After three days of behind-doors negotiation and a floor debate into the early morning, the leaders of the State Assembly finally found enough votes to pass the biennial state budget bill on a narrow 50-48 vote last Saturday. At the end of the day, the billions in tax increases, severe cuts to education, non-fiscal policy items, and the fact the budget still does not remain balanced, led me to vote no.
Overall, the budget will result in a state government spending increase of more than 6 percent. The bill will increase taxes by $3.6 billion, including a property tax hike of nearly $1.5 billion. In addition, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, this budget bill includes $3.3 billion in borrowing and will result in a continued deficit of more than $2.2 billion. It is vital to our state's fiscal future that we end this harmful trend of spending more than we have and putting it on the state's credit card.
Although I voted against the budget, I did support changes to improve the bill, including some amendments of my own. Some of these changes, which did not pass, included removing provisions that would increase the cost of auto insurance, gasoline, and telephone and garbage service. My amendments also would have held down property taxes because I know seniors on a fixed income and working families can't afford more.
The bottom line, though, is that this bill did very little to improve our state's economic recovery. Simply spending more money is not going to get our economy moving again or create jobs. This is the wrong time for the government to take more money out of our families' and businesses' pockets.
Historically, both sides of the aisle are to blame for the unacceptable amount of secrecy shrouding the budget process. However, this can and should change. I am a co-author of legislation, Assembly Bill 168, which aims to open the budget writing process up to the public. The bill would create a public Web site and require the broadcasting of budget committee hearings. Also, I am a co-author of AB 196, which would mirror legislation passed by then-Sen. Barack Obama. This bill would create a public database designed to allow the public to track how the government is spending their tax dollars.
Finally, the State Senate took up the budget bill that was passed by the State Assembly this past week. On Wednesday, June 17, the Senate passed the budget bill on a 17-16 vote. The budget will now be sent back to the State Assembly for consideration of the Senate's changes. It is likely negotiations will have to be made on the differences between the two versions by Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker and Speaker Mike Sheridan. I am eager to see if some of the harmful provisions I've discussed above can be removed before it becomes law. I will continue to keep you updated on the budget process, which will have a significant effect upon the residents of southern Wisconsin.
I want to hear from you, so please feel welcome to express your thoughts or let me know if I can be helpful to you in any way by calling (888) 534-0080, e-mailing me at Rep.Davis@legis.wi.gov or by writing or stopping by 11 West, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53708.
It is an honor serving the residents of the 80th District in the State Assembly!
- Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and parts of Lafayette, Rock and Dane counties.
Overall, the budget will result in a state government spending increase of more than 6 percent. The bill will increase taxes by $3.6 billion, including a property tax hike of nearly $1.5 billion. In addition, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, this budget bill includes $3.3 billion in borrowing and will result in a continued deficit of more than $2.2 billion. It is vital to our state's fiscal future that we end this harmful trend of spending more than we have and putting it on the state's credit card.
Although I voted against the budget, I did support changes to improve the bill, including some amendments of my own. Some of these changes, which did not pass, included removing provisions that would increase the cost of auto insurance, gasoline, and telephone and garbage service. My amendments also would have held down property taxes because I know seniors on a fixed income and working families can't afford more.
The bottom line, though, is that this bill did very little to improve our state's economic recovery. Simply spending more money is not going to get our economy moving again or create jobs. This is the wrong time for the government to take more money out of our families' and businesses' pockets.
Historically, both sides of the aisle are to blame for the unacceptable amount of secrecy shrouding the budget process. However, this can and should change. I am a co-author of legislation, Assembly Bill 168, which aims to open the budget writing process up to the public. The bill would create a public Web site and require the broadcasting of budget committee hearings. Also, I am a co-author of AB 196, which would mirror legislation passed by then-Sen. Barack Obama. This bill would create a public database designed to allow the public to track how the government is spending their tax dollars.
Finally, the State Senate took up the budget bill that was passed by the State Assembly this past week. On Wednesday, June 17, the Senate passed the budget bill on a 17-16 vote. The budget will now be sent back to the State Assembly for consideration of the Senate's changes. It is likely negotiations will have to be made on the differences between the two versions by Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker and Speaker Mike Sheridan. I am eager to see if some of the harmful provisions I've discussed above can be removed before it becomes law. I will continue to keep you updated on the budget process, which will have a significant effect upon the residents of southern Wisconsin.
I want to hear from you, so please feel welcome to express your thoughts or let me know if I can be helpful to you in any way by calling (888) 534-0080, e-mailing me at Rep.Davis@legis.wi.gov or by writing or stopping by 11 West, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53708.
It is an honor serving the residents of the 80th District in the State Assembly!
- Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and parts of Lafayette, Rock and Dane counties.
