Lack of Wisconsin state budget starting to be a big deal

Our lawmakers in Madison keep telling us its no big deal that the state has yet to adopt a new budget. But it is getting more and more significant by the day. The next two year state budget was due to be approved by the end of June. We are now well into August, and not only is the state no closer to adopting a new spending document, the committee responsible for putting it together hasn’t even met since the middle of June. Instead, lawmakers only point fingers and shrug their shoulders over the lack of a deal. But local governments and school districts all across the state need to learn how much state aid they can get before they can finalize their budget process. Road work across the state is being further delayed because of the lack of a new state transportation budget. These are real ramifications, and the problem gets worse each day lawmakers continue to drag their feet. With still no breakthrough on the big sticking point, mainly how to pay for road work, and no meetings currently scheduled, it appears the state is still some distance from wrapping up its budget work. At this rate, it may very well be September before the budget is finished. Now, Wisconsin is just one of two states yet to adopt a new budget. Even Illinois got their financing figured out. The fact is, the only job requirement of our elected officials in Madison is to approve a new budget. Perhaps we should start withholding their paychecks as an incentive to get back to work and get that job done.