Despite a record budget balance by the end of this fiscal year, the GOP’s budget included little additional support for K-12 education. In fact, initially under the GOP budget, funding for education was so low that the state would not have qualified for federal aid due to a “lack of effort.” Fortunately, that was corrected.
Although the federal government will give about $1 billion to Wisconsin schools in the next two years, the funds are basically a “one-shot” deal and used only for pandemic-related costs. They can be used for better air ventilation, the cost of summer or after-school to make up for lost time, computer equipment, etc. They can’t be used to hire additional permanent teachers, instructional aides or items such as a new school bus.
When he signed the budget, Governor Evers was able to add $100 million to general school aids that can be used for the things that the federal money can’t. (This addition comes out to less than $2 per week for each K-12 student.)
Last week, the Governor called for a Special Session on Education that would consider his proposal for a $550 million increase in aid for K-12 schools, Technical Colleges and the UW colleges. The funds would have come from the enormous cash reserve in the budget—close to $4 billion.
Just as the Special Session to address the problems of the pandemic, this “session” was over in about one minute without any discussion.
Unemployment Compensation Supplement
This month I participated in a special session called to override a single veto of the Governor.
The Speaker’s target was to end the supplemental payment to Unemployment Compensation of $300 per week. The presumable reason for the end of this benefit was to address the problem of employers who are not able to fill positions. The argument is that some people receiving the supplement are making more than when they were working. This is especially the case for lower-paying jobs, those earning less than $10 per hour and “tipped” employees. A worker who had previously earned $360 per week would collect $480 under the current plan.
There about 3900 people currently collecting unemployment insurance in Dane County. Early in the pandemic, there was close to 9000 people collecting UC. Apparently, most people did not see an economic advantage to not working.
No doubt, if the supplemental payments for August were eliminated, some people will take jobs they would otherwise not have taken. Research in states that have ended supplemental insurance found that generally, older workers replaced teenage workers (who were then unemployed).
The supplement program is scheduled to end September 6th. It has been extremely important in keeping thousands of families from economic collapse. It has delivered over $230,000,000 in federal aid just to Dane County households in the past year. These dollars kept many other businesses afloat until a broader recovery takes place.
I reviewed program data and learned that county recipients will receive close to $2,000,000 this week through the supplemental programs. There were very good arguments made on both sides of the issue. I voted to sustain the Governor’s veto because I am reluctant to turn these funds down that are likely essential to many families.
Library at Reindahl Park
Some of my most important work on the Madison Common Council was winning the approval for a new city library at Reindahl Park. Given my years of advocacy for the project, I was pleased to be asked to join the development committee for the project. I assume much of the work of the committee will focus on asking donors for contributions, in the process we will have an opportunity to talk about the potential for the project and listen to the views and concerns of residents in the area.
After we raise a few million dollars in support of the library, we hope to see it completed in about two years. Be prepared for invitations and requests for support of this important project.
Assistance for Renters and Landlords
The Biden Administration continues to enact an all-of-government effort to ensure renters and landlords are able to take advantage of the relief available to them.
As part of that effort, today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) debuted a new tool (www.consumerfinance.gov/renthelp) that allows renters and landlords to find rental assistance programs in their area.
Airport Remediation and PFAS Info Session
The Airport Commission will host a community information session about the Airport remediation process on August 4th at 5:30 pm via Zoom. There will be presentations from the airport director, Dane County Corporation Counsel, and staff from the Wisconsin 115th Fighter Wing. The commission will take public comment after the presentations.
In August and September I will be holding a series of Friday morning listening sessions at coffee shops throughout the district. These sessions are an opportunity to sit down with me and share your thoughts about District 48 and the direction of State Government over a cup of coffee. I invite you to join me for one of these four listening sessions:
August 20th--Cool Beans Coffee, 1748 Eagan Rd
August 27th—Java Cat, 3918 Monona Dr
September 3rd --Ancora Coffee on Sherman, 611 N Sherman Ave
September 10th -- 6067 Gemini Dr
(All sessions run from 9am-11am)
If you have any questions or concerns related to state policies and practices please contact me by email or by phone.
Rep. Samba Baldeh State Capitol, Room #11 North PO Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 Toll-Free (888) 534-0048 or (608) 266-0360 Rep.Baldeh@legis.wi.gov| |
