a modest tax increase, would that be acceptable?

   At this point, both sides are equally guilty of obstructing, and being more interested in blowing hot air - although if I had a stopwatch, I’m positively certain that Bob Jauch has blown more hot air than anyone.

   What you’re suggesting is that “well, if the Democrats just rolled over, everything would be fine.” Well, and maybe if we look at last November’s election results, perhaps that should be factored into whose side should be doing the rolling voter in accordance with the voters’ wishes.  Last I checked, it was the Republicans who got laid to waste at the polls.

   Both sides share in the blame for the impasse, and both will have to do some growing up in order to find a solution.  Right now, it’s like watching a husband and wife bicker.

   Posted by Recess Supervisor on August 27, 2007 at 0016 hrs




3. Funny how these posts always lead me back to the idea that, excluding the whole debate on what we should do about health care, if we declared a moratorium on ONE program, Highway Expansion it seems like things would shake out a whole lot easier

   Lets say we took a break for this biennium from doing any of what the DOT calls the Major Highway Program.

   I am not talking about cutting off maintenance, Lord knows we need plenty of that. Just a break from spending a dime on any expansion of currently existing and functioning highways.

   This whole program is in need of a total reevaluation and it would provide an opportunity to do just that.

   What would be the downside to this?

   Posted by on August 27, 2007 at 0311 hrs




4. The road builders would ensconce Mike Huebsch and Judy Robson in concrete and toss them in Lake Michigan.

   Oh wait, you were looking for a downside, weren’t you?  In that case, I’ve got nothing.

   Posted by Recess Supervisor on August 27, 2007 at 0409 hrs




5. Even if we conced that your conclusions are correct, which party is going to be pilloried next November over their actions this Summer?

   If your only bargaining position is, “Absolutely not!” and your signature legislation is perceived as being against health care reform (I know, I know) you’re probably riding a losing horse.

   The Republicans lost the chance to frame the debate as a winner for themselves when they opted to chose an “anti” budget.  It’s time to make a deal and get on with it.

   Posted by on August 27, 2007 at 0618 hrs




6. Well, and maybe if we look at last November’s election results, perhaps that should be factored into whose side should be doing the rolling voter in accordance with the voters’ wishes.  Last I checked, it was the Republicans who got laid to waste at the polls.

   So because we lost, we don’t have a voice?  We should just say...Democrats won, pass the $15 billion dollar increase!

   Remember, that’s a two-way street.

   Republican opinion still counts, their constituent’s views still matter.

   I don’t want to pay more in taxes.  If you have no problem with that, then pay mine, too.  I have a problem with a $15 billion tax increase.  I like having income to buy things and pay my bills.

   Posted by Amy P. on August 27, 2007 at 0927 hrs




7. Yes, Amy, the Republicans are shining stars at bipartisanship when they have the majority, too.

   Posted by John Foust on August 27, 2007 at 1022 hrs




8. It is good to see that Owen is on the Assem GOP talking points today.  Only problem is it was the GOP team that said “we’ve got all summer” and it is the GOP team that won’t agree to the 16-0 votes from the negotiated packages in the Joint Finance Committee.

   Just like Chavla did when he had only one card in the deck, Huebsch and his team have gone into the four corners offense.  If you don’t like the stall tactic, then at least lay blame at the feet of the side that is actually doing the stalling.

   Posted by on August 27, 2007 at 1024 hrs




9. The problem from a school stand point is that the school can levy what it did last year and if the legislature changes state aid or gets rid of QEO or anything else that reduces dollars it screws the districts.  How so might you ask.  Districts are two days away from opening inservices for teachers.  They have legal and binding contracts with said teachers.  Many but not all have had their legally mandated annual meetings and put forth their budgets.  the districts in WI have created a biannual budget or the best guess that they can and have tried to find ways to staff for the best learning environment that they can.  Now the state is dragging their heels.

