Conservatively Speaking
State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) represents parts of four counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Walworth. Her Senate District 28 includes New Berlin, Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, Muskego, Waterford, Big Bend and parts of Greenfield, East Troy, and Mukwonago. Senator Lazich has been in the Legislature for more than a decade. She considers herself a tireless crusader for lower taxes, reduced spending and smaller government.
State Budget Watch: Senate Democrats' budget out of touch with reality. Who can afford their tax and fee increases?
By Mary Lazich
Tuesday, Jun 26 2007, 07:06 PM
The state budget approved by Senate Democrats today that I voted against is not healthy for Wisconsin’s economy and families.
According to the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the Senate Democrats’ budget increases spending by an eye-popping 23 percent. Wisconsin already spends to excess. A 23 percent increase is significant. And the 23 percent increase includes only six months of the Senate Democrats’ $15.2 billion annual universal health care plan.
The staggering increase in spending is a result of the Senate Democrats’ universal health care coverage mandate that will cost $15.2 billion annually. That is the largest tax increase in the history of the state of Wisconsin, and the $15.2 billion price tag is more than double Wisconsin’s tax rate.
Imagine how irresponsible this budget is. Governor Doyle proposed a package around $60 billion. Factor in the Senate Democrats’ universal health care plan at an annual cost of $15. 2 billion, and the budget now spends over $90 billion over the biennium. Senate Democrats have pumped in more pork so the total is over $100 billion.
Remember the contentious debate in Madison about one of the most controversial issues ever tackled by the Legislature, Miller Park? The Legislature considered a bill to build the new stadium that cost $250 million; $160 million of the total was public funding. At the price of the Senate Democrats’ universal health care plan, Wisconsin could build 95 Miller Park’s annually!
Yes, state residents do want measures taken to deal with health care costs. Implementing socialized medicine is not the solution. There is no groundswell of support from residents begging the state to adopt government-controlled, government-funded health care that will eliminate private insurance in Wisconsin.
Correspondence I have received from residents called universal health care unnecessary government intrusion, a program that aimlessly wastes taxpayer money, and a recipe for bankruptcy.
E-mailers tell me they can’t believe the state could develop a program that is as good as they currently have. It is their contention that free enterprise is the better solution.
Overall, the budget approved by Senate Democrats increases taxes by over $18 billion in a state that has some of the highest taxes in the nation. Spending increases by 23 percent. The exorbitant taxing and spending couldn’t come at a worse time. Incomes in Wisconsin are growing at the slowest rate in the nation. High taxes and low incomes are forcing too many Wisconsin residents to put up the for sale signs because they simply cannot afford to live here any longer.
Governor Doyle proposed a horrible budget. The Senate Democrats took the budget and made it even worse. Thank goodness there is an Assembly Republican majority to restore fiscal sanity in their version of the budget.
