WisPolitics Budget Blog

Ellis, Kaufert Offer School Funding Solution

Sen. Mike Ellis and Rep. Dean Kaufert, both Republicans from Neenah, are calling on the conference committee to pass a K-12 funding package now so school districts will have a solid number to guide their upcoming budgets.

Ellis and Kaufert are saying the committee should agree to fully fund general equalization aids at a level that would maintain the current level of state support.

See a letter from Kaufert and Ellis to Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, along with their press release and a fiscal bureau memo on the Ellis-Kaufert planhere.

Meanwhile, another Fox Valley Republican, Sen. Alan Lasee of De Pere, sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson and Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch urging them to get a school funding package finalized. He suggested the school funding agreement can be dealt with in an extraordinary session of the Legislature.

"This single issue is too important to be held hostage by a statewide, government-run health insurance program costing fifteen billion dollars," Lasee writes. "It is also too important to be held up by three billion dollars of tax and fee hikes that passed the Senate."

See the letter here.

Fitzgerald Says Guv Needs to Get Involved

Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, issued a press release following today's conference committee meeting urging Gov. Doyle to "stop touring the state launching partisan attacks on Republicans and instead focus his efforts on working with legislative leaders to break the stalemate on the state budget."

"The other day, the governor said that it was time for 'adults' to take over and get this budget done," Fitzgerald said. "He may be right, but he needs to be one too. If Governor Doyle was serious about getting this budget done, he'd stop the traveling partisan road show and political rallies and sit down with Speaker Huebsch and Senator Robson and help us get through this impasse."

See the press release here.

Labels: Sen. Fitzgerald

Next Meeting Wednesday

Cramming

Sen. Robson said the Democrats are willing to work six days a week, 12-18 hours a day to get the budget completed.

Huebsch said it's not for a lack of meeting that there isn't more agreement. He said the lack of agreement is due to the major differences in the budgets.

"It has not been our intent to have not budget. Our intent is to have a budget that is within the taxpayers means," Huebsch said.

Robson responded that she wants "a quality product and a timely product. Being here more will force a lot more compromises than being here less."

50 Questions

Republicans have come up with a list of 50 questions about the Senate Democrats' "Healthy Wisconsin" universal health care plan.

See the questions here.

Labels: Healthy_Wisconsin

Robson: Process Is Worthwhile

Responding to Rep. Fitzgerald's chiding of the Dems for not answering the Republicans K-12 offer they brought to the table on Aug. 9, Sen. Robson said the Dems countered last week in private. She said Fitzgerald should talk to Rep. Huebsch about to find out why he wasn't "in the loop."

She said the process has been worthwhile because it brings the budget proposals into the light of day.

"Any time we can include and educate the public, that's good for all of us and good for government," she said.

The Red Phone

Rep. Kreuser said there's no need for the governor to cancel his planned trip to China. He said the task is for the committee to get their work done.

"He doesn't need to be here, this is the legislative body," Kreuser said.

He acknowledged that Doyle's approval will be needed in some areas, but Kreuser said he's sure Doyle will be reachable even in China.

"I'm sure there's a red phone in Susan Goodwin's office," he joked.

UPDATE: Aides to Doyle said leaves for the trade mission to China on Sept. 7. He scheduled the trip in February.

Labels: Kreuser

Nothing Accomplished

"Nothing was accomplished here today and nothing will be accomplished today and the reason is this is just a game that's being played," Sen. Fitzgerald said to the audience.

Fitzgerald blamed Gov. Doyle for not being engaged in the process, and Democrats for not working with him to come up with agreements he won't veto. He said any packages brought to the table or offered behind the scenes is "not a valid offer" if the governor hasn't

Fitzgerald said Doyle has "never been a governor that's embraced the Legislature or wanted to work with the Legislature much."

He said the governor should cancel his upcoming trade mission to China in order to work with the committee to bring together a budget. "He needs to be part of the process," Fitzgerald said.

Decker Highlights Some Priorities

Responding to Rep. Rhoades comments about DOA's contingency plan for cutting 20 percent from Medicaid expenditures in light of the late budget, Sen. Decker said he doesn't doubt her sincerity on the issue.

But, he said, Dems are equally sincere about restoring cuts in Homestead tax credit eligibility, increasing funding for domestic abuse programs, funding a study into causes of infant mortality in Racine.

He also added that the Dems are "very serious" about providing health insurance to more Wisconsin residents through an expansion of BadgerCare Plus.

Trash Talk

Sen. Jauch said the Dems' renewables package "acknowledges in very important ways (Assembly Republican) positions," and hopes there'll be agreement on it soon.

"We could have that done next week. There's no reason why we shouldn't," he said.

Rep. Huebsch acknowledged the two sides aren't far apart on the issue, but said there are differences such as the Dems' plan to raise the recycling tipping fee.

Labels: Huebsch, Jauch, Renewable Energy

Republicans Say Medicaid Threats Are Scare Tactics

Republicans are saying Gov. Doyle is engaging in "scare tactics" with his contingency plan to cut Medicaid expenditures by 20 percent until a budget is adopted.

Rep. Rhoades called the move "the biggest political trick we've ever seen."

"I think it's shameful that we go out and scare seniors and we scare the needy," she said.

Republicans point to a memo from Legislative Fiscal Bureau director Bob Lang. In the memo Lang writes, "the amount budgeted for MA benefits in the 2006-07 fiscal year is available to support MA benefits in 2007-08 and each subsequent year until a new funding level is established through legislation.

See the memo here.

Labels: Medicaid

It Begins

The meeting is underway. Sen. Robson is discussing the Dems' renewable energies package.

She says the state is poised to become "an economic laboratory in changing how this country uses our energy."

Labels: Renewable Energy, Robson

Dems Bring Comp Reserve, Renewables to the Table

The state budget conference committee will meet today at 11 a.m. Democrats will offer a package addressing trenewable energy investment. They are also bringing to the table the JFC position on the compensation fund and other reserves.

See the compensation reserve offer here.

See the renewables offer here.

State Prepares to Cut Medicaid Spending Due to Budget Stalemate

Citing a state budget that is already 60 days overdue, Department of Administration Secretary Mike Morgan is instructing the Department of Health and Family Services to prepare to reduce monthly appropriations for Medicaid benefits by 20 percent.

"In light of legislative inaction, I am compelled as Secretary of Administration to take action to maintain the integrity of the state's finances until a budget is ultimately adopted," Morgan writes in the letter to DHFS Secretary Kevin Hayden.

Morgan says he has instructed the Division of Executive Budget and Finance to set aside 20 percent of monthly Medicaid appropriations. He asks Hayden to develop an implementation plan and submit it to DOA by Sept. 7.

"I remain hopeful that the Legislature will act to adopt the state budget so that a temporary reduction in Medicaid spending will not have to be implemented," Morgan concludes.

DOA spokeswoman Linda Barth said once the implementation plan is received from DHFS, the agency will evaluate the budget process and decide whether the reductions need to be implemented.

Barth said the secretary will be looking at similar belt tightening in other agencies. "Not having a state budget is really impacting all areas," including Corrections and Transportation, she said.

See the letter here.

League of Women Voters Concerned About Insufficient Revenues

The Wisconsin League of Women Voters released a statement today stating their concern that the budget will "continue a dangerous pattern of under-funding," resulting in cuts to vital services.

"Each budget that is passed without sufficient revenue adds to the deficit that will burden future generations of Wisconsin taxpayers," reads the statement. "Of the many revenue options available, we strongly support the progressive income tax, which is the best tax to use if ability to pay is a goal."

See the statement here.

Meanwhile, a group called Wisconsin Property Taxpayers Inc. is imploring legislators no to "cave in to tax spenders' pressure."

Roessler, Ballweg Want GOP to Change Course on Compensation Reserve Fund

Sen. Carol Roessler, R-Oshkosh, requests in a letter to Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald that he oppose several provisions in the Assembly budget, including reductions to the compensation reserve fund and contracting out for health care services in the Department of Corrections.

See the letter here.

On Aug. 17, Rep. Joan Ballweg, R-Markesan, sent a letter to Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch urging him to restore the compensation reserve fund to the level passed by Joint Finance Committee. The letter came shortly after Corrections employees put a sign in Ballweg's district reading "Joan Ballweg & Assembly Republicans Bad for Wisconsin."

See Ballweg's letter here.

See the sign here.

See a banner identifying the supporters here.

Petroleum Institute Ad Blasts Oil Tax

A radio ad from the American Petroleum Institute says the oil tax Doyle proposed in the budget is "going to cost us all."

The spot features a man and a woman discussing news stories, studies and a poll on the proposal. The spot cites one story that says no other state has enacted "such a restrictive approach."

"So the Madison crowd is experimenting with Wisconsin’s energy future. That can't be right," the woman says.

American Petroleum Institute Executive Director Erin Roth said the spot began Aug. 20 and runs through this weekend. He said the spot is running in Eau Claire, Kenosha, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Racine, Rhinelander and Wausau.

Listen to the ad here.

The institute has also posted a series of "MediAdvocacy" spots on YouTube.

View the spots here.

Lawton, Dems Slam GOP Budget

Dem lawmakers and Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton yesterday slammed the Assembly Republican version of the budget as bad for women, singling out proposed cuts to breast cancer and cervical cancer preventative care and reproductive health.

