%
>> THIS BUDGET SHOWS CLEARLY%TH
AT WE CAN LIVE WITHIN OUR
%MEANS AND THAT WE CAN BUILD ON
%LAST SESSION'S HISTORIC
%INVESTMENT IN K-12 EDUCATION.
%>> ASSEMBLY SPEAKER ROBIN VOS ON
%THE REPUBLICAN VERSION OF THE
%K-12 SPENDING PLAN.
%I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
%TONIGHT ON "HERE AND NOW"
%MORE ON THE DUELING BUDGETS
%AND THE BATTLE OVER HOW MUCH TO%
SPEND ON STATE SCHOOLS.
%WE'LL HEAR FROM TWO MEMBERS OF
%THE JOINT FINANCE COMMITTEE.
%WPR'S SHAWN JOHNSON SORTS
%THROUGH THE STUBBORN POLITICS OF
%THE BUDGET.
%WE'LL LOOK AHEAD AT WATER POLICY
%IN THE BUDGET PLAN.
%AND AN INSIDE LOOK AT CALLS FOR
%IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.
%IT'S "HERE AND NOW" FOR MAY
%24.
%>>
FUNDING
FOR "HERE AND NOW"
IS
%PROVIDED IN
PART
BY FRIENDS
OF
%WISCONSIN
PUBLIC
TELEVISION.
%♪
%[MUSIC]
%>> A FIRST LOOK TONIGHT AT A
%MAJOR PIECE OF THE STATE BUDGET,
%SPENDING FOR K-12 EDUCATION.
%THE LEGISLATURE'S JOINT FINANCE
%COMMITTEE VOTED THURSDAY TO
%INCREASE K-12 FUNDING BY
%$500 MILLION TO $12.3 BILLION.
%THAT INCLUDES $97 MILLION MORE
%FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.
%INCREASING REVENUE LIMITS BY
%$200 PER PUPIL IN THE FIRST YEAR
%OF THE BUDGET AND $204 IN THE%
SECOND.
%IT WOULD INCREASE THE
%REIMBURSEMENT TO DISTRICTS FOR
%SPECIAL EDUCATION TO 30% AND
% -- IN
THE SECOND
YEAR AND
%PULL $12.5 MILLION INTO MENTAL%
HEALTH.
%THE LEGISLATURE'S JOINT FINANCE
%COMMITTEE VOTED ALONG PARTY
%LINES TO APPROVE THE PLAN.
%>>
I
BELIEVE
THIS
INVESTMENT WE
%ARE MAKING TODAY IS ADEQUATE.
%IN
FACT,
IT
GOES
BEYOND
%ADEQUACY.
%I THINK IT GOES TO FUND WHAT IS%
OUR MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITY AND%
THAT'S OUR KIDS.
%I ALSO BELIEVE, MOST
%IMPORTANTLY, THE PROMISE WE'RE
%MAKING TODAY IS SUSTAINABLE.
%>> REPRESENTATIVE NYGREN SAID
%THAT THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL, THE
%REPUBLICAN PLAN, THAT IT
%WOULDN'T MATTER, THAT IT DOESN'T
%MATTER WHAT ZIP CODE YOU LIVE
%IN, THAT UNDER THEIR PROPOSAL,
%YOU GET A QUALITY EDUCATION.%
WRONG.
%NOPE.
%INACCURATE.
%NOT TRUE.
%THIS BUDGET MAKES CHANGES, THIS
%MOTION MADE CHANGES TO THE
%GOVERNOR'S BUDGET, AND IT DOES
%MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE.
%THIS MOTION DOES PICK WINNERS%
AND LOSERS.
%>> DEMOCRATS ESPECIALLY FAULT
%THE REPUBLICAN SPENDING PLAN FOR
%WHAT THEY REGARD AS SHORTING
%SPECIAL EDUCATION.
%BUT FINANCE COMMITTEE VICE
%CHAIR, REPUBLICAN SENATOR LUTHER
%OLSEN, CALLS THE G.O.P. SCHOOL
%PLAN THE BEST IT GETS, THOUGH
%OVERALL IT FALLS $900 MILLION
%SHORT OF WHAT GOVERNOR TONY
%EVERS PROPOSED AND $500 MILLION
%SHORT OF THE GOVERNOR'S SPECIAL
%EDUCATION FUNDING PROPOSAL.
%SENATOR OLSEN JOINS US FROM
%OSHKOSH.
%THANKS VERY MUCH
FOR
DOING SO.
%>>
M
Y
PLEASURE.%>>
DESCRIBE
WHY
YOU
THINK
THIS
%IS A GOOD
K-12
BUDGET.
%>>
WELL,
IT'S
GOING TO
GET
MOST%OF
THE
MONEY IN
THE
BUDGET,
%$500 MILLION, IT
AVERAGES
OUT
%ABOUT
500-SOME
DOLLARS
PER
%STUDENT AND
OUR
SPECIAL
ED
%NUMBER IS
WHAT
REALLY
GOVERNOR
%EVERS WHEN
H
E
WAS
SUPERINTENDENT
%EVERS
ASKED
FOR.
%HE
ASKED
FOR
ABOUT
26% IN
THE%FIRST
YEAR
AND
30% IN
THE SECOND
%YEAR,
WHEN
HE
WAS
STATE
%SUPERINTENDENT, AND WE HIT
THOSE
%NUMBERS
AND
THE
THING YOU HAVE
%TO REALIZE
IS,
THAT
30%
IS
GOING
%TO BE
THERE
FOREVER
, SO
NO
%MATTER HOW MUCH
SPECIAL
ED
COSTS
%INCREASE, WE
WILL
BE
FUNDING
%30%.%>> AS
YOU
SAY, THIS
IS
KIND
OF
A
%MAJOR
CONCERN ON THE
PART
OF
%DEMOCRATS
THAT
REIMBURSEMENT
%RATE
TO
SCHOOLS FOR
THEIR%SPECIAL EDUCATION
SPENDING
%BECAUSE,
AGAIN,
THE
GOVERNOR
IN
%THIS BUCKET
ASKED
FOR
60% IN
THE%SECOND YEAR.
%SO
THAT IS
A
BIG
GAP.%>>
YEAH, YOU
KNOW,
H
E
ASKED
FOR
%THAT, BUT
THE
GOVERNOR
PROPOSES%IN
!
