E-Update from the Rep. LaTonya Johnson
June 20th, 2013
Dear Neighbor,
I hope you are having a wonderful summer and enjoying time with friends and neighbors in the community!
In the State Assembly, the spring session ended with passage of the 2013-2015 State Budget, a budget which is bad for Milwaukee and further undermines our middle class and the social safety net for our most vulnerable citizens. I voted against the budget, and in this E-Update, I will summarize some of the highlights and lowlights of the budget, and other legislation which has recently passed in the Assembly.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office to request assistance or to share any questions or concerns you have regarding state government. I can be reached by e-mail at Rep.Johnson@legis.wi.gov or by phone at (608) 266-5580. My toll free number is listed on my legislative website at http://johnson.assembly.wi.gov.
LaTonya Johnson
State Representative
17th Assembly District
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2013-2015 State Budget
This week, against bipartisan members in the legislature and from citizens across the state, the Assembly passed a budget bill which hurts public education and health care, raises property taxes, and creates a nearly half-billion dollar budget deficit in the State of Wisconsin. I voted against this bill, and am hopeful the Senate and the Governor will reconsider the many provisions that are disastrous for Wisconsin families. Below is a breakdown of some of the most harmful measures in the budget. If you have any questions about how this budget affects you, or what you can do to fight back, please give my office a call or send us an e-mail.
Attack on Public Education
In his last budget, the Governor cut nearly $1 billion from public education across the state, forcing local schools to severely cut back and even shut down completely. In this budget, the governor barely puts a quarter of this funding back, and threatens the long term stability of our education system by expanding voucher schools statewide. This expansion, backed by out of state interests bent on implementing vouchers nationwide, will send your tax dollars to voucher schools which are not held accountable to the same standards as public schools and haven’t shown better results. A system originally intended to help low-income children in Milwaukee is now being expanded so that parents across the state can use public money to send their kids to private schools.
This is the wrong direction for Wisconsin. The success of our state and our economy is founded on the education of our children, and this budget undermines this by leaving public schools under funded and threatening their long-term viability. Your tax dollars should be used to strengthen our schools and our communities, not to fund private schools or give tax breaks to the wealthy. I will continue to be an outspoken supporter of our public schools, and will work tirelessly to give them the funding they deserve.
Healthcare
Recently, Governor Walker refused to accept Federal funding for BadgerCare through the Affordable Care Act. Instead of insuring more Wisconsinites at no cost to the State, the Governor’s plan leaves nearly 85,000 Wisconsinites uninsured while adding around $120 million to our budget deficit. Now, many Wisconsinites who previously were covered by BadgerCare Plus will be left on their own to get health care.
Over the past few weeks, I heard many harrowing stories from constituents about the human cost of the Governor’s decision. Hard working residents are left on their own to find the health care they need and all-too-often cannot afford. No one deserves to be bankrupted by an illness, locked out of a hospital, left tossing and turning at night, burdened with questions of how they will pay rent, put food on the table, or afford their child’s asthma treatments. I urge the Governor to reverse his decision and accept the money. The health of tens of thousands of Wisconsinites is too important to neglect in favor of political ambitions.
Tax Cuts for the Rich, Tax hikes for homeowners
In the budget, the governor prioritizes a $673 million income tax cut. Unfortunately, most of this tax cut goes to the wealthiest Wisconsinites. The average family will see very little tax relief, while the rich will receive thousands of dollars. This plan doesn’t stimulate the economy; it hurts it by creating a deficit and taking money away from schools, healthcare, and transportation, instead giving it to those who are already doing well.
Because of the hole this tax cut will create in the budget, property taxes will be increased on Wisconsin homeowners. This means that middle class families will be footing the bill for giveaways to the wealthy and voucher schools. This is not what we need to prioritize with so many looking for jobs and struggling to get by in this economy.
Budget Deficit
Recent fiscal estimates have predicted that this budget will leave a $505 million budget shortfall for the next biennium. Despite all his talk about balancing the budget, Governor Walker has prioritized a huge tax give-away to the wealthiest earners over public school children, transportation infrastructure, and a balanced budget. Now, future legislatures and administrations will be left to pay for the Walker debt.
