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10/2/2007
Be a chum, Madam Burmaster
It’s time to set the record straight on school scare tactics. It was reported yesterday afternoon that both Speaker Mike Huebsch and Senator Scott Fitzgerald said they don’t see a budget agreed on by October 15. Ok, time to fish or cut bait.
First of all, this business of school district property taxes escalating huge amounts because the budget isn’t settled is just plain bogus. The difference between what schools might receive based on “last years number” and what they would receive if a budget were passed is about $80,000,000. That’s the amount of money property taxpayers across the state would be asked to make up – about $.15/$1,000 of valuation.
So here’s the deal. Need I say school superintendents aren’t dumb? And be assured, neither are their business managers. Schools know what state aids they’re going to get. Ok, they don’t have exact figures from DPI – and heaven knows, those formulas are so very complex that amounts could change for any number of reasons. But the districts do have July 15 estimated aid numbers done for them by DPI. They also know that two weeks ago the Assembly passed a school aids budget that, lo and behold, equaled the Senate budget number. So now all four budgets (Senate, Assembly, JFC, Governor’s) are essentially the same on school aids. So let me repeat. School superintendents aren’t dumb. They’ve got a pretty good idea of the state aid number that will ultimately be included in any final budget.
Enter stage left, Libby Burmaster. By law, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction must begin these very complex calculations based on the budget in effect, i.e., as of now, the old budget. Ok, great. Do the deed. Follow the law and calculate the darn numbers for each of the state’s 426 school districts.
But then Ms. Burmaster, be a chum. Just do the whole state a hu-u-uge public service. Have your talented staff calculate a second set of numbers, using the “hypothetical” new state aids number agreed to by all parties involved.
Let’s cut the hyperbole and finger pointing – all of us. Enough. The schools will have their numbers, they’ll calculate what property tax levy they need based essentially on new state aid numbers and everything will be copesetic.
If Governor Doyle (in absentia – geeez) or anyone else in his administration want to criticize the budget process, they best not continue worn-out Assembly GOP bashing. Todd Berry, President of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX), says everybody’s culpable on this late budget business.
WISTAX’s latest newsletter put its finger on just why this budget is so late. - Wisconsin is one of 12 states with no limit on the length of the legislative session
- Only 12 states, Wisconsin included, permit state operations to continue with no consequences.
- Wisconsin is one of 11 states to have a full-time, professional legislature – and desire for re-election drives many ills leading to delay.
Lastly, WISTAX says ‘we have met the enemy… and the enemy is us’, pointing out that few citizens follow state affairs and even fewer know of the “state’s unusually weak balance sheet.”
Now, that’s something I’ve said over and over in reference to all these folks “ashamed” about our late budget. If you want to be ashamed, be ashamed about the state’s tragic fiscal position, its $2 billion+ GAAP deficit, sky-high debt and rock-bottom debt ratings. If anybody wants to find a reason why this budget is such a tough one… they’ve got lots of places to look – and better start by looking in the mirror.
COMMENTS
"Lines on the Mirror; lines on her face.
She pretended not to notice (she was caught up in the race).
Out in the evening until it was light - she was too tired to make it she was, too tired to fight about it!
Life in The Fast Lane: EVERYthing ALL the Time;
Life in The Fast Lane: Gonna make you lose your mind;
Life in The Fast Lane: uh Huh!"
Michael Bina (Tue Oct 02 07:58:00 2007)
If you want to get the real gist of what is happening, look at Michigan headlines. The legislature met the deadline and assured the death of the state. Yes, they met the budget deadline. Bring on the dirge, a pall has been cast over the Great state of Michigan.
Yes, great point. Michigan increased taxes - and agreed to, within 30 days, find some $440 million in cuts to make. So they haven't even found the necessary cuts yet! Eeek. JE
Richard Parins (Tue Oct 02 16:15:25 2007)
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