Risser: GOP Budget a Disaster for Wisconsin The state budget recommended unanimously by the Republican members of the Joint Finance Committee is shameful and a disaster for the citizens, the environment, and the economy of Wisconsin, State Senator Fred Risser (D-Madison) said today. “It’s a disaster for our public education system by its promotion of a statewide private voucher school system which siphons money from the public schools to private schools which are unaccountable and can pick and choose students, shutting out disabled and non-traditional learners.” Risser said. Risser criticized the failure to accept $4.4 billion in available federal funds for Medicaid expansion which means that over 88,000 Wisconsin citizens in need of healthcare must fend for themselves and results in money Wisconsin could have received – and the jobs created with those funds – going to other states instead. He further noted that the Republicans also drastically cut Stewardship funds for land acquisition and required instead that 10,000 acres of Stewardship lands already purchased be sold off. “A provision in the budget which would allow the sale of University of Wisconsin and other state properties without bids and without full legislative oversight is just bad public policy and makes no logical or financial sense.” Risser said. Risser also claimed that the Republican-approved massive tax cut proposal caters to the wealthy and steals funds from vital state services. “The entire budget process this year was a governmental disaster ending with an all-night session incorporating, without public hearings or review, many non-fiscal policy matters inserted by well-heeled lobbying interests.” Risser concluded. -30-
Posted on: Wed, 05 Jun 2013 21:50:30 +0000
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