Scott Walker and all the other major candidates for governor are falling far short of explaining how they intend to cover an estimated $2.5 billion deficit, not to mention any tax cuts or credits they propose. Still, Walker has proposed at least one meaningful reform: Reducing school costs by opening the state insurance pool to schools. It's a good idea that could be made better by opening it to all Wisconsin businesses, starting with farm families. Increasing the size of the state pool would also reduce costs to the state for providing insurance to it's own employees. Larger pools are more predictable, and insurance companies love predictability. So do employers, and reducing insurance costs would be a real shot in the arm to the Wisconsin economy. Just to get an idea of how much savings we are talking about, voters should know that the state currently pays about half the cost per employee to provide insurance than private employers.
Mark Neuman's plan to cut taxes and simply cap state spending, has two problems: Capping spending across the board fails to recognize the need to prioritize budgets, which seems ill-advised in a troubled economy. Some people need help, and they can't wait until 2020, which is the horizon to which Mr. Neuman is pointing to for his plan to create 300,000 jobs. In the meantime, even people who have jobs are losing their homes, which places an even greater strain on the social safety net, and increases costs and demands for programs like Badger Care. I also have a tough time listening to anyone talking about tax cuts without accounting for them dollar for dollar with equivalent spending cuts, on top of the current account deficit.
I am still waiting to hear either candidate propose cuts in state spending on new roads. The state's current backlog of needed repairs for existing infrastructure would consume the entire state highway budget for the next 10 years. Adding to that system while the current structure is crumbling seems irresponsible. State spending on roads and highways has been outstripping designated revenue sources for these projects for decades. Slashing spending at the Transportation Department to that which can be sustained by designated revenues would balance the budget overnight, but would take political courage that I have yet to see from any major candidate. High-speed rail, the one project that could reduce demand and loads in the state's most heavily traveled sectors, is opposed by both Republican candidates, and may force me to vote for Mr. Barrett or a third-party candidate in the general election.
In the event Mr. Walker wins the primary, I would strongly recommend that he reconsider that position.
Mark Neuman's plan to cut taxes and simply cap state spending, has two problems: Capping spending across the board fails to recognize the need to prioritize budgets, which seems ill-advised in a troubled economy. Some people need help, and they can't wait until 2020, which is the horizon to which Mr. Neuman is pointing to for his plan to create 300,000 jobs. In the meantime, even people who have jobs are losing their homes, which places an even greater strain on the social safety net, and increases costs and demands for programs like Badger Care. I also have a tough time listening to anyone talking about tax cuts without accounting for them dollar for dollar with equivalent spending cuts, on top of the current account deficit.
I am still waiting to hear either candidate propose cuts in state spending on new roads. The state's current backlog of needed repairs for existing infrastructure would consume the entire state highway budget for the next 10 years. Adding to that system while the current structure is crumbling seems irresponsible. State spending on roads and highways has been outstripping designated revenue sources for these projects for decades. Slashing spending at the Transportation Department to that which can be sustained by designated revenues would balance the budget overnight, but would take political courage that I have yet to see from any major candidate. High-speed rail, the one project that could reduce demand and loads in the state's most heavily traveled sectors, is opposed by both Republican candidates, and may force me to vote for Mr. Barrett or a third-party candidate in the general election.
In the event Mr. Walker wins the primary, I would strongly recommend that he reconsider that position.
