Dane County #9 Prep: Budget Process, Activity Structure, Expenditures by Activity

Source:  2013 Dane County Budget in Brief

Budget Activity Structure (7 organizational units)

1.  General Government Departments.  Provide the executive, legislative, administrative, financial, record keeping, legal, and building maintenance functions for Dane County.

• County Board 
• Treasurer 
• County Executive 
• Corporation Counsel 
• County Clerk 
• Register of Deeds 
• Administration 
• Miscellaneous Appropriations

2.  Public Safety and Criminal Justice Departments.  Provide the legal, safety, disaster planning and response, and death investigation functions for Dane County.

• Clerk of Courts 
• Sheriff 
• Miscellaneous Appropriations 
• Family Court Counseling 
• Public Safety Communications 
• Medical Examiner 
• Emergency Management 
• District Attorney 
• Juvenile Court Program

3.  Health and Human Services Departments.  Provide the human service and veteran’s assistance functions for Dane County.

• Human Services 
• Veterans Service Office 
• Board of Health for Madison & Dane County 

4.  Conservation and Economic Development Departments.   Provide the planning, land management, land protection, waste management and recycling functions for Dane County.

• Land Information Office 
• Planning & Development 
• Land & Water Resources - Conservation 
• Solid Waste 
• Miscellaneous Appropriations

5.  Culture, Education and Recreation Departments.   Provide quality of life enhancement for Dane County.

• Library 
• Land & Water Resources 
• Alliant Energy Center 
• Extension 
• Henry Vilas Zoo 
• Miscellaneous Appropriations

6.  Public Works Departments.  Provide the infrastructure maintenance and transportation functions for Dane County. 7

• Public Works, Highway and Transportation 
• Airport

7.  Debt Service Department.  Provides the principal and interest repayment function for Dane County.

Source:  2013 Dane County Budget in Brief 

Related post:
Population.   (6/15/2013)

Dane County #9 Prep: Population

The column graph above shows a steady decade-by-decade population growth in Dane County since 1900.

As shown in the column graph below, the growth in population by decade has always been greater than 10%, with the largest percentages occurring during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.

The column graph below shows a fairly steady growth in the population of Dane County since 1960.

The following two column graphs compare the population of Madison and Dane County.   Outside of a small drop in population during the 1970s, the City of Madison has experienced a steady growth since 1900.

As shown in the column graph below, the percentage of Dane County resident living in the City of Madison first reached 50% in the late 1920s.  The percentage then fell below 50% in the late 1990s.    The peak:  59% in 1970.  The current level:  48%.

Wisconsin State Senator Mary Lazich: Theatrics for Me but not for Thee

Sen. Lazich begins.  "Thank you, Mr. President, thank you very much... and the ...uh...uh...theatrics surrounding the former presentation as well all know those of us who look at the bill and read the bill, it exempts rape and incest, so some of the theatrics, please uh....uh....please know that...uh... as those that read the bill and understand that.

She starts to ramp it up after the 1:00 mark.

"Do we really have to go through all this?"



Hopefully, someday in the not too distant future, most people will look back on this period of Wisconsin political history and call it a "GREAT, BIG, FAT FLOP".  (Sound of a glass being smashed.)

Some of us, of course, have already reached this conclusion.

Related post
Sen. Mike Ellis theatrics.  (6/13/2013)

Mary Lazich's Music Downloads

This Just in From Bubble World

It's definitely a pom-poms kinda day.

Conservative senators shine at Road to Majority Conference.  (Washington Times, 6/13/2013)

Road to Majority 2013 Call to Conference

NoRoJoi 2016 Related posts:
Chapter 1.  (1/2/2013)
Chapter 2.  (1/10/2013)
Chapter 3.  (2/12/2013)
Chapter 4.  (2/13/2013)
Chapter 5   (3/11/2013)
Chapter 6.  (3/25/2013)

Chapter 7.  (4/8/2013)
Chapter 8.  (4/9/2013)
Chapter 9.  (4/12/2013)
Chapter 10. (4/14/2013)
Chapter 11.  (5/2/2013)

Cheerleader Regina Millner ("She's a Big Republican") Defends Scott Walker in Regents Appointment Flap

{Link to the "She's a big Republican" description.)

