March 7, 2008
Volume #30, Issue #7
GOVERNOR CALLS SPECIAL SESSION TO CLOSE BUDGET GAP - Citing a
downturn in the state’s
economy, Governor Doyle has called a Special Session of the Legislature on March
13 to deal with the
budget imbalance. In January, the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau
announced that the state’s General
Fund will be short by some $650 million. Since then, the Doyle Administration
has taken measures to whittle
down the deficit. State agencies were ordered to return some $106 million to the
budget office. In addition,
the State Department of Administration has adjusted repayment of some debt,
resulting in savings of $125
million. There is still a shortfall that must be addressed to keep Wisconsin in
good fiscal shape.
So far, legislators have been mum on what they are willing to do with the
Special Session call. There are
rumors that some lawmakers would prefer not to act on a budget repair bill now;
we’ll see. AFSCME has
been working closely with the Doyle Administration since the deficit was
announced to advocate for
preserving the flow of money to the vital services that our members provide. We
will remain vigilant as the
“budget repair bill” makes its way through the Legislature.
LAWMAKERS SUPPORT STIFFER PENALTIES FOR INMATES WHO RIOT AND BATTER
CORRECTIONS STAFF - AB-92, the bill that allows for severe penalties to
be imposed on inmates who
incite riots and injure staff in correctional institutions and facilities that
house sex offenders, sailed through the
State Assembly Tuesday night. AB-92 was passed with unanimous consent from all
99 representatives.
AFSCME worked with Rep. Sheryl Albers, who offered the bill in response to the
inmate riot at the New
Lisbon Correctional Institution in November of 2004. The bipartisan support for
AB-92 sends a strong
message to offenders in correctional facilities that rioting and harming staff
will bring swift and severe
consequences. The bill now goes before the State Senate, which must act on it
before it can become law.
COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEE BATTERY BILL ON VERGE OF BECOMING LAW -
Senate Bill
278, which would increase penalties for persons committing battery against
public employees conducting
inspections, passed the State Senate on Thursday, March 6. Passage of SB-278,
along with the action taken
by the State Assembly to pass Assembly Bill 525 last week, means the houses have
passed identical
legislation to protect public employees. Either the Assembly or Senate will have
to concur with the version
from the other house before the bill can be sent to the Governor.
MILWAUKEE COUNTY PENSION OBLIGATION BILL ON TO GOVERNOR’S DESK -
Senate Bill 366,
which allows Milwaukee County to issue appropriation bonds to refinance the
county’s outstanding pension
obligation, passed the Assembly late last week. The bill now heads to the
Governor’s desk where it is
expected to be signed into law.
HEALTHY WISCONSIN HEARING NEXT WEEK - The Senate Committee on
Health, Human Services,
Insurance, and Job Creation will hold a public hearing on Monday, March 10 at 10
a.m. in the Capitol on the
new Healthy Wisconsin legislation, Senate Bill 562. SB-562 is a modified version
of the statewide health
care reform package offered by Senate Democrats during the state budget battle
last year. AFSCME
supports efforts for comprehensive health care reform, and urges members to
attend the hearing next week
to talk about the impact of rising health care costs on themselves and their
families.
LEGISLATIVE WEBSITES. . .For those "online", here are some good info spots:
Wisconsin State Legislature: www.legis.state.wi.us/
"Who Are My Legislators": www.legis.state.wi.us./waml/
State of Wisconsin: www.wisconsin.gov/state/home
Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau: www.legis.state.wi.us/lrb/
Wisconsin Legislative Council: www.legis.state.wi.us/lc/
Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau: www.legis.state.wi.us/lfb/
Wisconsin Ethics Board: http://ethics.state.wi.us