“Let’s work on Saturday to protect our taxpayers.”
STATE CAPITOL, Sept. 28, 2007 — Once again this morning, State Senator Joe Leibham (R-Sheboygan) has requested Democratic Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson (D-Beloit) to schedule a vote on a compromise K-12 education funding package before a critical deadline that could trigger a massive property tax increase.
“It’s pretty clear that a final budget isn’t going to be passed by the end of the day today. Senator Robson has the ability to save our citizens from a $600 million property tax increase. Senator Leibham said. “I respectfully ask the Majority Leader to do what is in the best interest of our taxpayers and schedule a vote on the school funding bill. This must be done, even if it means going to Madison on Saturday to have this important vote.”
Earlier this month, Elizabeth Burmaster, State Superintendent of Public Instruction (DPI), stated that a K-12 education budget needs to be passed by September 28 so that DPI can report to local school districts how much state funding they can count on as they set their local tax levies. Failure to meet this deadline, Superintendent Burmaster declared, would result in DPI using the numbers from the 2005-07 state budget, which could result in a $600 million statewide property tax increase.
In response to this deadline, last week, the members of the State Assembly, in a bi-partisan effort, reached agreement on a public K-12 school funding plan that actually matches Governor Doyle’s K-12 proposal. If approved, the state would provide a record $12.3 billion in funding for our public schools over the next two years. The proposal would also approve additional funding for special education and make adjustments for low-revenue school districts.
“Wisconsin taxpayers should not suffer financially due to the stubbornness of the Majority Leader.” Senator Leibham said. “Senator Robson is holding our taxpayers hostage as she fights for a state budget that could increase taxes by over $18 billion. It’s just irresponsible to not schedule a vote!”
