Budget Cuts Not "Fair"
A reduction in the amount of state aid to county fairs is having a "negative effect" on the quality of Wisconsin's 77 county fairs, according to Harry Nienaber, president of the Wisconsin Association of Fairs and general manager of the Central Wisconsin State Fair in Marshfield.
Nienaber said state aid to fairs was $650,000 in 2000, but has dropped to $250,000 currently. At the same time, fairs are dealing with increasing energy and insurance costs.
The cuts have resulted in some fairs lowering premiums paid to prize winners, he said, saying one county fair wasn't able to pay their premiums until they received their state aid check in February.
"Restore that aid," Nienaber said. "It's the best money you can spend and it'll keep the kids busy."
Labels: Arlington_Meeting, Joint Committee on Finance, State Fairs