Lawton said the Republican version of the budget would result in the state losing $35 million in federal aid that would go to women's health care. She also complained the budget would deprive low-income women of a way to get birth control.

Gov. Jim Doyle and other Dems have held a series of news conferences recently to hammer at the Assembly budget and call on lawmakers to finish their work on an agreement.

Listen to the Lawton press conference here.

Budget Co-Chairs Talking

Spokesmen for Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson and Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch say the budget conference committee co-chairs are continuing to meet away from the committee table.

"It's not like they have ever been at an impasse where they're just talking at the table," said Robson spokesperson Josh Wescott, adding the two leaders have been meeting regularly since the conference committee process began more than a month ago.

"Negotiations are ongoing in a number of different areas," Wescott said.

Huebsch spokesman John Murray said the co-chairs "are continuing to discuss the packages that are out there and using Fiscal Bureau resources to explore alternative packages."

So far, working groups consisting of the other six members of the conference committee have not started to meet, according to multiple sources.

The committee is scheduled to meet publicly tomorrow.

Cig Cost Could Exceed $6 Per Pack, Company Says

A proposed $1.25 per pack increase in the state budget, coupled with a potential 61-cent increase in the federal excise tax for tobacco, could raise the price of a pack of cigarettes to more than $6, according to a price analysis from cigarette manufacturer Phillip Morris USA.

A breakdown of the cost - comnbined by Phillip Morris USA - is provided in this graphic.

The current average price for a pack of cigarettes is $4.06, though the trade mark-up may vary, according to a Phillip Morris USA spokesperson.

Doyle: Time for Grown-Ups to Emerge in Budget Process

Gov. Jim Doyle yesterday joined superintendents from nine Milwaukee area school districts at Wauwatosa West High School to publicly pressure lawmakers to end their stalemate.

Doyle said failure to pass a budget has created "tremendous uncertainty" for school districts around the state as they prepare to start the 2007-2008 school year next week.

Spending continues at current levels if a budget isn't passed, a scenario Doyle said would amount to an $80 million cut to schools from his budget proposal. The Department of Public Instruction has until Oct. 15 to announce the amount of state aid school districts will receive for the upcoming year. State law, Doyle said, prevents those figures from being adjusted after that, even if an increase is approved by the Legislature.

"It's time for the grown-ups to emerge here; it is time for the game-playing to stop," Doyle said.

Although Doyle said both sides will have to compromise to pass a budget, he declared he won't accept what he called a $130 million cut to education proposed in the Assembly version of the budget.

"I'll tell you that right now; there will not be a budget signed that says to the school districts, 'You're going to have to take the kind of cuts the Assembly is ready to push,'" Doyle said.

Superintendents who spoke echoed Doyle's comments, saying they have already made significant cuts and that further budget cuts would directly impact curriculum. Kurt Wachholz, superintendent of the West Allis/West Milwaukee school district, said the district has held off on filling vacant position while the budget is in limbo and the delay has created a "pinch" in hiring new staff.

Doyle said his office has been continually talking with both sides to get the process moving and said he appreciates that both sides are still talking and being civil.

Listen to audio of the press conference (large file) here.

DPI Superintendent Libby Burmaster said lawmakers may need a budget agreement in place by Sept. 28 if they want school districts to get any increase in state aid.

Burmaster said in a statement the agency needs adequate time to calculate any increases in state aid for each school district. If an agreement isn't in place by Sept. 28, the agency may not have time to finish those calculations by the Oct. 15 deadline and may have to use last year's numbers.

Battle Continues Over Corrections Package

Rep. Mark Pocan says Rep. Scott Suder is "incorrect and revisionist" when he said last week that there wasn't agreement on an "entire" Corrections budget in the Joint Finance Committee.

"Backing out on any piece of the package that we negotiated in good faith potentially makes the entire package fall apart like a house of cards," said Pocan, D-Madison in a statement.

"Like all packages, there were some points that I did not fully agree with and other points that I was very please to see," Pocan said. "However, the bottom line was that there were many points that both sides were happy to see and, in spirit of compromise, why the entire package received a 16-0 vote in Joint Finance."

Pocan sent out the press release in response to comments Suder, R-Abbotsford made last week at the budget conference committee.

"We didn't have such an agreement on the entire Corrections package ... with the governor's team," he said.

Conference Committee to meet Thursday

The budget conference committee is scheduled to meet Thursday at 11 a.m.

This will be the ninth conference committee meeting.

Committee Adjourned

No word on what dates the committee will meet next week.

An Important Process

Rep. Fitzgerald, noting a discrepancy in what the governor and Senate Democrats on combined reporting of corporate income and franchise taxes, wondered why there are not representatives from the governor's office at the meetings lately.

"This is obvioulsy so important they're not even showing up any more," he said.

Fitzgerald, who has been ribbed at the table for saying in the first meeting that he has "all summer" to negotiate the budget, said now summer's gone, and he doesn't see any forward momentum.

"I really think we ought to start making some progress," he said.

This is the eighth meeting of the conference committee.

Clear Message

Rep. Huebsch said both sides have sent a "clear message" on taxes today. He said the Democrats' need to tax is "insatiable."

"We (Republicans) want to cut taxes, and you (Democrats) want to raise them," he said. "That is the message that is repeatedly heard here today."

He also warned about the Democrats' calls for tax fairness. "Whenever you hear tax fairness, hold on to your wallet," he said.

Sen. Robson said it is true that the contrast couldn't be clearer. "The Senate Democrats focused our tax cuts on what people really need," she said.

She said Huebsch's "hold on to your wallet" quip "is good for a bumper sticker, but it sure doesn't meet reality."

Suder Addresses Corrections Agreement

After Sen. Jauch questioned why Assembly Republicans didn't hold to the bipartisan agreement on Corrections forged in the Joint Finance Committee, Rep. Suder, who negotiated the JFC package with Dem Rep. Mark Pocan, addressed the issue.

Suder stressed the JFC agreement was "off the governor's budget." What he called the "hallmark" of the agreement, GPS tracking of child sex predators, remains in both the Senate and Assembly budget, and has been agreed to by Gov. Doyle, Suder said. But the governor did not provide assurance that other items in the JFC package would survive his veto, he said.

"We didn't have such an agreement on the entire Corrections package ... with the governor's team," he said.

He went on to say that the modifications to the Corrections budget in the Assembly version improve upon the budget, inlcuding eliminating some inmate pay provisions and cutting free postage for inmates.

"We found more cost savings," he said.

Purple People Eaters

Urging the committee to adopt policies that spur economic development in rural aeas, Rep. Suder didn't miss an opportunity to rip the Minnesota Vikings.

Suder said an economic development program in rural Minnesota has resulted in more than $400 million in investment, and the state of Minnesota has bought full page ads in the Eau Claire newspaper urging Wisconsin businesses to relocate there to take advantage of the tax breaks.

"There is absolutely no reason why a state without a pro football team should be interecepting our job opportunities," Suder said.

What Taxes Don't You Like?

Rep. Fitzgerald said taxpayers are "fed up" with taxes, but they're not a special interest group "so you won't hear from them everyday."

This silent majority is out there, he said, and he questioned the Dems' sincerity on wanting to reduce the tax burden.

"You guys (Democrats) are at $18 billion, we're (Republicans) at zero," Fitzerald said. He added later, "What taxes don't you (Democrats) like? Because right now there's $18 billion of them that you like."

Sen. Miller said taxes are an important issue, but can't be the only issue that the committee focuses on. Quality of life issues - education, safety, infrastructure, natural resources - are also important, he said.

"These are the kinds of things that we should invest in to make it attractive to live here, and continue to make it attractive for businesses to come here," he said.

Huebsch Talks About Tax Cuts

Rep. Huebsch said the Republican packages addresses the need to reduce the tax burden on Wisconsin residents.

"(The tax cuts) will give individuals in this state the opportunity to keep more of the money they earn in their own pockets and not send it to Madison," he said.

He invited the Dems to review the proposal and determine which cuts they would like to prioritize.

Sen. Robson said the Senate Democrats are focused on the issue of tax fairness. Homeowners shoulder 70 percent of the state's property tax burden, while businesses and corporations pay just 6 percent of the state's total property tax, she said.

Robson touted the $1.7 billion in tax breaks in the Senate Democrats' budget, including tax deductions for college tuition, child care and other "meat and potato issues facing families."

She commended the Republicans for dropping the tax break for gold bullion sellers, but said she was "diappointed" they didn't include in their package the $1.25 per pack tax increase on cigarettes.

Labels: General_Fund_Taxes

GOP Offers General Fund Tax Proposal

See it here.

Among the positions is a reversal on the tax exemption for gold bullion sales that the Democrats have been hammering the Republicans on.

Labels: General_Fund_Taxes

Clearing the Benches

Looks like there will be more subs today as the conference committee drags on. Sen. Mark Miller, D-Monona, has taken Sen. Russ Decker's seat on the Dem side. Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, will sit in for Rep. Kitty Rhoades on the GOP side.

Adjourned Until Thursday

The committee will be back at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

Bonding or Oversight

Rep. Fitzgerald said he would review the Dems' stewardship package, and said Republicans would explore a counter-offer. He also said he'd like a counter from the Dems on the GOP K-12 package.

Sen. Decker noted that that there may be a potential deal to be struck on stewardship.

"The oversight seems to be a bigger deal to you people than the level of bonding, so maybe there can be some type of talking going on there," Decker said.

