JFC Changes Budget Hearing Locations
By John Forester(Don't Use) | April 5, 2011
The Joint Finance Committee has changed the locations for its first two budget hearings to be held this week.
Thursday’s meeting will now be in Quandt Fieldhouse at UW-Stevens Point. Testimony will be limited to two minutes per speaker.
Friday’s hearing has been moved to UW-Superior after Minong officials feared for student safety and the potential for property damage if the hearing were held at Northwood School as originally planned.
The hearing will now be in UW-Superior’s Wessman Arena.
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SAA Legislative Alert — 2011-13 State Budget
By John Forester(Don't Use) | April 4, 2011
Now is the time for you to act on the budget!
Please see the SAA State Budget Priorities 2011-13 that I am sending to state legislators detailing the SAA’s position on the 2011-13 State Budget. To reinforce this message, it is extremely important that you contact the members of the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) and your own legislators in support of the SAA positions.
In your communication, please highlight the following:
- Support for the SAA positions on state aid cuts, revenue limit reductions and expansion of school privatization.
- The budgetary and human impact the governor’s budget plan will have on your school district. Emphasize the budget gap remaining after application of the WRS and health insurance savings. Make sure to highlight the impact in the 2nd year of the budget.
The cumulative impact that 17 years of belt-tightening under state imposed revenue caps has had on your district’s educational programming.
- It is very important that you tell your district’s story.
- Encourage legislators to stand up for Wisconsin school children.
- Thank your legislators for listening and for working for the citizens of Wisconsin.
SAA members had a major influence on the 2009-11 State Budget Bill. Now, we are asking you to exercise that influence on the 2011-13 biennial budget.
As you know, the JFC will hold four public hearings on the budget between April 7th and April 13th. It is our belief that the JFC will begin acting on the budget in executive session as early as the week of April 18th. Therefore, it is vital that we begin acting now.
Please send your letter using the information discussed above to the members of the Joint Finance Committee as soon as possible. You can email the JFC members easily using the left side of our website – go to the Key Committees section. Just below that, in the Elected Officials section, I have also provided links to the Senate Directory, the Assembly Directory and Who Are My Legislators. I also encourage you to copy your letter to your legislators and to the SAA.
Please note: If you send your letter via email, be sure to include your complete contact information.
You are the strength of the SAA. Getting your voices heard is the most effective way to influence state legislation. Please take the time to let legislators know that you are watching.
If you should have any comments or questions, please let me know. Thank you.
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Seeking Members To Testify-Joint Finance Committee Hearings
By John Forester(Don't Use) | March 31, 2011
The previous post (dated March 28th) details the schedule for the Joint Finance Committee’s budget hearings beginning next week. The SAA is seeking members interested in providing testimony at each of these hearings.
If you are interested in testifying, please contact me ASAP at (608) 242-1370 or john.forester@wsaa.org so I can help coordinate SAA member testimony.
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Joint Finance Announces Budget Hearing Schedule
By John Forester(Don't Use) | March 28, 2011
The Joint Finance Committee has scheduled four public hearings on the Biennial Budget Bill. The dates, times and location of the hearings are:
- Thursday, April 7 (10 am – 6 pm). UW-Stevens Point (Lee Dreyfus University Center, Melvin Laird Room, Stevens Point)
- Friday, April 8 (10 am – 5 pm). Northwood School Richard’s Auditorium, Highway 53, Minong.
- Monday, April 11 (10 am – 6 pm). State Fair Park, Expo Center Hall A, West Allis.
- Wednesday, April 13. (10 am – 6 pm). Arcadia High School Auditorium, Arcadia.
The committee notice said it will conclude taking testimony at the time specified.
Written comments can be emailed to the committee at: budgetcomments@legis.wisconsin.gov or sent by US mail to: Joe Malkasian, Room 305 East, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53703.
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LFB Releases Budget Analysis
By John Forester(Don't Use) | March 28, 2011
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau has released its analysis of Gov. Scott Walker’s 2011-13 budget proposal.
View the analysis here.
View the Public Instruction portion here.
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