Rep. Hintz on State Assembly Passage of Budget
MADISON – On Friday, June 26, the Wisconsin State Assembly passed the Conference Committee Report on the 2009-2011 State Budget by a vote of 51-46. This was the final step in the budget process, and the bill will now be sent to Governor Doyle for approval.
"After a long, difficult process I’m pleased we passed a budget in the face of a global economic recession that maintains core public services without across-the-board tax increases on Wisconsin citizens,” said Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh).
“While Wisconsin and 46 other states have experienced record revenue shortfalls, we have also experienced increases in demand for government services such as unemployment benefits, health insurance, education and job training programs, and the need for stable if not additional public safety resources to combat riskier behavior associated with a down economy. This budget includes the largest cuts in state history, but invests in education, public safety, and support for our local communities.”
Following action by the Joint Committee on Finance, the budget was passed by both the Assembly and Senate. Differences between the two were resolved in a conference committee. The conference committee report was first passed in the Senate early Friday morning before being sent to the Assembly. This was the first time since 1977 that the final budget version was submitted to the Governor on time.
The budget passed on Friday included over $3 billion in state spending cuts, the largest and deepest in state history. Most importantly, the budget does not increase general sales taxes, payroll taxes, or income taxes for 99% of Wisconsin residents, while still holding the line on property taxes.
“Our challenge is far from over. Tough decisions were made on state program funding and cuts; while other decisions were pushed into a future with plenty of economic uncertainty. It is my hope that this Legislature will not wait until the next budget to address some of the systemic problems that have plagued Wisconsin budgets for years. But rather we will get to work immediately on new ways to finance and deliver services in the short and long-term.”
"After a long, difficult process I’m pleased we passed a budget in the face of a global economic recession that maintains core public services without across-the-board tax increases on Wisconsin citizens,” said Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh).
“While Wisconsin and 46 other states have experienced record revenue shortfalls, we have also experienced increases in demand for government services such as unemployment benefits, health insurance, education and job training programs, and the need for stable if not additional public safety resources to combat riskier behavior associated with a down economy. This budget includes the largest cuts in state history, but invests in education, public safety, and support for our local communities.”
Following action by the Joint Committee on Finance, the budget was passed by both the Assembly and Senate. Differences between the two were resolved in a conference committee. The conference committee report was first passed in the Senate early Friday morning before being sent to the Assembly. This was the first time since 1977 that the final budget version was submitted to the Governor on time.
The budget passed on Friday included over $3 billion in state spending cuts, the largest and deepest in state history. Most importantly, the budget does not increase general sales taxes, payroll taxes, or income taxes for 99% of Wisconsin residents, while still holding the line on property taxes.
“Our challenge is far from over. Tough decisions were made on state program funding and cuts; while other decisions were pushed into a future with plenty of economic uncertainty. It is my hope that this Legislature will not wait until the next budget to address some of the systemic problems that have plagued Wisconsin budgets for years. But rather we will get to work immediately on new ways to finance and deliver services in the short and long-term.”
posted by Cheryl Hentz at 8:06 PM
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