Sides Exchange Salvos Before State Budget Hearing
Unions criticize GOP lawmakers for holding meeting during work hours, but Joint Finance Committee spokesman says eight-hour hearing provides ample opportunity to be heard.
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Area union organizers are criticizing Republican leaders of the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee for scheduling the only public hearing in southeastern Wisconsin on Gov. Scott Walker's state budget during working hours.
However, a spokesman for the Assembly co-chairman of the committee shot back that the nearly day-long open meeting will show what democracy really looks like.
The unions and other groups opposed to the budget are planning several actions Monday at State Fair Park when the committee convenes to hear public reaction to the governor's 2011-2013 spending plan.
The hearing will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m at the Expo Center on the state fairgrounds in West Allis. Anyone may speak in the town hall format, but speakers will be limited to two minutes. The committee will also collect written testimony.
During the past week, similar hearings have been held across the state; this is the only public hearing so far planned for southeastern Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin AFL-CIO, We Are Wisconsin, Citizen Action of Wisconsin and other groups have announced actions early and late in the day designed to maximize workers' access to the hearings.
A 7 a.m. press conference at the Expo Center is intended to give working people, especially teachers, an opportunity to take part before they head for their jobs.
"Some of the teachers wanted to have their voices heard, but unfortunately the hearing is scheduled during work hours, when 95 percent of constituents can't make it," said Karen Hickey, spokeswoman for the Wisconsin AFL-CIO.
"There's also going to be a public testimony dropoff in the parking lot east of 84th Street on Adler Street from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.," Hickey said. "That's also for people who want to have a say but can't wait in line."
Finally, the groups are planning a "Rally against Walker’s Budget" at 4:30 p.m. outside the Expo Center. Organizers were hoping for a good turnout as the workday ends for teachers and others, but they are not expecting the kind of crowd seen in Madison during protests over the budget repair bill.
"People feel really strongly about this," Hickey said, "but again, they have to work, so I don't think it will be a huge rally."
Hickey said that scheduling the hearing on a weekday during working hours was unfair to the very people who would be most affected by proposed budget cuts.
The Joint Finance Committee leaders "talked about having the hearings on weekends or evenings but then they didn't, and they didn't really give a reason why," Hickey said.
But Kit Beyer, spokesman for committee co-chairman Rep. Robin Vos (R-Burlington), countered that the committee was going beyond the call of duty by holding lengthy open meetings all across the state.
"If they see it as a limitation, we see it as an opportunity," Beyer said. "This is democracy at work. We are continuing an honored tradition in Wisconsin. We're going on the road to hear the voice of the people, and we're listening, we're taking notes.
"Our members have been holding these listening sessions even after a 17-hour hearing in Madison, the longest in state history. And we always have people taking calls and answering e-mails," Beyer said.
"People can stand up and be heard, but they can also call and write if they can't make it to the microphone. We know people are busy, but we live in an age of technology, and believe me, we do listen to every call and read every e-mail."
Written comments can be sent to the committee at budgetcomments@legis.wisconsin.gov or sent by mail to: Joe Malkasian, Room 305 East, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53703.
The Patch will provide live coverage of Monday's budget hearing.
Lyle Ruble
2:23 pm on Saturday, April 9, 2011
Since there isn't a deadline that has to be met, then additional meetings should be scheduled. Some in the evenings and some on the weekends. With such major changes proposed, the budget committee should give adequate time for people to be heard. My hope is that the demonstrations will be respectful and without incidents. We have been given the opportunity to state our positions and it shouldn't be wasted on useless rhetoric and hyperbola.
andrea
3:09 pm on Saturday, April 9, 2011
....believe me, we do listen to every call and read every e-mail." REALLY? Seriously? How come I haven't had any responses to my emails--Oh, I see, you read it, don't like if, then ...nothing.
Rick
7:39 pm on Saturday, April 9, 2011
@ Lyle
Read this article... http://www.bipac.net/page.asp?content=State_Budget_2009-10&g=WISCONSIN
The gist of this web article is that the 2009 state budget was passed and there were 0, zip, nada, no public hearings. This is the gem that Doyle passed that increased just about every tax, fee, license or tariff imaginable. The fact that there are public meetings to discuss the 2011 budget is a step in the right direction.
Lyle Ruble
9:15 pm on Saturday, April 9, 2011
@Rick... Thanks, but I'll have to verify Bipac's claims. They definitely are not non-partisan. The Wisconsin Prosperity Project is funded by Bipac.
