March 30, 2007
Volume #29, Issue #11
AFSCME BUDGET POINTS
2007-09 Governor's Budget Proposal
While no budget is perfect, Gov. Doyle's proposal does a lot of good by investing in
working families and
strong public services. Below are key points in the proposal that AFSCME is supporting and
one area of
concern:
New Revenue - AFSCME supports the Governor's efforts to protect
individual taxpayers by diversifying
the state's revenue sources. New revenue sources include the $1.25 increase in the
cigarette tax, 2.5% oil
company assessment, the real estate transfer fee, and the 1% hospital assessment. These
adjustments
allow Wisconsin to tap additional federal dollars and invest in vital services.
Aid to Local Government - AFSCME supports the $15 million increase
in aids to local government
through the Shared Revenue Program. This fund has been frozen or underfunded for more than
a decade.
Every dollar put into shared revenue is one dollar less required from local property
taxpayers. While
AFSCME opposes artificial caps on local revenue, we are encouraged that this budget would
lift the
property tax caps from the sub-inflationary 2% to a more realistic 4%.
Transportation - Protecting our investment in safe streets and
highways means taking care of what we
have, not just building more roads. The Governor's $66 million increase in State Highway
Maintenance
funding recognizes the need to protect our prior investments. Also key is the $23 million
increase in
General Transportation Aids to local governments, $61 million in State Highway
Rehabilitation dollars,
and the $2.8 million for the Local Road Improvement Plan.
Preserve State Employee Compensation Reserves - AFSCME supports
the Governor's proposal for
state employee compensation. Any reduction in this funding would undermine the state's
responsibility to
treat its hard working employees with the fairness they deserve.
Milwaukee Initiative - AFSCME supports the Governor's proposals
for Youth Aids, Circuit Courts, and
other programs in this budget aimed at improving conditions in Wisconsin's largest
metropolitan area.
AFSCME strongly supports the proposal to change state law and allow Milwaukee County to
refinance the
debt in the county's retirement system.
State Employees Initiatives - AFSCME supports collective
bargaining rights for UW faculty and
academic staff, reducing from six months to two the health insurance waiting period for
new hires,
whistle-blower protections and extending domestic partner benefits to all state workers.
Health Care - AFSCME supports expanding BadgerCare Plus and the
initiatives in place to ensure
access to health care coverage for 98% of Wisconsin residents. AFSCME believes this is an
important
first step toward solving the health care crisis that is hurting Wisconsin families and
sapping our economic
vitality.
Long-Term Care - AFSCME supports the 2% increase in the
reimbursement rate for nursing homes.
While more and more of the elderly population is finding ways to stay in their homes,
nursing homes still
play a vital role in providing long-term care for Wisconsin residents.
Child Care - AFSCME is very concerned about the lack of funding
for child care subsidies under the
Wisconsin Shares Program. Increasing enrollment and lack of adequate federal funding
jeopardizes
quality child care throughout the state. AFSCME urges the Joint Committee on Finance to
take a serious
look at ways to close the funding gap for Wisconsin Shares.
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