WI Gov didn't ask about student board nominee, and he didn't tell. (Wisconsin  Reporter, 6/13/2013)

Pom-poms at the ready.  Millner said she has a great deal of respect for the way the governor has approached his appointments to the Board of Regents.

Once again, the Walker administration demonstrates its inability to conduct a competent vetting process.

If signing a Walker recall petition is enough to tank a nomination -- and it certainly seems to be the top reason for elimination as far as Wisconsin Republicans are concerned -- then why wasn't this item at the top of the list?

Bottom line:  Walker has.....

After all, he's Mr. 115 East Capital.

Wisconsin's Republicans Drinking the Kool-Aid, Whistling in the Dark

Center for Urban Initiatives & Research:  Wisconsin Economic Scorecard

Excerpt:    This pattern of change is driven by increasingly polarized views among partisans. Last quarter, views among partisans regarding the state economy were relatively similar. Figure 5 shows that while economic evaluations among political independents have remained stable since last quarter, Democrats are increasingly likely to express a negative view of the state’s economic performance, while Republicans have become increasingly likely to give a more positive response.

Robin Vos, "an ALEC Wisconsin Foot Soldier" (SourceWatch)

GOP leader vows to reinstate voter ID as Assembly passes elections bill. (Wisconsin State Journal, 6/12/2013)

Photo credit:  Wisconsin State Legislature

Here's what appears to be the missing part of the note.

From Source Watch

Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) now appears on the list of ALEC "State Chairmen".

However, I can't imagine Speaker Vos giving Majority Leader Suder too much leash.

Wisconsin State Assembly

I'd like to dedicate this song to Charles and David Koch.  (Pronoun adjustments required.)

Other ALEC posts.
Pat McCrory Cain't Say "No" to ALEC.. (6/10/2013)
ALEC'd to Death: Wisconsin Republicans Continues to Depend on the Koch Brothers' Playbook. (6/7/2013)
ALEC's State Budget Reform Toolkit: "Asset Sale and Lease Opportunities".  (6/6/2013)
Selling State Properties? It's in the ALEC Playbook.  (5/22/2013)More cookie-cutter legislation from ALEC.  (4/7/2013)
The New York Times Provides an overview of school choice without mentioning ALEC's orchestration.  (3/28/2013)
Selling state properties:  It's in the ALEC toolkit.  (2/17/2013)
Performance funding: They love this stuff at the Lumina Foundation and ALEC. (11/19/2012)
Splashy full-page ad for a movie few want to see.  (9/30/2012)
AT&;T, ALEC have their way with South Carolina legislature.  (7/2/2012)
What the Koch Brothers left under Scott Walker's 2010 Christmas tree.  (6/19/2012)“
….really, what ALEC is, is a bipartisan association of state legislators….” (Wisconsin State Senate version, 4/10/2012)“
….really, what ALEC is, is a bipartisan association of state legislators….” (Wisconsin State Assembly version, 4/9/2012))

Mike Ellis Provides Some Theatrics You Can't Ignore

Fast forward to the 9:00 mark.



Ruckus in Wisconsin Senate: Republicans push through ultrasound bill after silencing Democrats.  (The Raw Story, 6/12/2013)

Excerpt:Republican state Sen. Mary Lazich, who sponsored the legislation, however, encouraged her fellow lawmakers to ignore “the theatrics surrounding” Vinehout’s presentation and then launched into an impassioned speech of her own.

Fox11 News Can't Bring Itself to Say "Tea Party"

Billboards call out local legislators. (Fox11, 6/12/2013)

Excerpt:   Some local Republican lawmakers are being targeted by fellow conservatives over school choice. 

A local group wants to see an even bigger expansion of the proposed program.

Fellow conservatives?  A local group?

Well, let's see how the Fox Valley Initiative promotes itself.  Loudly and clearly.

