From Rep. Howard Marklein
51st Assembly District
Over the past two weeks, a great deal of attention has been focused on the Governor's Budget Repair Bill. I have heard from many of you - from all different sides of the debate - regarding your opinion on this legislation.
After an unprecedented 63 straight hours of spirited debate on the Assembly Floor (a record session by all accounts) the Wisconsin State Assembly passed SSAB 11, on Friday morning by a vote of 51-17.
There is no denying it: Wisconsin is in a fiscal crisis. What we are facing is a deficit of $137 million for Fiscal Year 2011 - ending June 30, 2011, and there is a pending deficit of $3.6 billion for the next biennium. We had to act now, and we could not wait. If we had failed to pass this legislation in a timely manner, Wisconsin would suffer through thousands of layoffs and the threat of bankruptcy
I have a great deal of respect for public employees. These members of our community are teachers, public safety personnel, and government workers. They have chosen a life of public service to Wisconsin and its citizens. The private sector has seen layoffs, pay cuts, and debt from this recession, and the time has come for every Wisconsin resident to share in the responsibility of getting us back on the right fiscal track.
The budget adjustment bill that has been proposed by Governor Walker and passed by the Assembly includes no layoffs, furloughs, or pay cuts. In order to protect those that work in the public sector, the legislation requires that local governments maintain or strengthen civil service protections-some of the strongest in the country.
Wisconsin's fiscal crisis is one that cannot be ignored and the past methods of taxing and spending our way out of debt clearly have not worked. While no single party is to blame for this deficit, it is everyone's responsibility to work together and help our state.
I can assure you that the thousands of emails, phone calls, and letters I have received were taken into account before I cast my vote. The voices of the 51st Assembly District were heard loud and clear.
Please feel free to contact my office with any additional questions or comments you may have. Remember, I do work for you.
51st Assembly District
Over the past two weeks, a great deal of attention has been focused on the Governor's Budget Repair Bill. I have heard from many of you - from all different sides of the debate - regarding your opinion on this legislation.
After an unprecedented 63 straight hours of spirited debate on the Assembly Floor (a record session by all accounts) the Wisconsin State Assembly passed SSAB 11, on Friday morning by a vote of 51-17.
There is no denying it: Wisconsin is in a fiscal crisis. What we are facing is a deficit of $137 million for Fiscal Year 2011 - ending June 30, 2011, and there is a pending deficit of $3.6 billion for the next biennium. We had to act now, and we could not wait. If we had failed to pass this legislation in a timely manner, Wisconsin would suffer through thousands of layoffs and the threat of bankruptcy
I have a great deal of respect for public employees. These members of our community are teachers, public safety personnel, and government workers. They have chosen a life of public service to Wisconsin and its citizens. The private sector has seen layoffs, pay cuts, and debt from this recession, and the time has come for every Wisconsin resident to share in the responsibility of getting us back on the right fiscal track.
The budget adjustment bill that has been proposed by Governor Walker and passed by the Assembly includes no layoffs, furloughs, or pay cuts. In order to protect those that work in the public sector, the legislation requires that local governments maintain or strengthen civil service protections-some of the strongest in the country.
Wisconsin's fiscal crisis is one that cannot be ignored and the past methods of taxing and spending our way out of debt clearly have not worked. While no single party is to blame for this deficit, it is everyone's responsibility to work together and help our state.
I can assure you that the thousands of emails, phone calls, and letters I have received were taken into account before I cast my vote. The voices of the 51st Assembly District were heard loud and clear.
Please feel free to contact my office with any additional questions or comments you may have. Remember, I do work for you.
