(Published Wednesday, August 29, 2007 11:57:45 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
The state budget impasse is ridiculous, disgraceful and disrespectful.
It's ridiculous that Wisconsin is the lone holdout among states whose fiscal years begin July 1. Wisconsin stands alone after Illinois lawmakers agreed to a budget Aug. 17 and California legislators did likewise last week. That makes us a national disgrace.
What's worse, Wisconsin isn't even close to a deal. While state spending continues at the previous level, a budget conference committee of four Democrats and four Republicans has hammered out small compromises. The big issues-taxation and the Democrats' "Healthy Wisconsin" plan-remain unresolved.
It's disgraceful how lawmakers continually find time to press special-interest groups for campaign donations instead of completing their top task. Last week, three Republicans on the conference committee were scheduled to attend a fund-raiser. Don't think Democrats aren't shaking down donors, too.
Meanwhile, conference committee member Judy Robson, the Beloit Democrat who serves as Senate majority leader, used the break in the inaction to craft a column about the "Buy Local" food movement. We're sure glad she shed light on that pressing issue.
Wisconsin is by far the smallest state employing a full-time legislature. Maybe we should return to part-time lawmakers.
The budget deadlock is disrespectful to officials in school districts and county and municipal governments. A big part of the state budget goes to school districts and local governments. These officials face budget and tax deadlines and can only guess at the level of state support they might receive.
Can we afford to rehire art teachers, or should we cut positions? Should we fully staff our public safety departments, or should we lay off firefighters and police officers?
The delay also disrespects thousands of university and technical college students who rely on financial aid to continue their educations. They have no assurance that it's forthcoming.
The legislative divide is more extreme because Democrats control the Senate and Republicans control the Assembly. Gov. Jim Doyle has shown little leadership in bringing the sides together.
If policy issues are contributing to the delay, remove them from the budget process and consider them separately after a budget is approved. That has worked for a divided Legislature in previous years.
Residents should contact their legislators and urge them to action.
Likewise, voters should watch closely. If they fault Democrats for hastily throwing the controversial Healthy Wisconsin plan into the mix, they should remember that come election time and lean toward restoring Republican control in the Senate. If voters favor this universal health care plan, they should boot Republicans from Assembly control. Having one party control both houses certainly would move things along.
We aren't asking either side to capitulate just for the sake of expedient budget approval. But lawmakers should stop milking special interests and instead focus on getting the job done.