AND
THE
LEGISLATURE
DISPOSES,
%AND
OUR
NUMBER
IS
HIGHER THAN
%THE BASE.
%YOU
CAN
COME
UP
WITH ANY
NUMBER
%THAT YOU
SORT
OF
WANT,
BUT
THIS
%IS ONE
THAT
WE
FELT
THAT
WE
CAN
%CONTINUE
TO
FUND OVER
THE
YEARS.
%>>
DO
SCHOOLS
END
UP
HAVING
T
O
%SPEND
FROM
THEIR
GENERAL
%REVENUES
SERVING ALL STUDENTS
TO
%MAKE
UP
FOR
THAT
REIMBURSEMENT%RATE,
THOUGH
?%>> CORRECT.
%WHAT
HAPPENS
IS,
SPECIAL
ED
%STUDENTS
HAVE
INDIVIDUAL
%EDUCATION
PLANS,
AND
WHAT
THAT
%SAYS SCHOOLS
HAVE
TO
PROVIDE,
%WHETHER THEY HAVE
ENOUGH MONEY%IN
THE
SPECIAL
ED
BUDGET
OR
NOT,
%SO
THEY
ARE
TRANSFERRING MONEY
%FROM
REGULAR
ED
OVER
TO
SPECIAL
%ED,
AND
YOU
KNOW,
ROBBING PETER
%TO
PAY
PAUL.
%WE
HAVEN'T
INCREASED
THAT
NUMBER
%FOR
8 TO 10
YEARS,
THAT
PERCENT,
%SO
THIS
BUDGET,
WE
DID,
BRINGING
%THEM UP
TO
30%
.
%THE FED SAID THEY
WERE
GOING
T
O
%REIMBURSE THE
ENTIRE
RATE
AND
%THEY HAVEN'T.
%IN
FACT,
I
WAS
OUT
IN D.C.
A
%COUPLE
YEARS
TALKING TO
THE
%EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAYING
YOU
%KNOW, YOU
REALLY
NEED
INCREASE
%THE
REIMBURSEMENT
RATE
BECAUSE%IT'S NOT WHAT
YOU
PROMISED,
AND
%THE
EDUCATION
FOLKS
IN D.C.
,
%UNDER PRESIDENT OBAMA SAID,
NO,
%WE
THINK
OUR
PERCENT
IS
JUST
%RIGHT.
%SO
THEY'RE
NOT
INCREASING THEIR
%PERCENT, WISCONSIN
IS.%>>
WHAT ABOUT
THE
CRITICISM THAT
%THERE
ARE
WINNERS
AND
LOSERS IN
%THE PLAN
PASSED OUT
OF
JOINT
%FINANCE,
WHEREBY
RICH
DISTRICTS
%GET
THE
SAME
PER
PUPIL
SPENDING
%AS
POOR
DISTRICTS
WITHOUT THE
%EVERS CHANGE TO
THE
FUNDING
%FORMULA, WHICH
WOULD BOOST
%POORER
DISTRICTS?%>>
WELL
,
THEY
DON'T
GET
THE
SAME
%BECAUSE
WE
HAVE
EQUALIZED
AID%FORMULA.
%SO LIKE I
HAVE GREEN
LAKE
IN
MY
%DISTRICT, THEY
GET
NO
STATE
AID,
%REALLY.
%THE
LAST
BUDGET,
THE
LAST
COUPLE
%BUDGET,
PER
PUPIL
SPENDING,
NOW
%WE'RE INCREASING THAT
PER
PUPIL
%SPENDING
TO
$700, SO
NO
MATTER
%WHAT
YOU
SPEND IN
THE
PROPERTY
%WEALTH, YOU
GET $700
OR
WILL
GET
%$700, AND
EVENTUALLY A THOUSAND%AT
THE
END OF THE
DAY,
BUT YOU%HAVE
TO
REALIZE
THAT
THERE'S
%HIGH
VALUE PROPERTY
DISTRICTS,%BUT
THE
PEOPLE
WHO
LIVE
THERE
%DON'T MAKE A LOT
OF
MONEY.
%ALL
THOSE
ARE
PRETTY
MUCH
%VACATION
PLACES,
AND
SO WHAT
%HAPPENS IS
PEOPLE
WHO LIVE
IN%GREEN LAKE THAT
LIVE
THERE,
%THEIR
INCOMES
AREN'T
THA
T GREAT.
%SO
THAT'S
WHY
WE
DID
THIS.%>>
YOU
SAID
THAT
THIS IS THE
%BEST
IT
GETS
FOR
K-12
SPENDING.
%SO NO
FURTHER
NEGOTIATION EVEN
%THOUGH THIS
SPENDING IS
A THIRD%OF WHAT
THE
GOVERNOR
CALLED
FOR?%>>
YEAH,
I
MEAN, W
E DID
WHAT
WE
%COULD
DO.
%I
DON'T
SEE
US
COMING
BACK
TO
%SAY,
WELL,
WE'VE
GOT MORE
MONEY%BECAUSE I DON'T
KNOW
WHERE WE'D
%GET IT.
%THE THING
THAT CONCERNS
ME
IS,
%YOU
KNOW, DIRECTOR
LANGE FROM
%THE
FISCAL
BUREAU
ALWAYS KEEPS
%TALKING ABOUT WE COULD
BE
%SLIPPING
INTO
A
RECESSION ONE OF
%THESE
YEARS, AND
SO
IF
ALL
OF
A
%SUDDEN THAT
WHISPER
HAPPENS,
%THEN WE'RE GOING
TO
HAVE
TO
%REFIGURE THINGS AND
IT WON'T
BE
%HIGHER, IT WILL BE
LOWER.
%SO I
REALLY THINK THAT
THE
%NUMBER
WE
HAVE
IS A
GOOD
NUMBER,
%I'VE
TALKED
TO
PLENTY
OF
%SUPERINTENDENTS AND THEY
SAID,
%GET US
THE TWO,
THE 204
AND
30%
%REIMBURSEMENT AND WE WILL BE
%HAPPY.
%WOULD THEY
WANT
MORE?
%OF COURSE.