Hey fox, haven't we met? 

Scott Walker on Tax Cut Rates: "Mostly False", "False," or "Pants on Fire": You Make the Call

Investing in Wisconsin: Governor Scott Walker 

Kicks Off “Tax Relief for Wisconsin” Tour

New Version of Tax Cut Remains a Windfall for the Highest Earners.  (Wisconsin Budget Project, 6/5/2013)

59% people earning $30,000 a year or less will receive no benefit from the income tax cut.  Almost all of those earning $100,000 or more, on the other hand, will benefit.

As shown in the Wisconsin Budget Project table below, the Joint Finance Committee reduced rates for all income brackets, with the biggest reduction for taxable income between $215,000 and $315,000

Other 2013-15 budget posts:

Hurry, hurry!  Step right up!!  Get your tax cut rate!!!  (6/12/2013)
Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau: Non-Fiscal Policy Items Contained Within 2013 AB 40.  (6/12/2013)
Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) Points to $505,000,000 Structural Deficit in FY2015-17 b/w Robin Vos's Alternate Reality. (6/12/20133)

State Senator Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) Tells Joy Cardin What's On His Mind: "I think things have gotten too extreme and out of hand.".  (6/7/2013)
What'd I Say?  (6/6/2013)
Why Item #36 in the Omnibus Education Motion #538 Could Be Called the Hudson Option. (6/6/2013)
Republicans' 2013-15 State Budget PolicyFest, Part 2: Allowing Private Bail Bonds.  (6/6/2013)
Republicans' 2013-15 State Budget PolicyFest, Part 1: Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism.  (6/6/2013)
The Most Fortunate of Wisconsin's Residents: Heading in the Right Direction and Leaving the Rest of Us Behind.  (6/5/2013)
$490,000,000: The Partial Cost of Republican Ideology to Wisconsin Taxpayers.  (6/5/2013)
2013-15 Budget Bill / Library Funding Update.  (5/30/2013)
Wisconsin's Joint Finance Committee in Micromanaging Mode.  (5/30/2013)
Selling State Properties? It's in the ALEC Playbook.  (5/22/2013)
Scott Walker: "We take our responsibility of good stewardship very seriously".  (5/16/2013)
Scott Walker: Disingenuous, or Can't Tell Time (or Count).  (5/10/2013)
13 Assembly Republicans Endorse More Funding for K-12 Education (and None of Them Lives Close to Robin Vos).  (5/9/2013)
Whatever Robin Wants, Robin Gets.  (5/1/2013)
What's John Nygren Drinking Through that Green-and-Gold Straw?  (4/29/2013)
If Wishes Were Horses: When are the Democrats planning on coming out with their own alternative state budget for people to consider?  (4/27/2013)
Good Advice from the La Crosse Tribune Editorial Board.  (4/26/2013)
The 4th and Final Joint Finance Committee Public Hearing on 2013-15 Budget, at Baldwin.  (4/19/2013)

"Hardworking Wisconsin Families" Really Get Around

June 11, 2013.  Scott Walker news release.
"Hardworking Wisconsin families should be able to keep more of the money they earn...."

June 7, 2013.  American for Prosperity--Wisconsin
Speaker Vos and Rep. Kooyenga discuss the budget package passed by the Joint Fiance Committee. With their work on the income tax package, UW tuition freeze and UI reform, tax and fee collections will be down nearly $1 billion. This is money that will stay in the pockets of hardworking Wisconsin families and small businesses.

Janaury 21, 2013.  Via @WXOW.
Tammy excited to fight for hardworking Wisconsin families, no matter where they live

October 24, 2012.  (Date when webpage was last updated.)  Wisconsin Family Action.
Taxes. We support decreasing the tax burden faced by hardworking Wisconsin families.

February 11,  2011.  Brownfield:  Ag News for America.
It will help schools, hospitals, and restaurants serve more local food. And it will create needed jobs for hardworking Wisconsin families.

2010.  Stop the Train.
That leaves hardworking Wisconsin families to pick up the other 80% through higher taxes and fees. 

