May 8, 2015

Joint Finance Executive Sessions Recap

 

The budget-writing Joint Finance Committee (JFC) voted on important state budget provisions that will be beneficial for people throughout Wisconsin. The Joint Finance Committee held two executive sessions this week, here is a recap of select items.

Natural Resources -- Parks and Forestry


 Our state parks are some of the most premier in the nation, and when compared to our neighboring states, WI park fees cost less money. In a motion by Sen. Marklein, JFC took a market and economic-based approach to issues regarding our state parks' fees. The Committee approved raising admission and trail pass fees, camping fees, and campsite electric fees. The motion specifies that camping fees will remain less expensive for Wisconsin residents (between $15-$20/night) than non-residents ($19-$25/night). Additionally, this motion will help to fill campsites during slower times of the year, and make state parks more economically competitive during busy times.

The JFC also voted to restore $2 million annually for state park, forestry, and riverway roads.

I, along with Sen. Tom Tiffany offered a motion that deletes 4 positions and specifies that an owner who intends to cut merchantable timber on managed forest land isn't required to obtain approval from the DNR. Additional conditions are spelled out in the motion attached after "Managed Forest Law Timber Cutting Notices."

Forestry Account Overview: Overview paper; no action necessary.
Parks Funding and Fee Increase Vote: adopted 12-4 w/ 1 motion
State Park, Forestry, and Riverway Roads Vote: Alt. 2 b1, adopted 12-4
Parks and Southern Forests Operations Vote: Alt. 2, adopted 15-1
Urban Forestry Grant Eligibility Vote: Alt. A2, adopted 16-0
Managed Forest Law Timber Cutting Notices Vote: Adopted 12-4 w/ 1 motion

Additional Adopted Motions:
Motion #242: Adopted 12-4. This motion pertains to aspects of Wisconsin forestry and forestry management. Specifically, the motion details provisions for the Good Neighbor Authority program, Managed Forest Law (MFL), and Northern State Forests Master Plans. This motion also specifies that the DNR may not automatically enroll designated MFL land in a certified group, instead of automatically being enrolled in the certification and having to opt out.

Well Woman Program - Additional Funding

On Tuesday, Co-Chair Senator Alberta Darling and I offered a motion that allocated an additional $100,000 to the Wisconsin Well Women program. This program increases access to breast and cervical cancer screenings and treatment for low income women in our state.

So far in the budget we have cut:

  • Reduced all funds by $32.5 million
  • Reduced GPR spending by $29 million
  • Reduced the number of FTE positions by 33

Teaching / K-12 is Top Priority

 

 

 

 

Assembly Republicans held a press conference on Wednesday to announce that the funding of K-12 schools is our top priority in the 2015-17 budget.  It is the biggest expenditure in the budget and our most important investment. The members of the majority caucus came together for this announcement following the release of revenue projections from the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, which stated that estimates are on target for the biennial budget and did not include additional revenue.

 

While it is disappointing that new dollars are not available, our anticipated growth of 4-5 percent is positive.  We will continue to move forward to balance the budget and make the right priorities for the state. 

 

The governor's proposed education budget included a $127 million decrease in the first year of the biennial budget.  It is our intention to restore that cut and ensure that public education is properly funded in the entire budget.  We've heard from our local school districts and from constituents that these dollars are needed, and we are going to use the resources that we have available to make this it happen.

 

Next on the Budget Agenda

 

Next Tuesday and Thursday, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) will continue holding executive sessions to discuss and vote on individual issues within the 2015-17 state budget. Here are the issues we'll be voting on next week:

Tuesday, May 12
Higher Educational Aids Board
Educational Communications Board
Office of State Employment Relations
Health Services -- Institutions and Mental Health
Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Environmental Improvement Fund

Thursday, May 14
Administration -- Hearings and Appeals
Administration -- Information Technology
Investment Board
Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board
Children and Families -- Departmentwide
Children and Families -- Children and Families
Children and Families -- Economic Support and Child Care
Children and Families -- Child Support
Shared Revenue and Tax Relief -- Direct Aid Payments
Shared Revenue and Tax Relief -- Property Tax Credits
Shared Revenue and Tax Relief -- Property Taxation
Shared Revenue and tax Relief -- Local Revenue Options

If you are interested in watching these executive sessions live on your computer or smart phone, feel free to stream the committee meeting live on Wisconsin Eye at 10am on May 12th and 14th.  

Spring Survey

 

Now that it's budget season once again, I'd like to hear from you! My constituents will be receiving my 2015 Spring Survey in the mail. I encourage you to fill it out and send it back to me with your comments about the state budget.

 

If you prefer to save a piece of paper, I encourage you to take my survey online here.

 

I look forward to hearing from residents of the 35th Assembly District about your thoughts on the proposed 2015-17 state budget. Thank you for your participation in this important process.

 

Have a good weekend and stay warm!

Share your ideas at www.WisconsinAssemblyRepublicans.com and on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/WisconsinAssemblyRepublicans. #ForwardAgenda

 
 
As always, if you have any comments or thoughts regarding the subject of this 
E-Update, please feel free to contact me.

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State Capitol Room 15 West- PO Box 8952, Madison, WI 53708
(608) 266-7694
Email: Rep.Czaja@legis.wi.gov