%BUT
THEY'RE
REALISTIC.%>> WHAT
CONCERNS DO
YOU
HAVE
%ABOUT
A
GOVERNOR'S
VETO?%>>
WELL
,
IF
HE
VETOES
IT,
THE
%WHOLE
BUDGET,
THEN
I
DON'T
KNOW
%WHAT'S GOING
TO
HAPPEN.
%WE
WILL
PROBABLY
SEND
HIM
BITS
%AND
PIECES OF
THE
BUDGET,
BUT
%THE SAD
THING
IS,
IT
JUST
DELAYS%INFORMATION
FOR
SCHOOL
DISTRICTS
%BECAUSE THEY
START THEIR
%BUDGETING YEAR
JULY 1ST.
%AND
IF
THIS
GOES
ON
UNTIL
%OCTOBER/NOVEMBER, THEIR
YEAR
IS,%YOU
KNOW,
GOING
THROUGH FAST,
%AND THEY
DON'T HAVE
ANY
%INCREASE.
%SO
I
THINK
IT
BEHOOVES
THE
%GOVERNOR -- IT'S NOT WHAT
HE
%WANTED,
BUT
IT'S
AN
INCREASE,
%AND A LOT
OF
TIMES
A
HALF
A
LOAF%OR
A THIRD OF
A
LOAF I
S
BETTER
%THAN NO
LOAF.%>>
WE
LEAVE IT
THERE.
%SENATOR
LUTHER
OLSEN,
THANKS%VERY MUCH
FOR
JOINING
US.
%>> THANK YOU.
%>> FOR THEIR PART, DEMOCRATS
%CALL THE REPUBLICAN K-12%SPEN
DING PLAN INADEQUATE.
%JOINT FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBER,
%DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS
%TAYLOR VOTED AGAINST THE
%REPUBLICAN BUDGET MEASURE FOR%
SCHOOLS.
%SHE JOINS US NOW.
%THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING
HERE.%>>
THANKS FOR
HAVING
ME.
%>>
SO TELL US
WHY
YOU
VOTED
%AGAINST
THIS
PLAN.%>>
WELL,
THE
GOVERNOR
PROPOSED
A
%$1.4 BILLION INCREASE THAT OUR
%SCHOOLS
ARE
DESPERATE
FOR.
%WE
WENT
ALL OVER
THE
STATE
IN
%JOINT FINANCE
HEARINGS ON THE
%BUDGET AND WHAT
WE
HEARD
IS
%PEOPLE
BEGGING
US
TO
ADOPT
THE
%GOVERNOR'S
K-12
BUDGET,
GIVEN
%THE INADEQUATE
FUNDING OVER THE
%LAST EIGHT
YEARS,
AND
EVEN
THE
%STEEPEST
CUT
WE'VE
EVER
SEEN IN
%THE HISTORY OF
OUR
STATE.
%SO WE
WANTED
AND
THE
PEOPLE
%WANTED
THAT
INCREASE,
OUR
%SCHOOLS ARE
HURTING,
A
RECORD
%NUMBER HAVE GONE
TO
REFERENDUM
,
%JUST IN
NOVEMBER,
THIS
LAST
%NOVEMBER, 77 REF
RECOMMEND
DUMB
%PASSED.
%PEOPLE
VOTED
TO
RAISE
THEIR
%PROPERTY TAXES
BY $1.4 BILLION%TO FUND SCHOOLS.
%SO IT'S
VERY
INTERESTING
THE
%GOVERNOR WAS
PROPOSING
%$1.4 BILLION IN AN
INVESTMENT,%AND IT'S
REALLY
UNFORTUNATE THAT
%MY
REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES
CUT
%THAT
PROPOSAL
BY
ABOUT%$900 MILLION.
%>>
NOW ONE
OF
DEMOCRATS'
BIG
%CONCERNS AS
I
LISTENED TO
THE
%WORK BEFORE
THE
JOINT FINANCE
%COMMITTEE IS
WORK
AROUND SPECIAL%EDUCATION.
%BUT
SENATOR
LUTHER
OLSEN
SAYS
%YES, BUT
THE
30%
REIMBURSEMENT%RATE T
O
SCHOOLS IN THE SECOND%YEAR OF THI
S
BUDGET
IS
WHAT TONY
%EVERS ASKED
FOR.%>>
LOOK,
OUR
SCHOOLS
WERE
ASKING
%FOR FAIR
FUNDING
OF
SPECIAL
ED,
%PRIVATE
VOUCHER
SCHOOLS
GET
90%
%OF
THEIR
COSTS
COVERED
FOR
%SPECIAL ED.
%OUR
PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
GET
25%.
%30%
IS
INADEQUATE.%WE
HAVE THE MONEY
TO
DO
IT,
THE
%GOVERNOR
PROPOSED
A
WAY
TO
DO
%IT,
BUT
UNFORTUNATELY
SENATOR
%OLSEN
AND
HIS
REPUBLICAN
%COLLEAGUES ARE
MORE
CONCERNED
%WITH
PROTECTING
$1.1 BILLION IN
%TAX CUTS TO
THE
MOST
WEALTHY
IN
%OUR
STATE.
%THAT'S
WHAT
THEY
VOTED FOR
%BEFORE
OUR
SCHOOL
CHILDREN.%SO
THERE'S A WAY
TO
DO
IT, IT
%WAS
FUNDED IN
THE
GOFF
!
GOVERNOR'S
%BUDGET, IT WAS NOT
A
PRIORITY
O
F
%MY
REPUBLICAN
COLLEAGUES.%>>
YOUR
REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES
%ALSO SAY
THIS,
THE
GOVERNOR'S
%PLAN,
WAS
NOT
SUSTAINABLE, BUT%YOU THINK IT
IS.%>>
WHAT'S
NOT
SUSTAINABLE IS
%SPENDING
$2.2 BILLION
SINCE 2011
%ON
PRIVATE
UNACCOUNTABLE
VOUCHER
%SCHOOLS.
%VOUCHER
SCHOOLS
JUST IN
THIS
%LAST
BIENNIUM
GOT
$712 MILLION.
%THOSE MONEY
ARE
COMING
FROM
OUR
%PUBLIC
SCHOOL,
THE
PUBLIC
%SCHOOLS ARE
HAVING
TO
LEVY
TO
%MAKE U
P
FOR
THAT MONEY
SO
%PROPERTY TAXES
ARE
INCREASING.
