Highlights of Budget Package
Advanced by State Senate
(Arbitration of Discipline for both Police and Fire is
Restored!)
(06/26/07)
MADISON –On June 26, the Wisconsin Senate formally adopted the 2007-2009 state budget. With an 18-15 majority over the Republicans, the Democrats approved a number of changes to the budget they received from the Joint Committee on Finance. The senate’s amended budget will now advance to the Republican-controlled State Assembly for further consideration.
Among the changes approved by the Democratic majority were the following:
- Arbitration of Discipline for Both Police and Fire. In an effort led by Senators Bob Wirch (D-Pleasant Prairie) and Jim Sullivan (D-Wauwautosa), the senate budget restores Governor Jim Doyle’s proposal allowing police officers and fire fighters to arbitrate their discipline. The budget bill introduced in February by Governor Doyle had recommended that unionized police officers and fire fighters outside Milwaukee get the option of taking disciplinary matters to arbitration. On May 30, the Joint Committee on Finance rejected that proposal and modified the governor's plan to apply only to fire fighters.
- Front License Plates are Restored. The senate budget package restored the language and funding to require two license plates for each motor vehicle registered by the Department of Transportation. The Joint Committee on Finance had proposed doing away with front license plates in Wisconsin in an attempt to save approximately $250,000 annually.
- Veterans
Tuition Benefits Largely Restored. The senate budget
largely restored a popular tuition benefit enacted last year for
veterans. The law originally allowed veterans to attend graduate
school for free and a lifetime in which to qualify for the higher
education aid. Enrollment in the program exceeded expectations,
resulting in skyrocketing costs and an unanticipated financial impact
on the UW System. The budget approved by the Joint Committee
on Finance changed the program so that veterans would only be allowed
to receive free tuition for undergraduate studies and within 10 years
of leaving military service. The senate budget adopted on
June 26 allows veterans and survivors of veterans more access to
one additional degree, including graduate school, and postpones
the beginning of the 10 year limit for surviving children until
they reach 18 years of age.
The senate also approved Governor Doyle’s proposed increases in the state’s shared revenue program, through which the state distributes money to local governments to help pay for local services. Finally, the senate adopted the governor’s proposal to increase the minimum amount a local government can increase taxes from 2 to 4 percent.
The assembly is expected to make numerous changes to the senate budget, and any differences between the budgets produced by the senate and assembly will have to be reconciled before going to Governor Doyle for his final approval. Lawmakers will be forced to practice the fine art of compromise in a conference committee composed of select lawmakers. This lengthy process may not conclude until sometime in August or September.
Rest assured that the WPPA will continue to work with the legislature and Governor Doyle to inform them of the budget’s impact on our membership. Anyone with questions or comments can contact WPPA Assistant Executive Director Jim Palmer, either by telephone at 800.362.8838, or by e-mail at palmer@wppa.com.
