Veteran member will lead Democratic presence on committee
Senator Lena C. Taylor
( MADISON ) Senator Lena C. Taylor (D-Milwaukee) was named the ranking member of the Joint Committee on Finance today by Senator Mark Miller (D-Monona), Senate Democratic Leader. Taylor is a veteran of the committee, serving in the majority and minority on the committee since 2005. The Joint Committee on Finance, considered one of the most powerful committees in the Legislature, manages the passage of the state budget and administrative actions on state finances.
“I am thankful for the honor that my caucus has given me to lead the Democratic representation on the Joint Committee on Finance,” Taylor commented. “The budget bill is a piece of legislation that shows priorities for any state. Wisconsin ’s budget must be about creating jobs, protecting the core functions of this state – namely educating our children and preserving public safety, and cutting the waste and fat off the books. This is our charge and our goal.”
Wisconsin’s budget deficit is estimated at 2.7 billion dollars. Wisconsin’s constitution requires that the Governor and Legislature enact a balanced budget. Taylor noted that the Democratic members of the committee will be an “accountability force” watching over the decisions made by the majority party.
“Anytime there is a budget deficit, there is the potential to craft a budget to meet the bottom line regardless of the impact on the people of this state,” Taylor said. “Democrats are ready to be the accountability force for the people of Wisconsin to ensure that the budget represents priorities in job creation, education investment, and our constitutional duties to justice. We will not sit idly by as attempts to gut the programs citizens need and demand are made.”
Taylor will assume the ranking member role at the convening of the next legislative session immediately following the beginning of the New Year. Also appointed to the committee is Senator Bob Jauch (D-Poplar).