The 2009-2011 State Budget by the Numbers

With the 2009-2011 State Budget signed into law, many of you may be wondering how the state's revenue is appropriated throughout the duration of the budget cycle.  Overall, the nearly $62.2 billion current state budget is comprised of the following: General Purpose Revenue, Federal Revenue, Program Revenue, Segregated Revenue, and Bond Revenue.  Each of these funding sources are designed for specific appropriations.  For example, the transportation dollars we use to build and repair roads are deposited into and withdrawn from the Transportation Fund, a source of Segregated Revenue. 

Over the next two years, education will encompass the bulk of our spending.  Of the entire budget (with federal dollars included), education accounts for 37.3% ($23,181,424,300) of our spending obligations followed closely by Human Relations and Resources at 36.2% ($22,502,889,300).  The purpose of Human Relations and Resources appropriations is to provide the funding needed for programs and services overseen by agencies such as the Department of Health, the Department of Children and Families, and the Department of Workforce Development.  Programs such as BadgerCare Plus and Wisconsin Shares as well as unemployment compensation factor into this 36.2% of our overall spending.  The money we will spend on environmental resources to help keep our parks and water sources clean over the next two years adds up to 11% ($6,863,414,600) of the budget.  Shared Revenue and Tax Relief, which the state allocates to county and municipal government entities, accounts for 7.6% ($4,719,345,800) of our budget.  Of the remaining items within the budget, a few of you have expressed interest in the amount spent on the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government.  At a cost of $2,724,505,100, the portion of the executive branch is 4.4%.  Over the next two years, $274,324,500 will be spent on the judicial branch (0.4% of the budget) and $147,735,500 will be spent on the legislative branch (0.2% of the budget - the smallest portion).

All of the expenditures I mentioned above are appropriated through the General Fund (the source of our state's General Purpose Revenue).  This fund alone accounts for $27,671,651,200 of the 2009-2011 State Budget.  In looking at the totals included within this particular fund, education ranks at the very top with a 49.2% share, followed again by Human Relations and Resources at 25.6%.  Shared Revenue and Tax Relief encompasses 15.3%, the Executive branch receives 1.9%, the Judicial branch has a 0.9% share, and 0.5% is slated for the Legislative branch. 

The 2009-2011 State Budget obviously includes much more than what I have mentioned, but it would entail a more complex and detailed analysis.  I wanted to at least provide a brief explanation of what happens to your tax dollars once they are collected and spent by the state over the two-year budget cycle.  If you are interested in reading more about the 2009-2011 State Budget and state spending, please visit http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lfb/2009-11Budget/Act%2028/2009_07_22_2009-11%20budget%20summary%20information%20(Act%2028).pdf or contact my office and I will be happy to provide you with brief summaries compiled by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

Somers Fire and Rescue Department Commemorates 75th Anniversary

The Somers Fire and Rescue Department recently achieved a milestone in celebrating its 75th anniversary.  Since it was established in December 1934 with just two fire trucks, the department has grown to a staff of 10 full-time firefighters and nearly 70 on-call volunteer firefighters and/or emergency medical technicians who serve the community 24 hours per day, seven days per week.  The celebration included fireworks, music, food, games, a parade, and a firefighting equipment display. 

In recognition of the department's 75th anniversary, Senator Bob Wirch, Representative Peter Barca and I presented Fire Chief Steve Krause with a citation plaque on behalf of the State Legislature.  Governor Jim Doyle, Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser and several other local elected officials also presented the department with plaques and certificates.  Additionally, three former fire chiefs, the current most senior department official, and other former firefighters were honored for their service and dedication to the Somers Fire and Rescue Department over the last 75 years.

During the recognition ceremony, department officials thanked Somers residents for their support over the years.  Fire Chief Krause summed up the department's appreciation by saying, "I hope to tell you that for the next 75 years, the community will come first for the Somers Fire Department."

Rep. Samantha Kerkman pictured with Sen. Bob Wirch, Rep. Barca and Somers Fire Chief Steve Krause during the 75th anniversary celebration of the Somers Fire and Rescue Department.  Photo taken by Earlene Frederick of the Westosha Report and Ember Images (www.emberimages.com).

Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha Recognized at JC Penney Grand Opening

The Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha was recently honored at the grand opening ceremony of the new JC Penney store in Pleasant Prairie.  Company officials presented the Boys and Girls Club with a $5,000 grant to help fund after school educational programs for club participants.

Founded in June of 1992, the Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha grew from a Wilson Heights drop site to a permanent headquarters on 50th Street and eight additional after school sites.  The club's mission is to help promote the advancement and development of children through recreation and companionship, and provide them with a safe place in which to learn and grow into responsible and productive citizens.  The Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha currently serves more than 5,650 children and adolescents in the community through after school programs, recreational activities, and its federally-funded youth employment program.

Rep. Samantha Kerkman pictured with Rep. Barca, Rep. Steinbrink, JC Penney officials, and members of the Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha following the presentation of the grant awarded to the club by JC Penney.

Burlington High School Club Trapshooting Team Succeeds at National Tournament

In a previous edition of Capitol Insight, I mentioned that the Burlington High School Club Trapshooting Team advanced to the Scholastic Clay Target Program National Championships in Sparta, IL.  At this time, I am happy to provide a few of the results from the team's outstanding performances throughout the competition.  First, the Varsity team placed 10th out of more than 70 teams and 3rd in the high school-only division.  The Junior Varsity team placed 5th out of 38 teams and the Intermediate Entry team took 2nd place out of as many teams.  Overall, 4 squads from Burlington placed among the top 10 finalists at the tournament.  During the "Last Man Standing" segment of the competition, which featured 221 shooters, Jordan Hintz placed 6th, Ethan Kerr came in 5th and Jon Ebbers finished in 2nd place.  Congratulations to the Burlington High School Club Trapshooting Team on a job well done at the national championships!

Reminder: Kenosha County Fair is August 19-23

For those of you who are looking for entertainment close to home, I highly recommend a visit to the 2009 Kenosha County Fair.  The fair is scheduled to take place August 19th through 23rd at the fairgrounds near Wilmot.  Featured performers include The Love Monkeys, The Toys, Infinity, Cherry Pie, and a tribute to Buddy Holly.  A demolition derby and a truck, tractor and combine derby are also among the scheduled festivities.  For more information about the Kenosha County Fair, please visit http://kenoshacofair.com/index.htm.  I will have a booth set up on the fairgrounds everyday during the fair, so please stop by and say hello!  See you at the fair!

Deadline to Sign up for Do Not Call List is August 31st

As a friendly reminder, if you are interested in registering for the Do Not Call List, the deadline to do so is August 31st.  Once you've signed up by that date, you will be placed on the list that will take effect on October 1st.  Unfortunately, this means you could still receive unwanted phone calls from telemarketers throughout the month of September.  Again, to learn more and sign up for the Do Not Call List, please call 1-866-966-2255 or visit https://nocall.wisconsin.gov/web/home.asp.  If you experience any difficulty with registering, please feel free to contact my office and my staff and I will be happy to assist you.