Partisan politics stall state budget
Delays create uncertainty over tuition levels, financial aid
Brian Reisinger and Nathaniel Shuda
Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: Campus News
[EDITOR'S NOTE: This article is the first in a series of reports analyzing Wisconsin's 2007-2009 biennial, capital budget process.]
The stalled state budget has left many in the UW System in an uncertain position.
Freshman Eric Nohelty said he doesn't know very much about the issue but thinks the process has been taking too long.
"I would just think that they should try to get it together so we can move on and get to more important things," Nohelty said.
In the most basic sense, the budget is the victim of split government, said Geoff Peterson, a professor of political science at UW-Eau Claire.
The Republican-controlled Assembly and the Democratic-controlled Senate have each worked out two very different versions of the budget after working on Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle's original proposal, Peterson said. Now, the Joint Finance Committee is attempting to reconcile those differences.
"It's that scenario that makes for long budget delays," said Rodd Freitag, political science professor and department chairman. "It requires both to agree, and when there's partisan difference, it's not inevitable to have them agree, but it makes it much more unlikely."
David Giroux, executive director of communications and external relations for the UW System, said the delay has left the UW System in a difficult financial situation since the fiscal year began July 1.
"We have last year's budget and this year's expenses," he said.
Delays in not only the biennial budget but also the capital budget have created uncertainty over tuition levels, the future quality of public education in Wisconsin and numerous building projects at campuses around the state, he said.
"As a student, I obviously would not want my tuition to go up," Nohelty said. "It would be nice to have a number … so we don't have to estimate from years past."
Giroux and political experts agreed that passage of the Assembly version could lead to tuition hikes and program cuts.
The stalled state budget has left many in the UW System in an uncertain position.
Freshman Eric Nohelty said he doesn't know very much about the issue but thinks the process has been taking too long.
"I would just think that they should try to get it together so we can move on and get to more important things," Nohelty said.
In the most basic sense, the budget is the victim of split government, said Geoff Peterson, a professor of political science at UW-Eau Claire.
The Republican-controlled Assembly and the Democratic-controlled Senate have each worked out two very different versions of the budget after working on Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle's original proposal, Peterson said. Now, the Joint Finance Committee is attempting to reconcile those differences.
"It's that scenario that makes for long budget delays," said Rodd Freitag, political science professor and department chairman. "It requires both to agree, and when there's partisan difference, it's not inevitable to have them agree, but it makes it much more unlikely."
David Giroux, executive director of communications and external relations for the UW System, said the delay has left the UW System in a difficult financial situation since the fiscal year began July 1.
"We have last year's budget and this year's expenses," he said.
Delays in not only the biennial budget but also the capital budget have created uncertainty over tuition levels, the future quality of public education in Wisconsin and numerous building projects at campuses around the state, he said.
"As a student, I obviously would not want my tuition to go up," Nohelty said. "It would be nice to have a number … so we don't have to estimate from years past."
Giroux and political experts agreed that passage of the Assembly version could lead to tuition hikes and program cuts.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Denise Solie
posted 9/24/07 @ 8:19 AM CST
Wrong. It's not the "Joint Committee on Finance" that is "attempting to reconcile those differences." It's a conference committee, comprised of 4 democrats and 4 republicans. (Continued…)
Kerry Thomas
posted 9/24/07 @ 8:50 AM CST
In Madison, the Democrats who control the Senate have proposed spending $58 billion of your tax dollars for you over the next two years. They also want to force all of us (except the teachers' unions) into a government-run socialized health care system, at an estimated initial cost of $15. (Continued…)
WIsabe
posted 9/24/07 @ 10:03 AM CST
Well said, Kerry. I haven't seen a raise, "cost of living" or merit in several years. It is what it is. Our company has requested each department manager either cut spending 10% or increase revenue 10% or some combination of them. (Continued…)
Post a Comment