I would like to thank all of you for taking the time to read through my newsletter. Each week, I'll include information to keep you up to date with what's happening in Madison.
Budget Passes Legislature
Both the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate passed the 2019-21 state budget this week and I am proud to put my support behind the spending plan.
The budget approved by the Legislature and Gov. Tony Evers’ proposed budget have a lot in common when it comes to the priorities for helping all our residents across the state. I’m a firm believer that we all want to fix our roads, we all want to improve education and we all want to take care of our elderly and disabled.
The main difference between the two budgets, however, is our spending plan accomplishes all those things in a more responsible and sustainable manner. We don’t rely nearly as much on borrowing and increasing taxes as the governor does, which sets us up for a better chance of success in the future.
According to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the budget being proposed by Gov. Evers would lead to a structural deficit of $1.96 billion heading into the next session. His budget would also raise taxes, fees and revenue enhancements by $1.3 billion, the largest increase since 2009. That is not acceptable, especially with tax collections and ending balances being at records highs, largely due to our reforms over the past eight years.
The $83.5 billion, two-year budget passed by the Legislature cuts income taxes by $500 million and provides $60 million in property tax relief aid, all while still making sound investments in education, transportation and healthcare.
I particularly appreciate that our budget increases funding by $604 per public school student over the biennium, which is the same amount being requested by Gov. Evers. We will also see significant increases in special education funding and student mental health service grants so that all our school children have access to professional assistance.
Our commitment to education has gained the support of the Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance.
Specifically in our area, several school districts will get additional funding through a new categorical aid program that ensures, between per student categorical aid and equalization aid, that every school district receives at least $1,000 in state aid per student. These new dollars will ensure a minimum aid for such districts as Washington Island, Gibraltar and Sevastopol.
The budget also addresses the needs of districts that are among the lowest spending in the state, like Southern Door, Algoma, Kewaunee, Luxemburg-Casco and Denmark. These districts often struggle to compete with higher-spending districts for staff, and our budget provides them with additional increased revenue in each of the next two years.
To see how much of an estimated increase your school district is getting, please click on this link to view an interactive map.
As for transportation, our spending plan results in a 10 percent increase for local road aids and $65 million more for local road construction grants. Furthermore, we have added $90 million to the Local Road Improvement Program, tripling its current funding level.
We are also increasing funding for the State Highway Rehabilitation Program by 19 percent to help maintain our road conditions and keep projects around the state on schedule. Even better, this budget has the lowest amount bonded for road projects since 2001.
In another benefit to our area, the budget provides increases of $30 million for nursing homes, $37 million for personal care workers, $27 million for Family Care direct caregivers and $30 million for aids to children and families. These totals are all more than what Gov. Evers has proposed.
Especially in our region, low reimbursement rates are making it notably difficult for providers in these fields to pay competitive wages to attract workers. We are confident that, by investing in people rather than programs, we will be able to improve our care and offset the worker shortages we have been experiencing lately.
I am also happy the budget includes a proposal I submitted that earmarks $2 million for Washington Island to help cover part of the $4.1 million in costs the town incurred in 2018 when ice shoves critically damaged the only submarine cable that supplies electricity to the island community.
The disaster has caused the average monthly electricity bill for a Washington Island resident to increase by nearly $20 for the next 30 years. By supplying the town with the $2 million in relief funds, we will cut that increase in half. I know that will help many of these people recover from the unfortunate incident that placed so many hardships on them.
Is our budget perfect? Absolutely not. I can tell you that no legislator is ever content with every single item in a budget. But, when looking at the bigger picture, I think this is a well-thought-out and fiscally responsible spending plan that should benefit all Wisconsinites. Because of that, I am honored to support it.
Once the budget is officially presented to the governor, he has six days to sign it as is, use his line-item veto power and sign it or veto the entire thing.
Budget Message
As the Wisconsin State Assembly was passing the biennial budget this week, we were asked to share our thoughts on the spending plan.
If you're going to be taking your boat out over the Fourth of July holiday week, please be prepared to see the Department of Natural Resources at your local boat landings.
They will be there from July 3-7 to participate in the annual Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers Landing Blitz, which aims to educate residents on the best practices to protect Wisconsin's waterways from aquatic invasive species.
As part of this very important program, DNR staff and aquatic invasive species partners and volunteers will be demonstrating prevention steps required by state law, answering questions about invasive species and giving away boat towels.
Small invasive species like New Zealand mudsnails, spiny waterfleas and invasive plant seeds are known to hide in mud, plants and tiny crevices on boats. When they end up entering a new body of water, they can be especially difficult to control and can cause great harm to the ecosystem.
Even aquatic invasive plants, such as curly-leaf pondweed, can grow thick enough to make boating and fishing extremely difficult.
So, please do whatever you can to stop the spread of invasive aquatic species by making sure you follow the law and clean your boat off before you leave the landing. That could really go a long way toward helping our environment.
What: International Mud Day Where: Peninsula State Park, 9462 Shore Road, Fish Creek, WI When: Saturday, June 29, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Details:"Drop by the Nature Center and meet the Dirt Witch and sample "dirt stew" (while supplies last). Create mud art, learn how soil forms, and hear the truth about worms. Free. Park vehicle sticker required."
What:Stargazing Where: Newport State Park, 475 Cty Hwy NP, Ellison Bay, WI When: Saturday, June 29, at 9:30 p.m. Details: "There will be a telescope and other equipment set up with some amateur astronomers on hand to point out some highlights of the night sky. Bring telescopes, binoculars, chairs and blankets if you want. Flashlights or headlamps with red lens cover recommended. Cancelled if viewing conditions are poor. Meet Park at Lot 3 and follow the marked path. Free. Park vehicle sticker required."
What: Fire & Water Motor Show Where: Wave Pointe Marina & Resort, 3600 Cty Rd CC, Sturgeon Bay, WI When: Sunday, June 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Details:"Featuring a motor show with awards, a Vendor Expo, live music, and food and beverages."
In Closing...
Thank you for taking the time to read my e-update. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact my office. My staff, Adam and Paulette, look forward to working with you. Also, if you would like a State of Wisconsin 2017-2018 Blue Book or 2017-2018 State Highway map free of charge, just send us an email!