February 2009.  DOA Local Government Report.
The recovery package will create or save 70,000 jobs in Wisconsin and more than 2.2 million hardworking Wisconsin families will receive tax credits.

October 19, 2007.  Eye on Oshkosh.  (Quoting Governor Doyle, who used this phrase extensively)
This has been a difficult process for all of us, but today Democrats and Republicans begin anew, ready to move this state forward, and ready to create opportunity for hardworking Wisconsin families.”

November 8, 2005.   Democratic Party of Wisconsin
Green Calls for Harsher Budget Cuts for Hardworking Wisconsin Families 

October 13, 2004.  WISBUSINESS press release.
COWS: Many Hardworking Wisconsin Families Hardly Getting by.

After awhile, it sounds patronizing no matter who sez it.

Hurry, Hurry! Step Right Up!! Get Your Tax Rate Cut!!!

News release
(So rich in material, it's likely to result in a series of blogposts.)

Yes, every Wisconsinite who pays income taxes will receive an income tax rate cut!!

First off, commas in second bullet point of the news release are not needed.

Secondly......duh!

Wisconsin Budget Project 

But if it's a tax cut you're interested in.......different story.

Other 2013-15 budget posts:

Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau: Non-Fiscal Policy Items Contained Within 2013 AB 40.  (6/12/2013)
Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) Points to $505,000,000 Structural Deficit in FY2015-17 b/w Robin Vos's Alternate Reality. (6/12/20133)

State Senator Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) Tells Joy Cardin What's On His Mind: "I think things have gotten too extreme and out of hand.".  (6/7/2013)
What'd I Say?  (6/6/2013)
Why Item #36 in the Omnibus Education Motion #538 Could Be Called the Hudson Option. (6/6/2013)
Republicans' 2013-15 State Budget PolicyFest, Part 2: Allowing Private Bail Bonds.  (6/6/2013)
Republicans' 2013-15 State Budget PolicyFest, Part 1: Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism.  (6/6/2013)
The Most Fortunate of Wisconsin's Residents: Heading in the Right Direction and Leaving the Rest of Us Behind.  (6/5/2013)
$490,000,000: The Partial Cost of Republican Ideology to Wisconsin Taxpayers.  (6/5/2013)
2013-15 Budget Bill / Library Funding Update.  (5/30/2013)
Wisconsin's Joint Finance Committee in Micromanaging Mode.  (5/30/2013)
Selling State Properties? It's in the ALEC Playbook.  (5/22/2013)
Scott Walker: "We take our responsibility of good stewardship very seriously".  (5/16/2013)
Scott Walker: Disingenuous, or Can't Tell Time (or Count).  (5/10/2013)
13 Assembly Republicans Endorse More Funding for K-12 Education (and None of Them Lives Close to Robin Vos).  (5/9/2013)
Whatever Robin Wants, Robin Gets.  (5/1/2013)
What's John Nygren Drinking Through that Green-and-Gold Straw?  (4/29/2013)
If Wishes Were Horses: When are the Democrats planning on coming out with their own alternative state budget for people to consider?  (4/27/2013)
Good Advice from the La Crosse Tribune Editorial Board.  (4/26/2013)
The 4th and Final Joint Finance Committee Public Hearing on 2013-15 Budget, at Baldwin.  (4/19/2013)

Madison's New Central Library: Clearly Identified

Photos taken on Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Madison Public Library Flickr slideshow.

A New Central Library.

