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Wisconsin Budget Project > Budget Project Publications > 2011-13 Biennial Budget Publications 2011-13 Biennial Budget PublicationsA Hidden Tax Hike for Seniors. Working families and the elderly will be hit with a $14 million property tax increase over the next two years, and see their taxes continue to rise in later years, thanks to the Legislature’s decision to effectively freeze the Homestead Credit for modest-income homeowners and renters (February 1, 2012). See WBP press release. Falling Support for Schools Threatens Wisconsin’s Economic Future. Massive reductions in state and local support for education could inflict severe damage to Wisconsin’s public schools. Nearly $2 billion in cuts to schools over the next two years have left students with fewer academic opportunities and resulted in job loss (January 9, 2012). Policy Changes Affecting Working Families in 2012. This paper provides a two-page synopsis of delayed budget cuts and policy changes that will adversely affect Wisconsin’s working families in 2012 (January 9, 2012). Losing Out: How Wisconsin Surrendered $1.3 Billion in Federal Money. State budget cuts or incomplete funding of state programs meant Wisconsin did not capture millions in federal funds that were available over the current biennium. As a result, Wisconsin families will lose out on federal money for health care, job training, child support, education and transportation (December 12, 2011). What’s Passed Is Prologue: Looking Ahead to 2013-15; Lawmakers Shouldn’t Count on a Significant Balance in the Next Budget. This issue brief examines the assumptions underlying the projections that Wisconsin’s budget will be in the black in 2013-15, and points to political and economic why lawmakers should not start counting on a surplus (Sept. 12, 2011). WCCF Series Examines Impact of Budget on Kids and Families. The series, “31 Ways in 31 Days,” highlights different ways children and families will be affected by the budget, and begins the process of rebalancing Wisconsin’s priorities. Read WCCF press release and “31 Ways in 31 Days” on the WCCF blog (August 2, 2011) . 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 Tax Cuts and Tax Increases in the Budget Bill and 2011 Special Session Bills. This two-page fact sheet describes the fiscal effect of tax cuts and tax increases in the 2011-13 biennial budget bill (July 14, 2011). Fact Sheet on Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits in Wisconsin (July 7, 2011, Updated August 2, 2011) Comparative Analysis of 2011-13 Biennial Budget Bill. This document is a summary of the 2011-13 biennial budget bill, focusing primarily on issues relating to children and families (Updated July 6, 2011). Increasing Share of Scarce Resources Spent on Corrections (July 6, 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). Budget Bill Approves Sweeping Shift in Authority for Medicaid Policymaking. This WCCF paper summarizes the portions of the amended budget bill granting the Department of Health Services authority to make sweeping changes in Wisconsin’s Medicaid-related programs. The paper compares those provisions with the similar Medicaid portions of Act 10, the budget repair bill (Updated 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). Wisconsin Values Budget. WCCF and partner organizations have unveiled an alternative budget approach that better reflects the values and priorities of the people of Wisconsin. This document outlines this better, more balanced approach to the state budget (May 25, 2011). Also, view the one-page summary of this paper. Decrease in Tax Revenue Contributed to State Fiscal Difficulties. This two-page paper explains that curbing spending will need to be part of the solution to the budget deficit, but policymakers should not overlook the fact that a significant decrease in state tax revenue was a major contributor to the state’s budget gap (Updated May 11, 2011). The Erosion of the Homestead Tax Credit. This two-page brief analyzes the effects of not adjusting the credit for inflation between 1990 until 2010. For many years, the Homestead Credit was the only significant part of the state tax code that wasn’t annually indexed for inflation. That was remedied by the last biennial budget bill, but Governor Walker’s proposed budget would repeal indexing (May 2011). Wisconsin’s Fiscal Challenges and Strengths: How Do We Compare? News coverage gives the impression that the Wisconsin fiscal condition is dire. It’s true that lawmakers are facing a very challenging budget, but Wisconsin has substantial fiscal resources on which to draw. This two-page issue brief reviews the facts relating to the size of Wisconsin’s deficit and how we compare to states in other budget-related areas (April 2011) WCCF Webcast on State Budget Issues. The Wisconsin Council on Children and Families hosted a webcast on Tuesday, April 12. In his presentation, Jon Peacock examined the portions of Gov. Walker’s proposed 2011-13 budget that affect children and families, with particular attention to the potential impact of cuts in health care, early education, and local aid, as well as changes in taxes and revenue.View the webcast. View/print the PowerPoint presentation Constitutionally Requiring a “Fiscal Responsibility Fund.” 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 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). Archive:
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