Gov. McCallum signs budget repair bill


Budget repair bill signed; maintains K-12 funding Gov. McCallum on Friday (July 26, 2002) signed a budget repair bill that maintains two-thirds K-12 funding in the face of a huge state budget deficit. WEAC President Stan Johnson applauded WEAC members for the work they did in helping protect K-12 funding, but cautioned that an even bigger challenge lies ahead with a projected $2.2 billion state budget deficit looming for the next biennium. Most of the money used to fill this year's $1.1 billion deficit came from one-time funds generated by a massive settlement of a lawsuit against tobacco companies. That means that the structural budget deficit will carry over to the next two years. "We now need to focus on the November elections and the next legislative session," Johnson said. "The children in our schools already are suffering from inadequate funding. We need to make sure they are protected from any future cuts. To do this, we need a governor and a majority of legislators who are committed to providing the funding necessary to maintain and improve our great schools." Education is the centerpiece of a strong economy, Johnson said. "By maintaining our commitment to education, we are laying the groundwork for future economic growth, which provides the best solution to our state's budget problems," he said. The budget repair bill was the last item on the Legislature's agenda before ending the 2001-02 legislative session. A new Legislature will be elected in November, and will reconvene early next year to start the 2003-2004 session. The budget repair bill took an unusually long time to pass, largely due to squabbling over how to fill the $1.1 billion budget hole caused largely by declining revenue. Last spring, a committee of Senate and Assembly representatives was appointed to iron out differences between the budget bills passed by each house. It completed more than 160 days of deliberations before presenting a final budget adjustment bill to the Legislature on July 2, 2002. The budget bill signed by the governor: Maintains state funding for two-thirds of local school operations costs. Maintains current law for SAGE contracts in grades K-3. Maintains current law revenue limit per-pupil increase estimated at $230.08 for 2003-04. Provides no increase for special education aid to local schools. Maintains current law funding for voucher schools in Milwaukee. Maintains current law on lack of accountability for voucher schools in Milwaukee. Maintains current law on public school choice and "virtual" charter schools Posted July 8, 2002; Updated July 26, 2002

Budget repair bill signed; maintains K-12 funding

Gov. McCallum on Friday (July 26, 2002) signed a budget repair bill that maintains two-thirds K-12 funding in the face of a huge state budget deficit.

WEAC President Stan Johnson applauded WEAC members for the work they did in helping protect K-12 funding, but cautioned that an even bigger challenge lies ahead with a projected $2.2 billion state budget deficit looming for the next biennium.

Most of the money used to fill this year's $1.1 billion deficit came from one-time funds generated by a massive settlement of a lawsuit against tobacco companies. That means that the structural budget deficit will carry over to the next two years.

"We now need to focus on the November elections and the next legislative session," Johnson said. "The children in our schools already are suffering from inadequate funding. We need to make sure they are protected from any future cuts. To do this, we need a governor and a majority of legislators who are committed to providing the funding necessary to maintain and improve our great schools."

Education is the centerpiece of a strong economy, Johnson said.

"By maintaining our commitment to education, we are laying the groundwork for future economic growth, which provides the best solution to our state's budget problems," he said.

The budget repair bill was the last item on the Legislature's agenda before ending the 2001-02 legislative session. A new Legislature will be elected in November, and will reconvene early next year to start the 2003-2004 session.

The budget repair bill took an unusually long time to pass, largely due to squabbling over how to fill the $1.1 billion budget hole caused largely by declining revenue.

Last spring, a committee of Senate and Assembly representatives was appointed to iron out differences between the budget bills passed by each house. It completed more than 160 days of deliberations before presenting a final budget adjustment bill to the Legislature on July 2, 2002.

The budget bill signed by the governor:

Maintains state funding for two-thirds of local school operations costs.
Maintains current law for SAGE contracts in grades K-3.
Maintains current law revenue limit per-pupil increase estimated at $230.08 for 2003-04.
Provides no increase for special education aid to local schools.
Maintains current law funding for voucher schools in Milwaukee.
Maintains current law on lack of accountability for voucher schools in Milwaukee.
Maintains current law on public school choice and "virtual" charter schools

Posted July 8, 2002; Updated July 26, 2002