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      Understanding the Budget Process Week by Week

June, 27th, 2019

 Senate Votes on Budget Bill 

 State Rep. Steve Doyle

State Capitol
PO Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708

(608) 266-0631
(888) 534-0094

Rep.Doyle@legis.wisconsin.gov

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Assembly Budget Vote  

The Wisconsin State Senate voted on the state budget yesterday, wrapping up around 4:30pm. After nearly 8 hours of debate, the Senate passed the budget 17 to 16. The Senate votes on the same budget as the Assembly, but it takes them less time due to fewer members and amendment proceedings.  

In case you missed my budget update earlier this week, I discussed some of the key budget provisions that passed through the Assembly Tuesday night. Below I listed the same key provisions which passed through Senate on Wednesday evening:

 
K-12 Education 

Governor Evers' proposed budget called for a $1.4 billion investment in public education. Of that $1.4 billion, $604 million would have gone to special education costs, which is presently eating up many portion's of each school districts remaining budget. However, the Senate passed an investment of $500 million, with $97 million going to special education funding; two thirds of the Governor's proposal for education. Unfortunately, this will mean more school district referendums which will increase local property taxes. 

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 La Crosse County lost nearly $11 million in special education funding with the passage of this budget compared to the Governor's budget. Below I listed the amount of funding lost for each district in our area: 

  • La Crosse - $4,957,117
  • West Salem - $841,969
  • Bangor - $258,605 
  • Holmen - $2,822,259 
  • Melrose-Mindoro - $365,259
  • Onalaska $1,573,616

UW-System Colleges  

Governor Evers' proposed $127 million for our Universities, but $57.7 million of that was passed. The budget did not provide funding to: Nurse Educators, UW Extension Cooperative County Agriculture Agents, Environmental Education Grants, Physician and Dentist Assistance Program; a combined program total of over $19 million.  

Wisconsin Technical College System 

Evers' budget called for a $36 million investment in our technical colleges, but $25 million of that was passed. 94% of tech graduates stay in Wisconsin to work, so it's important we provide an adequate amount of funding to ensure a steady stream of future workers.

Technical colleges, along with our universities are at the front line for training workers for jobs that require diverse skill sets to keep up with the changing economy. Strong public education is the start of a trained work force, ensuring everyone is contributing to a growing economy. Because of that, I believe we should have invested more to keep up with the high demand of skilled jobs in Wisconsin. 

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Healthcare: Medicaid Expansion  

As you know, Medicaid Expansion was stripped out of Evers' budget proposal during the first executive session held by the Joint Committee on Finance. It would have allowed our state to bring in $1.6 billion in federal funding for our healthcare system. Currently, 1.1 million Wisconsinites rely on Medicaid for high-quality care. It would have provided healthcare to 82,000 additional low-wage earning Wisconsinites while saving our state $324 million.

A recent Department of Revenue analysis shows that Wisconsin tax payers will be subsidizing other states' welfare programs in the amount of $1 billion as a result of this budget rather than keeping that money in Wisconsin to help low-income residents. It is important to note that these federal dollars will be spent whether expansion happens in our state or not. It makes no sense to spend our dollars in other state's while we have working poor families in Wisconsin desperately in need of health insurance.

When we combine state, federal, and the Department of Health Service programs, Medicaid Expansion would have provided $2.6 billion in new funding. $53 million of that would have been invested into La Crosse County, which is why I believe we should have accepted the expansion. 

Investments in La Crosse County 

  • $11.7 million in Expanding Medicaid to 1,365 county residents
  • $15 million in increased hospital funding 
  • $17.5 million for continuing to provide coverage to current Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus, SeniorCare, and Foodshare Employment and Training program members, also ending the wait-list in the Children's Long-Term Support Waiver Program.
  • $1.1 million in increase funding for physicians 
  • $1.7 million for new community health programs and postpartum coverage for new mothers. 
  • $760,000 for increasing payments to dental providers, including those who serve disabled populations.
  • $2.1 million to prevent childhood lead poisoning
  • $937,000 for expanding access to behavioral health services
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Transportation  

Every Wisconsinite knows our roads are taking a serious beating. Projects are being delayed due to lack of funding and our vehicles are paying the price. Part of the transportation budget passed was an increase in vehicle title fees by $95 and registration fees by $10.

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A total of $484 million was approved to fund our transportation infrastructure over the biennium. This was a shortfall for many reasons. The biggest shortfall is being funded by increasing costs solely on Wisconsin residents giving out of state drivers a free ride. I have heard from many of my constituents on the frustration regarding our roads and the current proposal which was passed. I believe we could have came up with better, more sustainable way to fix our roads here in Wisconsin. 


The Budget Going Forward 

The $81 billion budget is making its way over to Evers' desk. Once the budget lands on his desk, he has six days to make a decision. He can either sign it as is, veto it, or use his partial veto power to make changes. It's still unclear what Evers plans to do, but it's expected he'll make a decision early next week so stay tuned for the big decision!  


Until next time, 

Steve

 | State Rep. Steve Doyle - PO BOX 8952, Madison 53708  |