Gov. Jim Doyle will announce his next two-year budget tomorrow, February 17, 2009.  This budget starts out with a $5.7 billion dollar shortfall.  That will be reduced by at least $2 billion because the state will receive funds from the just passed federal stimulus bill.  But that still leaves a large deficit to fill.

Gov. Doyle says he wants to protect as much as possible education, health care, and local government.  But he also says that this budget will be felt by almost everyone.

He has already introduced an assessment on hospitals, as well as taxing downloads of digital products to raise more revenue for the current budget shortfall.  In addition, he has proposed changes in the way corporations pay their taxes so that parent companies are taxed as one unit.

More funds will have to be found to fill the shortfall.  Therefore it is expected that he will propose a tax on oil companies.  Taxing more internet sales is possible.  Taxing some services that are currently exempt could be possible, like accountant services. It is expected that he will propose making Wisconsin adapt to national standards and rules on taxes.  There are likely to be reductions proposed in state services that impact the general public, like having to wait longer in line or drive farther to get a driver’s license.

One announcement that was made at the end of last week and likely tied to the budget is the major downsizing of Southern Wisconsin Center.
There are about 182 people still living there.  The Department of Health Services is proposing the voluntary relocation of about 100 of those residents into the community over the next two years and expanding the intensive treatment unit from 10 to 30 beds.

The budget is important to people with disabilities because it decides the scope of services and programs that people rely on.  Things like special education, transportation, and medical assistance are decided by the budget.  Gov. Doyle is saying that “staying even is the new increase”.  Disability advocates will be working hard to maintain what services and programs already exist.

The Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations recently introduced their budget paper and statement of principles for this budget.  

DAWN will be following the budget very closely and will be asking for your advocacy as the budget works its way toward completion in the spring.