%THAT'S NOT
A
SUSTAINABLE
SYSTEM.
%THERE WAS A
WAY
TO
FUND
THE%$1.4 BILLION INVESTMENT THAT
%SCHOOLS AROUND THIS
STATE
CAME
%OUT
STRONGLY
SUPPORTING.%THERE WAS A
WAY T
O
DO
IT,
MY
%REPUBLICAN
COLLEAGUES REFUSED TO
%DO
IT.
%THEY COULD
DO
IT,
THEY WOULDN'T%DO
IT.
%>>
MEANWHILE,
%REPUBLICAN HOWARD MARKLEIN
%MARKLEIN SAID THIS: THOSE WHO
%CRITICIZE OUR PLAN ARE FOCUSED
%ON AN UNREALISTIC, BLUE-SKY WISH
%LIST OF SPENDING THAT RAISES
%
TAXES AND SACRIFICES OTHER
%PRIORITIES.
%>>
WELL,
IN
SENATOR
MARKLEIN'S%DISTRICT
ALONE,
LAST
YEAR,
THERE
%WERE 16
REFERENDUMS
TO
FUND
%SCHOOLS
BECAUSE,
AGAIN,
THEY'RE
%NOT
RECEIVING
THE
STATE
SUPPORT
%THAT THEY NEED.
%15
OF
THOSE
REFERENDUM PASSED.
%SO HIS
OWN
SCHOOLS WOULD
HAVE
%BENEFITED GREATLY
FROM
THIS%$1.4 BILLION INVESTMENT THA
T
OUR
%GOVERNOR WAS
PROPOSING.
%AGAIN, IT'S ABOUT
PRIORITIES.
%THEY
COULD
HAVE,
MY
REPUBLICAN
%COLLEAGUES COULD HAVE
SCALED
%BACK
SOME
OF
THESE
MASSIVE
TAX
%GIVEAWAYS
THAT
BENEFIT
%MILLIONAIRES.
%$1.1 BILLION.%THEY WOULDN'T
DO IT.
%THEY WOULDN'T USE
THAT
MONEY
TO%FUND OUR
SCHOOLS.
%AND
YOU
KNOW,
OUR
SCHOOLS
IN
%THIS --
JUST
THIS
YEAR
ARE
STILL
%NOT BACK
TO 2011
FUNDING
LEVELS
%WHEN
YOU
ADJUST
FOR
INFLATION.
%THEY'RE STILL SHORT.
%WE'RE NOT
EVEN
BACK
TO 2011.%>>
NOW
THE
MAJORITY
SAYS
THAT
%SCHOOL
LEADERS
AND
THEIR
%DISTRICTS ARE
APPLAUDING THEIR
%K-12 BUDGET PLAN.
%WHAT ARE
SCHOOL
LEADERS
I
N
YOUR
%DISTRICT SAYING ABOUT
IT?%>>
WELL,
LOOK,
ALL
AROUND THIS
%STATE, SCHOOLS
ARE
HAVING
T
O
%TRANSFER
$1 BILLION TO
COVER
%SPECIAL ED
COSTS.
%SPECIAL ED
COSTS
ARE IN
THE --
%ARE IN
THE
DISCRETIONARY.
%YOU HAVE
TO
PROVIDE SPECIAL
%EDUCATION.
%IS WE
KNOW
THAT
SCHOOLS HAVE
%BEEN
IMPACTED,
SCHOOLS
ARE
%CERTAINLY IMPACTED HERE
IN
%MADISON,
AND
TRANSFERRING THIS
%MASSIVE A
MONEY
FROM
GENERAL
%AIDS
TO
SPECIAL ED,
WHICH
REALLY
%IS
UNFAIR
TO
ALL
CHILDREN.
%I
THINK WHAT'S
HAPPENED
IN
THIS
%STATE,
BECAUSE
MY
REPUBLICAN
%COLLEAGUES
HAVE
REFUSED TO
MAKE
%THE
INVESTMENTS
THAT WE'VE
%NEEDED IN
PUBLIC
EDUCATION,
ANY
%AMOUNT
THAT
SUPERINTENDENTS GET,%THEY'RE JUS
T
RELIEVED
THEY
%WEREN'T
CUT,
QUITE
FRANKLY,
%GIVEN WHAT'S
HAPPENED IN
THE
%LAST EIGHT YEARS.
%>>
GIVEN
THE
GAP
I
N
SPENDING
%BETWEEN THE
REPUBLICAN PLAN
AND
%THE
EXECUTIVE
BUDGET,
WHAT
DO
%YOU
THINK
THE
PROSPECT
I
S
OF
%GOVERNOR
EVERS
VETOING
THIS?%>>
WELL,
LOOK,
I
THINK
THAT
%WHETHER THIS
BUDGET IS
VETOED,
%WE'VE
GOT
TO
LISTEN TO
THE
%PEOPLE
OF
THIS
STATE.
%AND
THEY'RE
THE
ULTIMATE,
THEY
%SHOULD BE
THE
ULTIMATE,
YOU
%KNOW,
ARBITRATORS OF
WHETHER%THIS BUDGET
IS
SUFFICIENT, BUT
%THE
PRIORITIES OF
THE
PEOPLE
ARE
%NOT BEING INCLUDED IN
THIS
%BUDGET.
%WE SAW THIS
WITH
MEDICAID
%EXPANSION,
WITH
70%
OF
%WISCONSINITE SUPPORT AND
NOW%WE'RE SEEING IT
WITH
PUBLIC
%EDUCATION WHICH
REALLY
WAS
THE
%NUMBER ONE ISSUE
FOR
VOTERS
THIS
%LAST NOVEMBER.
%SO
IT'S GOING TO
BE
UP
TO
THE
%PEOPLE
WHETHER THEY'RE
SATISFIED
%WITH THIS
BUDGET,
BUT
MY
GOSH,
%WE
CERTAINLY
COULD
DO A
LOT
%BETTER THAN
WHAT I'M
SEEING
FROM
%MY
REPUBLICAN
COLLEAGUES.%>> ALL RIGHT.
