Wis. Faces Worst Budget Shortfall in State History

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Thursday, November 20, 2008 --- 3:45 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Wisconsin Legislature will be forced to meet in special session early next year to begin dealing with the worst budget deficit in state history.

Gov. Jim Doyle received a report Thursday that confirmed the bad news state policy makers have expected for weeks.

The report from the Department of Administration shows tax collections are expected to fall by 2.2 percent this year and 3.9 percent next year. That, combined with spending commitments already made, will put the state $5.4 billion in the red by the middle of 2011.

Administration Secretary Michael Morgan says that is the worst deficit in state history.

The Legislature will have to meet to deal with a $500 million shortfall for the current year.

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Posted by: Tom Location: Madison on Nov 21, 2008 at 07:16 PM
The AFL-CIO UAW and labor in general in cahoots with the Mafia held business hostage with outrageous demands that gave rise to ridiculous prices for everything from coal in the 1920s to cell phones in 21st century --for almost a hundred years. Are you surprised? Absurd benefits and wages finally has come to it's match with foreign labor and the better products they make to boot. Are you surprised? Unskilled unschooled greedy workers were delighted when they busted a company even though they had no job when it happened. They just move on to the next company to bleed them too. Are you surprised? Labor had power and abused their privileges for this long and now they must pay the ultimate price and break not only the company they work for, --but the country they live in. Horaay, --you idiots.

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 21, 2008 at 10:53 AM
they shouldnt raise taxes but they will. that is there solution to everything. raise taxes. pretty soon no one is going to ever move here again. allready cost way to much here for what madison is worth.

Posted by: Ohma Goodness Location: Oregon on Nov 20, 2008 at 08:16 PM
I agree with the comments of "Golly". It is time to "Cut the Fat"!!! You cannot keep on taxing, or raising fees on hard working people of this state. We already are one of the highest taxed states, but yet every year we have to pay more.Get a Clue Doyle!! It is time to stop the Gravy Train, especially for the state workers,(ex;sick days, pensions, insurance,etc;)I think that it is time for you people to pay your fair share, instead of living off of our dime. Last week Doyle said he would tax hospitals and oil companies more. Don't you think that they won't raise their rates on us to pay this. Another thing: term limits on elected officials, two terms and your out!! We need to put an end to "The Good Ole Boys Club" Hmmmmmm?

Posted by: Bill Location: Mazomanie on Nov 20, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Ok let everybody jump on the Pitty Pot !! First it was the Bank's than the Car Company's And now it is our own State of Wis. Oh sure let's raise our Taxes !! No problem that way we can lose everything we have ! We have already lost job's homes and probally marriages !! Stop feeding our School system's and take care of the adults ! With out us there would be NO TAX BASE to pay for every ones mistakes !!

Posted by: By Golly Location: I've got it! on Nov 20, 2008 at 04:47 PM
Since we can't say "NO" to taxes, we can stop buying new stuff (cars, homes etc) that the govt. loves to tax. I guess this is another one of the benefits of a lousy economy. The Govt is slowly (and I mean S-L-O-W-L-Y) beginning to realize the feeding frenzy is slowing down for them. Get a clue guys, make the cuts and while you're at it, why don't ch'ya actually consider cutting my taxes too since you won't have pay as much. Hmmmmmmmmm?

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