A Bill to Pay the Bills
This week, Representative Petryk and I introduced Assembly Bill 148 which
calls for Wisconsin to be fiscally responsible with our updated revenue
projections. This bill will help us make our school aid payments on time and
pay back the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund which was
illegally raided by former Governor Doyle during the 2007-09 state budget
negotiations.
In addition, paying our bills on time, or even early will help Wisconsin
gain $23 million in federal Medicaid funds. In my own business, I often pay
my bills early because it saves money in the long run. I know Wisconsin can
benefit from the same practice.
I am happy to tell you that Assembly Bill 148 passed unanimously in the
Joint Finance Committee with bipartisan support this week. I am hopeful that
this important piece of legislation will enjoy the same bipartisan support
when it comes to the Assembly floor in June.
Fighting to Keep Maintenance of Effort in Libraries
Recently, I submitted a budget motion to keep maintenance of
effort in libraries, and Representative Dan Meyer submitted the motion to
the Joint Finance Committee for consideration. Unfortunately, the motion
failed. However, it did lead to a consideration of an alternate solution.
After much discussion, the alternate solution was not passed either.
I know how important libraries are to the 67th Assembly District. I have
librarians in my family so I know firsthand the benefits libraries provide
to communities. I fully believe that maintaining the quality of our
libraries is responsible and good for our area, and I was disappointed to
see my motion fail.
Still, I am proud that I was able to bring this important issue to the
forefront of debate, and I will continue to fight for our libraries in the
future.
Your Thoughts?
What do you think? Should we change the way we do things in
Madison by paying off our debt and putting our state on sound financial
footing, or should we rely on the same old politics as usual that result in
out-of-control government spending and massive deficits?
Please do let me know your thoughts on this issue. I value your opinion, and
I know that together we can make our state great again.
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