KREITLOW PREPARES FOR NEW SESSION
Friday, January 2nd, 2009 -- 1:35 PM
A state senator from our area is getting ready for the new legislative session that begins next week.Pat Kreitlow, a Democrat from Chippewa Falls, says it's obvious what priority number 1 will be: fixing the state's $5.4-billion budget hole. But, he expects that figure will get smaller by the end of January.
"That number, the $5.4-billion, is essentially a Christmas wishlist from the agencies in the state," he says.
Also by February, the state will have new revenue forecasts and anticipated help from Federal Government.
"We're going to have to make some cuts in areas that we don't want to, but need to," Kreitlow says, "BadgerCare Plus, expanding that to childless adults, that might be something that needs to wait."
Of course, the state could also raise taxes to close the hole. Some have called for an increase in the state sales tax, but Kreitlow doesn?t see that happening.
"We're not going to take (tax increases) off the table, but bare in mind, that's the absolute last thing we need to be doing at a time like this," Kreitlow says.
With Dems now in control of the legislature and the Governor?s office, Kreitlow expects some version of a statewide smoking ban will pass the legislature next year, he doesn?t think the sales tax will be increased, but concedes it will get a lot of discussion, he thinks revenue caps on schools will stay in place, but he?s unsure if the QEO for teachers will be continued.
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