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THE WISCONSIN TAXPAYER Vol. 84, Number 12 | December 2016

New Legislature, Same Issues? Transportation, School Funding Top Budget Debate

The 2016 elections yielded some surprises. Republicans gained a seat in each house and now hold majorities of 64-35 in the assembly and 20-13 in the senate. Many races featured little competition: In 41 of 115 seats up for election, one candidate was on the ballot; in another 21, major party candidates had only third party or no post-primary competition. Legislative focus in the first half of 2017 will be crafting the 2017-19 state budget.

ince the 2010 elections, Re- school funding; Medicaid; and the Candidates S publicans have controlled U.W. System. Lawmakers may face During the first five months of both houses of the state legislature. an unexpected challenge when they 2016, three state senators and seven Heading into the November 2016 begin budget deliberations in Feb- state representatives officially an- elections, they held a 19-14 majority ruary: Recent state tax collections nounced retirement. Numbers were in state senate and a 63-36 advantage appear to be slowing. down significantly from 2014 when in the assembly. 2016 ELECTIONS seven senators and 22 representa- In what many believed was In November, voters in Wiscon- tives retired. supposed to be a good year for sin re-elected Ron Johnson (R) to Pending legislative vacancies Democrats, Republicans surprised by the U.S. Senate, and chose, for the often trigger a rush of potential can- adding a member to each house and first time since 1984, the Republican didates trying to get on the ballot. continue their total control of state presidential nominee. They also However, with nearly all legislators government. chose representatives in all 99 as- running for re-election, the number As is always the case with a sembly districts and in 16 of 33 state of total candidates (224) declined to new legislature, one of its first— senate districts. its lowest level since at least 2000 and arguably biggest—jobs will be While many citizens think elec- Also in this issue: crafting a 2017-19 state budget. Is- tion season is limited to the fall, for sues likely to dominate discussions many candidates it started, and effec- Wisconsin Legislative and Congres- include: transportation finance; tively ended, much earlier. sional Directory

wis tax A service of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance Table 1: State Legislative Candidates November Turnout Counts by House and Party, 2000-16 Voter turnout is highest in fall elections during House/Party 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 16 presidential years. While still higher than in non- House presidential years, this year’s turnout (about 67%) was Assembly 203 216 229 207 244 273 261 208 193 lower than that of prior presidential elections (70% Senate 35 36 39 36 25 41 36 38 31 in 2012, 69% in 2008, and 73% in 2004). However, Party it was about the same as the 1980-2012 average of Republican 122 130 127 115 111 171 118 133 96 Democrat 105 102 121 119 146 117 164 104 124 66.5% (see Figure 1, page 3). Other 11 20 20 9 12 26 15 9 4 THE NEW LEGISLATURE Total 238 252 268 243 269 314 297 246 224 With only three new senators and nine new mem- bers of the assembly, the 2017-18 state legislature will (see Table 1). A drop in the number of open seats look very much like the last one, but with a little more was part of the reason for the decline from 2014. experience. The 2015-16 legislature had 27 members However, candidate numbers in 2014 were the low- with no prior experience in the legislature and another est since 2006. 30 with two years or less. Redistricting, the rise in the number of “safe” seats, and the incumbency advantage of political ca- Assembly reerists may help explain the lack of candidates over Members of the assembly serve two-year terms. the last two cycles. Republicans held a 60-39 majority in each of the 2011-12 and 2013-14 sessions, before expanding it Pre-November Victories to 63-36 in 2015-16. In November, they captured 64 While the November election made it official, seats, extending their majority by one and making it many candidates were effectively elected in the Au- their largest since 1957. gust primary—or even before. In 41 of 115 districts For the first time in several elections, turnover up for election in 2016, only one candidate was on the in the lower house was relatively modest; the new ballot. Thus, about 35% of legislative hopefuls were effectively elected upon filing nomination papers. THE WISCONSIN In another 21 districts, major party candidates THE WISCONSIN had no post-primary opponents or only third-party TAXPAYER competition. In other words, nearly half of all state December 2016 Vol. 84 Number 12 legislative contests were decided by the August pri- Publication Number USPS 688-800 Periodical postage paid at Madison, Wisconsin mary, when voter turnout was less than 20%. Subscription Price: $17.97 per year 2016 Wisconsin Taxpayer Index (Vol. 84) Published each month, except July, by the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, 401 North Lawn Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53704-5033 Month Title Postmaster: Send address changes to The Wisconsin Taxpayer, January The Property Tax No One Knows 401 North Lawn Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53704-5033 Phone: 608.241.9789 Fax: 608.241.5807 February In Their Own Words: Wis. Supreme Court Candidates Email: [email protected] Website: www.wistax.org March 100 Years and Counting: Wisconsin’s Income Tax Officers and Board of Directors: T. L. Spero, Chair, Milwaukee; K. D. Nunley, Vice-Chair, Milwaukee; April The Ups and Downs of State Fiscal Health D. L. Hughes, Secretary-Treasurer, Milwaukee. J. L. Adams, Beloit; C. D. Fortner, Milwaukee; J. J. Kita, Milwaukee; May Has Legal Gambling Plateaued in Wisconsin? Carol Ward Knox, Fort Atkinson; R. A. Meeusen, Milwaukee; H. C. Newell, Mosinee; T. M. Rettler, Neenah; J. R. Riordan, Madison; June/July Wisconsin’s Migration Challenge C. A. Rooks, Milwaukee; D. R. Schuh, Stevens Point; M. D. Simmer, Green Bay. August County Government in Wisconsin Staff: September TIF: The Municipal Development Tool Todd A. Berry, President; Dale Knapp, Research Director; David October Getting to the Heart of School Finance Callender, Communications Director; Alex Richter; Gina Staskal, Business Manager. November State Tax Growth Outpaces Local Increases Reproduction: Media is encouraged to quote contents, with credit to WISTAX. December New Legislature, Same Issues? Electronic reproduction or forwarding is prohibited unless prior permission is granted. Send requests to [email protected].

