State senators and representatives agree until the state has reconciled the budget shortfall and adjustments in the state budget have been made, issues like redistricting and health care will be on the backburner when the January legislative sessions begin.
Mike Browne, press secretary for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Chvala, D-Madison, said the biggest issue facing the senate is going to be the shortfall in the state budget.
“Right now we are looking at a revenue gap that is going to be somewhere between $300 million and $1.3 billion out of balance,” Browne said. “And since the Wisconsin constitution requires the budget to be balanced, this is going to be the biggest thing on the horizon.”
Browne said the state fiscal bureau will have the new revenue estimates in January just after the holiday shopping season, which could help boost the economy, creating a smaller budget gap.
“[This] drives other decisions also,” Browne said. “This is not going to be a time for tax cuts.”
Browne said he expects some legislation about groundwater standards, health care and what he calls safety-net issues–including unemployment and insurance–will help the state deal with the repercussions of an economic slowdown.
“People really look to the government for support during times of economic slowdown,” Browne said.
Wisconsin is going to be losing one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives; bringing the number of seats down from nine to eight, and the legislature will also be redistricting during the session. Browne said redistricting doesn’t bring a lot of excitement, but it is going to have an effect on all levels of government.
“In the last 10 years, our state grew, but not as fast as other areas,” Browne said.
Sen. Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, said the big issues on the horizon are going to be the state budget and redistricting.
“But I think in popular rhetoric, the big issue is going to be economy and jobs,” Lazich said. “I think it is difficult to focus on new programs and new laws when there are costs that are associated with that; there is no money for new programs and bills.”
Lazich expects the legislature to spend a lot of time talking about where money may be being wasted and what government programs can be cut or pared down.
Maureen McNally, press secretary for Sen. Mary Panzer, R-West Bend, said she does not know the bill schedule but she expects the state budget to dominate discussion.
“We want to pass bills about education and health care, but there is a budget shortfall,” McNally said. “We need to look at economic development.”
Rep. Peggy Rosenzweig, R-Wauwatosa, agreed but acknowledged that it will be difficult because the state has not been forced to cut programs and spending in years.
“Obviously the thing running the train is going to be the budget,” Rosenzweig said. “This is going to be very different because we haven’t had to face this problem before.”
Rosenzweig said health care for seniors is important but believes those programs will remain untouched. Other important legislation will be campaign finance reform, she said.
“But that is perennial, and that [legislation] doesn’t cost any money,” Rosenzweig said. “Tax talk is on hold; education is hold.”
Robert Allen, press secretary for Rep. Brian Burke, D-Milwaukee, said the state budget is going to overshadow everything else.
Allen said he believes some potential solutions for the budget shortfall could be an increase in tuition or an increase in local taxes. Another important issue will be campaign-finance reform, but even that will be influenced by the budget gap.
