From Glen A. Spring, Albany
To the editor:
It's budget time in Wisconsin and again we are faced with numerous pieces of legislation being slipped in which have no connection to finances. Why? Because many of these pieces would not pass on their own merits, if they can be debated openly.
1. The proposal to allow the government to sell off public property without the bidding process is a totally ridiculous item.
2. To increase monies for vouchers for school choice while taking funds away from public education is another.
3. To allow foreign conglomerates and individuals to purchase unlimited amounts of land is still another bad move.
These are only three of the many other proposals which were slipped into the budget to avoid individual scrutiny.
I believe that our legislators misunderstand what a budget is supposed to do.
Budget: Estimate of the amount of money that can be spent for various purposes in a given time. (Thorndike Barnhart Comprehensive Desk Dictionary.)
It appears that our governor and his "rubber stamp" buddies in Madison are trying to legislate discretely by abusing the budget process.
I suggest that any item of importance should pass on its own merit and only then be budgeted. It is high time for the horse to pull the cart and the dog to wag the tail.
P.S. Note to Governor Walker and our legislators: When you feel the need to insert pieces of legislation into the budget bill, please consider campaign finance reform and term limits. Thank you.
To the editor:
It's budget time in Wisconsin and again we are faced with numerous pieces of legislation being slipped in which have no connection to finances. Why? Because many of these pieces would not pass on their own merits, if they can be debated openly.
1. The proposal to allow the government to sell off public property without the bidding process is a totally ridiculous item.
2. To increase monies for vouchers for school choice while taking funds away from public education is another.
3. To allow foreign conglomerates and individuals to purchase unlimited amounts of land is still another bad move.
These are only three of the many other proposals which were slipped into the budget to avoid individual scrutiny.
I believe that our legislators misunderstand what a budget is supposed to do.
Budget: Estimate of the amount of money that can be spent for various purposes in a given time. (Thorndike Barnhart Comprehensive Desk Dictionary.)
It appears that our governor and his "rubber stamp" buddies in Madison are trying to legislate discretely by abusing the budget process.
I suggest that any item of importance should pass on its own merit and only then be budgeted. It is high time for the horse to pull the cart and the dog to wag the tail.
P.S. Note to Governor Walker and our legislators: When you feel the need to insert pieces of legislation into the budget bill, please consider campaign finance reform and term limits. Thank you.
