Surprise, last-minute additions to state budget need to stop

Sometimes things come up at the last minute. Other times things are sprung at the last minute, and that seems to increasingly be the case for the Wisconsin Legislature. Our elected representatives in Madison have more often taken to using surprises and secretive moves to get their pet projects passed into law. For example, in 2011, during the final day of deliberations on a new state budget, at nearly midnight, two lawmakers unveiled a massive tax cut for manufacturers and agricultural businesses. Just minutes later, without any public notice or public hearings, lawmakers used these questionable tactics to implement one of the biggest tax breaks enacted under Governor Scott Walker. Since then, these surprise moves that keep the public in the dark, have been employed by lawmakers. That tax break was expected to reduce state revenue by $128 million. Turns out it has cost much more, $334 million. Last minute insertions into the budget have also dealt with policy items, like in 2015 when lawmakers offered last minute motions to dismantle the state’s open records laws. When lawmakers use these underhanded tricks, it keeps the public out of the debate. They can even keep us from knowing which lawmaker offered the proposal. Huge tax breaks or sweeping policy changes deserve a public hearing. Lawmakers should change the rules in Madison, and get rid of these last minute budget items. We deserve to know what our lawmakers are voting on, and have a chance to have our say about it.