Blogging Blue » Wisconsin State Budget

Only 249,999 jobs to go

Ed Heinzelman — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:37:49 +0000

Scott Walker has promised that when elected governor he will develop 250,000 jobs for those of us who live in the State of Wisconsin. Well here’s the first one: The White Tail Deer Trustee!

And here’s why we need one:

“Scott Walker, Milwaukee County executive and candidate for governor, today announced his plans to [...]

Doyle budget maneuver illegal?

Zach — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:22:29 +0000

Seriously….this is why I was never Gov. Jim Doyle’s biggest fan: Gov. Jim Doyle’s administration lacks the legal authority to use a $127 million accounting trick to help cover a shortfall in state health programs for the poor, the Legislature’s nonpartisan budget and audit offices report.

The finding means the Democratic administration could have [...]

When will Walker & Neumann break the silence?

Zach — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:02:09 +0000

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett has a detailed plan to “Put Madison on a Diet” and save more than $1 billion, a number which represents about half of the projected state budget deficit for the next governor.

The response from the Republican gubernatorial candidates? Crickets. As WisPolitics reports, “Neumann and Walker declined Barrett’s challenge [...]

The quick and dirty on WI Act 28

Zach — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:21:35 +0000

A couple of months ago, I wrote about the provision contained within the most recent state budget, otherwise known as 2009 Wisconsin Act 28, that would make all but the most violent offenders and sex offenders potentially eligible for early release. At the time, I voiced my support for the measure, and I cited [...]

Let’s get smart about spending corrections dollars

Zach — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:01:40 +0000

Among the items included in the state budget that was recently signed into law was a provision that would make all but the most violent offenders and sex offenders potentially eligible for early release, just as they were under the old system of parole, before truth-in-sentencing legislation took effect in 1999. The provision was [...]

In Brief: Doyle signs budget, does Peace Corps beckon?

Zach — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:08:43 +0000

Governor Jim Doyle signed the state budget into law today, making this budget the firs since 1977 to have been completed before the start of the new fiscal year. Partisan differences have typically led to budget delays past the start of the fiscal year, but Democratic control of the Assembly, Senate, and Governor’s [...]

Sometimes Democrats are really stupid…

Zach — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:04:03 +0000

…and this is one of those times:

Democrats who control the state Assembly voted Thursday to cap participation in Milwaukee’s parental choice program at 19,500 students for the next two years – about the same number of students who now attend private schools at state expense.

Let me make it clear I’m no fan [...]

Honadel seeks to restore Learnfare program

Zach — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:37:59 +0000

In a press release issued yesterday, State Rep. Mark Honadel of South Milwaukee indicated he wants to amend the state budget to restore the Learnfare program. In justifying the amendment, here’s what Rep. Honadel said:

I believe the Learnfare program should be restored from the elimination made by Governor Doyle and Joint Finance because [...]

Dems request Van Hollen records

Zach — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:01:59 +0000

From my emailbox comes word Jason Stephany, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, has made an open records request to determine if Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has instructed state employees at the Wisconsin Department of Justice to engage in a political lobbying campaign involving contacting members of the State Legislature [...]

It could be worse…

Zach — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:22:22 +0000

For as bad as Wisconsin’s 5.4 billion dollar budget deficit is, things could be worse, as evidenced by California’s massive budget deficit:

The state faces a $28 billion budget shortfall over the next two years. If nothing is done, nearly $5 billion in public-works projects could be halted in little more than a [...]