Page 2 The Wisconsin Taxpayer Figure 1: Gender Shift Election Turnout Lowest Since 2000 Fall Election Turnout in Presidential Years, 1980-2016 The number of women in the state legislature has stayed within a fairly narrow range since 1995. After 1980 67.4% reaching 36 in the 1993-94 session, the number has varied between 29 and 35 of the 132 legislative seats. 1984 63.4% After rising from 29 in 2009-10 to 33 in the past two 1988 61.0% sessions, female representation declined by two to 31 1992 69.0% this year (see Figure 2). 1996 58.0% Experience Grows 2000 67.0% Significant turnover in the state assembly during 2004 73.2% 2010-14 resulted in a relatively inexperienced body 2008 69.2% heading into last session. With turnover cut in half 2012 70.1% this year, the assembly will be more experienced. Two 2016 67.0% years ago, it convened with 26 new members; this 0% 25% 50% 75% year,100% only 10 lack state legislative experience. More significantly, 40 have at least five years of experience assembly has just 10 new faces, compared to 26 in this year, compared to only 18 two years ago. That 2015, 25 in 2013, and 30 in 2011. experience could be beneficial as lawmakers craft the Incumbents, both here and nationally, are often 2017-19 state spending plan. difficult to defeat. In 2016, only one incumbent Leadership representative lost: In the 92nd assembly district, Party leadership in both the senate and assem- Representative Chris Danou (D) was defeated by bly is mostly unchanged this year. Scott Fitzgerald Republican Treig Pronschinske. (R-Juneau) remains senate Senate majority leader, a position he State senators serve four-year terms, with 16 of has held since the Republicans 33 seats contested in 2016. Republicans regained reclaimed the upper house in a majority in 2010 and have maintained it since. 2011. He will be assisted by This year, they expanded their advantage by one Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa). seat to 20-13. (R-Appleton) As in the assembly, only one incumbent was replaces retiring Mary Lazich defeated. In the 24th senate district, Democrat Julie (R-New Berlin) as senate president. Jennifer Shilling Senate Majority Leader Lassa lost to newcomer Republican Patrick Testin. Scott Fitzgerald (R) (D-La Crosse) remains senate minority leader. Figure 2: In the assembly, Robin Number of Women Legislators Down Number of Female Legislators, 1989-2017 Vos (R-Burlington) returns as speaker, a position he has held since 2013. 36 35 35 34 (R-Kaukauna) continues as 30 33 33 33 31 32 31 31 31 majority leader. Assembly 30 30 29 Democrats are again led by 20 Peter Barca (D-Kenosha). There will be several new Assembly Speaker (R) committees during 2017-18, 10 and committee assignments also change with a new legislature. A full list is printed in the new 2017-18 0 Legislative and Congressional Directory prepared 89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09 11 13 15 17 by the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance. The directory

