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3/27/2009
We want more. More, more, more.
They surely know how to tell a story – and how to pick your pocket while they’re doing it. Yesterday I joined a sparsely attended gathering hosted by liberal ‘research groups,’ the Institute for Wisconsin’s Future (IWF) and the Wisconsin Council on Children & Families (WCCF). Folks were there representing the Fox Cities Project Promise Poverty Coalition, CAP Services, the Emergency Shelter, AARP, the Warming Shelter, Christine Ann Services, AFSCME and several from ESTHER. All were very well-intentioned, hard-working, huge-hearted community members. But boy, did they hear stories.
The meeting was advertised as **Why the 2009 State budget Debate Matters to YOU**
You care deeply about the Fox Cities' schools, health care system, parks, social services, public safety and other infrastructure that supports our well-being. However, the quality of life that we value so much is threatened by the projected $6 billion hole in the 2009-2011 state budget.
…. Come to this community meeting to …. [l]earn how your support for other revenue options can help prevent major cuts in state funding for cities, counties, schools and colleges and minimize the impact of the economic downturn on vulnerable children and families. The $6 billion hole. That woke me up. Referring of course to Governor Doyle’s famous $multi-billion (huge and manufactured budget) “shortfall.” Vicky Selkowe, the WCCF half of the presentation team, claimed that “just to do what we were doing last year, we must come up with an additional $5.9 billion!” Patently false, and the very basis of the rest of the presentation. As FP readers know, the $5.9B number comes from a wish list, an assumption of 15% increases and double-counting the resulting huge first-year deficit.
So followed slide after slide about the enormity of a $5.9 billion deficit, about huge “cuts” Wisconsinites must now endure and then of course... how and where to find more money. “To help bring in more revenue to support all these things we appreciate.” And “there are alternatives to raising revenue that don’t mean raising taxes on everyone.” Supposedly no pain - and all gain.
Ok, here are some of those proposed solutions to get more, more, more. - Improve revenue collection by hiring more Revenue workers.
- Restore the estate tax for estates over $1M.
- Close corporate loopholes!!! (Combined Reporting was explained using “huge margins” and “excess profits” at Arby’s.)
- Modernize our tax system (i.e., tax services, the Internet, huge hospital chains and luxury housing developments that pay no taxes. And get rid of evil corporate tax-avoiders.)
Telling was the response to an audience member’s mention of Milwaukee Public Schools, by way (I think) of commenting on important issues in the budget that impacted community success. IWF’s Joe Fahey brushed aside the comment/question, asserting “This is revenue season now!”
The message: Critical to stay focused. This is the time to ask for more, more, more.
The whole goal of this confab was to get folks to express their opinions to the Joint Finance Committee, meeting in Appleton April 1 (Stansbury Theatre, Lawrence campus, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.). Be assured, they will be there, with a very loud voice. The message to be shared again and again to legislators? I’m sure you guessed it.
So before you make any cuts to the vital public structures that make our communities such great places to live, work and raise families, I urge you to close loopholes and collect what’s owed first. More and more and more taxes. Where will your voice be on April 1?
Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net
COMMENTS
What a surprise - the event is being held smack in the middle of the business day.
Guess who CAN be there with no problem at all, and who is not very likely to be there because they're otherwise engaged ... like, EARNING the money that those at the meeting will be grabbing?
So far this is 'business as usual' for the government money crowd. How about if those of us who are 'otherwise engaged' make our voices heard either by taking time to be there OR to voice our concerns by other means? Phone calls, e-mail, petition ... Jo - is there a way to facilitate this through FP.net?
Jeff (Fri Mar 27 09:12:05 2009)
I spoke at the budget hearing in Sparta, and according to a friend who spent most of the day there, I was one of maybe 2 or 3 to NOT have his hand out for more money, and spoke in favor of LESS spending.
Along with what Jeff said, I kinda resent that teachers came with students in tow to lobby both for taking away property rights (smoking ban) and for more school spending.
Which little razor nick will it be that pushes the golden goose's blood supply past the "tipping point" toward death and total economic destruction?
Ken Van Doren (Fri Mar 27 17:20:30 2009)
The Joe Fahey assertion,“This is revenue season now!” summarizes the mindset of liberals who now control our state and federal government with no checks and balances.
But, let's make it "open season" on their toxic ideas. Ready, aim, speak!
Soapbox Jill (Sat Mar 28 10:54:06 2009)
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