March 17, 2009

GOP Lawmakers Slam “Madison Math” in Doyle Budget

Madison…Governor Jim Doyle’s call for a 7.7% state spending increase shows a complete disconnect from economic reality, say Republican members of the Legislature’s budget committee.

The Joint Committee on Finance received briefings on Doyle’s 2009-11 budget proposal from state agency heads and other officials today.

“Taxpayers are getting a painful lesson in ‘Madison Math’ today,” said Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills).  “The Doyle administration wants us to believe that government expenses are being cut in a budget that increases spending by over $4.5 billion.”

Doyle’s budget proposal calls for $4.5 billion in new spending, roughly the amount of proposed tax increases ($2.2 billion) and one-time federal stimulus funding ($2.1 billion).

“At a time when job opportunities, retirement savings and family budgets are shrinking, government spending is exploding,” said Rep. Robin Vos (R-Racine).  “When we should be putting families and job growth first, Doyle’s only priority is in expanding government at the expense of household budgets.”

While one-time federal stimulus funding should be used to provide temporary budget relief during the current economic recession, Doyle’s budget will require state tax dollars in 2011 to fill the $1.3 billion hole created in school and health care funding.

“The Governor’s unwillingness to rein in government spending will shackle taxpayers with crippling debt and tax bills, and delay the long-term economic recovery that this state desperately needs,” said Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon). 

“Creating jobs and improving Wisconsin’s economy must be our number one priority,” said Rep. Phil Montgomery (R-Green Bay).  “Presented with the choice to reform state spending or to raise taxes as a means to balance the budget deficit, Governor Doyle chose to take Wisconsin down the wrong path.”