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6/15/2009
GOP budget contributions summarily rejected
The Democrat-crafted state budget passed by the Assembly at 5:07 Saturday morning will absolutely and adversely affect most Wisconsinites. Serious changes in state policies will bring serious consequences – intended, and not.
First, I’ll repeat the tax and fee hike litany because all of us need to get it: The Dems are unabashedly sugarcoating this budget bill and Wisconsin must understand the truth of it:
In a recession, when taxpayers have less, are working less and being paid less, taxes and fees in the Assembly-passed budget increased by $2.2 billion, property taxes will rise (as a result of state budget actions) by at least $1.5 billion and total government spending increases $3.7 billion, or 6.3%. (When you hear that the budget was cut by 5% - or cut by anything at all - it’s more than disingenuous – it’s a lie. Check here for an explanation of the inconsistency.)
And another prominent claim we've been hearing from Democrats, as commented on by former Republican State Senator Cathy Stepp:
[Democrat legislators Cory Mason and John Lehman] say their budget "protects Wisconsin workers and families from tax increases." This is ridiculous. I challenge them to find one citizen in Racine County who doesn't pay at least one of these taxes: gas, phone, hospital, electricity, garbage, capital gains and property. This budget raises ALL of those taxes. Reportedly, Majority Leader Tom Nelson (D–Kaukauna) once again claimed “the Dems ‘reached out time and again’ to Republicans for constructive ideas about amending the budget.” (Republican Leader Jeff Fitzgerald would strongly disagree.)
After being called to the floor of the legislature at 5:25 PM Friday evening to finally take up this budget, Assembly Republicans finally were allowed to contribute – and contribute they did, with over 100 amendments. Change after change after change went unaccepted by the Democrat majority. (Just where is this budget process bipartisan?) Below are just a few of the critical amendments offered by Assembly Republicans and summarily rejected by their Democrat counterparts.
- GOP amendments would have removed a mandatory increase in auto insurance minimums from the budget, changes that will now increase premiums for many by at least $300 annually.
- GOP amendments would have removed 90 earmarks totaling more than $37 million, pork barrel spending in Democrat districts throughout the state.
- GOP amendments would have modified a 220% increase in garbage taxes – increases paid for by municipal taxpayers. Funny thing that the resulting new revenue transferred pays about twice for the $37M in pork barrel spending mentioned above.
- GOP amendments would have restored effective competitive bidding on commercial and residential developments, as well as municipal projects. When a homebuilder, for example, puts in sewers and roads, and ultimately turns them over to the municipality, he is now mandated to pay union rates for that work. This huge burdensome prevailing wage policy change alone will now increase the cost of a residential lot or commercial land by 30% or more. And not only that – it will increase costs to many municipalities by the same amounts. Tragic.
- GOP amendments would have deleted an ‘excess profits tax’ on ‘big oil’ that will raise gas taxes another 4 cents per gallon, when Wisconsin’s gas taxes are already among the highest in the nation.
Stay tuned. The Senate will work its own magic on this budget next week and a Conference Committee will most assuredly follow all that excitement. Not a good budget for Wisconsin. There’s still time to write your legislator – your Representative and your State Senator. And lots to write them about.
Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net
COMMENTS
"GOP amendments would have removed 90 earmarks totaling more than $37 million, pork barrel spending in Democrat districts throughout the state."
I have asked Dan Flannery to run a list of these pork barrel projects in Democratic districts. I keep hearing about them, but I would like to see this list. It would be a great service if you would run that list and also indicate how they are pork.
Jim Perry (Mon Jun 15 13:12:16 2009)
According to The Legislative Fiscal Bureau, The Failed GOP Ammendments all together WOULD HAVE ADDED 1.75 BILLION
to The Current Budget....Please don't ignore that Very Important FACT!
Jim J (Tue Jun 16 08:37:46 2009)
Yet another reason to forget about the leadership of the Republocrats and the Demicans, and join the citizens demanding...recalldoyle.com. He's an easy target, and if he's booted, other arrogant politicians will have to take note.
emily matthews (Tue Jun 16 12:22:13 2009)
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