% >> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A
% PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
% PRODUCTION.
% >> WITH REVISED RESPECT.
% >> THE RESPECT SPHERE MARRIAGE
% ACT CLEARS ITS FINAL HURDLES IN
% CONGRESS AND FEDERAL RECOGNITION
% OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE HEADS TO
% THE PRESIDENT DESK.
% AND IN WISCONSIN, DEMOCRATS AND
% REPUBLICANS GEAR UP FOR 2023 AND
% WHAT TO DO WITH AN HISTORIC
% BUDGET SURPLUS.
% I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
% TONIGHT WE RETURN TO NELSONVILLE
% TO INVESTIGATE WHERE NITRATE
% CONTAMINATION IS COMING FROM AND
% HEAR FROM THE DNR IN ITS ROLE IN
% WATER REGULATION.
% JASON STEIN ON WHAT HE CALLS AN
% ASTOUNDING BUDGET SURPLUS AND
% STATE PARTY LEADERSHIP
% FORESHADOW PRIORITIES FOR THE
% COMING YEAR.
% IT'S "HERE AND NOW" FOR
% DECEMBER 9TH.
% >> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS
% PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
% JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS
% WISCONSIN.
% >> ON THIS PROGRAM LAST WEEK, WE
% HEARD FROM A VILLAGE WHOSE
% PRIVATE WELL WATER IS
% CONTAMINATED WITH NITRATE.
% THIS WEEK, "HERE AND NOW"
% REPORTER NATHAN DENZIN TAKES US
% BACK TO NELSONVILLE TO FIND OUT
% WHERE THE NITRATE IS COMING FROM
% AND WHAT RESIDENTS CAN DO ABOUT
% THEIR CONTAMINATED WATER.
% >> IT DOESN'T TASTE ANY
% DIFFERENT.
% IT DOESN'T LOOK ANY DIFFERENT.
% NO SMELL TO IT.
% IT TASTES GREAT.
% >> WHAT HE FOUND OUT IS HIS
% FAMILY'S PRIVATE WELL WATER HAD
% UNSAFE NITRATE LEVELS, A PROBLEM
% RESIDENTS IN THE SMALL VILLAGE
% OF NELSONVILLE IN PORTAGE COUNTY
% LEARNED ABOUT BACK IN 2018.
% THE TWO CONTRIBUTORS UNDER THE
% MICRO SCOPE MANURE FROM FARM
% ANIMALS OR SEPTIC SYSTEMS THAT
% LEAK HUMAN WASTE.
% PORTAGE COUNTY WATER RESOURCE
% SPECIALIST JEN MCNELLY SAYS
% SCIENTIFIC WATER TESTING SHOWED
% NIGH RATES ARE LARGELY COMING
% FROM AGRICULTURE.
% >> PROBABLY NOT BY AND LARGE THE
% LARGEST CONTRIBUTING SOURCE OF
% IT IS SEWER.
% >> GORDONDALE FARMS WITH OVER
% 1,000 COWS.
% ITS OWNER AND HIS FAMILY HAVE
% BEEN FARMING THIS LAND NEAR
% NELSONVILLE SINCE 1900.
% >> I THINK WE HAVE TO BE REALLY
% CAREFUL WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE
% SCIENCE SHOWS.
% WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE MORE
% RESEARCH ON THAT.
% THEY SEEM TO HAVE DISMISSED
% SEPTIC.
% >> GORDON SAYS HE ACCEPTS
% FARMING FROM IMPACT DRINKING
% WATER BUT HE IS NOT CONVINCED
% HIS OWN FARM IS.
% >> OUR TAKE ON THE NITRATES FROM
% OUR STANDPOINT IS OUR FARM HAS
% ALWAYS HAD A PLAN SINCE 1981 AND
% FOLLOWED EVERY REGULATION PUT
% FORTH TO US.
% SO TO BE HONEST, IT IS QUITE A
% PUZZLE.
% WHERE IS IT COMING FROM?
% WHAT IS THE DEAL?
% >> BY ALL ACCOUNTS GORDONDALE
% FARMS HAS FOLLOWED EVERY DNR
% NITRATE REGULATION AND IN RECENT
% YEARS GONE FURTHER.
% IN MOST PLOTS NEAR THE VILLAGE,
% GORDON SAYS HIS FARM PLANTS
% ALFALFA OR ITALIAN RYE GRASS
% THAT SOAK UP MORE NITRATE IN
% SOIL THAN CORN.
% DESPITE THE EFFORTS AND ABIDING
% BY REGULATIONS AGRICULTURE
% REMAINS THE LIKELY CULPRIT IN
% PART BECAUSE DNR RULES DON'T
% ACCOUNT FOR THE SANDY SOILS IN
% THE REGION.
