Sheridan says no major budget changes
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan said Tuesday he does not expect Democrats to propose major changes to the state budget.
Sheridan said Democrats were discussing making "tweaks" to the two-year spending plan that passed the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee last month. The Assembly planned to start budget debate Thursday.
"I don't see any big changes from what was proposed," he said in an interview.
His comments come as pressure intensified from the business community and special interests who say they are hurt by the Democratic-written plan. On Tuesday, the state's largest lobbying group Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce delivered a petition with more than 2,100 signatures to Sheridan objecting to more than a dozen parts of the budget.
In particular, WMC singled out the proposal to raise income taxes on households earning more than $300,000 a year, increasing capital gains taxes and changing the state's liability laws to make it easier for defendants to collect when multiple parties are at fault.
"The budget under consideration will hamper job creation in our state and prolong the recession," said James Haney, president of WMC.
Sheridan defended the budget, saying 99 percent of families will see no tax increase. General sales and income taxes do not go up under the plan, but anyone owning a phone will have to pay a new 75-cent monthly fee and smokers will pay an additional 75 cents per pack.
Overall, taxes and fees would increase $2.1 billion under the budget, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau.
"We're just trying to create tax fairness," Sheridan said.
He accused WMC and other critics of "muddying the waters" with their attacks.
Jun 9, 2009 at 5:16 p.m.
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http://www.channel3000.com/politics/1969...
Jun 9, 2009 at 3:03 p.m.
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I think it's time to say goodbye to this politically-controlled website.
Jun 9, 2009 at 3:01 p.m.
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hmmmm
Jun 9, 2009 at 2:59 p.m.
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Rep. Sheridan was in another story earlier today - it mysteriosly disappeared from this website. Something about a golf outing the state democrats were planning.
Jun 9, 2009 at 1:50 p.m.
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It would be nice if the Gazette and it's editor would report on all the news. Never did see an article about Sheridan flip flopping on political fundraising during the budget debates. Or maybe the Gazette buried it? Sheridan was one of the many lawmakers who agreed to no fundraising until the budget was done. He broke that pledge which he agreed to. Thankfully a newspaper that did its job like the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on it. Maybe the Gazette and their editor don't believe in doing their job honestly and fairly. Must have their own political agenda and don't want to point out that Sheridan is a liar.
Jun 9, 2009 at 12:38 p.m.
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Sheridan must be in the upper tax bracket now, GM pay, UAW pay, state pay.
Jun 9, 2009 at 12:12 p.m.
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Of course Rep. Sheridan is not out saying "We're going to make big changes to this mess of a budget my caucus members just rammed through the Joint Finance Committee." With all the headaches he must be facing this week, he's going to earn his pay.
Jun 9, 2009 at 11:42 a.m.
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Raising taxes in the worst recession in 27 years = fiscal insanity. And the sloppy wet kiss to the trial lawyers on the liability issue is sickening. There will be some political fallout from this budget, perhaps enough to change the balance of power.
Jun 9, 2009 at 11:26 a.m.
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But does he have 50 votes to pass it is the real question.
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