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6/11/2007
The budget: ONE fiscally conservative position
Joint Finance (JFC) finished its work Friday in a flourish; the Fiscal Bureau will mop up all the pieces and draft one big substitute amendment that will be forwarded to the Democrat-controlled State Senate. The Senate will see a budget containing all the tax and fee hikes and spending Governor Doyle asked for (and more!).
The Senate will pass the JFC budget, probably with still more spending added (what the heck, why not?).
The Assembly Republicans will probably craft a bill that looks more like the 2006-07 budget, and not much at all like the proposed Doyle budget.
So for those desperate to rein in Wisconsin’s runaway deficit finances, all eyes are on Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, his Republican-controlled Assembly, and ten (or more) Assembly Republicans who claim a firm commitment to no new taxes.
The two bills will pass in their respective houses and go to conference committee for reconciliation. A committee equally divided, Republicans and Democrats. Oh my gosh. Two bills that are night and day, oil and vinegar, the Moors and the Christians (or something like that).
Now, some folks are jumping ahead, past whatever budget bill comes out of the conference committee, to the final up or down vote in the Assembly.
52 Republicans, 47 Democrats in that body. If Democrats hold together (why wouldn’t they?), it will take just three Assembly Republican votes to pass a budget – 49 nays, 50 yeas – with huge ($1.7 billion and counting) tax and fee increases, the shell game of very significant fund transfers, huge increases in state borrowing and almost guaranteed significant increases in local property taxes. So, sure, taxes skyrocket – but when it all comes to pass, Republicans can blame the Democrats.
Geez. Bad.
For me – and lots of others - it goes without saying that Wisconsin absolutely must get its finances in control. Alone among the states, we languish in a high tax state and in a deficit budget position. (Look at other states luxuriating in extra cash.)
So – the Republican leadership must (and will) get its arms around (define, then broadcast) what it believes is a responsible budget. Easy to say, I know. ONE fiscally conservative position.
So here’s the important part: It’s up to us.
You and me. Out here in the hinterlands paying all those taxes and fees. Bloggers and talk-show hosts. The silent majority and the rabid base. ONE fiscally conservative position put forth by those we’ve asked to lead. So that all can lobby their representatives and whomever else will listen, to stick together and vote for that ONE responsible budget. Or…. To vote against a budget that doesn’t reach that standard.
I know. Again, easy to say. But here’s the deal. This budget is a Santa Claus budget that does something for everyone. It’s really easy to sell a budget like that. And much more difficult to push back, insisting on restraint and personal responsibility. That’s why those who don’t like this budget will have to give a little here, take a little there. But in the end, all must be pressured by us to come to a common position to fight this really bad budget. ONE fiscally conservative position.
COMMENTS
Jo - You're right. The Assembly Republicans have to go "all in" on this one and do whatever is necessary to stop the tax and fee increases, and they'll need our help. If we don't take a stand now, we'll be in trouble for years to come.
Jim Steineke (Mon Jun 11 09:49:50 2007)
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