% ALSO WATER FLOW ITSELF AFFECTS
% WHAT KIND OF WASTE, AGRICULTURAL
% OR SEPTIC, IS ENDING UP IN
% WELLS.
% PETE ARNTSEN IS A HYDROLOGIST
% FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP.
% >> BECAUSE OF THE HYDRO GEOLOGY
% THE WATER FROM THE SEPTIC SYSTEM
% PASSES ABOVE ALL THE WELLS AND
% DISCHARGES TO THE RIVER AND
% REALLY ISN'T THE ISSUE.
% >> BECAUSE WELLS DRAW FROM
% GROUNDWATER, CONTAMINATION CAN
% COME FROM MILES AWAY AND TAKE
% YEARS TO END UP IN THE DRINKING
% WATER.
% AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES LIKE THE
% ONES GORDON HAS TURNED TO CAN
% REDUCE THE NITRATES IN PRIVATE
% WELLS.
% BUT ACCORDING TO SCIENTIST
% GEORGE KRAFT IT CAN ALSO TAKE
% YEARS.
% EVEN DECADES.
% >> I THINK WE'D BE ALMOST OUT OF
% THE WOODS, SIGNIFICANTLY IN 8,
% 10 YEARS AND MAYBE MOSTLY OR
% ENTIRELY IN 2025.
% >> IN AUGUST, THE DNR TOLD
% GORDONDALE FARMS IT HAD TO
% INSTALL THREE MONITORING WELLS
% ON ITS PROPERTY.
% GORDON IS FIGHTING THAT IN
% COURT.
% FOR ITS PART, THE VILLAGE ALSO
% HOPES TO USE A QUARTER MILLION
% DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO
% INSTALL ITS OWN MONITORING
% WELLS.
% SO FIGHTS OVER THE MONITORING
% WELLS AND WHO IS AT FAULT FOR
% THE CONTAMINATION IS FRAC
% TOURING THE COMMUNITY.
% >> I WOULD SAY THAT A LOT OF
% PEOPLE ARE ANGRY.
% >> LISA ANDERSON IS A CLEAN
% WATER ADVOCATE WHO LIVES IN
% NELSONVILLE.%>> WE HAVE BEEN
ACCUSED OF
% HAVING AN AGENDA.
% WE'VE BEEN TARGETED ON SOCIAL
% MEDIA.
% >> TEMPERS ARE DEFINITELY HIGH.
% >> I'M SURE -- WE EITHER GET A
% PLUGGED NOSE OR GET A FINGER.
% THE SAD PART, WE'RE BUSY
% FIGHTING EACH OTHER.
% I UNDERSTAND CLEAN WATER IS
% EVERYONE'S RIGHT, BUT IF YOU ARE
% GOING TO LIVE OUT HERE IN
% PARADISE, IT'S YOUR
% RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF
% YOUR WELL AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR
% SEPTIC SYSTEM.
% >> THE SPEND $10,000 ON A WELL
% FOR MOST OF US IS A MAJOR
% EXPENSE AND MANY CAN'T AFFORD
% IT.
% AND I THINK MANY OF US FEEL LIKE
% WHY SHOULD WE HAVE TO?
% >> GORDON ALSO SAYS HE CAN'T
% AFFORD THE MONITORING WELLS HE
% IS ORDERED TO DIG AND IT COULD
% PUT HIM OUT OF BUSINESS.
% VILLAGE RESIDENTS SAY THEY DON'T
% WANT THAT.
% THEY JUST WANT CLEAN WATER.
% >> I'M NOT ANTI-AG.
% JUST GET THAT OUT OF THE WAY.
% IT'S NOT THE FARMER AT ALL.
% THEY ARE WORKING AS HARD AS THEY
% CAN TO MAKE A GOOD LIVING AND
% THAT'S FAIR.
% >> STILL, RESIDENTS SAY THE
% STATE SHOULD IMPOSE NEW
% REGULATIONS FOR THE CENTRAL
% SANDS REGION TO PROTECT THE
% GROUNDWATER.%>> THE RULE IS T
HE PROBLEM.
% SO THE DNR NEEDS TO STEP UP AND
% FIX THIS ISSUE IN MY MIND.
% >> FOR "HERE AND NOW" I'M NATHAN
% DENZIN IN NELSONVILLE.
% >> A DECISION WHETHER GORDON
% SHOULD PAY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF
% MONITORING WELLS ON HIS PROPERTY
% IS EXPECTED IN COURT OVER THE
% NEXT FEW MONTHS.