Labels: Stewardship_Fund

Summer Reruns

Rep. Vos, sitting in for Republicans today, said he has watched the conference committee "one time" on WisconsinEye.

"It has a tendency to put you to sleep," he said.

Rep. Fitzgerald later said the first meeting could be run on a loop on the C-Span style network and no one would notice. "It's a repeat at the table every day," he said. "We need to get down to business."

On stewardship, Fitzgerald said, "I don't think anyone at this table doesn't support stewardship," he said. "But when we do it at the expense of the taxpayers and the taxpayers can't afford it, then it becomes a problem."

Sen. Robson replied that she doesn't doubt the Republicans support, but the support the Republicans offer is "meager and anemic and won't keep up with demand," with setting aside lands for public accessibility.

Jauch Blasts GOP on Stewardship

Sen. Jauch said the Republican philosophy on land stewardship can be distilled to, "Sell as much as you can and make as many dollars as possible."

He also said that the Republicans are "lacking respect for a land ethic," and the Republican proposal "would decimate the concept of stewardship."

Rep. Rhoades responded that asking for oversight isn't partisan, it's "practical fiscal management." She said legislators "don't have the foggiest idea" what's being spent by the state to purchase land due to a veto from Gov. Doyle in the last budget.

"We are operating in the dark," she said.

Labels: Stewardship_Fund

Credit Card Spending

Rep. Fitzgerald said that Republicans have an offer on the table to fund K-12 education, and talking about stewardship when kids are returning to school in a couple weeks "doesn't seem relevant."

"It's time to really start focusing on matters at hand here," Fitzgerald said.

He said the plan from the governor and Senate gives $1 billion in bonding authority to the administration with no legislative oversight. He said called the plan to purchase more state land "more credit card spending."

"I don't know how as a legislator you can ... give bureaucrats a billion dollar blank check and just hand it over with no oversight," Fitzgerald said.

Labels: Stewardship_Fund

Stewardship Is Bipartisan, Robson Says

Sen. Robson said that governors of both political parties have been strong supporters of the state Stewardship Fund, and it has wide support among hunters, fishers and naturalists. She said 156 groups of hunting, fishing and trapping groups are supporting the Gov. Doyle's plan to increase the funding, a plan the Senate endorsed.

"There is no greater public policy for Wisconsin hunters and naturalists than supporting this stewardship program and making sure they're open for them and all of us," she said.

She said the GOP Assembly budget cuts the funding by 60 percent, and "sets back funding 18 years."

Labels: Stewardship_Fund

The Real World

Sen. Robson took a minute to acknowledge the flooding that has plagued the western part of the state. She said it brings into focus "the real world."

"The real world out there is really hurting," Robson said.

She tipped her hat to the emergency workers who have pitched in to help.

"I think it just underscores the importance of the coordination of all parts of government," she said.

Dems Offer Stewardship

The meeting should be getting underway shortly. The Democrats will offer a package on stewardship today. It features Senate (Dem) positions on reauthorization and bonding.

Labels: Stewardship_Fund

Huebsch Out Today

Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem, is ill today and won't attend the budget conference committee meeting. Taking Huebsch's seat in the co-chair position will be Assembly Majority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald, R-Horicon. Rep. Robin Vos, R-Racine, a member of the Joint Finance Committee, will fill in at Fitzgerald's spot.

Meeting Set for Tomorrow

The state budget conference committee will convene at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow. The members are still trying to work out a meeting time for Thursday.

Next Week's Committee Schedule Uncertain

Budget conference committee members were initially considering meetings on Wednesday or Thursday next week. But there may be a conflict on Thursday for three Republican members of the committee from two fundraising events.

Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, Assembly Majority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald, and Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald are listed as special guests at an 8 a.m. Majority GOP conduit fundraiser in Wisconsin Dells, and a 5:30 p.m. Majority GOP conduit cocktail reception in Eau Claire.

Republicans aren't the only ones raising money as the conference committee continues to struggle to reach a budget compromise. Assembly Democrats have a fundraising reception scheduled Monday at 5 p.m. with Lt. Gov. Barb Lawton and Revenue Secretary Roger Ervin.

Leaders are reportedly trying to work out a schedule for next week.

Short Meeting

Saying the back and forth has about reached its limit for today, Rep. Huebsch is looking to close shop for the day.

"You want to be here to beat up our budget, we recognize there's a desire on your side to do that, but we have the greater desire to get some work done, and hopefully we can manage to do both of those," he said.

Distance Learning

Rep. Fitzgerald said viewers of the conference committee at home today are privy to a lesson.

"They're getting a real lesson in Political Spin 101 today because we're hearing a lot of it," he said.

He also ripped Dems for suggesting that the UW System couldn't meet demands for campus security following the Virginia Tech shooting incident, and for using the collapse of the bridge in the Twin Cities to say an oil franchise fee is needed.

"You take two national tragedies to drive your political point home today?" he said. "I question that."

While earlier in the meeting Fitzgerald said the committee was making progress, he said now that there's not much more happening than spin, and there need to be some serious offers made.

Sen. Jauch's reply: "We'd feel delighted if you responded with a proposal."

Labels: Rep. Fitzgerald

Jail Cells vs. Students

Last budget, the Democrats coined the phrase "concrete vs. kids" to slam Republicans, who they said put a greater emphasis on budget increases for transporation and roadbuilding funds than funds for K-12 education.

Sen. Jauch has now brought up in the last two meetings that the Assembly Republican budget includes a 12 percent increase for Department of Corrections funding, but just a 3 percent increase for the UW System.

"You are shutting the door to higher education with your budget rather than opening the door, which is where we need to be," Jauch said.

Labels: Jauch

Listen Up

Sen. Robson responded to Sen. Grothman's concern that Healthy Wisconsin and other social programs in the Senate Democrats' budget plan would result in making the state "a welfare magnet."

"Don't worry Senator Grothman, people aren't going to be climbing the walls to get to Wisconsin," she said. "But in a way they already are because of the quality of life."

Robson continued, but took exception to Rep. Huebsch's conversation with legislative aides sitting behind.

"When you talk I listen to you, and I think I deserve a little more respect than for you to be whispering to everyone at the side table," she said.

Huebsch apologized, and Robson accepted.

Huebsch: Conference Table Leads to Little Progress

Sen. Robson said earlier she'd like to meet at least two days a week, and preferably three, at the conference committee table to reach a budget compromise.

Rep. Huebsch said he doesn't see that as a solution to the disagreements between the two sides. "I don't equate meeting here at the table with progress in moving us forward," he said.

Huebsch said the intent of the meetings seems to be for each side to rip each other's budget, and there is little give in either side's proposals. "To come in here and say 'We want our budget' isn't exactly negotiation," he said.

Labels: Huebsch

Healthy Wisconsin Welfare Magnet?

Sen. Grothman, subbing today for Sen. Fitzgerald, said new population estimates this week that show Milwaukee's population decreasing should be reflected by less state shared revenue going to Wisconsin's largest city.

"As Milwaukee shrinks, we can not continue to give it 3-1/2 to 4 times what other communities are getting," he said.

Grothman also said that Senate Dem budget proposals like Healthy Wisconsin "will again make Wisconsin a welfare magnet."

Labels: Grothman

Viking Garbage

Sen. Decker responded to Fitzgerald by blasting the GOP's lack of counter-offer to the UW budget proposal from the Dems. He also asked how Republicans can claim their budget doesn't include any tax increases when they limit eligibility for the Homestead program that will result in an $81 million increase on some low income residents. "Yet you include a quarter million tax cut to people who collect gold bullion," Decker said.

He also said the Dems proposal to take the Senate position on the tipping fee would deter our neighbors to the west from hauling trash here. "Why would we want to continue to take Viking garbage?" he asked.

Labels: Decker

Singin' from the Same Hymnal

Rep. Fitzgerald said he believes the committee is making progress and there are "good, frank discussions" occurring.

He also said he welcomed the Dems' property tax relief package. "We're singing from the same hymnal," Fitzgerald said.

But, the Horicon Republican said, he questions the Democrats' sincerity on property tax relief.

He asked LFB director Lang how much each budget proposal would increase property taxes on the median valued home. Lang said the Senate proposal would increase property taxes on such a home by $237, while the Assembly version would result in a $146 increase.

Labels: Rep. Fitzgerald

Next Week

It appears the committee will get together two days next week - Wednesday and Thursday.

Dems Offer Property Tax Relief Package

As the meeting begins, the Democrats have brought to the table a property tax relief package, which includes the JFC/Senate positions on Homestead, shared revenue, levy restraint, and the Real Estate Transfer fee.

The lone Assembly position in the 14-item proposal is on penalty distribution.

See the proposal here.

Late Start

Due to the late-running Joint Finance meeting, the conference committee is getting started late. Most of the players have assembled, so today's session should be underway shortly.

JFC Wishes Happy Birthday to Lang; Passes Two 13.10 Requests

An hour-plus Joint Finance Committee meeting that included some disagreement over funding for elderly benefits specialist positions ended with a birthday cake being delivered for LFB director Bob Lang. There were no reports of cake throwing.

The committee began with a vote on the college tuition reciprocity agreement between Wisconsin and Minnesota. Sen. Glenn Grothman, R-West Bend, was the only member of the 16-person panel to vote against the agreement. He viewed the agreement as the state subsidizing students to attend an out-of-state school at a cost of about $12 million per year. But HEAB director Connie Hutchison explained that the money that comes back to the state from the higher tuition charged to Minnesota students more than makes up for the state subsidy.

