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June 29, 2005
Letter from Joe Quick, MMSD Legislative Liaison, to Madison Board of Education
BOE Members:
I saw a shocking number this week and thought it merited some scrutiny. According to Stan Johnson, WEAC president, the state's Transportation budget (defined as road construction and maintenance, according to the Leg. Fiscal Bureau) increases 18% under the GOP's budget (passed by the Assembly, awaiting action in the Senate).
I talked to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau analyst who deals with transportation issues to check the accuracy. He said Johnson's number includes $213 million in bonding authority for the Marquette Interchange in Milw. that the Legislature will, in all likelihood, NOT use. But he did say that with the $213M, the transportation budget DOES increase 18% (using 04-05 as the "base year" and doubling it for the 2 yrs. of the biennium). However, if you TAKE OUT the $213 M in bonding, the transportation budget still increases 8.1%. You can effectively contrast EITHER number with a 1.4% increase for K-12 (spending increase authority via $125 per pupil revenue limit increase) and a 1% increase for the 06-07 school year (a $100 per pupil increase). According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor, inflation is rising about 3.5% with energy costs over the same period (Apr. 04-April 05) running OVER 17%. Oh, and the $458 million "historic" increase the GOP is touting over 90% is for property tax relief, money that school districts NEVER SPEND FOR PROGRAMS, CLASS SIZE REDUCTION, ETC. the rest (< 10%) is categorical aid. The only spending increases districts can make is through the per pupil increase in the revenue limit allowance. You can decide for yourselves what you believe to be the GOP's priorities.
Joe Quick
June 23, 2005
Posted by Ruth Robarts at June 29, 2005 10:31 AM