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Wisconsin ’s budget deadlock dragged on Monday (October 1, 2007), as lawmakers continued their attempts to resolve the differences between the Assembly and Senate versions of the state budget.
While there have been few immediate consequences to not passing a 2007-09 budget, Governor Jim Doyle has warned that the impact is going to be felt soon. School districts across the state, most of which have already set their budgets, are keeping a close eye on the situation.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Elizabeth Burmaster said Friday that because there is no budget, she would direct her office to base its 2007-08 state aid calculations for school districts on last year’s numbers. Wisconsin law requires that the total amount of state aid for districts be set by October 15.
The result of using last year 's spending figures would be teachers losing their jobs or homeowners facing property tax increases as schools try to balance their budgets, Doyle said. But he added that lawmakers could change the October 15 date.
The Republican-led Assembly has pushed through a separate education spending bill, but the Democratic-led Senate refused to take it up, insisting that a complete, responsible budget be brought forward. Doyle has said he will not sign anything other than a comprehensive spending plan.
A Wisconsin Department of Administration chart gives a snapshot of the level of general aid school districts would receive in 2007-08 under two scenarios -- last year’s numbers (no budget) and Doyle’s state budget proposal.
Posted October 1, 2007