Capitol Connection
By Senator Joe Leibham
June 17, 2009
Budget Input Coming in Strong
Responses to my 2009-11 Budget Survey are coming in strong. As I prepare for a vote on the Senate Democrats’ version of the state budget, this constituent input will be helpful.
My 2009-11 Budget Survey asked area residents to offer their input on various provisions included in Governor Jim Doyle’s budget proposal. Today, I want to share the survey results I received as of Wednesday, June 16, 2009.
The survey asked respondents if they supported, opposed or were undecided about the following issue questions:
1. Create a new 75-cent monthly tax on all voice and non-voice telecommunication services, including cell phones, data and land-based phone lines? The revenue would help balance the state budget.
Support: 15%
Oppose: 80%
Undecided: 5%
2. Raise income taxes on small businesses that file as individuals (LLCs and S-Corps) and taxpayers reporting income over $225,000/year?
Support: 18%
Oppose: 76%
Undecided: 6%
3. Increase the state garbage tax (tipping fee) from the current $5.90/ton to $13/ton?
Support: 20%
Oppose: 71%
Undecided: 9%
4. Increase the current state nursing home bed tax from $75/month to $170/month?
Support: 5%
Oppose: 92%
Undecided: 3%
5. Increase the state cigarette tax from the current $1.75/pack to $2.25/pack?
Support: 51%
Oppose: 41%
Undecided: 8%
6. Reduce funding for public schools by $294 million over the next two years?
Support: 38%
Oppose: 50%
Undecided: 12%
7. End the QEO, which currently helps to control property taxes by capping the salaries and benefits of public school teachers?
Support: 25%
Oppose: 66%
Undecided: 9%
8. Impose joint and several liability, which could force a party determined to be only 1% at fault in a civil legal action to pay 100% of damages?
Support: 5%
Oppose: 86%
Undecided: 9%
9. Require that a prevailing “union” employee wage be paid by any contractor who is hired to provide construction service to a municipality or business located in a taxpayer-funded business park or development?
Support: 14%
Oppose: 77%
Undecided: 9%
10. Mandate that private health insurance plans and self-insured government health plans (state, county, town, village, or school district) cover contraceptive drugs and devices?
Support: 26%
Oppose: 68%
Undecided: 6%
11. End Truth-in-Sentencing by allowing certain felons to get reduced sentences for good behavior?
Support: 20%
Oppose: 68%
Undecided: 12%
12. Allow illegal immigrants who have been in Wisconsin for at least three years to receive in-state tuition rates at UW System schools and Wisconsin technical colleges?
Support: 7%
Oppose: 91%
Undecided: 2%
13. Allow illegal immigrants to get a “driver card” that would permit them to operate an automobile on Wisconsin roadways?
Support: 8%
Oppose: 89%
Undecided: 3%
14. Require taxpayers to provide retirement and group health insurance benefits to same-sex and unmarried partners of state employees?
Support: 12%
Oppose: 84%
Undecided: 4%
15. Postpone the scheduled phase-in tax deduction for health insurance premiums until 2013?
Support: 19%
Oppose: 60%
Undecided: 21%
16. Provide a $6.6 million earmark for renovations at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee?
Support: 7%
Oppose: 86%
Undecided: 7%
17. Require energy companies to collect an additional $9.2 million from energy consumers over the next two years to expand the low-income energy assistance fee?
Support: 10%
Oppose: 84%
Undecided: 6%
18. Provide taxpayer funded condoms to boys and men ages 15-44?
Support: 11%
Oppose: 86%
Undecided: 3%
19. Remove the requirement that any land purchased by the taxpayers via the Stewardship Fund be accessible to recreational activities such as hunting, trapping and fishing?
Support: 24%
Oppose: 57%
Undecided: 19%
20. Increase the gas tax by creating a new tax on oil company revenue?
Support: 13%
Oppose: 80%
Undecided: 7%
Thank you to everyone who responded to this survey! Constituent input is one of the most important tools that I use as I seek to make wise decisions on behalf of the residents of the 9th Senate District. I look forward to your continued input and interest as the budget process moves forward.
As always, it has been a pleasure communicating with you. Please remember to communicate with me and share your input by calling 888-295-8750, writing to me at P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882, or by e-mailing me at Sen.Leibham@legis.wi.gov. You can also log on to the 9th Senate District on-line office at www.leibhamsenate.com.
It is an honor representing the residents of the 9th District in the State Senate.