Budget Highlights and Lowlights

Governor Walker and Republicans have passed three failed budgets over the past six years. Unfortunately, the budget Governor Walker has proposed for the next biennium follows the same recipe for failure.

Far from being a blueprint for a bright future, the budget proposed by the Governor will have a structural deficit of over $738 million at the end of the second year of the biennium. Here’s what that means: He is increasing spending over the course of the biennium to gain favor with a few groups that have every reason to oppose his election in 2018. At the same time, he is handing out even more tax breaks to his supporters. The result is that after the 2018 election is said and done, the state will find itself in the position of spending about $738 million more than we can reasonably expect to come in from various taxes.

Other lowlights of the budget include:

• The budget continues to chip away at local control over Wisconsin’s public schools.  Under the budget proposed by Walker, districts wishing to see an increase in per pupil aid are forced to cede control of the school/employee relationship to the state. The Madison school district has worked well with employees to keep health care cost in check and ensure the employee contributions varied based upon employee pay. Unfortunately, Governor Walker is still in the Act 10 mindset and determined to erode local control and the ability of public schools to provide an excellent education.

• After being bashed in the past three state budgets, UW Madison and UW System leaders are relieved not to face additional cuts.  However, this budget will do long term irreparable harm to the UW System. The Governor’s budget further dictates how professors teach and how they carry their workloads, jeopardizing critical research funding. He also proposes making student activity fee payments optional which will reduce funding available for sexual assault prevention efforts and reduce the ability of students to have a say in policy matters.   It will also, very likely, increase fees paid by students who choose to not opt out of funding necessary programs.

• The Governor’s budget borrows more for transportation, without addressing the long term funding crisis. This means the average family will pay more to repair damage to vehicles and more for gasoline consumed while stuck in traffic on roads that are inadequate.

• In addition to scrubbing the Department of Natural Resources website of references to climate change, the Governor is undertaking another effort to deny the public scientifically accurate information about environmental issues. The budget eliminates publication of the Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine. Even though the magazine is entirely self-supporting – paid for by 75,000 subscribers.

• The Governor wishes to eliminate the Labor and Industry Review Commission. The three members provide a forum to resolve disputes involving unemployment insurance, workers compensation and equal rights. Without the Commission in place it is likely employers and employees both will find it necessary to spend money to take disputes to circuit courts.

Click here to read the column Representative Sargent and I wrote regarding one part of Governor Walker’s budget proposal.

Watch for further information and budget updates in future newsletters.

Good Government Under Attack in Budget

As we review the proposed budget over the next few weeks, I will continue to highlight items that may be of particular interest to you. This week’s article focuses on two destructive measures in the budget that further the decay of good government in Wisconsin.

Governor Walker is proposing to dismantle the independence of the Judicial Commission. The Commission was created in 1978 to investigate misconduct or disabilities of any judge or court commissioner in Wisconsin. The Commission, independent of the courts, would investigate and then bring cases to a 3 judge panel whose recommendation would ultimately be reviewed by the Wisconsin State Supreme Court to determine if the judge should be reprimanded, censured, suspended, or removed. The Governor’s proposed budget removes the commission’s independence by folding it into the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s authority.

Governor Walker is also proposing a 30 percent cut to the Elections Commission. This will result in the elimination of six staff positions. While the newly formed Commission is attempting to settle in and assist election officials with voter ID and the new electronic registration they will be have catastrophic impact. Now is not the time to be eliminating resources for the agency in charge of ensuring fair and free elections.    

These attacks on Wisconsin’s tradition of good government are appalling but not surprising. Over the last six years, Governor Walker and legislative republicans have continuously attacked Wisconsin’s good government. The proposed changes to the Judicial Commission and the cut to the Elections Commission further their assault.

Republican Attacks on Women’s Health Care Access

Republicans are once again proposing to take away women’s access to reproductive healthcare. Representative Andre Jacque (R- DePere) and Senator David Craig (R- Big Bend) have introduced legislation that would prohibit the group insurance board from contracting for or providing abortion services, eliminating this existing women’s health care coverage for public employees. The proposal is yet another example of government – and in this case, one’s employer – interfering with health care decisions that should be made by a woman and her doctor.

Top Ten Consumer Complaints of 2016

DATCP’s Bureaus of Consumer Protection and Weights and Measures received nearly 11,000 consumer complaints in 2016. Remember not to give out your personal information over the phone or wire money to a stranger, refuse high-pressure sales pitches, request all information in writing, and read the fine print before you sign.

1. Telemarketing (3,685 cases)

2. Landlord/Tenant (1,121 cases)

3. Telecommunications (698 cases)

4. Identity Theft (431 cases)

5. Home Improvement (383 cases)

6. Gas Pump Accuracy (266 cases)

7.  Motor Vehicle Repair (200 cases)

8. Motor Vehicle Sales (173 cases)

9. Computer & Equipment (152 cases)

10. Warranties (138 cases)

Facing a consumer protection issue? Visit datcp.wi.gov for fact sheets and resources that may be useful in understanding your consumer rights. If your issue is with a business, communicate with the business about your concerns and the resolution you are seeking. Keep documentation of your efforts.

Can’t reach a resolution? Call our Consumer Protection Hotline (800-422-7128) for additional guidance or file a complaint with DATCP. You can file your complaint at datcp.wi.gov or call the hotline to have a complaint form sent to you.

Primary Election Day is February 21

The Spring Primary Election will be held next Tuesday, February 21. Voters will go to the polls on this day to vote in local elections like City Council and School Board, as well as the statewide office of Superintendent of Schools. Offices with more than 2 candidates running will have a Primary that day, and the top 2 vote getters advance to the general election in April. What local offices appear on your ballot on February 21 depend on exactly where you live, and you may click here to see what is on your ballot.

You do not have to wait until then to cast your ballots. In-person absentee voting for the election is available through Sunday, February 19, at the Madison City Clerk’s Office and additional locations throughout the city. To learn more about in-person absentee voting, including locations and times, please click here.

Absentee ballots are also available by mail. Everything you need to know to receive a ballot by mail is available via the Madison City Clerk by clicking here.

Remember: You must present an acceptable photo ID card to vote in Wisconsin. Click here to find out if you have the correct identification and to get information on how to obtain a free Wisconsin State ID Card for voting purposes.

Click here to read the “Candidates’ Answers” on the League of Women Voters of Dane County website.

Note: If you vote outside of the City of Madison, you will need to contact your local city or village clerk’s office for absentee voting locations and times.

2017-2018 Official State Highway Maps

My office has received the new 2017-2018 official state highway maps. If you would like one, please feel free to stop by my office, call, or email your request. If you can’t get to our office to pick yours up, we are happy to mail maps to you.

Fun Wisconsin Fact

In honor of Black History Month, all of February’s fun facts will be about African American contributions to Wisconsin’s history.

Vel Phillips has been a pioneer for African Americans and women in politics. She is best known for being the first woman elected as Wisconsin Secretary of State in 1978 and the first African-American woman in the nation elected to a statewide office. Vel was also the first African-American woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School in 1951. In 1971, she became the first African American judge in Wisconsin. She was also the first African American elected to the National Committee of either of the two major political parties. Vel is a passionate and active Democrat and has worked tirelessly for civil rights throughout her career.

In 2015, Wisconsin Public Television aired the documentary “Vel Phillips: Dream Big Dreams” which tells the story of civil rights leader Vel Phillips. Click here to watch the documentary.

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