Vol. 84, Number 12 | December 2016 Page 3 Members of the 2017 and Assembly STATE SENATE DISTRICTS STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS

Sen. Assm. Dist. Dist. Senator (Party) Phone Dist. Rep. (Party) Phone Dist. Rep. (Party) Phone

1. 1, 2, 3 Lasee, Frank (R) ...... 266-3512 1. Kitchens, Joel (R) ...... 266-5350 39. Born, Mark L. (R) ...... 266-2540 2. 4, 5, 6 Cowles, Robert (R)...... 266-0484 2. Jacque, Andre (R)...... 266-9870 40. Petersen, Kevin (R)...... 266-3794 3. 7, 8, 9 Carpenter, Tim (D)...... 266-8535 3. Tusler, Ron* (R)...... 266-5831 41. Ballweg, Joan (R)...... 266-8077 4. 10, 11, 12 Taylor, Lena C. (D)...... 266-5810 4. Steffen, David (R)...... 266-5840 42. Ripp, Keith (R)...... 266-3404 5. 13, 14. 15 Vukmir, Leah (R) ...... 266-2512 5. Steineke, Jim (R) ...... 266-2401 43. Vruwink, Don* (D) ...... 266-3790 6. 16, 17, 18 LaTonya Johnson* (D)...... 266-2500 6. Tauchen, Gary (R)...... 266-3097 44. Kolste, Debra (D)...... 266-7503 7. 19, 20, 21 Larson, Chris (D) ...... 266-7505 7. Riemer, Daniel (D) ...... 266-1733 45. Spreitzer, Mark (D) ...... 266-1192 8. 22, 23, 24 Darling, Alberta (R) ...... 266-5830 8. Zamarripa, JoCasta (D) ...... 267-7669 46. Hebl, Gary (D) ...... 266-7678 9. 25, 26, 27 LeMahieu, Devin (R)...... 266-2056 9. Zepnick, Josh (D)...... 266-1707 47. Anderson, Jimmy* (D)...... 266-8570 10. 28, 29, 30 Harsdorf, Sheila (R)...... 266-7745 10. Bowen, David (D)...... 266-7671 48. Sargent, (D)...... 266-0960 11. 31, 32, 33 Nass, Steve (R)...... 266-2635 11. Fields, Jason (D)...... 266-3756 49. Tranel, Travis (R)...... 266-1170 12. 34, 35, 36 Tiffany, Tom (R)...... 266-2509 12. Kessler, Federick P. (D)...... 266-5813 50. Brooks, Ed (R)...... 266-8531 13. 37, 38, 39 Fitzgerald, Scott (R)...... 266-5660 13. Hutton, Rob (R)...... 267-9836 51. Novak, Todd (R)...... 266-7502 14. 40, 41, 42 Olsen, Luther S. (R)...... 266-0751 14. Kooyenga, Dale (R)...... 266-9180 52. Thiesfeldt, Jeremy (R)...... 266-3156 15. 43, 44, 45 Ringhand, Janis (D)...... 266-2253 15. Sanfelippo, Joe (R) ...... 266-0620 53. Schraa, Michael (R) ...... 267-7990 16. 46, 47, 48 Miller, Mark (D)...... 266-9170 16. Young, Leon D. (D)...... 266-3786 54. Hintz, Gordon (D)...... 266-2254 17. 49, 50, 51 Marklein, Howard (R)...... 266-0703 17. Crowley, David* (D)...... 266-5580 55. Rohrkaste, Mike. (R)...... 266-5719 18. 52, 53, 54 Feyen, Dan* (R)...... 266-5300 18. Goyke, Evan (D)...... 266-0645 56. Murphy, Dave (R)...... 266-7500 19. 55, 56, 57 Roth, Roger (R) ...... 266-0718 19. Brostoff, Jonathan (D) ...... 266-0650 57. Stuck, Amanda (D) ...... 266-3070 20. 58, 59, 60 Stroebel, Duey (R)...... 266-7513 20. Sinicki, Christine (D)...... 266-8588 58. Gannon, Bob (R)...... 264-8486 21. 61, 62, 63 Wanggaard, Van (R) ...... 266-1832 21. Rodriguez, Jessie (R) ...... 266-0610 59. Kremer, Jesse (R) ...... 266-9175 22. 64, 65, 66 Wirch, Robert W. (D) ...... 267-8979 22. Brandtjen, Janel (R) ...... 267-2367 60. Brooks, Robert (R) ...... 267-2369 23. 67, 68, 69 Moulton, Terry (R)...... 266-7511 23. Ott, Jim (R)...... 266-0486 61. Kerkman, Samantha (R)...... 266-2530 24. 70, 71, 72 Testin, Patrick* (R)...... 266-3123 24. Knodl, Dan (R)...... 266-3796 62. Weatherston, Tom (R)...... 266-0731 25. 73, 74, 75 Bewley, Janet (D)...... 266-3510 25. Tittl, Paul (R)...... 266-0315 63. Vos, Robin J. (R)...... 266-3387 26. 76, 77, 78 Risser, Fred A. (D)...... 266-1627 26. Katsma, Terry (R)...... 266-0656 64. Barca, Peter W. (D)...... 266-5504 27. 79, 80, 81 Erpenbach, Jon (D)...... 266-6670 27. Vorpagel, Tyler (R)...... 266-8530 65. Ohnstad, Tod (D)...... 266-0455 28. 82, 83, 84 Craig, Dave (R)...... 266-5400 28. Jarchow, Adam (R)...... 267-2365 66. Mason, Cory (D)...... 266-0634 29. 85, 86, 87 Petrowski, Jerry (R) ...... 266-2502 29. Stafsholt Rob* (R) ...... 266-7683 67. Summerfield, Rob* (R) ...... 266-1194 30. 88, 89, 90 Hansen, Dave (D)...... 266-5670 30. Zimmerman, Shannon* (R).... 266-1526 68. Bernier, Kathy (R)...... 266-9172 31. 91, 92, 93 Vinehout, Kathleen (D)...... 266-8546 31. Loudenbeck, Amy (R)...... 266-9967 69. Kulp, Bob (R)...... 267-0280 32. 94, 95, 96 Shilling, Jennifer (D)...... 266-5490 32. August, Tyler (R)...... 266-1190 70. VanderMeer, Nancy L. (R)..... 266-8366 33. 97, 98, 99 Kapenga, Chris (R)...... 266-9174 33. Horlacher, Cody (R) ...... 266-5715 71. Shankland, Katrina (D) ...... 267-9649 34. Swearingen, Rob (R)...... 266-7141 72. Krug, Scott S. (R)...... 266-0215

