2011 Budget Repair Bill

Effects of the Biennial Budget and Budget Repair Bills for Working Families. This two-page paper summarizes some of the ways that the proposed 2011-13 budget bill and the newly enacted budget repair bill will affect working families, particularly low-wage workers.  It examines the cuts to the Earned Income Tax Credit and Homestead Tax Credit, likely effects on health care programs, potential cuts to child care subsidies, diminished opportunities for education and training, and cuts to transit programs (Updated July 14, 2011).

The Budget’s Real-Life Impact on Wisconsin Families. It’s clear that this state budget hits the state’s most vulnerable families the hardest. This analysis shows how the budget would affect individual working-class families (June 23, 2011).

The Budget’s Real-Life Effects on Workers in the Public Sector. Changes in the state budget and budget repair legislation will make it harder for low-income workers in the public sector to make ends meet. This two-page brief examines these changes and their impact on the families of people employed in public sector jobs. See WCCF press release (June 22, 2011).

Comparison of Medicaid Policy-Making Changes in Act 10 and the Biennial Budget Bill. This one-page paper compares the provisions relating to Medicaid policy-making in the biennial budget bill with the similar portions it is repealing and replacing in the budget repair bill.  In addition to providing a succinct comparison of the two bills, it links to a much more thorough WCCF analysis of the changes (June 21, 2011).

Senators Must Resolve Conflict between Act 10 and JFC Budget: Will Public Have Input into Future Medicaid Policy Decisions? – Both the budget bill and budget repair bill contain similar provisions transferring Medicaid policy making authority to the Dept. of Health Services.  This one-page paper compares those parts of the two bills, particularly the difference regarding whether public hearings will be required before DHS makes policy changes that supersede state statutes (June 16, 2011).   

New Budget Adjustment Bill, Combined with Previous Legislation, Very Similar to Governor’s Original Proposal. When SB 12/AB 13 and 2011 Act 10 are taken in combination, the fiscal effect is very similar to the Governor’s original budget adjustment proposal he made in February 2011 (April 2011).

Budget Adjustment Bill Approves Sweeping Shift in Authority for Medicaid Policymaking.  This WCCF paper summarizes the portions of the final version of the budget adjustment bill (signed by the Governor on March 11) that grants the Department of Health Services the authority to make sweeping changes in Wisconsin’s Medicaid-related programs. (Updated March 22).

Budget Adjustment Bill Does Not Actually Repair the Budget. The 2011 budget adjustment bill includes a number of non-fiscal policy changes, but does not actually address the shortfalls that spurred the need for budget adjustment legislation in the first place. This two-page paper compares the fiscal effects of 2011 Act 10 to earlier versions of the bill and also compares the non-fiscal measures (March 17, 2011).

Summary of Fiscal Changes in the 2011 Budget Adjustment Bill. The purpose of the budget adjustment bill is to address the gap that has opened between revenues and projected spending for fiscal year 2011. This summary describes fiscal changes in the bill as proposed by the Governor, passed by the Joint Finance Committee, and approved by the Assembly (March 4, 2011).

Different Versions of Budget Repair Bill Are Largely Similar on Fiscal Issues. This brief compares three different versions of the 2011 budget repair bill and finds that – at least on fiscal issues – they are substantially similar (March 2, 2011).

Non-Fiscal Proposals at Heart of Budget Stalemate. The state’s budget adjustment bill, aimed at closing the shortfall that has opened in fiscal year 2011, has provoked a stand-off in the Wisconsin State Senate and fuelled furious public opposition. Disagreements over the budget adjustment bill have largely focused on non-fiscal policy provisions in the bill (March 2, 2011).

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