Non-Fiscal Items
The governor has snuck some non-fiscal items into the budget, hoping to push through pet projects without adequate opportunity for debate. Chief among these is the proposal to remove long-established residency requirements for Milwaukee public employees. This is a Milwaukee issue, not a budget issue, and not a statewide issue. I support residency requirements because our public workers are vital members of our local communities and neighborhoods. This proposal would drain Milwaukee citizens and Milwaukee dollars from our community, sapping our city of the residents who are integral to our city’s well-being. I will continue working with lawmakers to fight this backhanded attack on Milwaukee.
The budget bill is filled with bad policies which take Wisconsin in the wrong direction. From rejecting health coverage to defunding our public schools to creating deficits through tax giveaways, this bill will cause damage to our state that will take years to undo. I urge Republicans to reconsider this budget, and make the right choice for Wisconsin families.
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Reproductive Rights
At a time when our economy is struggling, I firmly believe lawmakers need to be focused on creating jobs in our communities and supporting our neighborhoods. Unfortunately, the Assembly does not share my focus and has decided to launch an ideological assault on the rights of women across the state to make their own medical decisions. Last week, the Assembly passed 3 bills which restrict women’s access to health care and force them to have transvaginal ultrasounds, attacking our long-established freedoms.
Even though Wisconsin has ranked last in wage growth, the Assembly has prioritized legislation which requires women to receive an invasive ultrasound before having an abortion. While Wisconsin is ranked 49th in the nation in economic growth, the Assembly repealed our state’s Contraception Equity Law which provides women access to contraception. And at a time when our state ranks 44th in job growth, the legislature has proposed a Constitutional amendment to allow health care providers to refuse a woman birth control, in vitro fertilization, or abortion, even if her life is in peril.
I fully support the right of women to make their own decisions, and I find these attacks on women to be especially egregious and mean-spirited. Women have the right to control their own bodies, and medical choices should be between a woman and her doctor. Unfortunately, these bills erode those fundamental rights and treat women as second class citizens. I believe we need to focus our attention and energy on job creation, economic development, and supporting the social services that make our communities strong. I will continue to work with my colleagues to protect the rights of women, grow our economy, and strengthen our community.
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Election Laws
Earlier this month, Republicans presented an election bill that was a blatant attack on the democratic process in Wisconsin. Again, Wisconsin Republicans pushed voter suppression measures already declared unconstitutional by state courts. Earlier this week, many of these proposals were removed from the bill. However, the bill was amended to double the amount of spending allowed in state legislative races. In a time when millions of out of state dollars have been poured into Wisconsin elections, the last thing we need is more money in politics. I oppose this bill because I see a further influx of big dollar special interest donors as a threat to the sanctity of our legislature. Though there are some good measures in this bill, including an online voter registration system which will make it easier for Wisconsinites to engage in the democratic process, I cannot support a bill that increases the power of wealthy special interests.
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Walking the District
I have truly enjoyed walking the district these past few weeks, knocking on doors, and meeting so many new people in our community. The 11th Assembly District is such a wonderful and diverse place, full of great people. Many of the concerns that I have heard throughout my days walking the district are about jobs and education. I want you to know that I am always willing to stop by your home and speak with you about the issues. Your input is what helps me shape the tough decisions I must make in Madison, and I am always available to hear those concerns.
If you would like to schedule a time for me to come and speak about the issues with you and your family, please contact my office. I would enjoy the opportunity very much.
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Free Money!
The State of Wisconsin Treasurer’s Office
might have some money that you didn’t evenknow you had! Every year, businesses, financial
institutions, and others turn over funds to the State of Wisconsin that
have gone unclaimed! All you have to do is type your name into the link
below, and see if you have any funds available to you.
I have already heard from a handful of 11th Assembly District residents who have received more than $50 by typing in their name, and filling out a claim!
http://statetreasury.wi.gov/ -OR- (855) 375-CASH (2274)
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Again, thank you for your ongoing input. Should you have any questions,
comments, or concerns, please reach out to my office at any time, and I
would be glad to assist you.
Mandela Barnes
State Representative
11th Assembly District
Contact Me!
State Capitol
P.O. Box 8952
Madison, WI 53703
PH: (608) 266-5580
TF: (888) 534-0017
On the Web:
For more pictures visit my website or Facebook page!
