Legislatively Speaking
By Senator, Lena C. Taylor
Lena C. Taylor
The end of the biennial state budget process is a bit like a roller coaster ride. Except, nothing about this ride is fun.
Republicans are in charge and it feels like the wheels could jump off the tracks at any moment.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the honor and responsibility of serving on the state budget committee several times. Every single time, there is one night that you will never forget.
For me, that night was last Tuesday. In one day, Republicans created a pipeline to prison instead of a pathway to the American Dream for our school children.
Yet again, under Governor Scott Walker’s leadership, Republicans under funded public education, voted to increase the number of beds for male and female inmates to accommodate Wisconsin’s growing prison population and approved multiple likely illegal provisions to require drug testing for state aid.
We all knew something was up when the Joint Committee on Finance executive session started four hours late.
Locked behind closed doors, Republicans were finalizing a plan that would harm our state, and Milwaukee in particular, for years to come.
After we finally started, the first curve on the ride was mandatory drug testing for recipients of public benefits such as food stamps, unemployment insurance, job training programs and BadgerCare Plus.
These programs are discriminatory, prejudiced and likely illegal.
Yet, logic like that didn’t stop Republican’s ideological politics.
Not one Republican on the committee seemed at all worried about the money lawsuits from these likely illegal tests would cost.
The proposal passed along a party line vote. Democrats, holding our breath in disbelief, tried to make them understand that we needed to offer solutions, like investing in treatment services for people who actually have AODA issues.
The next steep climb on the ride included the move of Republicans to approve an increase in beds for male and female inmates. Yet, they eliminated dedicated funding for Project Return in Milwaukee.
Project Return helps men and women reintegrate into our society in a positive and permanent way.
Rather than continuing the revolving door of incarceration, this organization has successfully helped provide people the stability and services to stay out of prison for good.
Programs like these show lower recidivism rates which saves us money and strengthens our community in the long run.
Imagine sitting through hours of debate in which Republicans waste taxpayer funds hand over fist. Just when you thought this roller coaster ride couldn’t get any bumpier, Republicans introduced one of the largest budget motions I recall seeing in my career.
Their education plan took a page right out of Governor Walker’s playbook.
The move marginally increased funding for public schools, after buckling under public pressure. Despite this move, Wisconsin’s education funding continues to be lower than the national average.
The story they don’t want you to read is about the harmful impact of the Republican education package.
For example, did you know that Republicans are spending tens of millions of dollars on vouchers for special needs students?
That’s money diverted from public schools and allows parents to send their children to schools that may not actually be equipped to accommodate special needs students.
Another major education policy change would allow the Milwaukee County Executive to take over schools in the Milwaukee Public School System, that are deemed as not meeting expectations.
At first, the number of schools would be minimal, but would grow each and every year. I believe that schools that have more challenges need more resources, not less.
So shouldn’t we identify struggling schools and help them by reducing class size and creating wrap-around services so our neighborhood schools can be a place for families and communities to grow stronger together? If you agree, you aren’t alone.
Instead, Republicans hatched a plan without incorporating proper feedback from Milwaukee legislators, local leadership, and most importantly, Milwaukee parents.
In doing so, they created a divisive and toxic plan, rather than one that will truly work for our children by earning the buy-in of our students, parents and neighbors.
Buckle your seatbelt and hold on tight. The state budget committee roller coaster ride still has at least another week or two left.
Under Governor Walker’s lack of leadership and with the Republicans in charge, anything can happen.