*Newly elected. 35. Felzkowski, Mary (R)...... 266-7694 73. Milroy , Nick (D)...... 266-0640 Notes: Numbers are for legislative officers, area code 608. 74. Meyers, Beth (D)...... 266-7690 Senator email: sen.(insert last name)@legis.wisconsin.gov 36. Mursau, Jeffrey L. (R)...... 266-3780 Representative email: rep.(insert last name)@legis.wisconsin.gov 37. Jagler, John (R)...... 266-9650 75. Quinn, Robert Romaine (R)... 266-2519 (For Ed and Robert Brooks insert last name and first initial.) 38. Kleefisch, Joel (R)...... 266-8551 76. Taylor, Chris (D)...... 266-5342

Page 4 The Wisconsin Taxpayer Sample Maps From WISTAX’s Legislative Directory Members of the 2017 Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly See Back Page for Ordering Information

Dist. Rep. (Party) Phone

39. Born, Mark L. (R) ...... 266-2540 40. Petersen, Kevin (R)...... 266-3794 41. Ballweg, Joan (R)...... 266-8077 42. Ripp, Keith (R)...... 266-3404 43. Vruwink, Don* (D) ...... 266-3790 44. Kolste, Debra (D)...... 266-7503 45. Spreitzer, Mark (D) ...... 266-1192 46. Hebl, Gary (D) ...... 266-7678 47. Anderson, Jimmy* (D)...... 266-8570 48. Sargent, Melissa Agard (D)...... 266-0960 49. Tranel, Travis (R)...... 266-1170 50. Brooks, Ed (R)...... 266-8531 51. Novak, Todd (R)...... 266-7502 52. Thiesfeldt, Jeremy (R)...... 266-3156 53. Schraa, Michael (R) ...... 267-7990 54. Hintz, Gordon (D)...... 266-2254 55. Rohrkaste, Mike. (R)...... 266-5719 56. Murphy, Dave (R)...... 266-7500 57. Stuck, Amanda (D) ...... 266-3070 58. Gannon, Bob (R)...... 264-8486 59. Kremer, Jesse (R) ...... 266-9175 60. Brooks, Robert (R) ...... 267-2369 61. Kerkman, Samantha (R)...... 266-2530 62. Weatherston, Tom (R)...... 266-0731 63. Vos, Robin J. (R)...... 266-3387 64. Barca, Peter W. (D)...... 266-5504 Dist. Rep. (Party) Phone Dist. Rep. (Party) Phone 65. Ohnstad, Tod (D)...... 266-0455 77. Berceau, Terese (D) ...... 266-3784 89. Nygren, John (R) ...... 266-2343 66. Mason, Cory (D)...... 266-0634 78. Subek, Lisa (D)...... 266-7521 90. Genrich, Eric (D)...... 266-0616 67. Summerfield, Rob* (R) ...... 266-1194 79. Hesselbein, Dianne (D)...... 266-5340 91. Wachs, Dana (D)...... 266-7461 68. Bernier, Kathy (R)...... 266-9172 80. Pope, Sondy (D)...... 266-3520 92. Pronschinske, Treig* (R)...... 266-7015 69. Kulp, Bob (R)...... 267-0280 81. Considine, Dave (D) ...... 266-7746 93. Petryk, Warren (R) ...... 266-0660 70. VanderMeer, Nancy L. (R)..... 266-8366 82. Skowronski, Ken (R)...... 266-8590 94. Doyle, Steve (D)...... 266-0631 71. Shankland, Katrina (D) ...... 267-9649 83. Wichgers, Chuck* (R) ...... 266-3363 95. Billings, Jill (D)...... 266-5780 72. Krug, Scott S. (R)...... 266-0215 84. Kuglitsch, Mike (R) ...... 267-5158 96. Nerison, Lee A. (R) ...... 266-3534 73. Milroy , Nick (D)...... 266-0640 85. Snyder, Patrick* (R)...... 266-0654 97. Allen, Scott (R)...... 266-8580 74. Meyers, Beth (D)...... 266-7690 86. Spiros, John (R)...... 266-1182 98. Neylon, Adam (R)...... 266-5120 75. Quinn, Robert Romaine (R)... 266-2519 87. Edming, James W. (R)...... 266-7506 99. Duchow, Cindy (R)...... 266-3007 76. Taylor, Chris (D)...... 266-5342 88. Macco, John (R)...... 266-0485