Mark S
9:02 pm on Saturday, April 9, 2011
You got that right Rick. I love how this crap gets any press time seeing that if this was Barrett in charge right now everything would have been done over the weekend of the Superbowl. I understand the press likes to create excitement, but I am getting sick of the public asking for transparency in government and compromise. Wasn't it Obama who said he would have the health care debates on CSPAN, didn't happen. Where's the outrage?!
I was told to always remember that when you point the finger at someone, you have three others pointing at your own backyard.
If you ask me this will be one hearing too many. Fact is the union has plenty of people they can try to convince to show, but this thing has had enough press time and the numbers won't be there.
Lyle Ruble
9:21 pm on Saturday, April 9, 2011
@Mark S... There are some people coming forward who are not representing the union interests. I for one will be throwing my two cents in and I'm not a die hard union supporter. I want the legislature to really look at the Governor's Executive Budget. I am not a big fan of cuts to Senior Care and cuts to Medicaid. I've read through it a number of times and I think there is damage being done to TANF putting those at risk at greater risk.
Mark S
9:58 pm on Saturday, April 9, 2011
Lyle, you and your wife are teachers (or retired). I realize your worries about ss and medicare. We all understand that ultimately it comes down to you. My ole man is 70 still working, refuses to be dictated by ss and Medicare and would rather trust his kids to take care of him and momma. He also would love to put a whoopin on our dems in state government. I LOVE THAT MAN!!!
Lyle Ruble
10:21 pm on Saturday, April 9, 2011
@Mark S... Neither me or my wife are teachers. My wife is a state social worker doing Child Protection Services and I have had three major careers. I spent 9 years in the US Navy, 12 years as a practicing psychotherapist and 30 years in business. I did teach at the university level and still teach part time. I teach adolescents at a private religious school focusing on morals, ethics and decision making. I spend the majority of my time researching and writing social philosophy. I have also written some novels, but as yet I haven't decided if I want to publish. Your father sounds like he's quite a remarkable gentleman and I'm glad to see you have so much admiration for him. Not all are so fortunate.
Mark S
10:33 pm on Saturday, April 9, 2011
Oh boy....
Bren
10:40 pm on Saturday, April 9, 2011
Since the current state government has no issue with 17 second votes and possibly violating the Open Meeting law, I have no doubt that this administration will do exactly what it pleases instead of listening to the people's concerns. Wisconsin is "broke" but we can afford to hire a Republican senator's mistress and the unqualified son of a rich donor for $60K+ jobs, and we can afford to cut revenue to reward corporations and rich people for not hiring. Wisconsin is "broke" but it can afford a 2011 budget that increases spending by a full 1%. Wisconsin needs jobs, but the proposed budget takes more than 21,000 workers off the state payroll. Wisconsin is "broke" but it can afford to offer no-bid contracts for power plants.
Mark S
10:54 pm on Saturday, April 9, 2011
Bren, keep talking. You make our side look better all the time....
RicanPrincess1
5:51 pm on Sunday, April 10, 2011
So much complaining about the hearings taking place during "working hours". That certainly did not bother people who missed work to go protest in Madison. If it is so important, take a couple of hours off, or call in and go to the hearings. I am sure you will be protected.
Lyle Ruble
6:25 pm on Sunday, April 10, 2011
@SandraH... Your sarcasm is unwarranted. Maybe you can take off, but many others cannot. Participation in these budget committee hearings is important to a great many people and it has nothing to do with the unions. Having read through the governor's Executive Budget, which I have several times, there are things in there that are absolutely draconian and punishing. His BRB was only his opening salvo. The real damaging stuff is in the biennium budget. He is making an unprecedented power grab and if he gets away with it we will be living with the consequences for years.
Bob McBride
6:39 pm on Sunday, April 10, 2011
Lyle,
Sandra's point is valid. For at least 2 solid week we witnessed 10's of thousands of folks taking off work to go protest at the State Capital. Perhaps if they hadn't taken time to do that, they'd be able to squeeze out a couple of extra days now to actually attend the procedural part of this process and witness government in action, rather than attempting to shut those processes down as they were several weeks ago.
Lyle Ruble
7:15 pm on Sunday, April 10, 2011
@Bob... I don't agree. Just because people were demonstrating it was for something entirely different; the BRB. This is what I have been waiting for since the Governor introduced the Executive Budget. We have a lot more citizens here in Milwaukee and they should give us extra time so more people can give them their input. As it is, we'll only be given two minutes each. I don't want the procedures shut down, this is the real deal not some public demonstration.
Tom Elliot
6:07 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Working hours or not, what's important is for everyone's side to be heard regarding the state budget.