Assembly Democrats’ Budget Plan Would Have Increased State Spending by $1.8 Billion
By Patrick Lynn
A recent open records request has unveiled budget amendments planned by Assembly Democrats, belying the party’s claims that the approved 2013-15 budget bill was excessive.
The Democrats’ plan would have cost state taxpayers almost $2 billion in additional expenses through over 200 budget amendments.
Based on information obtained by an open records request from MacIver Institute, the budget amendments were never introduced. One amendment proposed local school district control, which would have increased per-pupil spending by $275. Also in the plans were reinstated a several special interest tax credits which would have increased taxes and fees by $500 million.
Income cap deductions and removing private school tax deduction were also planned, and the party also wanted to accept massive Obama Care expansion of Medicaid and deny state employees the option to use a high-deductible health plan with a health savings account.
Democrats also aimed to repeal many of the provisions that crack down on fraud and abuse in Wisconsin. The budget contains a provision that will help to reduce the fraud and abuse in the unemployment insurance program by ensuring that individuals receiving benefits perform four job searches per week instead of just two. Democrats were prepared to remove that item.
They also prepared amendments that would repeal efforts to reduce fraud within the Food Share program and the homestead tax credit.