Vol. 84, Number 12 | December 2016 Page 5 includes a complete list of 2017-18 senators and rep- the governor and legislature shifted some borrowing resentatives, contact information, and district maps costs into the future, reducing 2016 debt spending and (see back page for details). increasing it in the future. Session Schedule This past November, the Department of Rev- The 2017-18 session officially runs from inaugu- enue (DOR), in the statutorily required “November ration on January 3, 2017 through the first week of 20” report, estimated tax collections for 2017 and January, 2019. However, legislators do not spend all for the 2017-19 biennium. For 2017, the depart- that time in Madison debating legislation. ment’s estimates were about $220 million less than estimated in January 2016 by the LFB. That leaves Legislative leaders have scheduled 94 days to the state with a projected ending balance for 2017 meet in regular session, with the last in early May of just over $100 million. 2018. Nearly half (46) of the regular floor days will be during the first six months of the two-year Recent collection reports from DOR suggest the session, when the legislature develops a 2017-19 ending balance may be less. While the “November state budget. 20” report forecasts 2.3% tax growth in 2017, actual collections were up just 1.2% during the first five Following a summer recess, the legislature will months of the fiscal year. At that pace, the state could meet for 19 days from mid-September through face a 2017 deficit. early November of 2017. It will wrap up its regular business with 29 days on the floor from January 2017-19 Revenues. Each of the past two revenue through early May 2018. After that, campaign forecasts—January 2016 and November 2017—have season returns. trimmed prior ones, an unsettling sign for 2017-19. The most recent DOR forecast shows revenues grow- BUDGET CHALLENGES ing 2.9% in 2018 and 3.0% in 2019. Compared to As with prior legislatures, the largest (and 2017 (assuming collections meet DOR’s expecta- most important) task the 2017-18 edition faces is tions), lawmakers will have about $1.2 billion in new approving a state budget for the next two years. tax revenue over the two-year budget cycle. Governor Walker (R) presents a budget proposal Estimates at this early stage of the budget process to the legislature in early February. From there, should always be viewed cautiously. However, for the legislature takes over, altering the bill to their this budget cycle, there is additional uncertainty liking and returning it to the governor—as early as about future economic growth due to: late June—for his signature. Obstacles this year ƒ could be lagging tax revenues and disagreement on ƒ The length of the current expansion, which transportation finance. is beyond the post-WWII average, increasing the likelihood of recession; Revenues Now . . . and For 2017-19 ƒƒ The U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest The amount of money the state will have available rates in December 2016 and is likely to raise them for 2017-19 depends on at least two factors: (1) the again in 2017. Higher interest rates can slow eco- carryover surplus from 2015-17, and (2) economic nomic growth; conditions over the next several years. ƒƒ A new president and the resulting changes to 2016-17 Revenues and Balances. Wisconsin federal tax and spending policies will likely impact has a history of budgeting small ending balances; the economy; the question is, in which direction? the 2015-17 budget was no different. When enact- ed, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) projected General Fund Spending the state would end fiscal 2017 with a balance of Revenues represent only half the state budget $131.4 million, or just 0.8% of 2017 spending. picture; spending is the other part. Agency requests Over the next several months, that number rose to are the only expenditure figures available before the $164.5 million. governor proposes his budget. The governor can ac- However, as economic conditions weakened in cept, reject, or modify any agency requests. late 2015, the LFB reduced by $158.2 million its Requests. The “November 20” report showed estimate of biennial tax collections. In response, agency requests were about $693 million more than

