Greetings again from the State Capitol!  My goal is to ensure that my constituents are up to date on all the happening here at the Capitol.  I appreciate receiving your input and encourage you to contact me with your questions, concerns or general comments. 

The next biennial budget deficit facing us is of great concern to the state of Wisconsin and we need to take action to fix it. Several weeks ago, Governor Walker introduced his proposed state budget to a joint session of the Wisconsin State Legislature. The proposed bill contains no tax increases, no fee increases, no segregated fund raids, and will eliminate 90% of Wisconsin's structural deficit by 2013.  It also affects virtually every area of state government, reduces shared revenues to municipalities and lowers general aid to schools.  I am looking at every area of this budget with the goal of a sustainable level of state spending that meets the needs of the agencies, units of government, and programs that it supports. 

The budget process will take several months to debate. The Legislature’s goal is always to pass the state’s budget by June 30, the end of the state’s fiscal year. The Joint Committee on Finance began briefing state agencies on the budget Monday, March 28th; a process that will take about two weeks. 

There are four Joint Finance Committee hearings scheduled around the state. The hearing dates include the following: April 7 at UW-Stevens Point (10AM to 6PM); April 8 at Minong High School in Washburn County (10AM to 5PM); April 11 at the Wisconsin State Fair Park, Expo Hall A in West Allis (10AM to 6PM); and April 13 at Arcadia High School in Arcadia (10AM to 6PM).

Comments regarding the budget may be sent to members of the Joint Committee on Finance at any time.  Please send them to Budgetcomments@legis.wisconsin.gov.  Please feel free to copy me at rep.loudenbeck@legis.wi.gov in your e-mail.

The proposed state budget for 2011-2013 will be one of the most challenging budgets in recent memory. Our State Constitution requires us to balance the budget unlike the Federal Government with its unique ability to borrow large sums of money. We can no longer afford to raid segregated state accounts. For more information regarding budget information I urge you to visit http://legis.wisconsin.gov/lfb/2011-13 Budget/Governor/tableofcontents.htm. The future rewards that will come from the decisions we make today will set our state on a path to fiscal stability.

 

     
Rep. Loudenbeck with members of the 2011 Wisconsin Badger Rose Bowl team and Coach Bielema (left)
Nancy Boutelle, Regina Dunkin, and Rep. Loudenbeck at the unveiling of the Nancy Boutelle Community Room at the Merrill Community Center (right)

As always my office, which is on the second floor of the Capitol in 209 North, is here to help you with all information, questions and concerns regarding legislation or simple inquiries. Feel free to contact myself or my legislative assistant, Lonna Morouney.  We are always ready to assist you in your needs. As your representative I want to hear from you, so please feel free to contact me with your concerns. Know that the constituents of the 45th Assembly District obtain the highest priority in my office and that my door is always open.