Preserving Wisconsin

Communities …during tough economic times

Community Forum

December 12, 2010

Institute for Wisconsin’s Future(414) 967-1682

wisconsinsfuture.org

Public structures support our quality of life

We understand and appreciate that what breathes life and hope and happiness into our ‘homes’ is the quality of our neighborhoods, jobs, schools, parks, services, medical care, and transportation.

Wisconsin Realtors Association

Government paves the way for economic growth through public structures

Port of Milwaukee Mitchell Airport

Sewage System Highway systemMilwaukee Area Tech College

Sanitation system

Balanced taxes from different sources build

and sustain strong public structures

Public transport...Protecting natural resources

Garbage services

Parks and recreation.

State revenue shortfalls for the past decade have led to cuts in...

Education funding

In 2008 the US economy crashedMany megabanks brought down the economy by creating and selling risky financial products – with our money

$15 trillion in personal wealth was gone Almost $50,000 for every man, woman and child in America $6.1 trillion in housing value disappeared As if a hurricane destroyed every house in every state on the Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida8.4 million jobs were lost As if every salesperson, secretary and nurse got a pink slip39.8 million people in poverty – the most since 1960

The total number of people living in the 30 largest US cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, etc.

The losses were huge

$800 billion Recovery Act for 2009-2010

• Stop the job loss

• Help people in crisis

• Support business growth

• Increase public investment on roads and energy

• Prevent devastating cuts to education and public services

• Stimulate private spending – Tax cuts, Cash for Clunkers, Unemployment Benefits

Stimulus spending didn’t cause the deficit

The Recovery Act prevented a full-fledged depression in America, using millions of economic sandbags to protect communities from going under

Road Repair

School Rehab Funds

for DAs

Food Stamps

More UI for 99 Weeks

TaxCuts

Funds for Teachers

BusinessLoans

BusesandTrains

EnergySavings Rehab

River Clean Up

Health Care

Cash for Clunkers

Farm Aid

Aid forElderly

Medical Research

SchoolLoans

ImproveAirports

ChildProtection

Vet’s Aid

$$ forPolice

Housing for Disabled

2010 election results reflect the popular disconnect between taxes and the public good

The stimulus money is almost gone and communities are heading

for a funding cliff in 2011-2013

Wisconsin faces a $3 billion deficit for 2011-12.

The decisions made by state leaders in the coming months can protect or hurtcommunities across the state.

New state leaders wants to cut spending and taxes – a recipe for disaster

Tax cuts and reduced revenue = greater deficit

Bigger deficit = more cuts in program and staffing More cuts=

higher unemployment, slower growth and less tax revenue

What do we do now?Conservative Agenda

1) Repeal the corporate tax reforms

2) Cut spending for public structures

3) Weaken Labor Unions

4) Cut taxes for business

5) Set the stage for 2012 electoral victory

• Redistricting• Voter IDs• Inflame cultural conflicts .

Progressive Goals

1) Expand revenue to invest in community growth

2) Increase the number of family supporting jobs

3) Protect the middle class

4) Strengthen tolerance and cooperation among diverse peoples

5) Hold new leaders accountable for decisions.

Keeping them honest– 250,000 Jobs Governor-elect Walker promised to create 250,000 new jobs:• Starting in the hole – Thousands of jobs lost with high speed train gone and Talgo Co. moving to Illinois

• Cutting public sector jobs is a minus- Every job loss reduces economic activity, tax revenue and adds social costs. A teacher and a factory worker both keep the grocery store running.

• Cutting wages hurts growth – Buying generates jobs. The less money people have, the less they consume. Furloughs hurt the economy.

Don’t let new leaders bait and switch

• Support policies that preserve existing jobs and create new ones

• Preserve strong community systems, especially in hard times

• Keep Wisconsin revenue in Wisconsin

Campaign Focus is JOBS Legislative starter-Concealed carry

How do we protect our communities?

• Talk to your friends and neighbors about what we value in our community and how to preserve it.

• Sign-up for IWF’s e-mail newsletter and alert system.

• Attend a training on how to talk about taxes and the role of government --reconnect the public with the common good

Pass-on the presentation What other groups should get this information?