Page 6 The Wisconsin Taxpayer expected ongoing revenues over the next two years; The Badger State historically has one of the smallest that gap drops to $588 million if the state uses its rainy day funds of the 50 states. anticipated $105 million ending balance. Two important budget questions lurk: Will law- Most of the requested new spending comes from makers leave a sufficient ending balance in case two agencies. The Department of Public Instruction revenues lag, and will they add to the state’s “rainy is asking for $447 million in new spending author- day fund” as insurance against recession? ity, mostly for K-12 school aids. The Department of Transportation Dilemma Health Services wants to spend $336 million more over the next two years, mostly for Medicaid. Most state budget discussion typically focuses on the general fund. This year, however, it may center K-12 Schools. As always, one of the major issues on the separate transportation fund. will be state support for K-12 schools. Past actions present lawmakers and the governor At more than $4.6 billion, general school aid is by with a dilemma. During 2003-11, state general fund far the largest state appropriation. Since 1994, it has budgets were balanced by using $1.4 billion from the been tied to school property taxes through revenue segregated transportation fund. The state borrowed limits. If the state keeps revenue limits unchanged, to replace most of the transfers and then continued any increase in general aids is fully offset by reduced to borrow. school taxes. This is what occurred in 2016-17, when net general aids rose about $83 million but revenue As a result, debt service is now claiming more limits were unchanged. than 20% of transportation fund spending. While the state typically borrows for some road construc- With these limits left unchanged for two con- tion, high debt service makes additional borrowing secutive years, lawmakers are likely to allow some less viable. Moreover, these costs could rise should increase. However, the amount will be governed by interest rates move up. how much they can add to general school aids. Less borrowing means more transportation spend- Medicaid. Medicaid is a second issue that arises ing must be funded with ongoing gas taxes and vehicle in every budget. Health insurance for poor and dis- registration fees. However, those revenues, particu- abled individuals, Medicaid is the fastest growing larly the former, have grown modestly over the past major state expenditure. It has climbed from 9% of decade. During 2006-16, gas taxes rose an average general fund spending in 2009 to more than 17% in 0.6% per year. Growth was minimal because: cars 2016. During 2009-16, half of all new state spending are becoming more fuel efficient, so drivers purchase was for Medicaid. less fuel; the number of miles driven in the state has The $336 million in new spending requested for changed little; and in 2006, the state eliminated index- Medicaid is smaller compared to past budgets. How- ing (inflation adjustment) of the gas tax. The tax has ever, there is inherent uncertainty with Medicaid as since remained at 30.9 cents per gallon, and on of the its costs rise when the economy slows. Moreover, the top 15 nationally. fate of the federal Affordable Care Act could affect With high-cost reconstruction projects underway on Medicaid spending. in southeast Wisconsin, few good options exist. The A Fiscal Cushion? Other general fund programs governor and some lawmakers do not want to increase will be debated over the coming month, too many to the gas tax or vehicle registration fee, and would in- discuss in this limited space. But one historic area stead focus on cost savings. However, transportation of weakness in state finances is financial cushion. officials say that, without these increases, existing Recent revenue slowing should remind legisla- project delays are likely to grow. tors of the importance of having adequate budget Others would prefer to keep these projects “on reserves. Public finance experts often suggest states time,” and, in addition to cost savings, view some tax set aside, at minimum, 5% of spending. Wisconsin’s or fee increase as a viable alternative.  rainy-day fund currently has less than $300 million, DATA SOURCES: with nothing added over the past several years. Add- Wisconsin Departments of Administration, Public Instruction, and ing the estimated $100 ending balance for this year, Revenue; Wisconsin Elections Commission; Wisconsin Legislative and the state has reserves of about 2.5% of spending. Fiscal Bureau.