   The result of reductions at this point could and would likely be using fund balance to pay for staff.  This is a real problem for self insured districts like West Bend.  For other districts it could mean the need to borrow money in the case of emergency expenditures.  It is not as simple as you make it out to be.

   Posted by on August 27, 2007 at 1124 hrs




10. But, but, but it’s real simple to just repeat talking points, to refuse to deal with reality—and to complain in spring that school boards haven’t done their job on their budgets, if they have to borrow and cut more classes in more areas of study plus more arts and sports.

    And again, as said before—with all the complaining in this blog about previous state spending, why is it now a good thing to keep spending according to those budgets?  There’s another delay—a delay in addressing that point, while just repeating the same talking point that no budget is a good budget, because it’s the last biennium’s budget . . . which is based on projections three or even four years ago.

    Posted by on August 27, 2007 at 1229 hrs




11. Lefty -

    Are you referring to those 16-0 votes in the Joint Finance amendment to the budget?  The same amendment that failed 8-8?  Those aren’t agreements, they don’t exist.  The amendment failed to pass.  So please drop the silly dem talking point on the 16-0 votes.

    And yes, the “we’ve got all summer” applied when it was...hold on here...summer.  Labor Day is right around the corner and the dems want to sit at the conference committee table and talk about the same old crap without actually getting anything done.

    Here is a little secret maybe you don’t know - nothing actually gets accomplished at the conference table.  Deals need to be struck and then you bring them to the table.

    As for delay tactics - the dems are stalling things for one good reason - campaigns.  They have WEAC sending direct mail and Greater Wisconsin running ads bashing Repubs on delaying the school funding for the budget.  Chuck Chvala must be proud.

    Posted by on August 27, 2007 at 1613 hrs




12. "They may have to adjust their spending, but their tax revenue is settled.”

    Owen, you seem like a smart fellow, but it amazes me how you will accept any crap argument that Reince Preibus and his fellow travelers spit out.

    Current law says (in round numbers) that school districts could increase spending by $248 per pupil this year vs. last year.  The Assembly Republican plan would let per pupil spending increase by $200 per pupil.  On 10,000 pupils the difference is $480,000.

    So, one week before school starts, how do you cut roughly a half a million when all of your labor contracts were locked in six months ago?  Basically 85% of your budget you can’t touch.

    Oh yes, you say, you can go up by the full $248 if you can change the health insurance, but no district could get that nailed down in the time provided.  Maybe longer term it could work, but not on a moment’s notice.

    This is the problem with the Assembly Republican proposal—it wasn’t well thought out.

    Posted by on August 27, 2007 at 2117 hrs




13. Nice insight wally, Thanks.

    Pretty clear from the Assembly budget that the Republicans would rather spend money on unneeded highways than on educating our kids.

    I guess Republicans figure that keeping kids dumb is the best way to guarantee their votes in the future.

    Nice work Owen.

    Posted by on August 27, 2007 at 2129 hrs




14. pjr, are you saying our kids are dumb now?  I do agree with you on view on the road building, though.

    Posted by on August 27, 2007 at 2208 hrs




15. Isn’t it funny how a hack can go from labeling the same thing “obstruction” to “standing up for your principles” depending solely on the letter after a politician’s name?

    You can’t find this kind of entertainment on TV.

    Posted by on August 27, 2007 at 2215 hrs




16. Oops, I meant ignorant!

    Posted by on August 27, 2007 at 2220 hrs




17. Dan, please see this:

    http://www.bootsandsabers.com/index.php/weblog/permalin k/miss_teen_usa_pageant_hilarity/

    And compliments of KT;

    People magazine is reporting: “Upton is described as a varsity athlete and student leader at Lexington High School, where she graduated in June with a 3.5 GPA.”

    3.5 GPA, wow!

    Posted by on August 27, 2007 at 2223 hrs




18. And how does a student from South Carolina compare to a student from WI.?  It is a fun video considering she was trying to spout liberal values.
    So, now our kids in WI. are ingornant?  Does that include liberal kids?

