Observations on the 2013-15 Biennial State Budget

From a fiscal perspective, Gov. Scott Walker and the Legislature will have a better starting point for the upcoming biennial budget than policymakers have experienced in over a decade. Credit for an improved fiscal position is due, in large part, to actions taken by Gov. Walker and the Legislature last session. Other external factors, such […]

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Agency Budget Request Highlights

Agency budget requests for the 2013-15 biennial budget bill have been submitted to the Department of Administration (DOA) for review. Requests approved by the Governor will be included in his budget bill, which is expected to be introduced in January 2013. While the bulk of the agency requests submitted to date generally relate to standard […]

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Agencies Submit Budget Requests

Agency budget requests for the 2013-15 biennial budget bill have been submitted to the Department of Administration (DOA) for review. Requests approved by the Governor will be included in his budget bill, which is expected to be introduced in January 2013. Gov. Walker provided a specific directive that “most agencies…maintain their overall fiscal year 2013-14 […]

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Wisconsin’s Budget Process

The latest brief from the Legislative Reference Bureau, Executive Budget Bills Enacted by the Wisconsin Legislature, 1931-2011, is an interesting look at the evolution and current status of Wisconsin’s state budget process. The detailed look at how each biennial budget is developed explains that the process has already started for agencies even though a budget […]

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Legislative Fiscal Bureau Projects Budget Shortfall

The latest general fund condition statement generated by the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau projects Wisconsin will be $143.2 million in the hole at the end of the current budget biennium. This is $215.9 million below the LFB’s October 2011 projection. According to the LFB, the $215.9 million change is the net result of: (1) a […]

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Joint Finance Committee Passes Budget Bill; Legislature to Vote Soon

The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) voted along party-lines (12-4) passing the 2011-13 budget bill. The final two nights were marred by protestors disrupting the proceedings. Below is a snapshot of some of the changes made by the JFC to Gov. Scott Walker’s original bill: A provision that creates a domestic production tax credit for manufacturers […]

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Governor Announces Budget Repair Bill

With the state facing a $137 million budget deficit, Governor Walker today has unveiled his budget repair bill for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. Notable changes include a number of reform measures focused on bringing government employee benefits closer to the private sector. Pension Contributions – Currently, state, school district and municipal employees […]

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