Capitol Capsules

Capitol Capsules provides a quick overview of state government activities of interest to UW–Madison employees.

More budget cuts on the way
Facing new revenue projections showing a $452 million deficit in the current fiscal year (FY03) and a $3.2 billion deficit in the next biennium (2003-05), Gov. Jim Doyle announced that he would call a special legislative session to approve “emergency” spending cuts for this fiscal year, which ends June 30. These projections, released by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau last week, are higher than what had been projected last November. The Fiscal Bureau paper is online at http://www.wispolitics.com/freeser/features/featdl/030123revenue.pdf.

The governor has asked for $161.5 million in cuts by June 30 and will roll the balance of the current deficit into the next budget bill. He has requested 5 percent cuts in the operating budgets of most state agencies, the Legislature and University of Wisconsin System “administration.” The cut for the UW System would be about $6.9 million and excludes teaching and research; UW–Madison would absorb approximately $2.65 million of that cut. As for all state agencies, the cut is 5 percent of an annual appropriation, but must be absorbed during the next five months. The outline of Gov. Doyle’s proposal is online at http://www.wispolitics.com/freeser/features/f0301/f03012301.html.

Governor Doyle is expected to release his budget plan for 2003-05 on Feb. 18. He will give his State of the State Address this Thursday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m.

Budget committee takes up bill to limit state positions
The Assembly Budget Review Committee held a hearing last week on Assembly Bill 3, a measure that prohibits state agencies from filling more than 80 percent of the full-time equivalent positions that become vacant during the fiscal year. Margaret Lewis, UW System associate vice president for university relations, testified in opposition to the bill. The committee was expected to vote on the bill Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 9 a.m. in 328 Northwest. The bill is online at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2003/data/AB3hst.html.

Regent appointments go to committee
The governor’s appointees to the UW System Board of Regents were referred last week to the Senate Higher Education and Tourism Committee, though no date for confirmation hearings has been set.

In other confirmation news, Byron Crouse, associate dean for rural and community health in the Medical School, was recommended for confirmation to the Rural Health Development Council by the Senate Health Committee. The full Senate was scheduled to take up his confirmation Tuesday, Jan. 28.

Citizens leery about crisis
Survey results released by the Badger Poll, conducted by the UW Survey Center, show that nearly half of Wisconsin residents don’t believe a choice has to be made between “serious service cuts and big increases in taxes.” Only 41 percent believe such a choice has to be made, while 46 percent believe it is “possible to maintain essential services and keep taxes down.” However, as Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance President Todd Berry notes, “the math dictates that you could cut out state agencies entirely and you wouldn’t be able to solve this problem” since about 65 percent of state revenue goes to local schools and communities. Joint Finance Co-Chair Dean Kaufert (R, Neenah) has said that lawmakers will have to educate constituents about the possible cuts.

Information: http://www.staterelations.wisc.edu or contact Charles Hoslet, senior special assistant to the chancellor, 263-5510, hoslet@mail.bascom.wisc.edu.