% AS WE JUST HEARD, SOME PRIVATE
% WELL OWNERS IN NELSONVILLE SAY
% THE RULES ARE THE PROBLEM AND
% CALL ON THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT
% OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR HELP IN
% ADDRESSING NITRATE CONTAMINATION
% THERE AND ACROSS THE STATE.
% WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO HELP AND
% WHAT MORE REMEDIATION IS IN THE
% OFFING?
% WE TURNED TO JIM ZELLMER, DEPUTY
% ADMINISTRATOR IN THE DNR'S
% ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
% DIVISION.%THANK YOU FOR BEIN
G HERE.
% >> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
% >> SO WE KNOW THE UPDATE TO THE
% DNR RULES FOR WATER QUALITY THAT
% WERE TO ADDRESS NITRATES IN
% AREAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO GROUNDWATER
% CONTAMINATION DID NOT HAPPEN.
% YET THAT IS WHAT CONCERNED
% PEOPLE IN PLACES LIKE
% NELSONVILLE ARE CALLING FOR.
% WHAT CAN YOU TELL THEM?
% >> SURE.
% AS YOU MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, WE
% HAD STARTED THE RULEMAKING A
% COUPLE YEARS BACK AND BROUGHT
% STAKEHOLDERS TOGETHER TO TRY TO
% ESTABLISH TARGETED PERFORMANCE
% STANDARDS FOR AREAS THAT ARE
% SUSCEPTIBLE TO GROUNDWATER
% CONTAMINATION.
% UN WE RAN OUT OF TIME.
% JUST COULD NOT REACH CONSENSUS
% WITH ALL OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS TO
% MOVE THE RULE FORWARD.
% SO WE STOPPED OUR RULEMAKING.
% WE CONTINUED THE DISCUSSIONS
% WORKING WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS ON
% MAKING PROGRESS.
% REALLY FOR THAT SHARED GOAL OF
% REDUCING NITRATE CONTAMINATION
% TO THE GROUNDWATER.
% >> HAS THAT WORKED, WORKING
% THROUGH IT EVEN IN THE ABSENCE
% OF THE ENACTMENT OF THOSE
% UPDATED RULES?
% >> YEAH, WE CONTINUE TO WORK
% WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS AND WE
% HAVE BEEN VERY IMPRESSED.
% OBVIOUSLY WITH WORK WITH OUR
% SISTER AGENCY THE DEPARTMENT OF
% AG AND ALSO WITH THE UNIVERSITY
% OF WISCONSIN ON REALLY PROVIDING
% THE AGRI-BUSINESS WITH THE
% SCHOOLS THEY NEED TO PROPERLY
% MANAGE, TO APPLY THEIR
% FERTILIZER, BE IT EITHER IN
% COMMERCIAL OR MANURE TO MAKE THE
% MAXIMUM USE OF IT AND MAKE IT
% AVAILABLE FOR THE CROPS BUT NOT
% TO RESULT IN LEACHING TO THE
% GROUNDWATER.
% AND WE'VE SEEN SOME VERY GOOD
% SUCCESS WITH -- WE HAVE OUR
% DEPARTMENT OF AG HAS
% PRODUCER-LED WATERSHED GROUPS
% ACROSS THE STATE.
% WE HAVE WELL OVER 40 OF THESE
% GROUPS THAT ARE -- THIS IS
% REALLY FARMERS TALKING THE
% FARMERS.
% LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER WHAT
% WORKS, WHAT DOESN'T.
% WE'RE SEEING SOME GOOD SUCCESS
% WITH THAT.
% >> WOULDN'T IT BE IMPORTANT IN
% YOUR MIND TO HAVE THE UPDATED
% RULES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
% ATTAIN AND MAINTAIN CLEAN
% DRINKING WATER?
% OR ARE WE OKAY WHERE WE ARE WITH
% THE STATUS QUO?
% >> YEAH.
% WE CONTINUE TO EVALUATE THAT.
% WE'RE WORKING -- LIKE I SAID
% RIGHT NOW WITH OUR PARTNERS TO
% FURTHER THAT INITIATIVE.
% ALSO SPECIFICALLY TO, YOU KNOW,
% UP IN THE NELSONVILLE AREA WHERE
% YOUR REPORT HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON,
% WE'RE JUST IN THE EARLY STAGES
% OF WORKING WITH THE PORTAGE
% COUNTY LAND AND WATER
% CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT TO
% DEVELOP A GEOGRAPHIC PLAN FOR
% THE WATERSHED TO LOOK AT THE
% CAUSES.% WE KNOW SOME OF TH
E CAUSES OF
% THE NITRATE CONTAMINATION AND
% THEN LOOK AT WHAT PRACTICES CAN
% BE PUT IN PLACE TO ADDRESS THOSE
% PROBLEMS.%IN THAT PLAN WILL
BE MILESTONES
% AND THEN ALSO A CHECKING BACK
% AND REPORTING TO SEE WHAT'S
% WORKING AND WHAT'S NOT.
