By Janine Anderson
Journal Times | Posted: Saturday, October 20, 2007 12:00 am
MADISON - Eastern Racine County's state legislators say they are relatively pleased with the compromises in the state budget that came out of Friday's work session, but they all say there are major disappointments included as well.
Predictably, lone Republican Robin Vos' take on the budget differs from that of Democrats Cory Mason, John Lehman and Robert Turner, with Vos touting the reduction in taxes over prior budgets while the other three focused on local programs that remained in the compromise plan.
Rep. Robin Vos, R-Caledonia
Disappointments: Not many tax cuts or measures to "make government live within its means."
Achievements: Increase in aid for youth for the county, fully funding schools with a minimal property tax increase, keeping KRM off the tax rolls without local approval.
Overall reaction: "I am not happy with the results, but I am appreciative that the leadership was able to hold out on all these increases and compromise on the one that's the least objectionable to Republicans. It's really a battle between the public sector and the private sector. It seems the public sector's winning. … I am not one who thinks that we are undertaxed. Even though this is the best compromise with tax-and-spend Democrats, the majority of my constituents said hold the line."
Vos said he will have to see all the details of the budget before making a determination as to whether or not he could support it with his vote.
Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine
Disappointments: Funding for a pilot project to increase Medicaid reimbursement for children's dental services in Racine, Brown and La Crosse counties did not make it into the budget. The tax on hospitals, which would have increased federal funds for hospitals that serve the poor, did not remain in the budget. The state patient compensation fund was depleted by an additional $30 million to cover other costs.
Achievements: A grant of $500,000 to help reduce Racine's incredibly high infant mortality rate, full funding for schools, no shared revenue cuts for Racine.
Overall reaction: "I have real mixed feelings. I'm happy Racine isn't penalized more. I'm very happy the infant mortality grant will move forward. I have real misgivings from the state walking away from the opportunity for Racine to redevelop itself with KRM and other projects. … I'm happy that it's done, happy both sides came together to actually govern, but we really missed an opportunity to move Racine forward, and the state for that matter, and that's a shame."
Mason is unsure whether he will vote for the budget when it comes to the floor this week.
Rep. Robert Turner, D-Racine
Disappointments: No funding for KRM. No funding for increased personnel in the local District Attorney's office.
Achievements: Pleased the cigarette tax, though at a reduced level, remained in place. Glad that school and community protection programs remained in the budget. Funding for local infant mortality reduction work. Funds for the Sixth Street construction project. Money for school districts and shared revenue.
Overall reaction: "If we had the KRM money, I'd be really pleased. I can see that was very important to Racine to be able to improve our economic future, to move people to jobs. That's a big blow to the City of Racine. It's not over yet. There's still some discussion going on." Turner did not rule out the possibility of a budget amendment to get KRM funding back into the budget.
Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine
Disappointments: No funding for additional assistant district attorneys, loss of the dental pilot program, no hospital assessment, no comprehensive health care reform.
Achievements: Continued support for Cops 'n Kids, support of the Communication Arts and a new dorm at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, money for the Sixth Street project and lift bridges in the city, infant mortality funding, maintaining shared revenue levels for the city, full funding for public schools.
Overall reaction: "This is one step along the way as far as I'm concerned. This is what the governor and Democrats were able to do. We fought as hard and as long as we could. The other side probably says the same thing. … I'm relieved that we've come to an agreement though I've got mixed feelings. … The main features of the budget are ones that I would most likely support, just because I know that's what people want. They want a resolution to this thing."