Related posts: 
Sideways library.  (6/5/2013)
Madison Public Central Library: Henry and Fairchild Approaches.  (4/2/2013)
Progress report:  4th revised edition, abridged.  (2/28/2013)
Progress report:  3rd revised edition, abridged.  (1/15/2013)
Progress report:  3rd revised edition. (1/15/2013
Progress report, 2nd revised edition.  (11/3/2012)
Progress report.  (8/18/2012)
Work in progress. (6/5/2012)
Construction kickoff ceremony.  (3/28/2012)
Findorff awarded Madison Public Library construction contract.  (3/1/2012)
City of Madison to Rebid Central Library Project. (12/22/2011)
Madison Community Foundation awards $500,000 grant for new Madison Central Library.   (12/16/2011)
Retiring Guy takes a last look at the 1960s-era Madison Central Library.  (11/13/2011)
Madison Central Library prepares for move to temporary facility. (11/9/2011)
Madison Public Library misses cut on $4.5 million tax credit.  (9/14/2011)
Board to consider Plan B financing.  (9/1/2011)
Central library to relocate in November.  (7/27/2011)
Central library reconstruction project to proceed.  (4/29/2011)
Negotiations continue.  (4/27/2011)
Central library not a major issue with candidate or mayor Soglin. (4/19/2011)
Soglin wants to make sure ducks are in a row for Central Library Project.  (4/16/2011)
Latest design review.  (4/8/2011)
Midway Design presentation for Madison Central Library.  (2/25/2011)
Final design for renovated central library unveiled.  (12/8/2010)

Designing a new central library:  "Everyone has to feel comfortable and safe here".  (11/17/2010)

Interview with principal architect of Central Library project.  (11/5/2010)

Design development juggling acts for a renovated Madison Central Library. (10/15/2010)

Conceptual designs for new Central Library.  (10/25/2010)

One possible message:  Don't settle for less.  (8/5/2010)

Downsizing the Madison Central Library renovation project. (7/17/2010)

Possible temporary location has asbestos problem.  (6/18/2010)

Architectural firm selected for Madison Central project.  (5/26/2010)

State Journal editorial board sez Madison City Council made right decision on Central Library. (5/10/2010)

Council vote on library goes under the radar.  (5/8/2010)

And the beat goes on.  (4/14/2010)

Mayor Responds to Critics on Library Issue.  (4/13/2010)

Board Endorses Renovation Plan.  (4/6/2010)

Keeping the dream of a new Madison Central Library alive. (3/31/2010)

Some Council Members Not Ready to Move Forward on Mayor's Renovation Plan.  (3/30/2010)

Council President Pro Tem to Introduce Resolution Approving Madison Central Library Renovation Project.  (3/28/2010)

'Dissatisfaction' with Collapsed Madison Central Library Project. (3/25/2010)

Fiore Departure Seen as Beneficial to Madison Central Project.  (3/23/2010)

Matter of Principle" Dooms New Central Madison Library.  (3/20/2010)

Madison Central: The Dream Dies, It's Now Time to Renovate. (3/19/2010)

Dispute over Construction Costs Threatens to Derail New Central Madison Library. (3/17/2010)

Madison Public Library Project Faces Delay in 2011. (3/9/2010)

Construction, Cost Concerns May Delay Madison Central Library Project. (1/25/2010)

New Madison Central Library Wins Council Approval. (11/11/2009)Capital Times Endorses New Madison Central Library. (11/10/2009)

Madison Council Begins Review of Mayor's Budget on Tuesday. (11/6/2009)

More Questions About Madison Central Library Project. (11/1/2009)

New Madison Public Library's First Change Order: Rooftop Garden.
(10/28/2009)

Call for Referendum on New Madison Central Library Not Attracting Support. (10/21/2009)

Madison Board of Estimates Rejects Library Referendum. (10/13/2009)

Some Madison City Council Members Want Referendum on New Central Library. (10/9/2009)

Three former mayors support new Madison Central Library. (10/5/2010)

Wisconsin State Journal Editorial on New Madison Central Library. (9/13/2009)

New Madison Central Library: Let the Positioning Begin. (9/1/2009)

New Madison Central Library on Mayor Dave's Front Burner. (8/30/2009)

New Madison Central Library: Build or Renovate? (7/7/2009)

Motley Brown Not Reason Enough. (6/11/2009)

Fiore Plan Receives Unanimous Support. (6/5/2009)

Fiore Plan Gets Nod from Committee. (5/15/2009)

Public Forum Focuses on Central Library Options. (4/24/2009)

Developer Sweetens the Deal. (4/21/2009)

