The Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) released a memo to Republican State Senator Rob Cowles on Monday that lists 49 proposals contained in the Governor's 2015-2017 state budget recommendations that are primarily non-fiscal policy changes. This means that these proposals do not have much connection to the the state's budget outlook and more closely resemble a proposal that would be introduced as separate, stand-alone legislation.
The memo lists 49 such items, some of which are incredibly important policy changes, such the proposal to convert the Natural Resources Board to the Natural Resources Advisory Council, thus greatly diminishing that body's influence on environmental policy.
Interestingly, the memo also separately mentions four items that do have a fiscal impact, but also represent significant policy changes. Three of these issues have been covered extensively by the Wisconsin State Budget Impact on Women and Girls project. These changes include:
It remains to be seen whether those legislators calling for the removal of non-fiscal policy items from the budget include the four items listed separately in LFB memo. We will continue to follow this closely and provide any other relevant updates regarding any potential changes to these provisions that impact Wisconsin's women and girls.
The memo lists 49 such items, some of which are incredibly important policy changes, such the proposal to convert the Natural Resources Board to the Natural Resources Advisory Council, thus greatly diminishing that body's influence on environmental policy.
Interestingly, the memo also separately mentions four items that do have a fiscal impact, but also represent significant policy changes. Three of these issues have been covered extensively by the Wisconsin State Budget Impact on Women and Girls project. These changes include:
- Drug testing for childless adults participating in BadgerCare, FoodShare employment and training (FSET), and other social safety net programs.
- Changes to existing long-term care programs for people with disabilities and the elderly, including Family Care and IRIS. We have covered these changes extensively on this site and will continue to do so.
- Providing significantly more administrative independence for the University of Wisconsin System by creating a UW-System Authority.
It remains to be seen whether those legislators calling for the removal of non-fiscal policy items from the budget include the four items listed separately in LFB memo. We will continue to follow this closely and provide any other relevant updates regarding any potential changes to these provisions that impact Wisconsin's women and girls.
RSS Feed
