Vouchers, Medicaid, Lower Taxes for Businesses Voiced at Budget Session

Most people at Monday's budget listening session with area Democrats Monday weren't pleased with the prospect of expanding vouchers.

But, citizens also talked about Gov. Scott Walker's refusal of federal money for Medicaid, cuts in transportation, funding for the arts, and cuts to conservation programs.

Reps. Peter Barca, Cory Mason and Tod Ohnstad were joined by state Sens. John Lehman and Bob Wirch for a three-hour budget listening session at the Racine Campus of Gateway Technical College. Bob Lang, director of the non-partisan Budget Fiscal Bureau was also on hand to record residents' remarks.

During his opening remarks as the emcee of the night, Mason said he is a better representative when he hears directly from the community.

Lehman agreed.

"You help us by telling us what's important to you," he said.

Here are some representative samples of what was said during the session:

Vouchers

Danielle Dickert teaches at McKinley Middle School, and she said expanding vouchers without adding funding for public schools is wrong. There aren't enough desks for her students so some sit on the floor and teachers are paying for supplies like copy paper out of their own pockets when the school runs out, she added.

"We make it work because we have to welcome every student," she said. "I know I'm preaching to the choir, but voucher schools are not the answer."

Dr. Jones teacher Angelina Cruz said cuts and the closing of an elementary school means the size of her classroom will grow, but so will the number of special education inclusion classrooms while there will only be one special education teacher on staff.

Special education teacher Julie Paulson told legislators that vouchers for special ed do not come with any requirements or any accountability.

"IDEA is a federal law that mandates what we do here in our district, but these vouchers for special education do not come with any requirements for service or any accountability to be sure services are being delivered," she said. "It would be incumbent on Racine Unified, putting more financial stress on the district."

Medicaid

County Supervisor Ken Hall said Walker turning away federal dollars to expand Medicaid will cost state taxpayers in general and low-income residents in particular. 

"Of all the options available, Gov. Walker picked the most expensive for state residents," he said. "Taxpayers will pay $91 million more over the next three years while low-wage workers will pay $17 million for exchanges they can't afford."

Racine resident Jonathan Heckenlively pointed out that federal money is our money, and we should have it back.

"The federal money used for Medicaid is our money and we should be able to get that back to help our own residents," he said.

Public transit

Judy Malek from Kenosha said because she is disabled and blind, she relies on public transportation. Deeper cuts to mass transit will make it harder for her to get around.

"I need the bus to get anywhere, like my doctor appointments and the store," she said. "I am the voice for the disabled tonight who can't get here."

Laura Eastman relies on the bus for independence because she has multiple sclerosis.

"I rely on the bus for my independence because I haven't been able to drive for five years," she said.

Racine Mayor John Dickert pointed out that cuts to public transportation disproportionately affect the elderly and the handicapped.

"We need more effective public transportation in Southeast Wisconsin," he said. "We don't need to spend more money on roads we can't afford when cuts to public transit like the bus effect the elderly and the handicapped who can't or who no longer drive."

Lower taxes, arts funding and conservation

Greg Ratzlaff told lawmakers that he makes a lot of money because he works hard, and he pays a lot of taxes, too. He asked legislators to look at business tax rates because if the state's ranking for job creation at 44th is true, it might be for that reason.

"Look at the taxes we pay here and see how it compares to our neighboring states. Our low job creation could be because of taxes on employers," he said. "I don't have a lot of needs because I work out and take care of myself, but I do pay a lot of taxes for the services people are talking about here."

Deborah Karp from the Wisconsin Arts Board said reduced funding for the arts now means lost job opportunities in the future for today's students.

"Wisconsin is one of the lowest arts funded states at just 15 cents per capita," she said. "Funding for the arts leads to 21st century jobs."

County Supervisor Monte Osterman talked about the reduced funding for conservation and water projects, which could come back to haunt the Legislature in a few years when certain regulations have to be met.

"This budget is short-sighted on long-term planning," he said. "Our $1.6 million reduction is important because we have water-quality standards to meet. Our funding needs to be restored because the bang for the buck here is almost higher than any other program."