%WE NEED TO
LEAVE
IT
THERE,
%REPRESENTATIVE
CHRIS
TAYLOR,
%THANKS VERY MUCH.%>> THANKS
FOR
HAVING
ME.
%>>
WILL GOVERNOR TONY
EVERS
VETO
%THE
BUDGET
FOR
SPENDING?
%WE
CHECK
IN
WITH
WPR
CAPITOL
%BUREAU
CHIEF,
SHAWN
JOHNSON.
%FIRST OF
ALL,
%WHAT IS GOVERNOR EVERS' REACTION%
TO THE REPUBLICAN SPENDING PLAN%
FOR THE K-12 SCHOOLS?
%>>
I
THINK
YOU'D
SAY
HE'S
LESS
%REACTING
TO
WHAT
THEY PUT
O
UT ON
%THE
TABLE THIS
WEEK
AND
MORE
%CONTINUING TO PUSH
HIS
OWN
PLAN.
%SO
HE'S
STILL
TALKING
ABOUT
THE
%$1.4 BILLION IN NEW
MONEY HE%WANTS TO
PUT
INTO
SCHOOLS
AND
%HE'S STILL TALKING ABOUT
THE%$600 MILLION THAT HE
WANTS TO
%INVEST
IN SPECIAL
EDUCATION OUT%OF
THAT
$1.4 BILLION, SO
HE'S
%NOT
SAYING
MUCH
ABOUT
WHAT
THEY
%DID, ONLY
TO
SAY
THAT
HE
THINKS%THE
BUDGET
PROCESS IS
A
LONG WAY
%FROM FINISHED
AND
HE
HOPES
TO
%REACH A DEAL
WITH
REPUBLICANS
%BEFORE IT'S ALL
OVER.
%>>
THAT'S
WHAT
HE
SAYS,
ALTHOUGH
%IT SEEMS
TO
ME
SPEAKING
WITH
%PEOPLE
LIKE
SENATOR
LUTHER
%OLSEN,
WHO'S
REPUBLICAN VICE
%CHAIR OF
THAT
JOINT
FINANCE
%COMMITTEE, I
T
DOESN'T
SOUND
LIKE
%THEY'RE UP FOR
THAT
%RENEGOTIATION,
ALTHOUGH I
%SUPPOSE
ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE AS
%THE
WEEKS
GO
ON.
%>>
YEAH, I
D
ON'T KNOW
WHERE IT'S
%GOING
TO
GO
EXACTLY.
%I
MEAN,
THE
REPUBLICAN RESPONSE%TO
EVERS
SAYING
WE
CAN
STILL
%TALK ABOUT
THIS O
R
WE
CAN
REACH
%A
DEAL
SEEMS T
O
BE,
THIS IS
THE
%BEST YOU'RE GOING TO GET
AND
IF
%IT
GOT
ANY
BETTER, IT WOULD
BE
%SO
MARGINAL
IT
WASN'T
WORTH
IT.%>>
SO
WITH THAT
SAID, WHAT IS
%THE
EXPECTATION, IF
ANY,
THAT
%GOVERNOR
EVERS
WOULD
TAKE
HIS
%VETO PEN
TO
THIS?%>>
SO
IT
DEPENDS
WHAT
KIND
OF
%VETO PEN YOU'RE
TALKING
ABOUT,%RIGHT?
%THE GOVERNOR
OF
WISCONSIN
HAS%ONE OF THE
MOST
POWERFUL
PARTIAL
%VETO
PENS IN
THE COUNTRY.
%HE
CAN
VETO
OUT
INDIVIDUAL
WORDS
%AND
NUMBERS,
HE
CAN
GET
VERY
%CREATIVE WITH
THAT
VETO
PEN.
%SO
THAT'S
WHY
THE OFFICE OF
THE
%GOVERNOR
HAS A
LOT
OF
POWER
IN
%WISCONSIN.
%LARGELY BECAUSE OF
THAT PEN
WHEN
%IT
COMES
TO
THESE
TWO-YEAR%BUDGETS.
%IF YOU'RE
TALKING
ABOUT
VETOING
%THE
WHOLE
THING?
%IT'S
EXTREMELY
RARE.
%IN
FACT,
I
DON'T
THINK IT'S
EVER
%HAPPENED
BEFORE.
%TALKING TO
THE
LEGISLATIVE%FISCAL
BUREAU,
LEGISLATIVE
%REFERENCE BUREAU,
THEY
SAID
%SINCE
THE
STATE
STARTED
GOING
TO
%THIS
EXECUTIVE
BUDGET
BACK
IN
%1931, THERE'S
BEEN
NO BUDGET
%THAT
A
GOVERNOR
HAS
JUST
%OUTRIGHT
VETOED AS FAR AS
THEY
%KNOW, SO
IT'S
NOT
ONLY
RARE,
%IT'S NEVER
HAPPENED
BEFORE.%>>
I
S
THAT
REALLY
SOMETHING
THAT
%PEOPLE ARE
TALKING
ABOUT IN
THE
%HALLS OF
THE
CAPITOL?%>>
IT
HAPPENS
WHEN
A
BUDGET
%COMES
OUT,
THE
GOVERNOR
%THREATENS TO
THROW
OUT
WHOLE
%THING.
%HE'S NOT
THE FIRST GOVERNOR TO%DO THAT.
%AND SO
THEN
EVERYBODY
IS
JUST
%KIND OF LEFT WITH
THE
QUESTION,
%GIVEN
HOW
RARE IT
IS,
WOULD
THE
%GOVERNOR
REALLY DO
IT.
%AND SO
IN
THIS
PARTICULAR
CASE,%GOVERNOR EVERS
CAMPAIGNED
ON
%INCREASING
SPENDING
BY%$1.4 BILLION ON
EDUCATION.%IT IS
SORT OF
THE
CENTER PIECE
%OF
HIS
BUDGET.
%AND SO
HE
HAS
THIS --
BUDGET
%THAT'S $900 MILLION LESS GOOD
%ENOUGH?%>>
SO
THIS
PARTIAL
VETO THAT HE
%HAS, THOUGH, HE
CAN
CHANGE
%NUMBERS, HE
CAN
MAKE
REVENUE
--
%>>
NOT
SO
MUCH.
