The biennial state budget often is regarded as the most significant piece of legislation that is considered during the legislative session, and rightfully so, as the budget contains many provisions that directly affect our state's quality of life.
Earlier this year, I opposed the state budget because I felt the harmful policies it contained took our state in the wrong direction. These include a $1.5 billion property tax hike, an ongoing deficit of nearly $3 billion, and billions in tax and fee hikes to pay for a 6 percent increase in government spending to expand the size of state government.
Also tucked in the state budget, which was passed by the state Legislature and signed by Governor Doyle, were two key provisions that mandate changes to auto insurance.
The first requires that all motorists must purchase liability insurance.
The second change dramatically raises the minimum coverage levels for liability, uninsured and underinsured motorist and medical payments by tens of thousands of dollars.
In fact, this latter provision has resulted in more costly premiums for some motorists across the state by about 33 to 43 percent.
Therefore, I have joined my colleagues in introducing legislation that would repeal these costly changes to minimum coverage levels. The bill, Assembly Bill (AB) 525, recently was given a public hearing by the Assembly Committee on Insurance.
I support passing AB 525 as soon as possible to bring much-needed relief to families across the state and urge the committee to hold a vote on the bill.
Prior to the passage of the state budget, Wisconsin motorists enjoyed some of the most affordable auto insurance premiums in the nation.
However, with the passage of the budget, Wisconsinites now have some of the highest coverage minimums in the nation.
These expensive changes are not needed. Before the changes in the budget, the minimum auto coverage levels were sufficient to cover more than 90 percent of all auto accident claims.
I do not believe Madison should be requiring drivers to pay hundreds of dollars more for unnecessarily high levels of insurance.
Instead of your state government passing provisions that increase costs for families, it needs to be doing all it can to help create jobs and improve our economy.
I will continue to encourage the passage of AB 525, along with numerous other job-creating pieces of legislation designed to improve our state's economy.
- Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and parts of Lafayette, Rock and Dane counties.
Earlier this year, I opposed the state budget because I felt the harmful policies it contained took our state in the wrong direction. These include a $1.5 billion property tax hike, an ongoing deficit of nearly $3 billion, and billions in tax and fee hikes to pay for a 6 percent increase in government spending to expand the size of state government.
Also tucked in the state budget, which was passed by the state Legislature and signed by Governor Doyle, were two key provisions that mandate changes to auto insurance.
The first requires that all motorists must purchase liability insurance.
The second change dramatically raises the minimum coverage levels for liability, uninsured and underinsured motorist and medical payments by tens of thousands of dollars.
In fact, this latter provision has resulted in more costly premiums for some motorists across the state by about 33 to 43 percent.
Therefore, I have joined my colleagues in introducing legislation that would repeal these costly changes to minimum coverage levels. The bill, Assembly Bill (AB) 525, recently was given a public hearing by the Assembly Committee on Insurance.
I support passing AB 525 as soon as possible to bring much-needed relief to families across the state and urge the committee to hold a vote on the bill.
Prior to the passage of the state budget, Wisconsin motorists enjoyed some of the most affordable auto insurance premiums in the nation.
However, with the passage of the budget, Wisconsinites now have some of the highest coverage minimums in the nation.
These expensive changes are not needed. Before the changes in the budget, the minimum auto coverage levels were sufficient to cover more than 90 percent of all auto accident claims.
I do not believe Madison should be requiring drivers to pay hundreds of dollars more for unnecessarily high levels of insurance.
Instead of your state government passing provisions that increase costs for families, it needs to be doing all it can to help create jobs and improve our economy.
I will continue to encourage the passage of AB 525, along with numerous other job-creating pieces of legislation designed to improve our state's economy.
- Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and parts of Lafayette, Rock and Dane counties.
