JFC begins agency hearings, first day brings new set of failed promises
Senator Lena C. Taylor (DMilwaukee), ranking member of the Joint Committee on Finance, expressed her disbelief and great concern over provisions of Scott Walker’s budget as the committee began its agency briefings this week. Taylor noted that Walker’s budget falls short of fiscal responsibility in the criminal justice system, eliminates over 1200 quality jobs, and fails to uphold at least three campaign promises made by the Governor.
“Once again, the truth is in short supply with the Governor’s proposal,” Taylor commented. “Not only does the Governor break his promises to the people of Wisconsin , he cuts jobs and makes some of the most illogical policy decisions about law enforcement proposed in my time in the Senate. Gov. Walker has yet to create a job, he gives away millions to his friends, and he raises taxes on working people. It’s an absolute attack on Wisconsin .”
Taylor brought to light many different issues in the Walker budget:
Elimination of the Wisconsin Justice Information Sharing (WIJIS) system that threatens safety of law enforcement and victims, mandates local cost increases, and threatens 50 million dollars of federal highway aid. (LFB Summary, page 36, item 1)
Increase of income tax for working families claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit due to Walker ’s raid on the fund. For a two parent family with two children income taxes would increase over $300. (LFB Summary, pg. 184 item 4)
Specifically breaks at least 3 campaign promises made by Walker include:
- Raises taxes on working families (Americans For Tax Reform pledge)
- Fails to authorize the reopening of tourism centers closed in the last budget. (Campaign Website)
- Walker’s budget contains policy items and pork projects for the Governor (Campaign website)
“A one day review of the Walker budget shows just how untruthful and desperate for power the Governor is,” Taylor concluded. “Complete lies to the people about not raising taxes, poor decision making, and just plain disregard for the rule of law in all his actions are represented in this budget. As Wisconsin learns more and more about this budget, people will be called to hold Walker accountable for his war on Wisconsin values.”
The Joint Committee on Finance will continue this week and next to hold agency briefings on the budget. Public hearings by the committee will begin on April 7th in Stevens Point. Democrats, recognizing the GOP’s willingness to limit public input to this budget, will hold extra hearings around the state.
For a second straight day, Senator Taylor exposed more irresponsible budget moves by the Walker Administration.
The committee took agency testimony from the Government Accountability Board, and the Departments of Corrections and Children & Families, and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. In today’s testimony tax raises, job cuts, and administration power grabs came to light in the committee.
“The lying has to stop! It is absolutely ridiculous for DOA Secretary Huebsch to sit here yesterday and say that taxes are not raised, when today’s briefing on DCF clearly shows that they are!” Taylor exclaimed. “This budget raises taxes on working people while giving tax breaks to the upper class in Wisconsin. Adding injury to insult, the Governor eliminates the transitional jobs program that puts people to work in Wisconsin. Raising taxes and cutting jobs is not a good sign for Wisconsin in Walker ’s budget.”
The budget hearings Wednesday showed that the Walker budget:
- Raises taxes on working families through the $41 million dollar raid on the Earned Income Tax Credit fund (LFB Summary, page 184, item 4 & page 107, item 14)
- Eliminates the effective Transitional Jobs Demonstration Project which will cut 2000 jobs and drive these people to the unemployment rolls. (LFB Summary, page 102, item 6)
- Eliminates over 340 full time jobs in the Department of Corrections (LFB Summary, page 141, agency summary)
- Allows the Secretary of DCF to make any changes to the WisconsinShares program without legislative oversight. Providers could have rate reimbursements adjusted or copayments increased without legislative input. (LFB Summary, page 102, item 7)
- Budget denies the funding request of GAB to expand contract sunshine reporting. This is more egregious when coupled with the expansion of no-bid contracts, and the governor’s veto power on administrative rules. (DOA Executive Budget, page 224, item 11; LFB Summary, page 30, item 2; 2011 SS SB 8)
“This is only day two of the budget work in Wisconsin and I expect that the bad news for Wisconsin will continue to come to light.” Taylor concluded. “Scott Walker’s attack on education, our foundation for the future, will be highlighted. I call on citizens to get engaged in this budget process and let the Republicans know that Walker’s budget should be scrapped.”
The Joint Committee on Finance takes testimony on education funding for K- 12, technical colleges, and universities tomorrow. Public hearings begin next Thursday with extra hearings by the Democrats to encourage citizen participation.