Vol. 84, Number 12 | December 2016 Page 7 PERIODICALS USPS 688-800 wis tax Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance 401 North Lawn Avenue • Madison, WI 53704-5033 608.241.9789 • www.wistax.org

NEW! Legislative & Congressional Directory

2017-18 The 2017-18 will address issues that affect you. Do you know who With Current District Maps represents you in Madison? Do you know how to contact him or her? The 36th edition of our biennial, 24-page Wisconsin Legislative and Congressional Directory has that information and more. In addition to legislative contact information, the directory contains committee chairs, individual maps of the 33 senate districts and with their associated assembly districts see ex-

sses, and most recent ample below), as well as a state map of the eight U.S. congressional l information on back.

maps, office phone numbers, home addre Page 12 state lawmakers begins on page four, congressionaCounty 10, 12 6, 8, 16 Page Rusk 12 districts. The directory includes the name, address, party affiliation, onal Directory includes names, district Legislative & Congressional DirectorySt. Croix 13, 14 10, 12, 13 Sauk 13, 14 14, 18 embers of the legislature.Find Information your legislator on Countyby county 16 Sawyer 12 Marathon 13 Shawano 10 2017-18 Legislative & Congressi Page 8 The Marinette Sheboygan 13 18, 20 election results for all 132 m Marquette 8 Taylor 13 16, 18 Menominee Trempealeau County 13 13, 14 4, 5, 18 Milwaukee 13 Vernon 12 telephone number, and election results for each legislator, and Page 8 Florence Monroe Vilas 18 Fond du Lac 14, 16 8, 16 4, 6, 8 Oconto 18 Walworth 4, 6, 18 12 Forest 16 Washburn County Oneida 10 14, 16 12 Grant 6, 8 Outagamie 10 Washington 8, 16 Adams 12 Green 12 Waukesha 16 Ozaukee 10, 12 Ashland 14 Green Lake 8, 10 8 Waupaca Pepin 8, 10, 12 Barron 10 Iowa 4, 6 Pierce 12 Waushara Iron 8 Bayfield 10, 12 Polk Winnebago 14 Jackson 4, 5 4, 5, 18 lists legislative leaders, constitutional officers, legislative Brown Portage 8 Wood 14 Buffalo 10 Jefferson Price 4 Burnett Juneau 8 10, 12 8 Racine Calumet 6, 16 Kenosha Richland 13 Chippewa 8 Kewaunee Rock Clark La Crosse 13 4, 6, 16 14 Columbia 6, 16 Lafayette Crawford 14 Langlade Dane 12 Lincoln service agencies, and many state agencies. Manitowoc Dodge 10, 12 Door 10 Douglas Dunn Eau Claire

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The Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, founded in 1932, is the state’s oldest and most respected private government-research organization. Through its publications, civic lectures, and school talks, WISTAX aims to improve Wisconsin government through citizen education. Nonprofit, nonpartisan, and independently funded, WISTAX is not affiliated with any group—national, state, or local—and receives no government support. In accordance with IRS regulations, WISTAX financial statements are available on request.