May 4, 2011

Budget Update

The Joint Finance Committee continued voting this week on specific provisions of the state budget bill.  The finance members' decisions were consistent with the Legislature's goals of reducing spending while funding essential functions of government and delivering core services to the people who truly need it.

Most importantly, this budget bill will balance the budget without raising taxes on working families.  It reforms the way our state prioritizes and spends money, and continues to find ways to partner with the private sector. 

Here are a few highlights from Tuesday's votes:

• Ended unelected Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs). 

• Took an important step towards merit pay and real education reform.

• Began the process to eliminate the office of the state Treasurer. 

• Made a common-sense change to cut wait times and widespread inconveniences in getting a driver's license by allowing third parties to administer road tests. 

• Continued balancing the budget with real spending cuts.

Voting will continue tomorrow - Thursdays' Schedule. 

The Committee will continue to modify the budget bill until ultimately sending it to each house of the Legislature for passage.  Feel fee to contact my office with any specific questions about the budget bill. 

Bin Laden News a Reminder of Stakes and Sacrifice

Osama Bin Laden's capture and death is a significant milestone for America and the world.  I applaud our United States military members and intelligent officers who carried out this successful mission for their dedication and bravery.  Justice has been served and my thoughts and prayers are always with the loved ones and victims of 9/11.  

Voter Photo ID Bill Gets Public Hearing 

A bill that will require proof of identification in order to vote received a public hearing last week and has been amended to allow for additional forms of identification.  Here is the updated list of approved IDs:

• a valid Wisconsin Driver’s License or unexpired receipt

• a valid Wisconsin Identification Card or unexpired receipt

• an identification card issued by the U.S. uniformed service

• a U.S. Passport

• a certificate of U.S. Naturalization

• an identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in this state

The bill has been designed to streamline the process for meeting the photo ID requirement when voting by absentee or while hospitalized.  It will require people who vote in person to enter their signatures on the poll list and require voters to have been a resident of an election district or ward for at least 28 consecutive days prior to the election.  The bill also eliminates straight party ticket voting. 

The Senate expects to pass this long-overdue change and send it to the Governor's desk this month. 

Massachusetts Reforms Collective Bargaining

The Democrat-controlled House in Massachusetts passed a bill last week reforming public-sector collective-bargaining measures that are similar to the reforms that Wisconsin recently passed. 

The bill limits the ability of public-employee unions to collectively bargain for health care.  The plan is expected to save the state $100 million a year.  Massachusetts faces a $1.9 billion deficit. 

This is a clear sign that reforming collective bargaining laws is not a partisan issue.  It's an important fiscal necessity to balance state budgets and eliminate deficits. 

Office Hours Scheduled in Fort Atkinson

I will be holding office hours on Thursday, May 16, at the Fort Atkinson High School Auditorium from 5-7 p.m. 

The High School is located at 925 Lexington Blvd.   Please come and share your thoughts and concerns.

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State On Track To Reach 250,000 Jobs Goal

Last month's report from the Dept of Workforce Development shows some significant gains in job growth since the beginning of the year.

- 25,000 jobs have been created with all but 900 of them in the private sector. 

- WI's manufacturing industry has added 11,500 jobs during the first quarter.

If job growth continues at the same pace, Wisconsin would be on target to creating 385,600 more jobs by the end of 2014.

Public Still Skeptical About Economy

Only 27 percent of Americans believe that the economy is growing according to a Gallup poll released last week. 

Another USA Today/Gallup poll found that by a ratio of more than 3-1, those responded believe the deficit is caused from too much spending, instead of too little tax revenue. 

About half of Americans want to eliminate the deficit entirely or mostly through spending cuts. 

What do you think? Feel free to let me know by calling my office at 608-266-5660 or e-mailing me at Sen.Fitzgerald@legis.wi.gov.

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882    Phone: (608)266-5660     (608) 267-6795    E-mail: Sen.Fitzgerald@legis.wi.gov