Visualizing a Remodeled Madison Central Library. (4/4/2009)

Renovation Plan Put on Table for Madison Central Library. (3/26/2009)

Residents Critique Proposals to Rebuild Downtown Library. (1/9/2009)

Competing Developers Defend Their Central Library Plans. (1/8/2009)

Comparison of Downtown Madison Library Proposals. (12/17/2008)

Two Proposals for New Madison Central Library. (12/3/2008)

Best Headline of the Week. (9/6/2008)

Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau: Non-Fiscal Policy Items Contained Within 2013 AB 40

Credit:  Wikipedia

June 11, 2013 Fiscal Bureau memo

Excerpt  Putting such a list together always requires some subjective judgment on which items should be identified. Arguments could be made to expand the list beyond what is presented here or to delete some items from it. However, in preparing the attached list, this office applied the same criteria that it has used in previous biennia when identifying provisions of the executive budget bill as non-fiscal policy items.

The criteria used are as follows: 

(1) generally, the item has no state fiscal effect;

(2) if there is a state fiscal effect associated with an item, the policy implications of the provision outweigh any potential fiscal effect;

(3) the item has been, or is, the subject of separate, nonbudget legislation;

(4) the item is one that typically would be reviewed by a standing committee of the Legislature; and

(5) the provision could be accomplished without statutory directive, such as reports, studies, and audits.

Items that typically are not included on the list are those that: 

(1) affect state program eligibility;

(2) would generally be referred to the Joint Committee on Finance if introduced as separate legislation; and

(3) address a reorganization or transfer of state government operations or functions.

Section 1:  Items Included In AB 40, As Introduced

(Let's count 'em up by agency/area)

• Administration  (12, Joint Finance has removed 9 of them)
• Building Commission (5)
• Children and Families (2)
• Employee Trust Funds (1)
• Financial Institutions (1; removed by Joint Finance)
• General Fund Taxes (1)
• General Provisions (4; 1 removed by Joint Finance)
• Justice (3)
• Natural Resources
• Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation (3)
• Forestry and Parks (1; removed by Joint Finance)
• Office of State Employment Relations (2)
• Public Instruction (17)
• Choice, Charter, and Open Enrollment (10: Joint Finance removed 8)
• Administration and other Funding (6)
• Shared Revenue and Tax Relief (1)
• Transportation (1; removed by Joint Finance)
• University of Wisconsin System (2)
• Veterans Affairs (3; 2 removed by Joint Finance)
• Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority (1)

Section 2:  Items Added by the Joint Committee on Finance

Credit:  Wikipedia

• Administration (1)
• Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (5)
• Children and Families (1)
• Corrections (2)
• Employment Relations Commission (1)
• Financial Institutions (5)
• General Provision (6)
• Government Accountability Board (1)
• Insurance (1)
• Justice (2)
• Natural Resources (11)
• Departmentwide (1)
• Forestry and Parks (1)
• Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation (3)
• Air, Waste, and Contaminated Land (2)
• Water Quality (4)
• Public Instruction (5)
• Choice, Charter, and Open Enrollment (1)
• Administration and Other Funding (4)
• Safety and Professional Services (3)
• Shared Revenue and Tax Relief (8)
• Property Tax Credits (1)
• Property Taxation (5)
• Local Revenue Options (2)
• Transportation (5)
• UW System (1)

Other 2013-15 budget posts:

Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) Points to $505,000,000 Structural Deficit in FY2015-17 b/w Robin Vos's Alternate Reality. (6/12/20133)

