Viewpoint

Absurd: Evers’ 400-year spending scheme

Wisconsin needs an explicit constitutional amendment abolishing partial veto

By Mike Nichols

I see that Greenland sharks can live 400 years — almost as long as Tony Evers’ spending plan for public schools.

Really. On both scores.

It’s hard not to laugh a little about the absurd state of our democracy and Wisconsin’s odd partial veto — though there are serious constitutional issues, and tax dollars, at stake.

Our governor, you likely have heard by now, is the talk of the nation for using his unique veto power to essentially try to lock in tax increases and big spending until sometime close to Armageddon. I don’t know if it’s the end of the world, exactly, given the fact there will be other governors down the road who will probably want to reverse course.

Analysis

Ugly: UW DEI staff salvaged by Evers’ veto

By Mark Lisheron

Pushing back on a Gov. Tony Evers veto protecting the University of Wisconsin System’s extensive diversity, equity and inclusion infrastructure, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is asking for legislative committee approval to again remove $32 million from the system’s budget unless it dismantles its DEI programs.

Vos had originally called for the system to eliminate 188.8 state employee positions assigned to a variety of diversity programs systemwide and at the state’s 13 universities. Evers vetoed those position cuts and signed the two-year budget bill into law on Wednesday.

Despite the governor’s veto, Vos told talk radio host Jay Weber Thursday he is seeking approval from the Republican-led Joint Finance Committee to withhold $32 million from the university system’s workforce development programs.

Analysis

Ugly: Evers vetoes historic reforms to Wisconsin income tax rates

By Mike Nichols and Patrick McIlheran

When Gov. Tony Evers on Wednesday vetoed the Legislature’s plan to cut taxes, it was more than a dispute between a Democrat and Republicans over rates. The breadth of Evers’ veto will have far-reaching consequences for the state.

Evers killed all Republican tax cuts except those that apply to the two lowest brackets. Those apply only to taxable income under $36,840 per year for married couples. Evers passed up a golden opportunity to give anyone at all making over $36,840 any sort of break on the next dollar they earn, even though Wisconsin has accumulated an enormous multibillion-dollar surplus.

There are multiple points of necessary context here...

Analysis

Excellent: Wisconsin’s step toward swifter criminal justice

By Jeremiah Mosteller

This week Gov. Evers signed a budget passed by the Legislature that includes a more than 30% starting pay raise for assistant district attorneys and assistant public defenders and more flexibility for merit-based pay raises for attorneys currently in those roles. This makes the compensation for these roles more competitive and should reduce the high rates of turnover currently existing in District Attorney and public defender offices. 

The budget also increased the hourly reimbursement paid to private attorneys who serve as defense attorneys in many cases by more than 40 percent going forward.

These important steps will help reverse the crisis of delayed justice — ensuring the system more effectively serves the needs of all Wisconsin residents.

Badger on Air

Excellent: Parents and kids win big with education freedom measures

Related Reading: A huge step toward sustainable school funding equality

Even More Excellence

Analysis

Incomplete: Budget misses mark on best oral care solution — dental therapy

By Michael Jahr

The 2023-25 state biennial budget signed by Gov. Tony Evers on Wednesday included measures designed to address gaps in oral care access in Wisconsin, which has among the worst records for disadvantaged and underserved populations in the country, according to Badger Institute research.  

A bipartisan measure to allow dental therapy in Wisconsin was not included in the budget, however. A bill that would allow the mid-level providers to perform preventive and restorative procedures is expected to be introduced in the fall.  

Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma), who authored dental therapy bills in previous legislative sessions, says she will do so again when the Legislature reconvenes in September. It will be a standalone bill that will go through the public hearing process and allow legislators to receive feedback from constituents and stakeholders, she said. 

Badger Events

Save the date

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, October 3rd as we welcome keynote speaker Mike Gallagher, U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 8th congressional district and Chairman of The Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.

Weekly Survey: Should Wisconsin pursue a constitutional amendment to eliminate the governor’s partial veto power?

Previous Poll Results:

What We’re Reading

• Shannon Whitworth: Want To Improve Public School Outcomes? End Teacher Licensing

• Bob Woodson: Our Grit and Fortitude Help to Make America the Best It Can Be

• Based Politics: This Progressive Policy Is Fueling Homelessness

• City Journal: Hollow Words: Law Schools’ Commitment to Diversity

• Wall Street Journal: Tony Evers’s Tax Veto Is a Gift to Illinois (paywall)

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