MacIver News Service | March 28, 2017
[Madison, Wisc…] On Tuesday, the legislature began to hold hearings on Governor Scott Walker’s 2017-2019 budget proposal, which spends approximately $76 billion over the biennium.The Joint Committee on Finance, the legislature’s budget committee, will hold agency briefings in Madison this week on the proposal before heading out on the road to give the public another opportunity to voice their opinion.
And we're off. #WIBudget 2017-19 starts now! #wipolitics pic.twitter.com/jASJTQ68Rs
— MacIver Institute (@MacIverWisc) March 28, 2017
One of the major debates was over the state’s plan to switch to self-funded insurance. While Governor Walker and the Department of Administration say switching to a self-funded model for state employees’ health insurance will save $60 million, members of JFC expressed their hesitation.
"We believe self-insurance is the best deal possible while still ensuring people keep coverage," Neitzel defends self-insurance #wibudget
— MacIver Institute (@MacIverWisc) March 28, 2017
Joint finance chair @SenDarling, like many other legislators today, expresses concerns on switch to self-insurance. #wibudget
— MacIver Institute (@MacIverWisc) March 28, 2017
"None of the anticipated savings in the switch to self-insurance come from a reduction in benefits." DOA Sec. Neitzel speaking on #wibudget
— MacIver Institute (@MacIverWisc) March 28, 2017
Walker’s budget also boosts funding for K-12 education, but much of that funding is tied to mandatory Act 10 compliance. Committee members were confused over many of the requirement’s details.
"If you want to benefit from the reform dividend, you have to have participated in the reforms." — intent on Act 10 compliance #wipolitics
— MacIver Institute (@MacIverWisc) March 28, 2017
In provision req. Act 10 compliance for K-12 schools, there is uncertainty on whether costs include ALL costs or just premiums, says @rep89
— MacIver Institute (@MacIverWisc) March 28, 2017
Of course, transportation was a topic of lengthy debate. DOA Secretary Scott Neitzel defended the budget’s focus on safety and maintenance of the existing infrastructure, and Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) grilled him on whether the governor thinks Wisconsin’s roads are safe.
.@JonErpenbach asking spox about roads and whether @GovWalker believes the roads are sufficiently safe. They say yes. #wibudget
— MacIver Institute (@MacIverWisc) March 28, 2017
"This [Capitol] budget meets the needs that we need to address within the context of our ability to pay," Neitzel on spending in #wibudget
— MacIver Institute (@MacIverWisc) March 28, 2017
The concept of shared services, where state agencies work together to perform functions like human resources and information technology – streamlining government operations and saving money – also generated its share of questions.
Shared services would consolidate positions like HR across diff.state agencies all w/in DOA, creating efficiencies throughout govt #wibudget
— MacIver Institute (@MacIverWisc) March 28, 2017
The MacIver Institute broadcast the first several hours of the JFC hearing. Watch the Facebook live videos here:
The Finance Committee meets next week in Platteville on Monday and Milwaukee on Wednesday. MacIver will bring you extensive coverage the hearings and live updates at MacIverInstitute.com and on Twitter @NewsMacIver and @MacIverWisc.