Thursday, June 16, 2011

Debunking the dishonest GOP balanced budget, surplus claims

Tonight, I was the second member of the Assembly Democratic caucus to talk about the Republican budget on the floor of the Assembly. I’ve received good feedback from my speech, so I’d like to provide my Assembly floor speech here.

Not to get too policy wonkish, but tonight when debunking the dishonest GOP budget claims, I referenced specific memos from the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau. People have asked for copies of these memos, so I’ve hyperlinked them in this blog for your reference.

During the speech, I referenced 7 different items. Here are links to the documents with a brief explanation:

1) Republicans have created so many corporate tax breaks in this budget that the Legislative Fiscal Bureau pegs the 10-year cost in reduced revenue to the state at $2.3 billion. (See page 2)

2) Republicans use credit card spending to push $338 million dollars in state debt off into the future, costing us an additional $89.9 million in interest. (See page 2)

3) The GOP budget includes, at a minimum, $411 million in fund raids. (See page 1)

4) In the 2015-2017 biennium, Republicans cost the state $501.7 million in lost revenue because of their giveaways to corporations and the rich. (See page 2)

5) After claiming they don’t raise taxes in this budget, Republicans actually increase fees by $111 million. (See page 1)

6) After giving tax breaks to the rich and corporations, Republicans take away programs that help the middle class with their changes to the Homestead Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit. (See page 3)

7) After all their talk during previous budgets about freezing property taxes, the Republican budget will result in $438.8 million in property tax increases. (See page 3)

6 comments:

  1. thank you for your post
    faye hoban

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  2. Has anyone addressed the low income state workers that will be destroyed by hikes in our pensions? And that we can't even turn them down to survive this?

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  3. Thanks for the speech and the links. Much appreciated . Keep up the good work!

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  4. Thank you, Mark--one of the numerous reasons why I'm proud to be from the 78th!

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  5. This is a class war, pure and simple. It started during the Reagan administration and was maintained during both Bush administrations. Gov. Doyle should be tarred and feathered for his failures because he opened the door for Walker and the Republican super majorities in Assembly and Senate.
    Keep up the sane rhetoric and continue to point out 3rd party references to back up your arguments.
    I love the recalls but all the shouting and the Zombies has to stop. If I were going to campaign for the Republicans, I would simply roll tape of the arrests and the shouting and ask, "who do you want to lead?"
    I am a lonely Clinton Centrist in Waukesha County. I feel that I can turn some people around. Many fire and police officers are thinking again about their support of the governor. Put them on television, on your literature and have them introduce you and others at speeches and rallies. Republicans constantly portray themselves as the law and order party. Show the public that this is a sham. If we won't pay the police and we are going to remove benefits they bargained for, their support is in word only.
    Your tag line should be, "Wisconsin's corporate tax break paid for by your local police and firemen."
    I don't know how teachers got such a bad rep. Right now, unfortunately, they cannot help you on stage. I Waukesha and Ozaukee counties, parents are threatening principles, saying that they will not allow their children to attend classes taught by those who protested the loss of collective bargaining. They are a lightning rod where you need a conduit.
    Good luck and keep up the good fight.

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  6. Thank you, thank you, thank you...How do we get the media to pay attention to this?

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