The committee also approved the request to fund the benefits specialist positions after a lengthy debate over how the positions should be funded. The request from the DOA was to use a one-time $600,000 transfer from a fund in the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance to fund the jobs. Republicans balked at the request, saying if the positions are going to be permanent, the funding request should have been included in the 2007-09 budget from the governor. They said the request was another example of "dishonest budgeting" from the Doyle Administration.

Democrats answered that the people receiving the service aren't worried about how the funding is appropriated, they just want the service to be provided.

A motion from co-chair Rhoades and Rep. Meyer to require the DHFS to allocate the money from was rejected 8-8. The request then passed 13-3.

The members then sang happy birthday to Lange went into a back room to share the LFB director's cake. A member of the audience asked whether the cake was purchased with one-time money.

Labels: JFC

JFC Will Hold 13.10 Meeting Tomorrow

The Joint Finance Committee will meet at 9 a.m. to vote on the 13.10 request from the Higher Educational Aid Board regarding the Minnesota-Wisconsin tuition reciprocity agreement. The request also includes the annual administrative memorandum.

The JFC will also vote Health and Family Services and Office of the Commissioner of Insurance request increase funding for the elderly benefit specialist program.

DNR: Assembly Budget Would "Dramatically Alter" Stewardship Program

Gov. Jim Doyle is touting a new report from the DNR that says cuts to the state Stewardship program as proposed in the Assembly Republican budget would "dramatically alter our state's land preservation efforts in the present and for years into the future."

"The Stewardship program represents one of Wisconsin's most basic values: protecting our natural resources even in tight budget times," Doyle said in a press release. "The Assembly's budget is a direct assault on those values, and sets Wisconsin land conservation back two whole decades."

Labels: Doyle, Stewardship_Fund

Co-Chairs Talking

Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem, and Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson, D-Beloit, are talking this morning in advance of tomorrow's 10 a.m. budget conference committee meeting. They are expected to chat about offers that are currently on the table, including the Republicans' K-12 and Dems' UW System funding proposal.

Robson Gives Conference Committee Low Grade Thus Far

Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson would grade the progress of the conference committee a "4" thus far on a scale of 1 to 10.

"Now what we're doing is basically going back to pre-Joint Finance and looking at every agency all over again. And if anyone knew that that was the process, we would have just eliminated Joint Finance and gone right to conference committee," Robson said.

Robson is hopeful negotiations will move forward now with the committee breaking off into working groups. Robson and Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch met Thursday to set up parameters for those working groups, and will meet again Monday.

Robson said she'd like to see a finished product by Labor Day.

Fellow Dem Russ Decker, a member of the conference committee, says in an interview that Republicans are obstructing progress on the budget.

Decker, D-Weston, says there are signs of progress from the state budget conference committee, but those signs are coming from just one side of the discussion.

"I think (the conference committee work) shows that we're willing to move in certain areas and the Republicans in the Assembly have not made any moves hardly at all," said Decker, the co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee. "In a number of packages we've put forward we've accepted some of their positions, so I clearly think that's going to make it tougher if they're not willing to bend in any areas. Because you can't negotiate a compromise for the state budget if one side is not willing to compromise."

Listen to the Robson interview here.

Listen to the Decker interview here.

Labels: Decker, Robson

Co-Chairs Try to Find Path to Common Ground

Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch and Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson, co-chairs of the state budget conference committee, met yesterday afternoon to establish parameters for budget talks outside the conference room.

The budget conference committee, which Huebsch, R-West Salem, and Robson, D-Beloit, will next meet on Thursday at 10 a.m.

Huebsch's chief of staff Jodi Jensen said the leaders will meet again on Monday to continue the discussions. "Mike and Judy need to have some frank conversations about how we're going to get to the end," Jensen said.

Robson Blasts "Waiting Game"

Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson rips Republicans in a press release today for not being "sincere about moving this budget process forward."

"First they wouldn't re-agree to things already unanimously agreed upon by Republicans and Democrats on the Joint Finance Committee. Today they refused to meet us in the middle on higher education or even offer an alternative to our proposal. College students and their parents across this state can't afford the Republican budget waiting game," Robson said.

Labels: Robson

Returning Next Week

Sen. Robson sounded disappointed as she gaveled the meeting to a close, saying the two sides would continue to try to work toward a resolution on education issues. The next meeting will be Thursday at 10 a.m.

5-Minute Recess

But it sounds like this session - the fifth for the committee - will be brought to an end soon. The two sides are talking past each other, with Dems wanting to concentrate on UW, and Republicans trying to steer the conversation to K-12.

Sen. Robson said she thinks the meeting will be coming to a close soon.

Playing Games

Sen. Jauch gave Rep. Fitzgerald and his Republican colleagues a tongue lashing over the Republicans lack of a counter proposal to the Dems' UW funding package.

"This isn't a game," he admonished.

Fitzgerald had tried to steer the conversation to the K-12 funding proposal introduced by Republicans today. He said the proposal covers 41 percent of overall state funding, and time is running out because kids are returning to school shortly.

"School districts need to know where they stand," he said.

Jauch said he expected the Republicans to come to the table today with a response to the offer, or at least defend the positions taken in their budget like cutting funding for the UW Law School. He called the Assembly positions "petty and ideological," and show that there is "not a sincere" effort in their caucus to "responsibly govern."

Robson Wants Answers

Saying "inquiring minds want to know," Sen. Robson is prodding Rep. Huebsch to explain Assembly budget cuts to the UW Law School and Wisconsin Public Television and Radio. She accused the Republicans of trying to micro-manage the UW System. "You are not the Board of Regents," she said.

Huebsch said the Assembly budget funds the UW's "Growth Agenda" with GPR, and said $2 billion is devoted to the UW in all. He said the Assembly tried to instill "accountability" to the UW System.

"At some point our responsibility is to send a message to the Board of Regents or anyone who will listen ... that taxpayer are fed up," Huebsch said.

Robson called the response "a non-answer."

"Gobbledygook"

Sen. Jauch has used a lengthy list of words to describe the Assembly GOP budget. Today he pulled out one of the most colorful yet, calling the Republicans'plan for funding the UW System "gobbledygook."

(Rep. Huebsch is keeping track of Jauch's verbal darts in a notebook. When Jauch said gobbledygook, he marked it down.)

Jauch said the GOP budget "devalues students" and provides no new money for financial aid, and called their plan for the UW "a race to the bottom." He also suggested that funding for new facilities at UW campuses in Republican districts was raised, funding for campuses in Dem districts was slashed.

Republicans respond that their budget spends more than $62 million more on the UW System than the current budget.

Rep. Fitzgerald, who said he is a "proud" UW System grad, said while the UW System does well at educating students, there are areas of spending "that need questioning." He cited a computer system "boondoggle" that ended up costing $26 million.

"I thought our job was to kind of protect the taxpayers," he said.

Huebsch: K-12 Bigger Priority Than UW

Rep. Huebsch said while the UW System is a priority, the K-12 funding is the top priority for Republicans and said it should be taken up before getting into other budget areas.

Huebsch said K-12 receives a lion's share of state budget dollars, equaling as much spending as the other four budget areas in the top five.

Huebsch also said he was glad to see the Democrats agreed with Assembly Republicans on the 4 percent tuition cap for the UW System, calling it "a tremendous step forward."

But he defended the Assembly Republicans' UW budget against the accusation that it was used to carry out personal beefs against the UW. "To suggest there is a vendetta against the university is simply inaccurate," he said. He that to suggest one legislator's issues with the system could play out in the budget is "a tremendous disservice" to the rest of the caucus members who voted for it.

Republican K-12 Proposal

View it here.

GOP Education Offer

Republicans are offering a 57-point, comprehensive K-12 funding proposal that consists mostly of Assembly-approved positions (such as the Assembly position on general school aids), but also has some JFC and Senate-approved positions. Proposal will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

The meeting has been called to order. Sen. Robson is talking about the Dems' UW proposal, saying that a college education provides a gateway to higher earnings and a better life.

"We know this is not just what Democrats believe, we know this is what Republicans believe as well," she said.

She pointed out the UW proposal includes Dem and GOP budget items, including a 4 percent tuition cap approved by the Republican-controlled Assembly. She said in order for the cap to be implemented, the university must be fully funded.

She said the budget is "a fiscal document about priorities." She said the "petulant" actions of some GOP legislators have resulted in the exodus of some UW faculty and staff, and potentially diminished the quality of the system.

"This budget is not a place to grind your axes. This budget is not a place to punish the UW," she said.

Labels: K-12 Funding, UW_System

Playing the Part of Sen. Fitzgerald ...

today will be Sen. Ted Kanavas, R-Brookfield. The conference committee today will take up UW funding. Dems floated this offer yesterday.

This just in ... Republicans will offer a K-12 proposal to Dems. More details later.

Huebsch Blasts Dems for Rejecting Tax Proposals

Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch ripped conference committee Democrats in a press release, saying while Republicans offered "two proposals to reign in government spending and keep the bureaucrats' hands out of the taxpayers' pockets," Dems responded with "scare tactics and 'Madison Math.'"

"Every day the committee meets we have an opportunity to find compromise, fund essential programs and construct a budget that reflects Wisconsin's top priorities. But today the Democrats chose to respond with partisan rhetoric," Huebsch, R-West Salem, said.