%IT'S HARD
TO
PUT
MONEY
BACK
INTO%THE
BUDGET.
%THERE'S A LOT
OF
THINGS
A
%GOVERNOR CAN
DO
TO
CHANGE
A
%BUDGET, BUT
PUTTING
MONEY
BACK
%IN ISN'T
REALLY ONE OF
THEM, SO
%THAT'S
THE
LIMITATIONS
O
F
HIS
%PARTIAL VETO WHEN
IT
COMES
TO
%THIS.%>> NOW
EARLIER
ON,
REPUBLICANS
%WERE TALKING ABOUT
SPLITTING
THE
%BUDGET
INTO TWO TO
SOMEHOW
%MITIGATE
A
GOVERNOR'S VETO.
%WHAT IS THAT
ALL
ABOUT
AND IS
%THAT STILL OUT THERE?
%>> AS FAR
AS I
KNOW,
THAT
IS%SOMETHING THAT
IS
STILL OUT
%THERE.
%SO WHAT
THEY
WOULD
DO
IS
SPLIT
%IT
INTO ONE
BILL
THAT HAS
ALL
%THE
APPROPRIATIONS
AND
THEN ONE
%BILL
THAT
HAS ALL
THE --
I
MEAN,
%YOU COULD CALL
IT
POLICY
BUT
ALL
%THE LANGUAGE THAT TALKS
ABOUT
%WHAT THE STATE IS
GOING
TO
DO.
%THE
BUDGET
IS
AN
ENORMOUS
%DOCUMENT, THERE'S A
LOT
OF
%LANGUAGE.
%AND
SO WHAT
HAPPENS IS,
A
%GOVERNOR
CAN ONLY
USE
THAT
%PARTIAL
VETO PEN
ON
A
BUDGET
%WHEN
THERE'S --
WHEN
IT'S
AN
%APPROPRIATION.
%YOU
TAKE
THE
APPROPRIATION OUT,
%HE
LOSES SOME OF
THAT POWER.
%BY THE
WAY,
THE
REFERENCE
BUREAU%SAYS
THEY'RE
NOT AWARE OF
THAT
%EVER
HAPPENING BEFORE
EITHER.%>>
ALL
RIGHT.
%WELL,
THIS
IS
WISCONSIN.
%SHAWN
JOHNSON, THANKS VERY
MUCH.
%THERE'S A
RENEWED
SENSE
OF
%URGENCY TO SOLVE THE
PROBLEM
OF
%CONTAMINATED
DRINKING
WATER IN%WISCONSIN.
%GOVERNOR TONY EVERS HAS DECLARED
%2019 THE YEAR OF CLEAN DRINKING%
WATER.
%REPRESENTATIVE ROBIN VOS HAS
%CREATED THE SPEAKER'S TASK FORCE%
ON WATER QUALITY.
%IN TONIGHT'S LOOK AHEAD, WE
%EXAMINE WHAT KIND OF FUNDING IS
%BEING PROPOSED.
%PLUS WE GET THE PERSPECTIVE OF
%TWO FARMERS ON THE GROUND.
%MARISA WOJCIK HAS THE STORY.
%>> CLEAN DRINKING WATER.
%FOR SOME PEOPLE IN WISCONSIN,
%THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT SAFE
%DRINKING WATER WILL COME OUT OF
%THEIR FAUCET.
%BUT FOR
MANY
OTHERS,
WORRYING%WHAT'S
FLOWING THROUGH
THE
%GROUND AND INTO
THE
PIPES IS
TOP
%OF
MIND.
%>>
WE'RE
REALLY STARTING
TO
GET%A
BETTER
UNDERSTANDING
OF
JUST%HOW
MUCH
CONTAMINATION IS
%ALREADY OUT
THERE.%TO
SOME
EXTENT,
SEPTIC
SYSTEMS
%THAT
CAN
VERY
QUICKLY
GET
INTO
%OUR
GROUNDWATER
,
ESPECIALLY PART%OF THE
STATE
LIKE
THIS,
AND
THEN
%SHOW UP
IN
PEOPLE'S
WELLS.%>>
SCOTT
AND
HIS
WIFE
CHELSEA
%CHANDLER
OWN
A
COMMUNITY
SHARES
%VEGETABLE FARM
IN
SOUTHWEST
%WISCONSIN.%>>
WE
STARTED
OUR
FARM
IN
2013,
%SO THIS
I
S
GOING
TO BE
OUR%SEVENTH SEASON,
WHICH IS
KIND OF
%CRAZY.
%>> SCOTT IS ALSO THE WATER
%PROGRAM DIRECTOR AT CLEAN
%WISCONSIN, A NON-PROFIT THAT
%ADVOCATES FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY
%FRIENDLY POLICIES IN THE STATE,
%WITH AN EMPHASIS ON
%CONSERVATION.
%FOR SCOTT AND CHELSEA, THEY%
PRACTICE WHAT THEY PREACH --%FINDIN
G HARMONY BETWEEN FOOD%PRODUCTION A
ND CONSERVATION.
%>> I THINK REALLY, ONE OF THE%
GOALS AND THEMES OF OUR FARM HAS%
BEEN TO FIND A WAY TO BALANCE
%THOSE TWO.
%>>
WITH
A
3 MONTH
OLD
DAUGHTER,
%CLEAN
DRINKING
WATER
HITS
VERY
%CLOSE TO
HOME.%>>
AS
A
MOM,
THERE'S A
LOT
%YOU'RE WORRIED
ABOUT, DON'T
WANT
%TO
ADD
CLEAN
DRINKING
WATER
TO
%THE
LIST,
%BUT IT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING%
THAT'S IN THE BACK OF YOUR MIND.
%>> A RECENT STUDY CONDUCTED IN%
THREE SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN
%COUNTIES SHOWED THAT 40% OF
%PRIVATE WELLS WERE CONTAMINATED
%BEYOND SAFE DRINKING LEVELS.
%>> THERE WERE A LOT OF CONCERNS
%FROM HOMEOWNERS AND FARMERS AND
%ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS
AND
OTHERS
%ABOUT WHAT
ACTUALLY
WAS
THE
%GROUNDWATER QUALITY.