    Posted by on August 27, 2007 at 2249 hrs




19. she was trying to spout liberal values.

    You have mentioned that a couple of times Dan, how can you tell?

    So, now our kids in WI. are ingornant?

    Uh Dan, I think kids are supposed to go to school minimize that.

    Aren’t “your kids” in Nevada?

    Posted by on August 27, 2007 at 2303 hrs




20. some out there don’t have maps- got to get them maps
    Our education should help people in South Africa- a cause bavck in the 1990s
    US should help South Africa, Asian and Iraqi kids with the problem. 
    Sounds liberal to me.
    Please spare me, but first you never mentioned Nevada kids.  Second, I would put 95% of Nevada kids above her with the 5% who are not in Special Education,and third I would put our school district up against Madison and Milwaukee any time.  12,000 new students and 11 new schools.  How does that compare to Milwaukee and Madison?  How many new schools and students do they have?

    Posted by on August 27, 2007 at 2338 hrs




21. (because back in the 1990’s, South Africa was a liberal mantra)

    Posted by on August 28, 2007 at 0013 hrs




22. From the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, a proposal for a budget amendment that would cost nothing—and might save money:

    “Thursday - a day on which the Conference Committee was scheduled to meet - three GOP leaders on the committee were scheduled to attend $100- to $500-per-person fundraisers in Wisconsin Dells and Eau Claire. The committee met for a couple of hours, but adjourned early enough for Assembly Majority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald, R-Horicon, to go to the Eau Claire event.

    “(Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, and Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem, [were scheduled but] didn’t come to Eau Claire, a GOP spokeswoman said.)

    “Republicans aren’t the only ones harvesting cash during the budget season: For example, Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson, D-Beloit, was the special guest last week at a pig roast fundraiser where tickets ranged from $250 to $1,000.

    “Politicians always deny such donations influence their budget decisions. Budgets are delayed, we are told, because of deeply held differences about taxing and spending. . . .  So how about an experiment: As reform groups have proposed, let’s ban political fundraising while the budget is under construction. Then we’ll see if it really takes until September—or October—to settle the political differences that delay the budget. . . .”

    Posted by on August 28, 2007 at 1648 hrs




23. Must be a communist front organization.

    http://thewheelerreport.com/releases/Aug07/aug29/ 0829taxpayersbudget.pdf

    Posted by on August 29, 2007 at 1152 hrs




24. Owen, you are right...an $18 billion tax hike is a pretty big impediment to any real negociations. I think Huebsh is hanging well, but has to be getting frustrated with the Dem demagogery.

    But what do you make of this???

    Republican senator fights key Assembly GOP budget cuts
    By Steven Walters
    Wednesday, Aug 29 2007, 11:10 AM
    Madison - Republican Sen. Carol Roessler (R-Oshkosh) has broken with Assembly Republicans on spending cuts they want to make in state prisons and in the reserve fund used to give state employees pay raises.

    Specifically, Roessler said Senate Republicans should not agree to the Assembly GOP’s plan to hire private companies to provide medical care for inmates, to not hire 50 new prison guards and to abolish the jobs of 40 jobs of prison unit managers.

    She also opposed the plan of Assembly Republicans to cut the salary reserve fund to balance their version of the overdue 2007-’09 budget, which started July 1. Until a new budget is adopted, state spending continues at pre-July 1 levels.

    Roessler, whose district includes the large Oshkosh prison and other corrections centers, said the Assembly GOP changes overall “would be detrimental to the retention and recruitment of quality state employees.”

    Roessler made the comments in a letter to her party’s Senate leader, Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau). He is one of the eight members of a special committee of legislative leaders that will again try to make progress in negotiating a budget at 11 a.m. Thursday meeting.

    Posted by on August 30, 2007 at 1029 hrs