3/11/2008
More one time fixes. Nuts.
Representative Vos is exactly right. “Clearly Governor Doyle doesn’t get it.”
On the other hand, this, from WEAC, is just too damn typical.
Governor Doyle understands that education is the key to economic growth and expansion, and that the schools are the last place the state should look to solve a short-term budget problem. … we can all breath a little bit easier (sic) knowing the governor is standing up for education in his budget repair plan.
Great schools benefit everyone and our elected officials’ commitment to education now will reap big dividends in the near future.
What a bunch of garbage. So it’s a “short-term budget problem”???? Yeah. “… we can all breath a little bit easier (sic) knowing the governor is standing up for education in his budget repair plan.” And then we have to hear more about “great schools.” Damn.
Funny thing. The Governor’s fellow Dem, Senator Majority Leader Decker doesn’t think it’s a short-term problem:
This bill could impact state finances for years to come and we need to do our best not to dig a deeper hole for future budgets.
And dig a hole we will. The guv proposes more and more one-time fixes. Damn, damn, damn, damn. And there’s more too, of the Governor’s typical blame game.
All across the country, states are grappling with budget shortfalls, and here in Wisconsin we are not immune.
It really ticks me off. Just like the state-of-the-messed-up-state. Everyone’s responsibility but mine. Damn. Our state has been in financial muck for a decade. You’re darn right we’re not immune, in that we continue to run multi-billion GAAP deficits.
Of course, it’s one time fixes that carry the day.
- The Hospital Tax – a 0.7% assessment on hospital revenues would allegedly magically produce $700M (or whatever number he finally decides is defensible- ???) in new federal revenue over the biennium. It’s a tax that would apply only for the current biennium – good thing too because the feds are wising up and probably won’t be funding the program past 2009.
- Steals another $243M from the Transportation Fund – you have got to be kidding. Here’s how the Cap Times mouthed the company (state budget director Dave Schmeidicke) line: “As part of the reductions, the state would substitute about $293M in borrowed funds to take the place of tax-supported programs in the transportation budget.”
- The stolen Transpo Fund money will be replaced with $77M in additional federal transportation funds (????) and $190M of NEW MORE EXCESSIVE HIGH-COST borrowing. Unbelievable.
- $15M annually from the refinancing (again!!!) of tobacco bonds. Grrrrr.
Again, Representative Vos: “I propose that the Legislature take a lesson from Wisconsin families on budgeting. I look forward to working with my colleagues to address this spending problem by cutting back, identifying efficiencies and holding the line on new spending, just as any Wisconsin family would do when faced with economic hardship.”
Hear, hear.
COMMENTS
Jo: You've got it just right! I've been sitting at HOV Chamber, "Meet Your Legislators" Meetings for 20 years listening to blatter about, "Structur-
Deficits". And, every bi-ennium budget
cycle they take the same short term ap-
proach. When are they going to under-
stand it's a SPENDING problem and work
on permanent cost reductions??
Glenn L Schilling (Tue Mar 11 10:10:37 2008)
"'I propose that the Legislature take a lesson from Wisconsin families on budgeting. I look forward to working with my colleagues to address this spending problem by cutting back, identifying efficiencies and holding the line on new spending, just as any Wisconsin family would do when faced with economic hardship.'"
One thing any Wisconsin family with budget problems can do is ... move. At this time of year places with less snow, more sun and more employment opportunities are singing a siren song.
I could only wish I had Wisconsin taxpayers to tap when I under budget.
'Hey, guys? I spent more on my entertainment line-item this month than I anticipated - you think you could increase my take-home by 30%? That sure would let me catch up on my mortgage and pay for a guy to shovel my driveway ...'
Brian (Tue Mar 11 11:56:03 2008)
|