% AND THEN MOVING FORWARD TO, YOU
% KNOW, FIND PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES
% THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO
% REDUCE THE NITRATE
% CONTAMINATION.
% >> GIVEN EXPERTS DECLARE NITRATE
% CONTAMINATION IS WISCONSIN'S
% MOST COMMON GROUNDWATER
% CONTAMINANT ARE THESE
% CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING
% OPERATIONS GETTING NEW SCRUTINY?
% >> THEY CONTINUE TO GET
% SCRUTINY.
% THEY HAVE BEEN HEAVILY
% SCRUTINIZED AND CONTINUE TO BE
% SCRUTINIZED.
% WE'RE VERY ENCOURAGED BY A
% NUMBER OF THE CAFO'S, WE HAVE
% EIGHT NOW WORKING ON WASTE WATER
% TREATMENT FACILITIES FOR THEIR
% OPERATION AND WE ALSO HAVE A NEW
% ORGANIC BIO DIGESTER THAT HAS
% BEEN PUT IN OPERATION IN BROWN
% COUNTY THAT, I BELIEVE, BRINGS
% IN MANURE FROM 14 NEARBY FARMERS
% THAT THEY THEN TREAT THE MANURE
% AND THEN THEY TREAT THE -- THEY
% GENERATE GAS THAT IS PUT INTO
% OUR NATURAL GAS PIPING SO WE CAN
% USE IT TO HEAT OUR HOMES.
% ALSO THEY CONCENTRATE THE
% NITROGEN AND USE IT AGAIN FOR
% FERTILIZER AND THE SOLIDS CAN BE
% USED FOR BEDDING AND OTHER
% PURPOSES ON THE FARM.
% VERY ENCOURAGING SOME OF THE
% THINGS GOING ON.
% >> FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM
% CONTAMINATED WELLS RIGHT NOW, I
% KNOW THERE IS A NEW WELCOME PEN
% -- WELL COMPENSATION PROGRAM.
% >> GOVERNOR EVERS ALLOTTED $10
% MILLION TO EXPAND THE WELL
% COMPENSATION PROGRAM THAT CAN BE
% USED FOR DRILLING A NEW WELL
% DEEPER TO FIND A SAFE SOURCE OF
% WATER OR CONNECTING TO A PRIVATE
% WELL OR PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY OR
% TREATMENT.%WE REALLY ENCOURAG
E FOLKS.
% SO FAR WE'VE -- THERE IS ENOUGH
% MONEY THERE TO FUND IN EXCESS OF
% 1600 WELL REPLACEMENTS.
% SO FAR WE'VE ONLY HAD 40
% APPLICANTS.% SO WE REALLY E
NCOURAGE PEOPLE
% THAT ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS
% WITH THEIR PRIVATE WELLS, THAT
% THEY CONTACT US.
% THEY CAN GO ON OUR WEBSITE AT
% DNR.WI.GOV, TYPE IN WELL COMP AN
% THE FIRST THING THAT COMES UP
% WILL BE THE WELL COMPENSATION
% PROGRAM.
% ELIGIBILITY.
% AB
% ABLE -- APPLICATION PROCESS AND
% EASY TO FILL OUT.
% WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO USE THAT
% PROGRAM.%THANK YOU SO MUCH.
% >> WISCONSIN IS IN THE BEST
% FINANCIAL SITUATION IN THE
% HISTORY OF THE STATE ACCORDING
% TO STATE OFFICIALS.
% WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A PROJECTED
% $6.5 BILLION STATE BUDGET
% SURPLUS.
% THAT'S 6.5 BILLION WITH A B.
% IN THE REPORT "HERE AND NOW"
% REPORTER STEVEN POTTER EXPLORES
% HOW THE STATE CHECKING ACCOUNT
% ENDED UP SO FAR IN THE BLACK AND
% WHAT MAY EFFECT THE STATE'S
% FINANCES GOING FORWARD.
% >> THE STATE IN THE CURRENT
% FISCAL YEAR IN JULY MORE MONEY
% THAN STATE AGENCIES WERE
% ALLOCATED FOR THEIR NEEDS.
% YOUR HOUSEHOLD BUDGET.
% PLANS FOR THE BILLS YOU HAVE AND
% PAY THEM WHEN DUE.
% YOU GET A SURPRISE.
% A LUMP SUMP PAYMENT RIGHT AFTER
% YOU PAY THE BILLS.
% IN THE STATE'S CASE IT'S
% 6.5 BILLION.
