May 15, 2013

While the Joint Finance Committee continues to review Governor Walker's budget proposal, this week's E-update will focus on a few of the recent provisions. Continue reading for more information on the happenings "under the dome" and, as always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the budget process, budget provisions, or any other state legislative issue.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Shilling
State Senate, District 32
 

Democrats and a growing coalition of hospitals and patient advocacy groups are urging Governor Walker to strengthen our BadgerCare program. Expanding BadgerCare would save the state more than $100 million and provide affordable coverage to nearly 100,000 more residents over the next two years.

Better public schools also need to be a top priority. In the last budget, local schools took the largest funding cut in our state's history. Instead of restoring the cuts to our public schools and reducing property taxes for Wisconsin families, the Governor's budget would freeze public school funding and increase taxpayer subsidies for unaccountable and underperforming private voucher schools.

Ultimately, this budget needs to be about creating jobs. Wisconsin ranks 44th in the nation in terms of job creation and we are dead last among our Midwestern neighbors.

By getting back to our ABC's of affordable health care, better public schools, and creating jobs, we can balance our budget, we can improve our economic climate, and we can provide real assistance to Wisconsin families, children, and seniors.
 

The new audit report of Gov. Walker's WEDC uncovered a pattern of misconduct, ethical lapses, accountability deficiencies, and a disregard for state laws. The four Democratic members of the JFC had requested that comprehensive corrective measures be identified and enacted by Gov. Walker as the sitting Chairman of the WEDC board prior to the approval of additional funding in order to prevent the ongoing misuse and mismanagement of taxpayer dollars.

"The first step to any successful improvement program is to move past the denial stage and admit there is a problem. I am glad that Republicans have acknowledged the ongoing issues of waste, fraud, and mismanagement at WEDC, but now we need to take the step and get serious about cleaning up this mess," said Sen. Shilling.
 

When Wisconsin families go to a bank or credit union looking for an auto or home loan, lenders are required to tell you what interest rate you will have to pay. When you apply for a credit card, the company needs to disclose any fees that you could be changed. As consumers, we expect businesses to disclose this information so we can make informed purchasing decisions.

Unfortunately, tucked away in Governor Walker's budget is a provision to exempt the rent-to-own industry from Wisconsin's Consumer Protection Act. Under the Governor's proposal, these stores would be able to sell high-cost financing plans for televisions, appliances, furniture, and other goods without disclosing their interest rates.

The rent-to-own industry typically target low-income consumers with complex contracts that require frequent payments and include hidden fees. According to a report by the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group. consumers who enter into rent-to-own contracts typically buy products that end up costing two to three times more than the sticker price at similar retailers. For example, their study found that area rent-to-own stores charged $936 on average for a 32-inch TV set that cost $333 on average at retail stores.

Several of my senate colleagues including Republican Glenn Grothman and Democrat Lena Taylor have expressed concerns with this proposal. They have been joined in their opposition by a growing coalition of legislators, consumer rights organizations and church leaders from across the state.

If a consumer is going to be charged an effective annual interest rate of up to 370 percent, the businesses should have to disclose this information. Repealing consumer protection laws and allowing these stores to target low-income families who are more vulnerable to predatory lending schemes will hurt consumers and our communities.

Additionally, I am opposed to this non-fiscal policy item being snuck into the budget. As a member of the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee, I will continue to advocate for pulling this provisions from the state budget and having it vetted through the normal legislative process.
 

Recently, revised budget projections show there is an additional $575 million available to invest in budget priorities including public education and worker training programs.

The new revenue projections show that our state will be able to start restoring the $1.6 billion in cuts that were made to our public schools in the last budget. By providing a $275 per pupil funding increase to our local schools, we can make needed investments in our children's future and hold the line on property taxes.

Investing in worker training and improving accountability in our job creation programs must also be a top priority. Given our current ranking of 44th in job creation, we need to invest in worker training programs to close the skills gap and address the high rates of unemployment in our state.
 

"With May as Clean Air Month and 2013 as the Year of Well Being throughout our state, there is not a better time to learn about how important clean air is to our health and quality of life," said DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp. "At your DNR, we will continue to work hard so Wisconsin citizens can enjoy some of the cleanest air in the nation."

Stepp noted that the agency's recent Wisconsin Air Quality Trends Report 2013 [PDF] revealed a positive trend toward cleaner air since 2002.Overall, trends show improved air quality.

Visit these pages to stay informed and sign up for emails related to air quality in Wisconsin:

Current Wisconsin statewide air quality notices - The DNR uses weather forecasts and data to determine air quality in the state and notifies residents when pollutants reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups such as asthmatics and the older adults.

Air education and outreach - Publications and resources available for children, teachers, and adults.

Click on this link or the video above to watch a short DNR video, which introduces ways to improve the fuel economy of your vehicle -- by turning off your car instead of idling which you wait, combing errands to reduce travel and keeping tire pressure at manufacturer's specifications.
 

Two high school students from western Wisconsin, Briana Schwabenbauer from Holmen High School (pictured to the right) and Bethany Jensen from Onalaska High School (pictured below), participated in the 2013 Wisconsin Senate Scholar Program. The Senate Scholar Program is a week-long educational program offered by the Wisconsin State Senate that provides high school students with a hands-on, up-close view of the Legislature's role in our democracy. Senate Scholars gain experience in such diverse areas as policy development, constituent relations, and processing legislation by working with senators, legislative staff and University of Wisconsin faculty. Admission to the program is highly competitive and is limited to 33 academically exceptional high school juniors and seniors from around Wisconsin.

Briana and Bethany were the 5th and 6th Senate Scholars from the 32nd Senate District - Briana is the first from Holmen HS and Bethany is the third from Onalaska HS. Briana attended the week of April 7-12, while Bethany on May 5-10. Congratulations to these students for completing this highly competitive program!
 

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