In session and ready for business, state lawmakers are eager for a productive year — at least that seems to be the sentiment among the state Capitol’s newly inaugurated leaders.
Key legislators across partisan lines have identified health care, education, employment, ethics reform and property taxes as areas in need of improvement. And according to Assembly Democratic Leader Jim Kreuser, D-Kenosha, “these are the kitchen table issues that Wisconsin families care about.”
Despite a cordial outlook, Gov. Jim Doyle’s biennial budget faces a $1.6 billion deficit, a fiscal nightmare that will result in tough decisions and potential program cuts for some state agencies.
In the past, budget deficits have resulted in large cuts for the University of Wisconsin System. According to a UW System summary, $90 million was cut from the system’s requested budget after a similar $1.6 billion deficit in the last biennium.
UW System officials decided to increase total tuition income by $150 million in the 2003-05 biennium to try to offset the $250 million in budget cuts the Legislature made to help reconcile the state’s $3.2 billion budget deficit during that time.
According to David Giroux, spokesperson for the UW System, support for education during the November election was encouraging. However, Giroux added that “the question is whether [the Legislature] is willing to invest.”
Doyle spokesperson Carla Vigue said it’s difficult to say whether the UW System will receive a similar cut this biennium, but added the governor has made education one of his top priorities and said it will likely be reflected in the budget.
As a way to quell the impending deficit, several lawmakers are supporting legislation that would impose an additional $1 tax on tobacco. Doyle supports the tax, Vigue said, but only if its revenue is used to stop smoking.
“If we can significantly reduce the odds a young person will take up smoking, I would consider that a high and lasting achievement,” Doyle said in his Jan. 3 inaugural address, according to a transcript released by his office.
Newly inaugurated Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem, opposes the tobacco tax and any measure to increase taxes, according to his spokesperson, Bob Delaporte.
“We’ve seen in the past that taxes are increased for things they’re not intended for,” Delaporte said, adding Huebsch hopes legislators will cut taxes this year to make Wisconsin more attractive to businesses and families.
Despite policy disagreements, Delaporte said legislators are looking forward to a spirited debate and a busy session this year.
“The people voted for a split house and they expect us to get to work,” Delaporte said.
Some officials predict the new Legislature may be more productive than past sessions because both parties seem willing to pursue similar agendas and both bodies hold narrow majorities, meaning they may be more likely to compromise.
Democrats took control of the state Senate after the Nov. 7 election — 18 Democrats to 15 Republicans — and narrowed the Republican majority in the Assembly — 52 Republicans to 47 Democrats.
A total of 21 new legislators were sworn into office Jan. 3, along with second-term Gov. Jim Doyle and Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, who is the state’s first Republican attorney general in 16 years.
The governor’s budget is expected to reach the Legislature by mid-February.