State Senator Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) Tells Joy Cardin What's On His Mind: "I think things have gotten too extreme and out of hand.".  (6/7/2013)
What'd I Say?  (6/6/2013)
Why Item #36 in the Omnibus Education Motion #538 Could Be Called the Hudson Option. (6/6/2013)
Republicans' 2013-15 State Budget PolicyFest, Part 2: Allowing Private Bail Bonds.  (6/6/2013)
Republicans' 2013-15 State Budget PolicyFest, Part 1: Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism.  (6/6/2013)
The Most Fortunate of Wisconsin's Residents: Heading in the Right Direction and Leaving the Rest of Us Behind.  (6/5/2013)
$490,000,000: The Partial Cost of Republican Ideology to Wisconsin Taxpayers.  (6/5/2013)
2013-15 Budget Bill / Library Funding Update.  (5/30/2013)
Wisconsin's Joint Finance Committee in Micromanaging Mode.  (5/30/2013)
Selling State Properties? It's in the ALEC Playbook.  (5/22/2013)
Scott Walker: "We take our responsibility of good stewardship very seriously".  (5/16/2013)
Scott Walker: Disingenuous, or Can't Tell Time (or Count).  (5/10/2013)
13 Assembly Republicans Endorse More Funding for K-12 Education (and None of Them Lives Close to Robin Vos).  (5/9/2013)
Whatever Robin Wants, Robin Gets.  (5/1/2013)
What's John Nygren Drinking Through that Green-and-Gold Straw?  (4/29/2013)
If Wishes Were Horses: When are the Democrats planning on coming out with their own alternative state budget for people to consider?  (4/27/2013)
Good Advice from the La Crosse Tribune Editorial Board.  (4/26/2013)
The 4th and Final Joint Finance Committee Public Hearing on 2013-15 Budget, at Baldwin.  (4/19/2013)

Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) Points to $505,000,000 Structural Deficit in FY2015-17 b/w Robin Vos's Alternate Reality

Budget Bill Turns Large Surplus into a $505 Million Hole in 2015-17 Biennium. (Wisconsin Budget Project, 6/11/2013)

Excerpt:   The effect of what the LFB often refers to as a “structural imbalance” is that state policymakers will need to use the first $505 million of revenue growth in the 2015-17 budget simply to provide flat funding for existing programs, before addressing any spending needs relating to inflation, increased numbers of people served, or filling gaps in services. In short, the budget hole helps illustrate that the magnitude of the proposed income tax cuts undermines the state’s future by making it much harder to invest in public services, such as neighborhood schools, which are critical to the state’s economic growth.

Fiscal bureau: $500 million structural deficit in 2017 anticipated. (Wisconsin State Journal, 6/11/2013)

Hmm....I'm trying to remember when these opportunities took place.

Wisconsin Budget Project

Nebraska's Gering Public Library in the News

Gering Public Library

Source:  Nebraska Library Commission

Gering (pop. 8,500) is located in Scotts Bluff County in western Nebraska.

Map credit:  Wikipedia

A Successful Fight Against Censorship in Glen Ellyn Illinois

School in Glen Ellyn, Ill., bans 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'.  (New York Daily News, 5/15/2013)

Less than a month later.

Near unanimous vote puts 'Wallflower' back in Glen Ellyn classrooms.  (Chicago Tribune, 6/11/2013)

As a result of yesterday's vote, a signature is required by parents if they want their child to have access to classroom libraries.

A parent?  Both parents?

A Library Designed with an Open-Book Facade

Just somebody's architectural fantasy, as far as I can determine.

Talking Amongst Themselves

On the Sunday Morning Talk Shows, a Rather Familiar Cast of Characters. (The New York Times, 6/8/2013)

Related post:
Retiring Guy answers your questions: Does anybody still watch the Sunday morning talk shows? (5/23/2013)

Skip the Line at this Amusement Park at Your Own Risk

Yeah, Freddy, life was much simpler 50 years ago.



At Theme Parks, a V.I.P. Ticket to Ride. (The New York Times, 6/9/2013)

What you get with Universal Studios Hollywood's $299 V.I.P. ticket,

• Valet parking
• Breakfast in a luxury lounge
• Special access to Universal’s back lot
• Unlimited line-skipping
• A fancy lunch. V.I.P. '
• “Amenity kits” 
• Mints
• Poncho to wear on the “Jurassic Park” water ride 
• Bottles of hand sanitizer

Dear Plutocrats, you probably want to be sure that Bruno Antony isn't in the plebeian line you keep skipping.

Still Water for Ducks

Duck, as used in slang.



