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New bill might prevent budget delays

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Monday, November 19, 2007 12:00 a.m.

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Sen. Judy Robson, D-Beloit, announced Thursday she will introduce a bill that would prevent future budget negotiations from carrying on indefinitely.

During budget years, Robson's legislation would set a Sept. 15 deadline for the completion of a budget. If this deadline is not met, the governor would shut down all nonessential government services until a budget is passed.

"This legislation is intended to add a sense of urgency, to hold the legislator's feet to the fire and really press on getting a budget done," said Josh Wescott, communications director for Robson.

The budget deadline is currently July 1, but this year's process took an additional 114 days. Wescott said countless problems arose as a result of the budget impasse, like students waiting on financial aid and veterans waiting for low-interest home loans.

"Apparently all those factors weren't enough to give some people the kick in the pants to get the budget done," Wescott said. "Next time we go down this road, everybody knows by mid-September if there isn't a budget, then here are the consequences."

Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, said he opposes the legislation for several reasons.

"It is a gimmick," Nass said. "The Legislature has a duty to present the budget and to argue the points — pro and con of a budget. When you impose a deadline, such as [Robson] is promoting, a budget will be delivered that is not in the best interest of the taxpayers of the state of Wisconsin."

Nass also objects to the portion of the bill allowing the governor to decide what government services should be deemed nonessential.

"From one governor to the next governor, nonessential could be defined differently. So that bill allows for inconsistencies and a whole host of politics could be played," Nass said. "That is not right. There should be legislative oversight at a minimum."

Wescott said while it is at the governor's discretion to define nonessential services, he sees all public safety services, like the state patrol, remaining active. He said things like parks would probably be shut down.

Wescott added 22 other states currently have similar provisions to shut down designated nonessential services.

But Nass believes 22 other states having a similar law is not an acceptable reason to adopt the legislation.

"It doesn't mean Wisconsin has to follow all the other states over the cliff," Nass said.

Another problem Nass has with the governor defining nonessential services would come during campaign years, he said, adding special interest groups could donate money to a governor as an incentive for the governor to keep the group's services running after the Sept. 15 deadline.

The bill is currently circulating for co-sponsorship and should be introduced to the Senate in about 10 days. It will then be referred to a committee as decided by the majority leader's office, Wescott said.

"I think it's well-intentioned so we don't have to repeat history," he said.


1 Comment | Leave a comment

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Anonymous | November 19, 2007 5:25 PM | Reply

So, let me get this straight. Nass is now against “legislative gimmicks”? When did he change his mind? His career was built upon them.

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