?
DEVIN
SOMETHING THE REPUBLICANS HAVE
TURNED DOWN IN THE PAST AND BUT
AN UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY FOR
HORSE TRADING IN THIS BUDGET.
EVEN THOUGH YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT
THAT TO BE ON THE TABLE, PERHAPS
IT MIGHT.
I DOUBT IT.
>> JASON STEIN, THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> DEMOCRATS IN THE WISCONSIN
LEGISLATURE 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 SAT DOWN
WITH SENATOR MELISSA AGARD AND
GRETA NEUBAUER.
>> AGARD IS GETTING USED TO THE
DEMOCRAT MINORITY LEADER.
>> LIKE DRINKING FROM THE FIRE
HOSE BUT I'M READY.
>> WITH ONLY 11 MEMBERS THE
DEMOCRATS ARE POWERLESS TO PASS
LEGISLATION BUT THE WIN BY
GOVERNOR TONY EVERS TO SHOW
DEMOCRATS REPRESENT THE VALUES
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 AND THE WORK
THAT WE'RE DOING.
>> DEMOCRATS BLAME
GERRYMANDERING DISTRICT MAPS FOR
THEIR STATUS.
NEWBAUER IS THE LEADER IN THE
ASSEMBLY AND IT WAS A CHALLENGE
WILLING TO FIND CANDIDATES TO
RUN.
>> IT WAS A REAL CHALLENGE TO
RUN FOR OFFICE.
WE'RE IN POLARIZED TIMES AND IT
WAS HARD TO RECRUIT PEOPLE TO
RUN, PARTICULARLY WOMEN.
THEY KNEW THEY AND THEIR FAMILY
MAY FACE THREATS.
THAT UNFORTUNATELY DID BEAR OUT
THIS CYCLE FOR CANDIDATES, FOR
VOLUNTEERS.
>> ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS WON 35
SEATS TO PREVENT A REPUBLICAN
SUPER MAJORITY THAT WOULD ALLOW
THE GOP TO OVERRIDE ANY GOVERNOR
VETOES.
IF TWO MEMBERS OF MISSING THE
GOP WOULD HAVE ENOUGH.
>> OUR CAUCUS UNDERSTANDS ONE OF
OUR TOP PREOR TEASE FOR THE
SESSION IS BEING HERE IN
MADISON.
>> 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 THE 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 BEING 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 THE 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 ENCOURAGE 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 ENCOURAGE 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.
ABLE
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 MONEY 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.