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Wisconsin Budget Project > 2011-2013 State Budget Essentials
2011-2013 State Budget EssentialsBudget Summary A 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). 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). 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 this presentation, Jon Peacock examined the portions of Goveror 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 (April 12, 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 Does Not Actually Repair the Budget -- The 2011 budget adjustment bill includes several 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 (March 17, 2011). Significant Sacrifice, Little Sharing, Governor’s Budget Proposal Would Fall Heavily on Children and Families. WCCF's response to the governor's budget proposal (March, 2, 2011). New Spending Figures Show Difficulty of Making Deep Cuts, Most State Spending is for Local Services, Other Popular Programs - This issue brief, based on figures released by the Wisconsin Department of Administration, examines a couple of key characteristics of our state budget that make major spending cuts particularly painful (October, 2010). 2011-12 Policy Priorities for Wisconsin's Children and Families Early Care and Education Early Care and Education Scorecard: 2011-13 Wisconsin Budget (June 2011). Wisconsin Early Learning Coalition (ELC) Statement Regarding 2011-13 State Budget (June 20110. Early Care and Education in the Governor’s 2011-13 Budget Key Issues (based on materials available April 8, 2011). Four-Year Old Kindergarten: A Solid Start for Our Children (January 2011) YoungStar: Assuring Program Integrity and Quality Services in Child Care (January 2011) Health Care for all Children and Families Comparison of Medicaid Policy-Making Changes in Act 10 and the Biennial Budget Bill (June 21, 2011). Budget Bill Approves Sweeping Shift in Authority for Medicaid Policymaking (Updated June 21, 2011). 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). Invest Resources to Collect Taxes Owed (January 2011)
Opposition to DHS proposed changes to BadgerCare (November 10, 2011). Milwaukee Parental Choice Program–Program Expansion, #551 and Milwaukee Parental Choice Program–Required Tests, #552 (June 2, 2011). County and Municipal Aid, LFB Paper #595 (June 1, 2011). Income Maintenance Centralization and FoodShare Transfer, #355 (June 1, 2011). Earned Income Tax Credit - Paper #312 (May 27, 2011). Early Learning Coalition position on Child Care Subsidies - LFB Paper #216 and Child Care Quality Rating and Information System - LFB Paper #217 (May 27, 2011). Statutory Daily Rates, Juvenile Appropriation Deficit, and SJO Funding - Budget Paper #270 and Youth Aids Funding - Paper #272 (May 27, 2011). Weight-Based Taxation of Tobacco Products (May 26, 2011). Medicaid Funding and Oversight–LFB Papers 340 and 341 (May 23, 2011). Centralization of Income Maintenance Programs, memo from Save BadgerCare Coalition and others (May 18, 2011). State Family Planning Funding, LFB paper #366, memo from Save BadgerCare Coalition (May 18, 2011). Early Learning Coalition Position on Governor's Budget 2011-13 (May 18, 2011). Homestead Tax Credit Formula: Continue Indexing the Credit, Budget Paper #605 (May 11, 2011). Intercity Bus Assistance Program, LFB paper #656 (May 3, 2011). Child Support Enforcement, LFB paper #226 (April 25, 2011) Early Learning Coalition Position and Alternative: YoungStar Tiered Reimbursement (April 2011). Joint Finance Committee: Public Hearings on the Governor's 2011-13 Biennial Budget. The Joint Finance Committee has announced four statewide hearings on Governor Walker’s State Budget Bill. This is where you can tell the committee what you think is important in the state budget. Try to attend one hearing that is most convenient for you. We recommend getting to the hearing early and plan on a long day. It is your one chance to testify in front of the committee. Please remember that it is still very important to keep contacting your own state Representative and Senator to let them know what your priorities are in the state budget. Print this information and schedule below.
Budget Briefings Being Hosted by Legislators:
Paul Ryan Listening Sessions
WCCF Webcast on State Budget Issues,
Tuesday, April 12 Brown Bag Lunch Series:State Budget Informational Briefings State Budget Process Time Line 5 Steps for Successul Meetings with Legislators Joint Finance Committee Contact List
2009-2011 State Budget Essentials 2009-11 Budget Publications
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