Gov. Doyle announced on May 7, 2009 that the state has an even larger budget shortfall than was first expected.  The state now faces a budget shortfall of $6.6 billion over the next two years.  The state and the nation continue to be in a deep recession and this has resulted in less revenues being collected by the state.

When Gov. Doyle introduced his next two-year state budget in February the budget shortfall was about $5 billion.  To address that shortfall his budget included tax hikes (budget adjustment bill) and cuts to services and state government.  It also included many additions welcomed by the disability community.  However, with this latest development, he now says that more severe cuts to state and local governments, as well as cuts to school districts may be necessary.  This could have a major impact on people with disabilities.

Advocacy groups representing the poor, children, elderly, people with disabilities and other vulnerable people held a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday.  Their message was that the budget shortfall cannot be filled by just cutting services and programs.  Instead, they proposed a more balanced approach that includes cuts and revenue increases.  Their argument is that cuts will fall especially hard on those who are least able to weather them: the poor, children, elderly, and disabled.

To read about the rally and possible affects of the cuts, go to the Madison Capital Times article or the Appleton Post Crescent article.

The Institute for Wisconsin’s Future and the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families developed a catalog of possible Tax Reform Options the legislature could consider.

The Wisconsin Council on Children and Families also developed a list of additional options for closing the budget gap. 

To read more about the state budget, go to the DAWN's WI budget pages.

Take Action

The Joint Finance Committee will be making decisions very soon about the programs and services affecting people with disabilities.  Your action is needed now.

The Wisconsin Council on Children and Families has developed a “Take Action” web site for those who support the idea of a balanced approach to solving the budget shortfall.  You can send an email message to members of the Joint Finance Committee from there.

DAWN also has a “Take Action” web site to send a more general budget message to your legislators.  To use the DAWN tool, on the DAWN home page look for the red “Take Action” box and then look for Assembly Bill 75.