% ANALYSTS SAY THE REASON STATE
% COFFERS ARE OVERFLOWING ARE
% BECAUSE OF THREE FACTORS.
% INFLUX OF FEDERAL FUNDS FROM
% COVID RELIEF BILLS THAT OFF SET
% COSTS LIKE MEDICAID.
% ELECTED LEADERS HAVE KEPT TIGHT
% CONTROLS OVER AGENCY SPENDING A
% CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN TAX
% REVENUE, SALES TAX AND
% INVESTMENT AND CORPORATE TAXES.
% OF COURSE, INFLATION IS PLAYING
% A MAJOR PART IN THIS BALLOONING
% BUDGET SURPLUS.
% THE MORE PEOPLE SPEND, THE MORE
% TAXES ARE COLLECTED.
% OFFICIALS WAR THE PROJECTED
% SURPLUS IS NOT GUARANTEED AND
% THE END AMOUNT MAY BE SMALLER.
% FACTORS INCLUDE A POSSIBLE
% RECESSION NEXT YEAR AS WELL AS
% ECONOMIC DISRUPTIONS WITH THE
% ONGOING WAR IN UKRAINE.
% VOLATILITY OF BUSINESS AND STOCK
% MARKET COULD LEAD THE LESS
% CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT TAXES
% BEING TAKEN IN.
% >> 2010-11 --
% >> THIS SURPLUS IS IN CONTRAST
% TO YEARS PAST WHEN ELECTED
% LEADERS FACED BUDGET SHORTFALLS
% AND DEFICITS.
% REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH EXTRA
% SURPLUS THE STATE ENDS UP HAVING
% WE CAN BE SURE OF ONE THICK, THE
% STATES ELECTED LEADERS WILL
% ARGUE HOW TO SPEND IT.
% FOR "HERE AND NOW" I'M STEVEN
% POTTER.
% >> IN A NEW REPORT TITLED THE
% ASTOUNDING STATE SURPLUS THE
% WISCONSIN FORUM RESEARCH
% DIRECTOR SAYS THE PROJECTIONS OF
% A 6.5 BILLION SURPLUS ARE USEFUL
% BUT FAR FROM CERTAIN.
% WE CHECK IN NOW WITH JASON STEIN
% FOR MORE ON THE IMPLICATIONS FOR
% STATE SPENDING AND TAXING.
% JASON, NICE TO SEE YOU.
% >> NICE TO SEE YOU.
% >> YOU HAVE COVERED AND
% RESEARCHED WISCONSIN STATE
% BUDGETS FOR A WHILE.
% AS YOU SAW THESE PROJECTIONS
% GROW, DID IT SURPRISE YOU?
% >> ABSOLUTELY.
% I THINK WHEN WE THINK ABOUT TWO
% YEARS AGO WHEN WE WERE AT THIS
% POINT, THINGS DID NOT REALLY
% LOOK THAT GOOD FOR THE STATE.
% THEN WE HAD TWO VERY LARGE
% FEDERAL PIECES OF LEGISLATION,
% THE APPROPRIATIONS ACT AND
% AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT THAT
% JUICED THE ECONOMY.
% THEY SHOT STATE TAX COLLECTIONS
% UPWARD AND DESPITE INFLATION,
% THE STATE REALLY HASN'T SPENT A
% TON OF THAT MONEY.
% SO THAT WE FIND OURSELVES HERE
% WITH THIS REMARKABLE SURPLUS.
% >> HERE WE ARE.
% ASTOUNDING SURPLUS.
% WE DETAILED AND YOU EXPRESSED
% SOME OF THE REASONS THAT THE
% STATE COFFERS ARE SO FAT LIKE
% THE COVID FUNDS AND AN INCREASE
% IN SALES TAX REVENUE.
% BUT WHAT KIND OF CHOICES, THEN,
% DO LEGISLATIVE BUDGET WRITERS
% MAKE WITH THIS MONEY?
% >> WELL, THEY REALLY HAVE AN
% UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL OF CHOICE.
% CLEARLY YOU'VE SEEN THE GOVERNOR
% AND LAWMAKERS TALK ABOUT SOME
% SORT OF TAX CUTS BOTH THE
% PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX IS
% SOMETHING MENTIONED AS WELL AS
% INCOME TAX CUTS.
% I WOULD STAY TUNED FOR BOTH OF
% THOSE THINGS.
% AND THEN WE HAVE HAD A WORLD
% WHERE IT'S 8% INFLATION AND YET
% LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND SCHOOLS
% HAVE SEEN FAIRLY TIGHT LIMITS ON
% THEIR STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING.
% THEY HAVE GOTTEN FEDERAL
% PANDEMIC FUNDSING BUT IT'S ALSO
% RUNNING OUT.