%>> KEN BRADBURY IS THE DIRECTOR%
OF THE WISCONSIN GEOLOGICAL AND
%NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY, WHICH
%HELPED CONDUCT THE
STUDY
TO
TEST
%THESE
WELLS.
%BRADBURY AND HIS FELLOW%SCIE
NTISTS WEREN'T ALL THAT
%SURPRISED BY THE RESULTS.
%>>
THE
GEOLOGY
IN
THAT PART OF%THE
STATE I
S
FAIRLY
VULNERABLE%FOR
GROUNDWATER.
%>> BUT A LACK OF FUNDING FOR%
RESEARCH LIKE THIS MADE IT%DIFFICUL
T TO SCIENTIFICALLY%PROVE WHAT THE
Y WERE SEEING IN%BITS AND PIECES.
%>> THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT%
WE''VE HAD A VERY RIGOROUS STUDY%
TO REALLY SHOW THAT
%SCIENTIFICALLY.
%>>
I
N
TOTAL,
THE
BUDGET
PROPOSES%$83 MILLION TOWARDS
WATER
%QUALITY EFFORTS
INCLUDING AN
%ADDITIONAL $1.6 MILLION FOR THE
%WELL COMPENSATION
PROGRAM,%$10 MILLION FOR THE SOI
L
AND
%WATER
RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT
%PROGRAM, AND
NEARLY $1 MILLION
%TOWARD
DNR
REGULATION
OF
%CONCENTRATED
ANIMAL
FEED
LOTS
OR
%CAF
Os.
%THE REST OF THE
STATE
RELIES
ON
%PRIVATE
WELLS
FOR
THEIR
WATER
%SOURCE, AND IT'S UP TO
THE
%HOMEOWNER TO
TEST
FOR
%CONTAMINANTS.
%>> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE TAKE
%IT FOR GRANTED THAT THE WATER IS
%ALWAYS GOING TO BE GOOD.
%IN
FACT,
THEY
REALLY
NEED
TO
%TEST TO BE SURE.
%>> INSPIRED BY A SIMILAR STUDY%
DONE IN THE NORTHEAST SIDE OF%TH
E STATE, BRADBURY TEAMED UP
%WITH COUNTY CONSERVATIONISTS AND
%LOCAL CITIZENS FROM LAFAYETTE,
%GRANT AND IOWA COUNTIES TO FUND
%AND CONDUCT THE STUDY.
%>>
WE
THOUGHT
THERE WOULD
BE
%SOME
RESPONSE,
BUT
THE
BREADTH
%AND
MAGNITUDE OF
THE
RESPONSE
%SURPRISED
US.
%>> DAYS AFTER THE RESULTS WERE
%RELEASED, REPRESENTATIVE ROBIN%
VOS CREATED THE BIPARTISAN%SPEAKE
R''S TASK FORCE ON WATER%QUALITY.
%BUT
SOME
FARMERS
ARE
HESITANT
TO
%IMPOSE NEW
RULES TOO
BROADLY.
%>> THERE IS NOT A ONE-SIZE FITS%
ALL.
%>> JIM HOLT IS A CORN FARMER IN%
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY AND THE%PRES
IDENT OF THE WISCONSIN FARM%BUREAU
FEDERATION.
%HE DOESN'T LIKE THAT
FARMERS
ARE
%VIEWED
%AS APATHETIC TO WATER QUALITY.
%>> WE''RE SEEN AS USERS OF WATER.
%WATER IS NECESSARY FOR OUR%BU
SINESS.
%YET PEOPLE DON''T NATURALLY STEP
%BACK TO THE FACT THAT THE WATER
%THAT I
AND
MY
FAMILY
USE
O
N
AN
%EVERYDAY BASIS IS
UNDER
THIS
%LAND.%WE
ARE
THE ONES
WITH
THE
BIGGEST
%STAKE
IN WATER QUALITY.
%>> HE DOESN''T AGREE THAT FARMERS
%ARE WILLING TO SACRIFICE THE
%GROUNDWATER AROUND THEM IN
%EXCHANGE FOR HIGHER CROP YIELDS
%,
INSTEAD,
THEY
GO
HAND
IN
HAND.
%>>
FARMERS
ARE
STRUGGLING%FINANCIALLY
ACROSS
THE
COUNTRY,
%BUT WHEN
YOU
UNDERSTAND
HOW
%WATER
QUALITY
AND
HOW
%CONSERVATION
IMPACTS
US
NOT
ONLY
%TODAY BUT
NEXT
YEAR
AND
EVERY
%YEAR DOWN THE
ROAD,
YOU
%UNDERSTAND
IT'S SOMETHING
WE
%CAN'T
WALK AWAY
FROM
IN
%DIFFICULT FINANCIAL TIMES.
%>> HE DOES CONCEDE THAT%AGRI
CULTURE HAS TO TAKE SOME%RESPONSIBI
LITY FOR WATER QUALITY%PROBLEMS IN
THE STATE.
%>>
IT
ALWAYS HAS BEEN
A
%CONTRIBUTOR AND
W
E'RE
%UNDERSTANDING MORE
AND
MORE
%ABOUT IT NOW.
%AND WE''RE UNDERSTANDING THAT%
THEY''RE CERTAINLY NOT THE ONLY%
CONTRIBUTOR.%THERE''S OTHER FA
CTORS.
%>> OTHER FACTORS LIKE HUMAN
%SEPTIC
SYSTEMS.
%BUT SCOTT LAESER DOESN''T PUT AS
%MUCH STOCK IN THAT ARGUMENT.
%>> LAST YEAR IN LAFAYETTE COUNTY%
WE HAD ABOUT ONE HUNDRED AND I
%BELIVE THIRTY OR FORTY THOUSAND
%ACRES
O
F CORN
PLANTED.
%WHAT THAT GIVES US IS
%4.4 MILLION POUNDS OF NITROGEN
%THAT IS AT RISK OF GETTING INTO
%OUR GROUNDWATER, AT 105 THOUSAND%
POUNDS FROM SEPTIC SYSTEMS.
%>> THE MAJORITY OF THAT NITROGEN
%IS COMING FROM AGRICULTURAL
%SOURCES AND THERE ARE A LOT OF
%PRACTICES THAT WE KNOW CAN HELP
%MITIGATE SOME OF THAT NITROGEN%
LOSS.