Labels: Huebsch

Meeting Adjourned

Back tomorrow, 11 a.m.

More Rhetoric

For the last hour or so, members of the committee have taking turns sniping about the other side's budget proposals ranging from funding for education to corrections, tax relief and shared revenue.

Huebsch finally said the GOP will not be accepting the Dems' "Milwaukee Initiative" today, and he said he hopes the committee can move on and make progress.

Rep. Rhoades said the committee is starting to feel "like the high school debate team." Not a bad analogy, but "wrestling team" may have been more accurate.

Sen. Robson said tomorrow, when she has the committee chair, they'll take up the UW package they offered earlier.

Robson said the proceedings in the committee so far have been, "not a debate, it's informative."

"I don't see it as debating, I see this as listening, learning why you did what you did," she said.

Taylor: GOP Budget "Punishes" Milwaukee

Milwaukee Dem Sen. Taylor, sitting in this afternoon to discuss Milwaukee issues, said the budget passed by the Assembly hurts Milwaukee "children, families and taxpayers."

Taylor highlighted the proposed 12.5 percent cut to shared revenue and cuts to crime prevention funding.

"Your actions sadly show punishment for Milwaukee," she said.

She said Republicans at times treat Milwaukee as if it is an island separate from the state. But Taylor said the fate of the state is tied to the well-being of its largest city. She referenced remarks from Rep. Mark Gundrum, R-New Berlin, who when asked about the cuts to Milwaukee, said the city would "survive."

"Wisconsin must thrive. And in order for that to happen, Milwaukee must thrive for the state to survive," she said.

Huebsch responded, "We believe people are punished in this state when they're simply taxed too much."

He said Milwaukee receives 40 percent of state shared revenue dollars, and said the GOP budget brings fairness to the aid to community program. He said property taxpayers all over the state need a break, and he accused Dems of engaging in "scare tactics."

"We can not possibly go back to the people of Wisconsin and say, 'You're not doing your share,'" Huebsch said. "They don't believe it. And neither do we."

Department of Milwaukee

Rep. Huebsch said he's happy to take up the Milwaukee funding proposals offered by Dems, but said it's not productive to be taking them up out of context of the full agencies that include the spending items.

"I don't know how to address two items in DHFS out of 29 pages of differences we have," Huebsch said by way of example.

Huebsch said he'd "concerned there is no desire to move forward ... to not deal with agencies."

"We need to begin to address the entire agencies they deal with," he said.

Besides, Huebsch said, "I have yet to find a Department of Milwaukee in this budget."

Sen. Robson said Milwaukee is too important not to address, and she said the GOP Assembly budget seemed to single out the state's largest city for extra cuts.

She said Milwaukee needs to be taken up "to get the conversation going so we can really negotiate in good faith," and hinted it could be a keystone to wider budget agreements.

"If we get Milwaukee solved, then the rest of the budget should flow more quickly," she said.

Committee Resumes

The conference committee is back. Sen. Taylor is welcomed to the table.

Dems Will Bring UW Proposal

When the conference committee comes back to the table, they'll offer a proposal regarding the UW System, including positions adopted by the JFC and Senate, and some positions included in the Assembly budget.

One of the Assembly positions proposed in the offer is a UW tuition cap.

See it here.

Recess Until 2 p.m.

Recess Coming Shortly

We should be coming up on a recess very soon.

Rep. Huebsch asked Dems to support the GOP tax proposal, saying it would limit government growth to residents' ability to pay.

"It would be a huge victory for the taxpayers of the state," Huebsch said.

Sen. Robson didn't answer directly, but said Republicans need to acknowledge the source of "real property tax relief" - the Dems' Healthy Wisconsin plan.

"The cost of health care is the 1,000 pound gorilla in this room," she said.

Hammering on Homestead

Dems continue to hammer the Assembly Republicans on their cuts to eligibility to the Homestead Tax credit, saying it will amount to a $90 million tax increase for homeowners age 61 to 64.

Rep. Kreuser said that amounts to an average tax increase of $1,400 on the homeowners.

Rep. Huebsch said the Assembly proposal is an attempt to get back to the original intent of the Homestead Tax, and did acknowledge that the tax burden is far to high on the state's seniors, forcing many of them out of their homes.

Dems continued to push the issue, with Sen. Jauch asking Huebsch to acknowledge that the GOP proposal will eliminate the tax credit for many homeowners.

"I guarantee property tax value will not go up as a result of what we have done with Homestead," Huebsch said. If property taxes do go up, Huebsch said, it will be due to Dems refusal to enact the Republican property tax freeze.

'Tis the Season?

There's not much forward progress on the budget, so some folks are using the time to catch up on some other tasks.

For instance, Sen. Tim Carpenter, D-Milwaukee, sitting in the row of JFC chairs above the conference table, appears to be signing Christmas cards as he keeps an ear to the proceedings.

There are only 139 shopping days left.

To his credit, Carpenter is one of just two legislators present at the meeting who are not on the committee. The other is Sen. Taylor, also of Milwaukee, who will sit in with the Dems later today when the committee takes up Milwaukee issues.

No Spending, No Deficit

Sen. Decker said that if the Republican proposal to reduce the real estate transfer fee was adopted, it would result in a $93 million structural deficit.

Rep. Huebsch said that argument exemplifies the difference in the mindset between Democrats and Republicans on taxes. "If we don't spend the money we don't have, then we don't have a structural deficit," he said.

Levy Limit Debate

Dems are citing a memo from the Department of Revenue from Door County corporation counsel Grant Thomas asking for guidance on what to do if new levy limits aren't enacted.

Dems say the memo shows that inaction on the budget is leaving locals in the lurch, and there needs to be progress. Republicans agree, and are urging the Dems to enact the levy freeze they are proposing today.

Gov. Jim Doyle put a 4 percent municipal property tax levy limit in his budget, a recommendation the Senate adopted. Republicans are proposing a levy "freeze" that would tie increases to the amount of growth.

Rep. Fitzgerald said a 4 percent cap would result in a $1.5 billion tax increase on Wisconsin property owners.

Daniel Elsass, administrator for the Division of State and Local Finance at DOR, responded to Thomas' inquiry about levy limits by saying the "old" limits expired as of Jan. 1. "We also believe that pending any action by the Legislature and concurrency by the Governor instituting successor language, that there would be no levy limits imposed in 2008 on counties, municipalities and technical colleges." If the there is no agreement, Elsass said, "Such an action could have rather severe consequences for over 2,000 taxing jurisdictions in the State."

Dems say a lack of established levy limits will lead to massive property tax increases. "The longer we draw this out the longer our municipalities and the longer our taxpayers will be left in limbo," said Sen. Robson.

Rep. Rhoades said she interpreted the memo as strengthening the Republican position that a freeze has to be adopted, saying parameters need to be set before local governments "run to the levy."

Tax Day

Rep. Huebsch has offered a proposal to Dems to adopt the Assembly position on levy limit for tech college districts, the Assembly position on the real estate transfer fee, and the Assembly position on the levy limit for counties and municipalities.

He said the freeze will allow municipalities to be "able to spend wherever they are able to grow."

He said taxes need to be brought in line with the ability for residents to pay.

He said eliminating the the real estate transfer fee increase proposed by Gov. Doyle is a pressing need for the economy. "The economy is at a crossroads ... and one of the largest areas of our economy is real estate," Huebsch said.

Robson retorted that simply offering Assembly positions on budget items isn't negotiating "in good faith." She said the Dems' "Milwaukee Initiative" proposal includes Assembly positions, while positions from Republicans contain nothing but GOP positions.

Roll Call

Meeting is called to order. Huebsch said as this week of meeting starts it's important to take stock of the progress. He said well over half of the budget has been adopted, though there hasn't been a lot of acknowledgement of it, and he feels groundwork has been laid to reach resolution on larger items.

Forecast

Republicans will today offer a proposal on taxes, which will include a recommendation for a property tax freeze and a rejection of the governor's proposal to incresae the real estate transfer fee.

Dems are likely to push the "Milwaukee Initiative" proposal they offered last week, with Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee, joining in this afternoon for discussion of Milwaukee issues.

Republican members are in their seats. Dems have yet to enter the conference room.

Taylor Will Be at the Table for Milwaukee Issues

Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee, will take a seat at the budget conference committee table when the group takes up Milwaukee issues. Taylor is a member of the Joint Finance Committee.

Chairmanship of the committee has alternated back and forth between Republicans and Democrats. Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem, will chair the committee today.

Doyle Calls for Autism Funds, Urges Budget Action

Gov. Jim Doyle joined more than 150 people from families impacted by autism in Greendale yesterday to call on the Legislature to approve the $83.4 million for autism treatment he included in his budget.

Doyle also included a provision in his budget that would require insurance companies to cover autism treatments. Additionally, Doyle asked the Legislature to approve a $50 million increase in special education funding to address the 20-fold increase in students with autism enrolled in school programs.

The insurance requirement, which Doyle said is in place in 20 states, has been opposed by business and insurance groups because it could increase premiums. Doyle said if insurance companies decided to not insure cancer or diabetes, rates could go way down, "but that's not what you have health insurance for."

"The idea of insurance is we all share that risk recognizing it could happen to any one of us," Doyle said.