% ONE KEY QUESTION IS DOES THE
% STATE TRY TO LOOK AT SOME OF
% THOSE ISSUES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL
% AND TRY AND STEP IN AND ASSIST
% THE LOCAL OFFICIALS.
% >> FOR SURE WE KNOW THAT
% MUNICIPALITIES HAVE BEEN CRYING
% OUT FOR MORE SHARED REVENUE.
% WOULD NOW BE THE TIME PERHAPS
% BOTH WITH ONE-TIME AND MORE
% SUSTAINABLE FUNDING GOING
% FORWARD?
% >> RIGHT.
% THERE ALWAYS OPTIONS THAT STATE
% OFFICIALS HAVE.
% ONE THING THAT LOCAL OFFICIALS
% HAVE SOUGHT IS THE ABILITY TO
% LEVY THEIR OWN SALES TAX.
% CITIES AND VILLAGES SHOULD BE
% ABLE TO DO THAT.
% THE LEGISLATURE AT LEAST
% REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE
% HAVE BEEN PRETTY RELUCTANT TO
% TAKE THAT ON.
% SO TO THEM INCREASING STATE AID
% TO MUNICIPALITIES MAY SEEM LIKE
% A COMPROMISE POSITION.
% WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE
% MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR SURPLUS WE
% HAVE, IN YEAR ONE OF THE BUDGET,
% INCREASING SHARED REVENUE BY
% EVEN 10% WOULD BE SOMETHING LIKE
% $80 MILLION AND $160 IN YEAR
% TWO.
% IN A NORMAL WORLD THAT'S A LOT
% OF MONEY.
% BUT IN THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCE
% IT IS NOT AS MUCH AS IT
% TYPICALLY WOULD BE.
% >> THEY'VE ALSO ASKED FOR AGAIN
% THIS KIND OF SUSTAINABLE FUNDING
% MECHANISM AND THAT WOULD BE LIKE
% THE LOCAL SALES TAX.
% >> RIGHT.
% YOU KNOW, THE STATE WOULD HAVE
% THE OPTION OF EVEN LAWMAKERS WHO
% ARE CONCERNED ABOUT RAISING
% TAXES COULD COMBINE A LOCAL
% SALES TAX WITH, SAY, INCOME TAX
% CUTS AT THE STATE LEVEL AND
% LEAVE TAXPAYERS AT LEAST IN THE
% STATE AS A WHOLE BETTER OFF OR
% PAYING LOWER TAXES.
% BUT OF COURSE SALES TAX WILL
% HAVE MORE IMPACT ON PEOPLE AT
% THE LOWER END OF THE INCOME
% SCALES.
% IT IS MORE REGRESSIVE.
% SO THERE WILL BE A LOT OF
% DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT, I THINK.
% >> STEPPING BACK A LITTLE BIT,
% WHAT DO YOU REGARD AS THE
% BIGGEST NEED AREAS.
% >> GREAT QUESTION.
% AGAIN, SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN AT
% THEIR STATE AND LOCAL REVENUE
% LIMITS HAVE BEEN FROZEN FOR TWO
% YEARS.
% AND IS SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT
% -- THE FEDERAL PANDEMIC AID IS
% RUNNING OUT.
% THAT'S A MAJOR ISSUE.
% YOU SEE AT -- IN TERMS OF PUBLIC
% SAFETY YOU SEE CITIES AND
% VILLAGES GOING TO REFERENDUM
% ASKING VOTERS TO APPROVE RAISING
% THEIR OWN PROPERTY TAXES THE PAY
% FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.
% AND YOU SEE IN SOME COMMUNITIES
% THAT THAT HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER,
% WHICH IS PRETTY NEW.
% YOU DON'T SEE THE LEVEL OF OTHER
% LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFERENDA.
% THOSE THINGS THAT STEP OUT.
% WE HAVE HIGHER EDUCATION, WE
% HAVE TURNOVER WITHIN STATE AND
% LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND THEN WE
% HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AS
% WELL.%>> WE NEED A LOT OF MO
NEY TO DO
% A LOT OF THINGS AS ALWAYS IN A
% STATE BUDGET.
% BUT AS WE HAVE POINTED OUT, IT
% IS NOT LIKELY TO BE SMOOTH
% SAILING BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND
% REPUBLICAN BUDGET WRITERS.
% FOR EXAMPLE ON THINGS LIKE
% MEDICAID EXPANSION FOR AS WE'VE
% DISCUSSED SCHOOL FUNDING.
% >> ABSOLUTELY.
