This past week the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) released a memo detailing the decrease in tax revenue, and increases in state spending that lead to a structural deficit of $2.3 billion.  This deficit is a direct result of poor budgeting by Governor Doyle that relied on budget gimmicks, increased spending, declining revenue, use of one time federal funds, and raiding of segregated funds to fix budget holes.  Rather than address this budget issue head-on with sensible budgetary reforms such as my Segregated Fund Amendment (AJR 16) or moving to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) the Governor has instead relied on short term gimmicks and future Legislatures to fix the problem. 

I am working with my fellow legislators across the aisle to take up AJR 16, and use this bi-partisan amendment to take the first step towards common sense budgetary reforms.  It is my sincerest hope that leadership in both the State Assembly and Senate will schedule AJR 16 and its Senate companion SJR 10 for a floor vote prior to the end of session.  Getting Wisconsin’s financial house in order will go a long way in making the Badger state a much more appealing destination for businesses looking to expand, or relocate.