Speakers at the press conference told personal tales of how early treatment has been effective, while at the same time a financial hardship as they waited for state assistance.

Doyle also urged lawmakers to finish their work on the budget.

"I gave these people a budget six months ago," Doyle said. "In most states. legislatures deal with budgets in about a 60- or 90-day period of time.

"Here we are six months later, so I'd say it's time for them to get this done."

But Doyle said leaders have talked responsibly.

"I think it means both have to acknowledge they're not going to get everything they want and there has to be a compromise," he said.

Doyle said his office has been meeting with both sides trying to figure out a way to move the budget forward, but said it's up to the Legislature to "really get down to the hard work."

Doyle dismissed a letter sent by 49 Republican legislators asking him not to use his "Frankenstein veto" on the budget.

"It's amazing to me to watch legislators who haven't passed a budget in six months try to tell me how to do my job," Doyle said.

"They should be assured that if they put a lot of excessive spending in the budget I'm going to use my line-item veto and I'm going to protect the taxpayers of this state."

Listen to Doyle discuss the budget, the state's bridges and tuition with reporters here.

-- By David Wise

Labels: Doyle

Regents Raise Tuition 5.5 Percent

The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents approved the UW System's 2007-08 budget today, which includes a 5.5 percent tuition increase for in-state undergraduates.

The budget, which passed by a 14-3 vote, is based on the Joint Finance Committee's version of the budget due to the delay in the budget process. The plan increases tuition by $330 at UW-Madison, $323 at UW-Milwaukee, and $251 at the 11 other four-year UW campuses. The two-year UW Colleges will see no tuition increase.

UW System President Kevin Reilly called the tuition hikes "the lowest increases years."

Regent Tom Loftus expressed hope that the budget process would foster a "new beginning" for the relationship between the UW and the Legislature.

"We are presenting to them, the leaders ... our best judgment as to what the University needs," Loftus said.

The Regents also passed a resolution encouraging the Legislature to retain $5 million in veterans tuition reimbursement from the governor's budget.

Olsen Subs Tomorrow

Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, will sit in on the budget conference committee tomorrow for Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, who is out of the area on a long-standing commitment.

Olsen is a member of the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee.

Republicans Ask Doyle to Pledge Not to Use "Frankenstein Veto"

Saying his pledge would help move budget negotiatioins along, 49 Republican legislators sent a letter to Gov. Jim Doyle today asking him to publicly agree not to use the "Frankenstein veto" as he exercises partial veto authority over the 2007-09 state budget.

The Republicans ask the governor to abide by rules laid out in AJR 1, which would prohibit the creation of new sentences by combining parts of two or more sentences.

"It is nearly impossible to work toward a budget agreement when there is no certainty language will not be creatively transformed into new laws through misuse of the partial veto," said Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, R-River Falls, in a press release. "The Governor can agree to abide by the pending budget reform measure and expedite the budget negotiations."

"If Governor Doyle can assure legislators he won't use the Frankenstein veto with final budget language, it will go a long ways toward moving budget negotiations along," said Rep. Donald Friske, R-Merrill.

See the letter here.

See the press release from Sen. Harsdorf and Rep. Friske here.

UPDATE: Responding to the letter from the legislators, Doyle spokesman Matt Canter encouraged them to "review their notes from civics class."

"Both houses of the Legislature have to work together to send a budget to the governor's desk, and he has the responsbility to use his constitutional veto authority if necessary," Canter said.

In the past, he continued, the Legislature "unwisely cut $400 million out of public schools."

"The governor has used his constitutioanl authority to restore funding for public educaiton in the past, and he would do it again," said Canter.

The governor feels the time for partisan bickering is over, Canter said, and both sides of the conference talbe need to negotiate and get a budget done "quickly."

"We are now nearly six weeks late in passing a budget," Canter said. "It's ridiculous (Republicans) would blame it on the consitutiton."

Labels: Frankenstein veto

Bradley, Reilly Say UW Cuts Impact Every County

In a letter to legislators today, UW Board of Regents President Mark Bradley and UW System President Kevin Reilly warn that cuts to the system will have an impact on all 72 Wisconsin counties - whether they include UW campuses or not.

"It might surprise you to learn that five campuses - UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse,
UW-Madison, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Stout - enroll students from all 72
Wisconsin counties," Bradley and Reilly write in the letter. "When you invest in those institutions, families all across the state reap the dividends. If you ask those five campuses to cut a combined $61.4 million from current academic offerings, as called for in the Assembly's version of the biennial budget, the ripple effects will be felt far and wide."

UPDATE: Frequent UW critic Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, has sent his own letter to UW System administrators, urging them to support a 4 percent tuition cap.

Press Release Round-Up

Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald , R-Horicon, on Assembly Democrats' support for Healthy Wisconsin.

Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee, on Milwaukee initiatives proposed by conference committee Democrats.

Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, on Republican budget negotiators opposition to Healthy Wisconsin.

Sen. Neal Kedzie, R-Elkhorn, on the benefits of not passing a budget.

Sen. Judy Robson, D-Beloit, on Republican rejection of Healthy Wisconsin.

Back to School

Gov. Jim Doyle said Republican Sen. Scott Fitzgerald should "go back to his basic political science class" for comments made during Wednesday's conference committee meeting.

Fitzgerald said, "you can't expect us to negotiate in good faith when you have no idea what he's going to do with that veto pen in the end."

"I assume he probably ought to go back to his basic political science class, which is the Legislature passes a budget and they give it to the governor," Doyle said. "As I've said all along, I'm more than willing to talk, and to the extent that I can help them arrive at a bipartisan budget they can present to me, I'm willing to do it."

Doyle did give some kudos to the conference committee for work they've already completed but said he wishes it was moving faster.

"I know they're working at it, and I want to give them a little room here to get going and really get down to meaningful negotiations," Doyle said. "I think yesterday they did make some progress, so I hope that's a good sign."

He noted, however, that it's already past Aug 1 and the longer it takes for the budget to pass the more difficult it becomes for the universities, schools and municipalities to plan their budgets. "All of these are reasons that they really have to work to get a budget done," Doyle said.

Listen to Doyle discuss the budget here.

Adjourned Until Next Wednesday

Meeting starts at 11 a.m.

Huebsch: Assembly Shared Revenue Plan About Fairness

Returning from the break, Huebsch said the Assembly tried to address "fairness" in the shared revenue system, which he said is one of the top five state expenses and does not have a funding formula.

He said there is a great disparity among communities for how much revenue distributed.

For instance, he said, Milwaukee has one-tenth of the state's population, but receives one-third of the shared revenue.

Sen. Jauch said those cities that receive the most have the greatest neeed.

"They don't receive more shared revenue becasued they spend more, but because they have so little," he said.

He said if Huebsch wanted to make all shared revenue payments equal, "that means the wealthiest cities would be subsidized ... to the expense of the poorest cities."

Republicans Headed Back

Committee should resume shortly.

Not Done Yet

Things got very testy when Rep. Richards asked Rep. Huebsch to explain why shared revenue was cut to Milwaukee, Racine, Beloit and Superior. The Dems pushed the issue hard.

Huebsch said he would give the answer next week, and said the question was coming "completely out of the blue." When Dems kept up the pressure, he pointed an accusing finger at Richards.

"Rules are changing in ways that we will shut this committee down and you've allowed a new member to do it," Huebsch said. "Senator, decide how we are going to proceed. Are we going to proceed through trust and faith and the ability to get things done, or are you going to let somebody's who here for one day blow this committee up. It's your decision."

As Huebsch did yesterday when things got heated, Robson told Huebsch to "take a deep breath." They've taken a 15-minute break.

Questioning Integrity?

Sen. Decker continues to push Huebsch on whether agreements in the committee will be honored.

Rep. Huebsch replied, "I know you're not calling into question my integrity, are you?"

Huebsch said agreements in the conference committee are solid.

"When you have an agreement at this table at this table, it is an agreement we will hold to," he said.

Again, Huebsch said he'd like to get some of the items offered by the Dems today off the table. Huebsch said he would agree to 14 of the budget items.

"Give me a chance to say yes ... and show some progress today. That's all I'm asking," he said.

Wednesday and Thursday Set for Next Week's Meetings

There are still some closing statements going on, but it looks like the meeting is winding down. Rep. Huebsch said he'd look at the proposals over the weekend and come back with a proposal next week. He said it looks like Robson "cherry picked" items from a variety of different agencies."

Robson said the committee will meet again next Wednesday and Thursday.

Milwaukee County Officials Have a Problem with Budget Action

Milwaukee Co. Exec. Walker and Board Chairman Holloway have a problem with of the Youth Aids to counties provision approved by the budget conference committee yesterday. They sent a letter to the committee asking them to address it.

See the letter here.

Sen. Robson said she wants the committee to take it up down the road.

Moving On

Judging there is no progress to be made on the 80-item offer on the table from Dems, Sen. Robson said the committee will now move on to the Milwaukee Initiative proposals.

When Is a Deal a Deal

Dems are angered by Republican members reluctance to agree to positions staked out in unanimous votes in the bipartisan Joint Finance Committee.

Rep. Huebsch said that because the committee approved them doesn't mean they have the support of his caucus.

"If we just blankly accept bills that come out of committee, why even have a Senate or Assembly?" he asked.

Sen. Robson asked, "Why do we have a joint committee ... if it isn't to winnow down the budget."

