Thank you for taking the time to read this week's e-update. I always strive to include information you find interesting and informative as it relates to my work in Madison and the 60th Assembly District.
My most important goal remains serving you, my constituents. Helping you find solutions to difficult problems when it seems like the state is unresponsive is the single greatest reward for my staff and me. I take constituents' input seriously and continually work hard on your behalf.
I always have your thoughts and concerns in mind when deciding whether or not to support legislation. Furthermore, I appreciate when you take time out of your schedules to contact me.
Have a great week,
This week's survey
The Joint Committee on Finance is the legislature's most powerful and coveted committee.
This committee is a statutory, standing committee of the Wisconsin State Legislature. A Joint Committee on Finance has been specified in statutes since 1911 when the legislature enacted Chapter 6, Laws of 1911.
The Joint Committee on Finance's original and still primary purpose is to serve as the principal legislative committee charged with the review of all state appropriations and revenues. That responsibility is primarily carried out by the committee's detailed review of the biennial budget recommendations of the governor. In addition, the committee has been afforded a number of other fiscal and budgetary oversight responsibilities.
In essence, one committee is responsible for the entire budget process. Legislators not on the finance committee have the ability to submit budget motions and meet with a member of the committee to discuss budgetary issues, but that is the extent of their involvement. I support greater budget oversight and transparency.
The Wisconsin legislature should model its budget process off that of Congress: Each committee is responsible for holding hearings and mark-ups on the budget proposal for the committee it oversees. For example, the Armed Services Committee holds hearings, mark-ups, and votes on the pentagon and defense budget. After it passes out of committee, the budget heads to the floor for a vote.
A process such as this affords each member, majority and minority, with the ability to participate in the budgetary process. Affording that responsibility to just a handful of members and one committee disenfranchises millions of voters statewide by preventing their elected officials from representing their interests.
I am open to drafting legislation designed to restructure the budgetary process so that every committee and member of the legislature is afforded an opportunity to weigh in on state spending. The budget is the most important piece of legislation passed in every session. It is disconcerting that only a handful of legislators are given a role in this process.
Please, take a minute to answer this week's question regarding the legislative budget process.
Thank you for answering last week's survey question regarding budget priorities, it was a pleasure to hear from you. Unfortunately, due to an internal technical glitch, the number of responses was much lower than usual: 72.
The two most popular funding priorities for the next budget cycle were: target specific programs/agencies to decrease funding levels (40 percent), and target specific programs/agencies to increase funding levels (37 percent). Just 10 percent of respondents supported maintaining current funding levels. In addition, 18 percent of respondents supported a percentage cut to all agencies/programs.
What is more, 20 percent of respondents voted "other." Responses include:
"Whatever achieves the greatest social good. Austerity is not the answer."
"Set funding levels according to available resources, including evaluation of programs and revenue source modifications. Yes, this requires information and judgment, but oversimplified options offer little useful guidance."
"Make cuts without impacting people who are already hurting due to the pandemic."
"Cut pay for legislators."
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
From my family to yours, I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. It is an honor to serve as your voice in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Have a safe and joyous Christmas season.
New social media account
As noted, I have joined the new social media platform, Parler. For those of you who have yet to do so, please consider following me at: @RepRobBrooks. As we do with Facebook and Twitter, my staff and I will make it a priority to respond to your comments, questions, or concerns. I look forward to hearing from you and value your input.
Stay up to date
One of the best ways to date with what is happening in Madison is to sign up for the legislature's notification tracking system. This service affords you with the opportunity to track legislative activities in Madison. Upon creation of a free account, you can sign up to receive notification about specific bills of committees as well as legislative activity pertaining to a subject (i.e., health care, education, etc.).
If you have any comments regarding the subject of this E-Update, please feel free to contact me.
Rep. Rob Brooks State Capitol, Room 216 North P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 Toll-Free (888) 534-0060 or (608) 267-2369 Rep.Rob.Brooks@legis.wi.gov| |