%>> JIM HOLT AGREES THAT
%PRACTICES LIKE DECREASING
%NITROGEN APPLICATION, NO-TILL
%FARMING AND OTHER CONSERVATION%
PRACTICES AND NEWLY EMERGING
%TECHNIQUES ARE RESPONSIBILITIES
%THAT
FARMERS LARGE
OR
SMALL
MUST
%TAKE O
N
BUT
THEY'RE
ALREADY
%IMPLEMENTING
THESE
CONSERVATION
%PRACTICES
THEMSELVES, WHICH
IS
%WHY
HE'S
CAUTIOUS
OF
BROAD
BRUSH
%REGULATIONS.
%>>
YES,
IF
WE
HAVE
REGULATIONS
%CREATED WITH GOOD
COMMON
SENSE
%AND GOOD
SCIENCE, WE
DO
NEED
TO
%ENFORCE
THOSE, YES.%>>
MEANWHILE, THE
SPEAKERS
TASK
%FORCE
ON
WATER
QUALITY
IS
%HOLDING
HEARINGS
ACROSS THE
%STATE,
LISTENING
TO
EXPERTS
AND
%LOCAL CITIZENS ABOUT THE
VARIOUS
%WATER
QUALITY
CHALLENGES
THEY'RE
%FACING
.
%>>%>>
WE'VE
PUT
THE
BULL'S EYE ON
%OUR BACK.%>>
THERE
IS ONE THING
EVERYONE
%CAN AGREE
ON.
%>>
WATER
QUALITY IS
IMPORTANT
TO
%EVERYONE, I
T DOESN'T
MATTER
%WHICH SIDE OF THE
AISLE YOU'RE
%ON.
%>> SOMETHING LIKE
WATER
QUALITY,%IT'S HARD
FOR
PEOPLE TO
BE
%AGAINST
GOOD
WATER.%>>
MORE
AND
MORE
CITIZENS
IN
%WISCONSIN SEE
THIS
ISSUE AS
A
%TOP
PRIORITY
ISSUE.
%WE'RE FORTUNATE
TO
HAVE SAFE
%DRINKING
WATER,
BUT
NOW
HAVING
A
%DAUGHTER HAS
GIVEN
ME
A
%DIFFERENT
LEVEL OF
APPRECIATION
%FOR THE
CHALLENGES THAT
OTHER
%PEOPLE
FACE.%>>
FOR "HERE AND
NOW"
IN
%LAFAYETTE
AND EAU
CLAIRE
COUNTY,
%I'M MARISA
WOJCIK.%>>
THE
NEXT
ROUND
OF
RESULTS%FROM THE
STUDY WILL BE
RELEASED
%NEXT WEEK,
WITH
EVEN
MORE DATA
%ABOUT
SOURCES
O
F
CONTAMINATION.
%IN
WASHINGTON,
TALK
OF
%PRESIDENTIAL IMPEACHMENT IS%
HEATING UP IN SOME CIRCLES,
%INCLUDING FROM WISCONSIN
%CONGRESSMAN, DEMOCRAT, MARK%
POCAN.
%POCAN SAYS CONGRESS IS A
%CO-EQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT,
%CHARGED WITH OVERSIGHT OF THE
%EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND WITH THE
%POWER TO SUBPOENA INFORMATION
%AND INDIVIDUALS, BUT THAT THE
%PRESIDENT IS STONEWALLING
%CONGRESS.
%HOWARD SCHWEBER, A UW-MADISON
%POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR AND
%CONSTITUTIONAL LAW EXPERT, HAD%
THIS TAKE ON THE SITUATION.
%>> WHAT I THINK IS MOVING
%REPRESENTATIVE POCAN, PERHAPS
%NANCY PELOSI AND OTHERS IS MUCH
%MORE
RECENTLY, WHICH
IS THE
%PRESIDENT'S
REFUSAL
TO ALLOW
%ANYONE ASSOCIATED WITH HIS
%OFFICE, NOTABLY DON MCGAHN FOR
%EXAMPLE, TO TESTIFY TO CONGRESS
%RESPONDS TO
A
SUBPOENA.
%DEFYING A
SUBPOENA, WHETHER IT'S
%A
VIOLATION OF
THE
CONSTITUTION,
%IT'S KIND OF AN INSULT TO%CO
NGRESS AT LEAST SOME MEMBERS%OF CON
GRESS TAKE INSULTS TO
%THEMSELVES AND THEIR INSTITUTION%
SHALL WE SAY AT LEAST AS%SERIOU
SLY AS THEY TAKE ON ISSUES
%OF LEGALITY AND RIGHTLY SO.
%
IT'S NOT JUST A MATTER OF PIQUE.
%IT'S A MATTER OF SEPARATION OF%
POWERS.
%>>
NOW
FOR
A
LOOK
DOWN
THE
%TRACKS TO
THE 2020
CONVENTION,%MILWAUKEE MAY NOT BE
ABLE
TO
%EXPAND
ITS
STREETCAR
ROUTE
AHEAD
%OF
NEXT
SUMMER'S
DEMOCRATIC
%NATIONAL CONVENTION.
%CITY
OFFICIALS WANTED
TO
EXPAND
%THE 2-MILE
STRETCH OF
TRACK
TO
%REACH THE
LOCATION OF
THE
%CONVENTION, BUT A
COMMITTEE
VOTE%THIS WEEK
PUT
THE
BRAKES ON THE
%PLAN FOR NOW.
%AMONG THE CONCERNS WERE HOW TO
%PAY FOR THE STREETCAR, AND HOW
%TO MAKE SURE AREAS OUTSIDE OF
%DOWNTOWN BENEFIT FROM THE
%EXPANSION.
%WITH
THE
VOTE,
THE
FULL
COUNCIL
%WILL LIKELY
NOT
HEAR
THE
PLAN
%BEFORE
JUNE.
%AND THAT
IS
OUR
PROGRAM
FOR
%TONIGHT.
%I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
%HAVE A
GREAT
WEEKEND.
%♪
%[MUSIC]
%>>
FUNDING
FOR "HERE AND NOW"
IS
%PROVIDED
IN
PART
BY
FRIENDS
OF
%WISCONSIN
PUBLIC
TELEVISION.