Nestle Adds Premium Brand in Still Water Arena. (The New York Times, 6/9/2013)

Electrolytenment?

Maybe if the Captain were still around, he could rework this little ditty.

Pat McCrory Cain't Say "No" to ALEC

NC governor says he won't back down to protesters.  (Greensboro News-Record, 6/8/2013)

Excerpt from article with.....

Photo credit:  State of North Carolina

And clearly, he never had any intentions of saying "no".

McCrory's chief lobbyist, Fred Steen, also an ALEC bigwig. (Indy Week, 1/13/2013)

Excerpt:

Photo credit:   North Carolina General Assembly (via Wikipedia)

(Straight outta Central Casting)

Republican tax reform proposals unpopular. (Public Policy Polling, 5/21/2013)

Excerpt:     PPP’s latest North Carolina poll reveals that the Republican government is receiving poor marks. Although Pat McCrory’s approval rating is 48% positive to 38% negative, 48% of North Carolinians disapprove of the Republican government to just 41% who approve. Republican legislators score even worse at 37% approval to 49% disapproval. The General Assembly overall gets a 25% positive rating to 51% negative and 24% unsure. At 38%-46%, Democrats have poor numbers, too. Voters believe by a 45% to 31% margin that the General Assembly is causing the state national embarrassment.

Wisconsin State Journal: What Needs Fixing in State Budget

Credit:  Retiring Guy's postcard collection

State budget needs fixing. (Wisconsin State Journal, 6/9/2013)

A better bottom line.   (...the Legislature’s budget committee just endorsed a tax cut that’s bigger in size than the higher revenue assumption.)

A policy purge:   (Back when Republicans were in the minority at the state Capitol, they sharply criticized majority Democrats for stuffing the state budget full of non-fiscal policy.).

Accountability for voucher schools.  (All voucher schools should report key measures and administer the same state tests as public school — not years from now, but right away.)

2002 Wisconsin Public Library Legislation and Funding Task Force

Background on the Task Force

• Appointed by State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster
• Chaired by Cal Potter
• Scope:  Undertake a review of legislation and funding issues relating to public libraries and public library systems and to make recommendations to the State Superintendent for consideration in developing the Department of Public Instruction's 2003-2005 budget and legislative requests.

Meeting agendas and activities

• April 11
• May 16
• June 12
• July 25
• August 15

Task force resources (including 17 issue papers)

• Issue paper #1: Municipal exemption from a county library tax (updated 8/15/02) 
• Issue paper #2: Public library system governance (updated 8/15/02) 

• Issue paper #3: Library system membership requirements (updated 8/15/02) 
• 43.15(6)
• 43.15(7) -- reduced to 20 hours per week
• 43.15(8) -- reduced to $2,500 annually

• Issue paper #4: Library usage across county borders (updated 8/15/02) 
• Issue paper #5: Joint public libraries (updated 8/15/02) 
• Issue paper #6: Library system size and organization (updated 8/15/02)

 
• Issue paper # 7: Public library standards (updated 8/15/02) 
• Issue paper # 8: County library organizations (updated 8/15/02) 
• Issue paper # 9: District public libraries (updated 8/15/02) (Note: This paper is on the concept of district public libraries not a discussion of the specific legislation being drafted at the request of Representative Kestell) 
• Issue paper # 10: Crossover library use (updated 8/15/02) 
• Issue paper # 11: A statewide public library card (Badgercard) (updated 8/15/02) 
• Issue paper # 12: Public library system services and system resource libraries (updated 8/15/02) 

• Issue paper # 13: Public library system funding (updated 8/15/02) 

• Issue paper # 14: Statewide delivery of materials (updated 8/15/02) 

• Issue paper # 15: 24/7 Extended statewide reference services (updated 8/15/02) 
• Issue paper # 16: Statewide access to electronic resources (updated 8/15/02) 
• Issue paper # 17 Other public library and public library system statutory revisions (updated 8/15/02)   "The Task Force recommends the following [10] statutory changes, subject to minor revision:"