THE 2009-10 LEGISLATIVE SESSION: A PREVIEW

A legislative column by state Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin)

There was a great deal of activity in Madison during 2008. I continue to be vocal about Wisconsin’s insatiable appetite to tax and spend. Unfortunately, Madison has been unwilling to change its fiscally irresponsible habits, approving a state budget during the fall of 2007 that voted against that increases taxing and spending.

During the 2009-10 legislative session that just began this month, Wisconsin must confront an incredibly huge budget shortfall. I hope the shortfall will serve as a much-needed wake-up call that we must finally get serious about controlling taxing and spending.  Wisconsin risks losing its best and brightest, not to mention our valued senior citizens driven to move to other more tax-friendly states.

The most important piece of business the Legislature addresses is the biennial state budget. The Legislature was almost four months late delivering the 2007-09 budget because of the dramatic difference between the budgets proposed by Governor Doyle, Assembly Republicans and Senate Democrats.

Ultimately, the Legislature approved and Governor Doyle signed into law a budget that increased taxes and fees by $763 million. I voted against the budget because of the increased spending and taxing. In order to lower taxes in Wisconsin, one of the highest-taxed states in the nation, there must be reduced spending. The 2007-09 budget expanded an already bloated state government. We can’t afford the same mistake in the 2009-11 state budget.

Democrats controlling the state Senate twice put forth a government health care proposal and are expected to resurrect the issue again during the 2009-10 legislative session. The cost would be astronomical. Senate Democrats openly admit the price tag of their plan is $15.2 billion annually. During fiscal year 2006-07, Wisconsin’s General Fund of income and sales tax revenue totaled $12.5 billion. Providing universal health care would more than double Wisconsin’s taxes that are already some of the highest in the nation. Clearly this would be the largest tax increase in the history of the United States. The $15.2 billion annual price tag is nearly two and a half times the $6.5 billion in state income tax revenue during 2006-07.  Government health care is a boondoggle state taxpayers cannot afford.

The cost is assuredly going to be much higher than anticipated, and the payroll tax will merely be passed on to consumers. It will be impossible for a payroll tax to keep up with the growing cost of health care.

Democrats led by Governor Doyle will also attempt to repeal the Qualified Economic Offer (QEO). Government health care and the elimination of the QEO will assuredly lead to skyrocketing tax increases at the state and local levels. I will strongly oppose any efforts to implement government health care and repeal the QEO.

The governor and legislative Democrats are also discussing increasing the cigarette tax and repealing the elimination of the automatic annual increase in the state’s gasoline tax. I will not support those proposals.

Senate Democrats have announced the first three Senate bills for the new session that they describe as high priorities. The first bill would raise the minimum wage from $6.50 to $7.25 and then index it for inflation. The second bill makes payment of unpaid wages a priority when a company goes out of business and the third bill mandates insurance companies to cover treatment for children with autism.

Many hours are spent on the floor of the state Senate, serving on legislative committees, researching legislation, and analyzing issues. Representing 160,000 constituents is a major responsibility I take very seriously. Serving you in Madison is an honor and privilege I enjoy immensely.

I especially enjoy meeting and working with so many of you wonderful people in the Senate district, whether it be at town hall meetings, award ceremonies, senior citizen and veterans facilities, Chamber of Commerce events, parades, and other activities. Direct interaction with you, my constituents, and hearing your advice and concerns enables me to provide you with top notch representation at the State Capitol.  As always, it is a pleasure to serve you.

If you have comments on this or any other issue, please contact me at Sen.Lazich@legis.wisconsin.gov, www.senatorlazich.com, Senator Mary Lazich, State Capitol, P.O. Box 7882 Madison, WI 53707 or 1-800-334-1442.