MONROE - Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, has joined three Republican colleagues to improve state accounting methods and allow more public scrutiny of the state budget.
Davis plans to introduce the measure this week as the Legislature begins to work on the 2009-10 budget.
The plan, the Truth in Budgeting Act, calls for the state to stop putting off some budget issues until future biennial budgets.
Davis said that for the past 20 years the state has pushed out bills until future budgets, which makes the state look like it's in better financial shape than it really is.
"It's paying for it later," Davis said. "Like putting things on a credit card. The bills still need to be paid."
Davis said if the state adopts the measure, there will be tough choices for the Legislature but it will have long-term benefits for the state. He said that when the economy recovers the state will be in a better financial situation.
"Just like families all across the state, state government needs to tighten its belt and make responsible decisions regarding the upcoming budget process," Davis said. "We need to stop putting spending on the state's credit card and need a plan to eliminate the deficit."
The Truth in Budgeting Act also requires the state to make sure funds from the federal stimulus funds are used responsibly.
Davis said the economic situation creates a sense of "urgency" to make sure any federal money given to the state is used to create jobs.
The proposal also includes two bills to increase public knowledge of how tax dollars are spent.
The Government Checkbook Disclosure Act would create an easily accessible state database and Web site that is fully interactive and searchable. The database will disclose all state expenditures over $25, from supplies to salaries and contracts. Other states have similar laws and programming and software can be shared to reduce the cost to Wisconsin taxpayers.
The second bill, known as the Earmark Transparency Act, requires a report listing all earmarks be made public at least 48 hours before any votes are cast.
"By approving this package of legislation, we can finally put Wisconsin on the fiscal road to recovery," Davis noted. "As we work hard to create jobs and get our economy back on track, I believe we owe it to the taxpayers to adopt these common sense measures that will improve our state's accounting practices and increase government transparency."
Davis was joined by Reps. Leah Vukmir, R-Wauwatosa, Bill Kramer R-Waukesha, and Rich Zipperer, R-Pewaukee, in announcing the package of legislation.
Davis said he hopes Democrats, who control both the Assembly and the Senate, will join him in support of the bill.
"I think good budgeting practices should be bipartisan." he said.
Davis plans to introduce the measure this week as the Legislature begins to work on the 2009-10 budget.
The plan, the Truth in Budgeting Act, calls for the state to stop putting off some budget issues until future biennial budgets.
Davis said that for the past 20 years the state has pushed out bills until future budgets, which makes the state look like it's in better financial shape than it really is.
"It's paying for it later," Davis said. "Like putting things on a credit card. The bills still need to be paid."
Davis said if the state adopts the measure, there will be tough choices for the Legislature but it will have long-term benefits for the state. He said that when the economy recovers the state will be in a better financial situation.
"Just like families all across the state, state government needs to tighten its belt and make responsible decisions regarding the upcoming budget process," Davis said. "We need to stop putting spending on the state's credit card and need a plan to eliminate the deficit."
The Truth in Budgeting Act also requires the state to make sure funds from the federal stimulus funds are used responsibly.
Davis said the economic situation creates a sense of "urgency" to make sure any federal money given to the state is used to create jobs.
The proposal also includes two bills to increase public knowledge of how tax dollars are spent.
The Government Checkbook Disclosure Act would create an easily accessible state database and Web site that is fully interactive and searchable. The database will disclose all state expenditures over $25, from supplies to salaries and contracts. Other states have similar laws and programming and software can be shared to reduce the cost to Wisconsin taxpayers.
The second bill, known as the Earmark Transparency Act, requires a report listing all earmarks be made public at least 48 hours before any votes are cast.
"By approving this package of legislation, we can finally put Wisconsin on the fiscal road to recovery," Davis noted. "As we work hard to create jobs and get our economy back on track, I believe we owe it to the taxpayers to adopt these common sense measures that will improve our state's accounting practices and increase government transparency."
Davis was joined by Reps. Leah Vukmir, R-Wauwatosa, Bill Kramer R-Waukesha, and Rich Zipperer, R-Pewaukee, in announcing the package of legislation.
Davis said he hopes Democrats, who control both the Assembly and the Senate, will join him in support of the bill.
"I think good budgeting practices should be bipartisan." he said.