% SO ONE THING TO UNDERSTAND YOUR
% MEDICAID, THE SECOND BIGGEST
% EXPENSE FOR THE STATE
% HEALTHCARE, JUST TO KEEP CURRENT
% SERVICES THE SAME WOULD BE $3
% QUARTER OF A BILLION OVER THE
% NEXT TWO YEARS.
% AT THE SAME TIME THERE IS THIS
% OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND THE
% PROGRAM AND PULL IN ADDITIONAL
% FEDERAL MONEY THROUGH THE
% FEDERAL AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND
% THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT,
% LIKE A BILLION AND A HALF OVER
% TWO YEARS.
% THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE
% REPUBLICANS HAVE TURNED DOWN IN
% THE PAST.
% BUT I THINK THERE IS ALSO AN
% UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY FOR %
HORSE TRADING IN THIS BUDGET.
% SO EVEN THOUGH YOU WOULDN'T
% EXPECT THAT TO BE ON THE TABLE,
% PERHAPS IT MIGHT.
% >> I DOUBT IT.
% I'M SORRY, THANKS VERY MUCH.
% >> THANK YOU.
% >> DEMOCRATS IN THE WISCONSIN
% LEGISLTURE WILL HEAD INTO THE
% NEXT SESSION WITH EVEN SMALLER
% MINORITIES BUT THE LEADERS OF
% THE PARTY IN THE SENATE AND
% ASSEMBLY SAY THEY STILL
% REPRESENT THE MAJORITY OF THE
% STATE.
% "HERE AND NOW" SENIOR POLITICAL
% REPORTER ZAC SCHULTZ RECENTLY
% SAT DOWN WITH SENATOR MELISSA
% AGARD AND REPRESENTATIVE GRETA
% NEUBAUER AND HAS THIS STORY.
% >> SENATOR AGARD IS STILL
% GETTING USED TO HER NEW OFFICE
% AND NEW POSITION AS THE
% DEMOCRATIC MINORITY LEADER.
% >> IT FEELS A BIT LIKE DRINKING
% FROM A FIRE HOSE BUT I'M READY.
% >> WITH ONLY 11 MEMBERS THE
% DEMOCRATS ARE POWERLESS TO PASS
% LEGISATION.
% AGARD POINTS TO THE STATEWIDE
% WIN BY GOVERNOR TONY EVERS TO
% SHOW DEMOCRATS REPRESENT THE
% VALUE OF THE MAJORITY OF
% WISCONSIN.
% >> ULTIMATELY WE MAY HOLD THE
% MINORITY OF SEATS IN THE STATE
% OF WISCONSIN, BUT WE KNOW THAT
% WE HOLD THE MAJORITY OF THE
% HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE
% STATE OF WISCONSIN IN THE WORK
% WE'RE DOING.
% >> DEMOCRATS BLAMED
% REDISTRICTING MAPS FOR THEIR
% MINORITY STATUS.
% REPRESENTATIVE GRETA NEUBAUER IS
% THE MINORITY LEADER IN THE
% ASSEMBLY FOR THE DEMOCRATS.
% IT WAS A CHALLENGE TO FIND
% DEMOCRATS TO RUN FOR OFFICE.
% >> WE ARE IN INCREDIBLY
% POLARIZED PARTISAN TIMES AND IT
% WAS HARD TO BOTH RECRUIT PEOPLE
% TO RUN, PARTICULARLY WOMEN,
% BECAUSE THEY KNEW THAT THEY AND
% THEIR FAMILY MAY FACE THREATS.
% AND THAT UNFORTUNATELY DID BEAR
% OUT THIS CYCLE FOR CANDIDATES,
% FOR VOLUNTEERS.
% >> ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS WON 35
% SEATS JUST ENOUGH TO PREVENT A
% REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY THAT
% WOULD ALLOW THE GOP TO OVERRIDE
% ANY OF EVERS' VETOES.
% IF TWO MEMBERS ARE MISSING THE
% GOP WOULD HAVE ENOUGH.
% >> OUR CAUCUS UNDERSTANDS ONE OF
% OUR TOP PRIORITIES FOR THE
% SESSION IS BEING HERE IN MADISON
% TO MAKE SURE THAT IF REPUBLICANS
% ARE TRYING TO OVERRIDE GOVERNOR
% EVERS' VETOES AND MOVE OUR STATE
% BACKWARDS WE'RE HERE TO PROTECT
% THOSE VETOES.
% >> NEUBAUER TOOK OVER AS LEADER
% PART WAY THROUGH THE LAST
% SESSION.
% THIS IS HER FIRST FULL TERM IN
% CHARGE AND SHE AND AGARD
% UNDERSTANDS DEMOCRATS IN THE
% MINORITY NEED TO BE MORE THAN
% THE PARTY OF NO.