Sen. Decker said if the six Assembly Republicans on the JFC can't speak for the caucus, how can Dems be assured that the three Assembly Republicans at the table now do have the support of the caucus.

"When is a yes a yes?" he asked. "When is a handshake something solid?"

Decker said the Republicans have not agreed to any Dem offers while the Dems have agreed to two from Republicans.

"If you want to get something done, you have to start saying yest to some of our proposals, and these are not that difficult," he said.

Huebsch said he is agreeing to 14 of the 80 budget items before them, but the others he wants to take up in the context of their agencies. "Please let us say yes to these," he said.

"No Cherry Picking," Says Robson

Rep. Huebsch said the GOP would agree to 14 of the 80 items in the Dem's proposal, but he'd like to defer the rest until they can be taken up in the context in their agencies.

Robson, "My response is this. No cherry picking."

She said if the the committee doesn't take up something instead of deferring it, they'll never make any progress.

Milwaukee Initiatives

In addition to the 16-0 JFC items that were altered by either the Senate or Assembly, Dems are bringing to the table this afternoon a package of Milwaukee initiatives.

Also, here's the GOP counter proposal to the Dem's Healthy Wisconsin plan.

Jauch Is Back

Sen. Jauch is returning to the table for the afternoon. Things should resume shortly.

Richards Thanks the Committee for the Chance to Sit In

See the press release here.

Break Coming Up

Sen. Robson said this three-hour long debate on health care has been a "good step," but said the Dems "may not have convinced you (the Republicans) just yet." So she's calling for an hour-long break.

She's also putting 80 budget items on the table that passed the Joint Finance Committee with 16-0 votes.

Uninsured Legislators?

Apologizing that it may be a "cheap shot" to bring it up, Sen. Erpenbach said that he pays a $68 premium per month.

Responding, Sen. Fitzgerald made the offer to "rachet down or eliminate" health care for legislators, "like we did with sick leave."

Fitzgerald offered to bring it to his caucus, but, he said, "You (Dems) don't want to do that."

Where Is Actuarial Study?

Republicans are blasting the Dems for not having commissioned an actuarial study on Healthy Wisconsin, saying it's irresponsible to forward such a massive plan without one.

Dems counter that the numbers are in this Power Point document released by the Lewin Group. LFB director Lang said he tried to get more information from the Lewin Group, but was told they couldn't provide it without a contract.

Richards: Kreuser Supports Health Plan

Responding to questions from Republicans about where the Assembly Dems stand on Healthy Wisconsin, Rep. Richards said he has had many conversations with Minority Leader Kreuser and the Kenosha Dem "supports what we're doing on health care."

The Assembly Dems have not voted on the plan as Senate Democrats have. Richards authored a plan similar to Healthy Wisconsin last session with then-Rep. Curt Gielow, a Republican.

Sen. Fitzgerald said he appreciated Richards clarifying the Assembly Democratic position, but pointed out that Dem Gov. Jim Doyle has made less than supportive comments about Healthy Wisconsin. "The governor in a very public way has said he does not support the plan," Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald questioned whether Healthy Wisconsin is a "real proposal," and encouraged the Dems to talk to Doyle to get his assurance it won't be vetoed if included in the budget.

"If we can't get that, I have no idea how we can consider this a legitimate proposal," he said.

County Evaluations of Healthy Wisconsin

Milwaukee County
Eau Claire County
Brown County
La Crosse County

Lang: It's a Tax

Legislative Fiscal Bureau director Bob Lang, responding to a question by Rep. Fitzgerald, said that as defined in the plan, the assessments collected under the Healthy Wisconsin plan would be considered a tax.

"Clearly it's an assessment and in the way the assessment is levied, I'd say it's what we would call a tax," Lang said.

Lang said the Department of Revenue would have measures to enforce payment.

Republicans have repeatedly called the plan a $15 billion tax increase, while Dems have said it's not a tax because it replaces the cost of health care premiums.

Comparing Prices

Sen. Robson said the idea that ill people can shop for low health care prices is false.

She said when a person is having a heart attack, they don't inquire when they call an ambulance how much it will cost to repair their heart.

Rep. Fitzgerald called that argument "pure rhetoric."

"People know they can make decisions beforehand," he said, "... and they can make those decisions based on what they want ... not another giant bureaucracy here in Madison."

Robson said counties have evaluated the plan, and she read off their findings. She said Brown County would save $5 million yearly, La Crosse County $4 million, and Milwaukee Cuonty $52 million under Health Wisconsin.

Huebsch Says Government Programs Driving Cost of Health Care

Rep. Huebsch said he agrees with the Dems that the health care system has "significant" problems.

He said the state has good health care quality and access. But, he said, the cost is the problem, and consumers need to be empowered to address that problem.

"What we are suggesting is you don't have to compromise on either the quality or the access to address the cost," said Huebsch of the Assembly GOP Patients First plan.

Despite what the Dems say, Huebsch said, government is the "biggest problem" in health care.

He said programs like BadgerCare and MediCare pay providers "pennies on the dollar" for services, which forces providers to recoup that cost from others.

He said the Assembly plan provides price transparency and allows consumers to shop for low-cost care.

Erpenbach Makes His Case

Sen. Erpenbach said Healthy Wisconsin will provide "significant" property tax relief while at the same time providing medical coverage to every state resident.

He said Dane County has estimated Healthy Wisconsin would save $5.7 million in costs, and Erpenbach estimated it could provide a $700 million property tax break. He said it's all about spreading out the risk.

He said the plan does not change the current system, and people will get to choose their own doctor and delivery system. If nothing is done, he said, the cost to health care consumers over the next decade will rise by 80 percent.

"We simply have to do something," he said. "Our health care delivery system is good in this state. We just can't afford it anymore."

Republicans Counter Healthy Wisconsin

Rep. Huebsch has countered the Dem Healthy Wisconsin plan with the Assembly Republican's plan for market-based health care reform, Patients First.

Meeting Begins

Principals are at the table. The green-shirted AFSCME workers are present again today, but overall numbers of observers in the committee room seem to be dwindling.

Rep. Rhoades, whose district borders Minnesota, expressed sympathy to those affected by the bridge collapse in Minneapolis, and said the disaster could "play a huge role in interstate commerce."

Erpenbach In

The eight member budget conference committee will come together again today at 11 a.m. Expect health care to be a major focus of discussions today as the author of the Senate Dems' Healthy Wisconsin plan, Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, will take Dem Sen. Bob Jauch's seat at the bargaining table.

Rep. Jon Richards, D-Milwaukee, a vocal supporter of Healthy Wisconsin, will also sit in for the Dems in place of Assembly Minority Leader Jim Kreuser, D-Kenosha. Richards said the position of the Assembly caucus is support for Healthy Wisconsin.

Press Release Reaction

To today's conference committee action:

Rep. Fitzgerald

Rep. Huebsch

What's Been Approved and What's on the Table

This link goes to the four proposals that were sent back and forth today in the conference committee.

On the first page, the first item (500+ items approved by JFC and both houses) were agreed to, but with the caveat that the committee can revise them later if there are revenue re-estimates or modifications.

Of the next list on the first page, all were approved except the MPCP Funding Split and Major Highway Development Bonding Reduction, which will be taken up later in committee.

The last three pages are proposals that were put on the table but not agreed to.

Meeting Adjourned

Will be back at 11 a.m. tomorrow.

Veto Pen is Mightier

Sen. Fitzgerald said he'd like to know where the governor is before agreeing to any budget items.

"You can't expect us to negotiate in good faith when you have no idea what he's going to do with that veto pen in the end," he said.

Decker countered that during the Joint Finance Committee, veto was given to a bipartisan Corrections package negotiated by Dem Rep. Pocan and GOP Rep. Suder, and the Assembly responded by pulling $200 million in funding from the Corrections budget.

Impasse?

The last hour has been spent pushing back and forth proposals. Huebsch is pressing to get the Dems to vote on the 15 items in the GOP proposal.

Robson responded forcefully, saying Huebsch and the GOP need to take a position on the Racine infant mortality rate study funding and domestic abuse fuding the Dems offered last week. She said there has been no give and take.

"If you're going to sit here and say it's your way or the highway, it's going to be a long summer," she said.

"Perhaps we really are at an impasse," she said.

Huebsch urged everyone to take a deep breath, and said he would like to look at those proposals in the context of their larger budget areas. He said perhaps the committee can break until tomorrow so each side can review the other's proposal.

LFB Documents

Here is a document of the 571 items agreed to today.

Here is the July 26 memo the committee members are referring to.

Here is the July 24 memo.

Another Meeting Tomorrow at 11

According to Sen. Robson.

Meanwhile, Huebsch is wondering why the Dems aren't addressing the GOP offer, and instead offering health care items.

Decker said, "Mr. Speaker, we're going to talk about health care every day that we're at this table."

Healthy Wisconsin on the Table

Sen. Robson, as part of her counter proposal, has put Healthy Wisconsin on the table, along with the expansion of BadgerCare as included in the JFC and Senate budgets.

They're Back

Recess is over, and Robson is coming back with a proposal to put in funding to study the infant mortality rate in Racine and domestic abuse.

The current offer on the table from Republicans looks to put discussion of the Racine infant mortality rate issue and domestic abuse grants on hold until a later time.

The current Assembly proposal includes putting on hold the veteran's tuition remission issue on hold.

