A final decision about the state’s $1.1 billion budget deficit will be delayed at least another week. Meanwhile, the state Senate has scheduled hearings before meeting in session to amend, and eventually vote on, the controversial budget bill.
Just as the Legislative Budget Committee’s and Republican Assembly’s actions have sparked media and public attention on recent action, the five public hearings led by the Senate Budget Committee are seen as a showcase for public discontent.
Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, scheduled five hearings over the next two weeks at UW campuses around the state. These hearings will give the public a chance to ask questions and express concerns over amendments made by Assembly Republicans.
These hearings will be held at universities in Green Bay, Superior, Milwaukee, Madison and Eau Claire; they are scheduled to begin Tuesday.
Jauch said he feels these hearings are necessary to keep people informed on changes in the budget that could affect their lives.
“It is critical that we continue a dialogue with concerned working families throughout our state,” he said.
The committee hearings caught the attention of Gov. Scott McCallum, who said the hearings are a waste of time and a waste of taxpayer’s money.
“Taxpayers expect the state to do its business in a timely fashion, and another round of hearings just puts off the inevitable,” McCallum said in a release.
The governor gave several examples of why public hearings are not beneficial to taxpayers and said he thought committee hearings held by Assembly Democrats were ineffective.
The governor said the hearings, lead by Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, will be held so that lawmakers can use information from public hearings to encourage citizens to express their opinions and craft an independent budget. McCallum claimed after 50 hearings, Assembly Democrats did not offer an alternative solution.
Jauch said he disagrees with the governor.
“[McCallum’s] inflammatory rhetoric is from a chief executive who seems to be fearful of what the public has to say about his plan,” Jauch said.
Jauch stated that people have a right to confront the government on issues affecting their lives. He pointed out some students fears that cuts to the UW System could jeopardize their access to education.
“The Senate has a right and a responsibility to modify the budget to reflect the values and priorities of working families across the state,” he said.