% >> WE KNOW THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE
% ARE FRUSTRATED WITH POLITICS
% RIGHT NOW AND I THINK OUR
% RESPONSIBILITY IS TO PASS POLICY
% IN THE CAPITOL THAT MAKES
% PEOPLE'S LIVES BETTER AND SHOWS
% THAT GOVERNMENT CAN AND MUST BE
% A FORCE FOR GOOD.
% >> THEY HOPE THE BUDGET WILL
% CREATE SPACES FOR COMPROMISE ON
% THINGS LIKE INCREASING SHARED
% REVENUE.
% >> SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL
% GOVERNMENTS IS AT THE TOP OF THE
% PILE OF THINGS WE CAN AGREE ON.
% IT IS WHETHER, YOU KNOW, SO WE
% HAVE THE ENDPOINT HOW DO WE GET
% THERE AND THE PATHS WE USE TO
% MOVE FORWARD?
% THAT'S TO BE CONTINUED.
% >> AGARD HOPES TO BREAK THE
% INPASS IN THE SENATOR OF
% !ONFIRMING GOVERNOR EVERS'
% APPOINTEES.
% REPUBLICANS HAVE REFUSED TO HAVE
% VOTES.
% >> BASED ON WHAT I HEAR FROM
% COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF
% THE AISLE WE'RE READY TO START
% MOVING FORWARD.
% LET'S BRING IT TO THE FLOOR AND
% DEBATE IT AND LET'S VOTE UP OR
% DOWN.
% IF THE MAJORITY PARTY DOES FEEL
% LIKE THE PERSON IS NOT THE RIGHT
% FIT, HOLDING THEM IN THIS WEIRD
% LIMBO ISN'T GOING TO HELP THE
% STATE OF WISCONSIN.
% >> THERE IS ONE AREA WHERE
% DEMOCRATS ARE NOT LOOKING FOR
% COMMON GROUND, ABORTION.
% >> THERE ARE SOME ISSUES WHERE
% THERE IS NO ROOM FOR COMPROMISE.
% A PERSONAL HEALTHCARE DECISION,
% NOT A PLACE WHERE POLITICIANS
% BELONG AND SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES
% ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE
% HAVE SUGGESTED THAT WE ALSO
% INCLUDE IN THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE
% NOT JUST POLITICIANS BUT POLICE
% OFFICER.
% >> REPUBLICANS TALK ABOUT
% PASSING A BILL TO MODIFIED THE
% LAW BANNING ABORTIONS TO PROVIDE
% EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE OR INCEST.
% >> AS ONE OF THE 50% OF PEOPLE
% IN WISCONSIN WHO LOST A CONCRETE
% RIGHT IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE
% HEARD FROM PEOPLE ACROSS THE
% STATE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT
% WE KEEP FIGHTING FOR COME
% PREHENCEIVE ACCESS TO
% REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE.
% EXCEPTIONS ARE NOT COME
% PREHENCEIVE AND WE KNOW THAT.
% >> DEMOCRATS WANT TO KEEP THE
% CURRENT LAW IN PLACE WHILE THEY
% WAIT FOR LEGAL CHALLENGES.
% THAT LEADS TO THE OTHER
% PRIORITY, ELECTING A LIBERAL TO
% THE SUPREME COURT IN APPEAR --
% APRIL.% >> WE WANT TO ELECT
A JUSTICE
% WHO WILL PUT THE PEOPLE OF
% WISCONSIN OVER THEIR PARTY.
% >> A LIBERAL MAJORITY ON THE
% COURT COULD WRITE NEW
% LEGISLATIVE MAPS IN WISCONSIN
% GIVING DEMOCRATS A CHANCE TO WIN
% MORE SEATS AND GET MORE SWAY AT
% THE CAPITOL.
% >> ABORTION RIGHTS,
% REDISTRICTING, UNION RIGHTS, THE
% LIST GOES ON AND ON.
% >> REPORTING FROM MADISON I'M
% ZAC SCHULTZ FOR "HERE AND
% NOW."ENTER %>> NEXT WEEK WE
HEAR FROM
% REPUBLICAN SENATE MAJORITY
% LEADER DEVIN LEMAHIEU AND LOOK
% FOR SAC'S ONE-ON-ONE WITH ROBIN
% VOS KNOWN AS THE MOST POWERFUL
% VOICE IN THE LEGISLATURE.
% FOR MORE ON THIS AND OTHER
% ISSUES FACING WISCONSIN, VISIT
% OUR WEBSITE AT PBS WISCONSIN.ORG
% AND CLICK ON THE NEWS TAB.
% I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
% HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.
% >> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS
% PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
% JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS
% WISCONSIN.