Committee Will Return in 10 Minutes

Recess

The Dems have asked for a caucus to discuss the Republican proposal on 14 items.

So far, here's what the two sides have agreed to today:

- 571 items that were the same in the JFC, Assembly and Senate budgets.

- A dozen items that were the same between the two houses, but modified from the JFC budget. They did not agree on the the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program funding split, veterans tuition remission, and a major highway development bonding reduction.

Now on the Table

Fifteen items that the Senate and Assembly budgets include similarly, but are different than the Joint Finance Committee. They include the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program and bonding for some highway projects.

The two sides reach agreement on 12 of the items.

"Half the Budget's Taken Care Of"

Says Huebsch. The two sides finally agree to agree on the 571 items that are approved by the JFC, Senate and Assembly, which they already agreed to when they voted on the budget in their respective houses.

But, they can revisit them if there are revenue re-estimates or other modifications later on.

LFB director Lang said while the 571 items represent half of budget items, it does not reflect half of budget spending.

The 571 items contain a cost of roughly $560 million. The Assembly budget spends in total $56.3 billion, while the Senate's proposal spends $66.1 billion

Manufacturing Disagreement

Dems accused the Republicans of manufacturing a disagreement, and also of ambushing them with the 571 similar items.

Huebsch said he told Robson last Friday they would bring the list of items to the committee, and said it is the Democrats who are raising the objection. He also said that he gave more notice than Dems did last week when they offered 209 budget items that passed the Joint Finance Committee 16-0.

Rhoades said to solve the problem, the committee should agree on the items but also agree than any future changes will be taken up.

Robson agreed with that idea, and said she thought the charge of the committee was to discuss the items the Assembly and Senate budgets do not have in common.

Half

Sen. Fitzgerald tried to pin the Dems down on whether they're rejecting the 571 items. Robson replied that they are not, they just want to set them aside to "move on to bigger things. You're creating a problem where none exists."

LFB director Lang said the 571 items represents about half of all those included in the budget. There are 577 budget items that are different than the two houses, he said.

Labels: Sen. Fitzgerald

Making Headlines

Rep. Rhoades said the Legislature that works well together rarely makes headlines, and she said the discussion so far here today is backing that up.

She said the proposal on the table, 571 budget budget items in the Senate, Assembly and JFC budgets, would take care of half the budget.

"If we wait to see if we can make them better, we're never going to vote on anything," she said.

If the committee agrees on the 571 items, she challenged the media to write headlines that say "Legislature works together."

Labels: Rhoades

Jauch Says Republicans Don't Understand Own Budget

Responding to Rep. Fitzgerald's statement that the Assembly GOP budget doesn't raise taxes, Sen. Jauch said to say that shows the Republicans "a misunderstanding or complete ignorance of your own budget."

He said the Assembly budget includes a $90 million reduction in Homestead Tax eligibility for families earning under $24,000 per year.

"Your priority was to provide a tax break for people who sell gold bullion while at the same time sticking it 81,000 of the most vulnerable (state residents)," Jauch said.

He said the Republican proposal "just simply doesn't add up" and "lacks a moral compass."

Labels: Jauch

"Madison Math"

Rep. Fitzgerald said it's clear the Dems are rejecting taking care of half the budget today, and he said it's clear the two sides have different priorities. The oil tax, he said, would hit consumers hard at a time they can't afford it.

He warned the audience to watch for "Madison math." He cited the UW System budget, which he said provides $62 million over the current funding level, yet is being criticized as a cut.

"Only in Madison," he said.

Labels: Rep. Fitzgerald

Table Talk

Sen. Decker said the Republicans are "going in the wrong direction when it comes to the priorities of the state." He said the 571 items Huebsch has offered were not on the table before today, and said some should at least be kept open in case improvements could be offered.

He also said the GOP offer doesn't address Democrats' concerns about oil profits and "corporate hospital structures."

He did say that there are four votes on the Dem side to accept Sen. Fitzgerald's "proposal" on BadgerCare, referring to a comment last week when Fitzgerald said the expansion of the program "deserved consideration."

"I will not be making any offers today," Fitzgerald joked.

Joked Huebsch, "Why is his (Fitzgerald') microphone on? I thought I made that clear."

Labels: Decker

Robson: Assembly Budget Number a "Non-Starter"

Sen. Robson said she's not willing to take the Assembly's $56 billion total budget mark, saying the proposal is a "non-starter."

She said she hopes Huebsch isn't "drawing a line in the sand."

"You (Huebsch) said there would be no bottom lines," she said. "But when you say you have this number ... that seems to me to be like a place that's a non-starter for us."

She said there are too many cuts in the Assembly Republican budget, including the removal of BadgerCare Plus, reductions to financial aid, and the insurance mandate for autistic children.

Robson countered with the Senate budget number, which is $66.1 billion.

Huebsch responded that the committee should figure out how much to spend, then set priorities from there. He said he is not drawing bottom lines.

"There is a limit to what we can spend and a limit to what we should ask taxpayers to support," Huebsch said.

He said the committee should agree on the 571 items passed by both houses and the JFC, which include SeniorCare, addtional DNA analyst positions for the Department of Justice, and low-revenue ceilings for school districts. He said agreeing to those items today "would show tremendous progress."

Labels: Robson

Huebsch Makes Proposal

Rep. Huebsch has extended the offer to the Senate that the committee agree to spend $56.3 billion, the amount spent under the Assembly's budget proposal.

Huebsch said Assembly Republicans want to "build a budget based upon the money we have as taxpayers."

Huebsch also said the Assembly will agree to 571 items that appear in both the Assembly and Senate budget versions, which he said takes care of nearly half of the entire budget.

Labels: Huebsch

And a Hush Comes Over the Crowd

We're close to getting started now. Rep. Huebsch and Sen. Robson have come out from a short meeting in a room adjacent to the conference room. NOw Huebsch has taken his four-member team to a corner for a quick rap session.

Sitting in for Jim Kreuser Today ...

Will be Rep. Jon Richards, D-Milwaukee, the Assembly's assistant minority leader. Kreuser had a long-standing commitment to attend to, Richards said.

Start Could Be a Few Minutes Late

There's a building drill scheduled for 11 a.m., so the committee might get underway a few minutes late today.

The green-shirted AFSCME workers are once again out in force, with about 50 filling seats in the conference room.

Starting Point?

The budget conference committee will return to the bargaining table today at 11 a.m. to continue working on a budget compromise.

The Legislative Fiscal Bureau may have provided a starting point to committee members this morning, distributing a list of 571 budget items, with a price tag of about $760 million, that appear in the versions approved Senate and Assembly.

The committee could possibly vote on those items today, and also take up items approved 16-0 by the Joint Finance Committee, a source says.

See an LFB memo detailing the 209 budget items that passed JFC unanimously here.

The URL for the Budget Blog has changed as of Feb. 13, 2009. Click here to visit the new home page

WisPolitics Budget Blog

JOINT FINANCE COMMITTEE

Senate Members

Assembly Members

BUDGET LINKS

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Ellis, Kaufert Offer School Funding Solution

Fitzgerald Says Guv Needs to Get Involved

Next Meeting Wednesday

Cramming

50 Questions

Robson: Process Is Worthwhile

The Red Phone

Nothing Accomplished

Decker Highlights Some Priorities

Trash Talk

Republicans Say Medicaid Threats Are Scare Tactics

It Begins

Dems Bring Comp Reserve, Renewables to the Table

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

State Prepares to Cut Medicaid Spending Due to Budget Stalemate

League of Women Voters Concerned About Insufficient Revenues

Roessler, Ballweg Want GOP to Change Course on Compensation Reserve Fund

Petroleum Institute Ad Blasts Oil Tax

Lawton, Dems Slam GOP Budget

Budget Co-Chairs Talking

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Cig Cost Could Exceed $6 Per Pack, Company Says

Doyle: Time for Grown-Ups to Emerge in Budget Process

Battle Continues Over Corrections Package

Monday, August 27, 2007

Conference Committee to meet Thursday

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Committee Adjourned

An Important Process

Clear Message

Suder Addresses Corrections Agreement

Purple People Eaters

What Taxes Don't You Like?

Huebsch Talks About Tax Cuts

GOP Offers General Fund Tax Proposal

Clearing the Benches

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Adjourned Until Thursday

Bonding or Oversight

Summer Reruns

Jauch Blasts GOP on Stewardship

Credit Card Spending

Stewardship Is Bipartisan, Robson Says

The Real World

Dems Offer Stewardship

Huebsch Out Today

Monday, August 20, 2007

Meeting Set for Tomorrow

Friday, August 17, 2007

Next Week's Committee Schedule Uncertain

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Short Meeting

Distance Learning

Jail Cells vs. Students

Listen Up

Huebsch: Conference Table Leads to Little Progress

Healthy Wisconsin Welfare Magnet?

Viking Garbage

Singin' from the Same Hymnal

Next Week

Dems Offer Property Tax Relief Package

Late Start

JFC Wishes Happy Birthday to Lang; Passes Two 13.10 Requests

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

JFC Will Hold 13.10 Meeting Tomorrow

DNR: Assembly Budget Would "Dramatically Alter" Stewardship Program

Co-Chairs Talking

Monday, August 13, 2007

Robson Gives Conference Committee Low Grade Thus Far

Friday, August 10, 2007

Co-Chairs Try to Find Path to Common Ground

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Robson Blasts "Waiting Game"