That $154 million surplus that you were told about by the Secretary of the Department of Administration, Mike Huebsch?
The one which includes $78 million of kicking the can down the road by taking on new debt?
The one that includes $26 million of raided mortgage settlement funds?
How much does that leave of actual surplus? $50 million.
How much is the statutory minimum amount that the general fund needs to have in it at the end of each fiscal year? $65 million.
Oops.
But I'm an understanding person: running state finances is a tricky thing to do. So for the purposes of the rest of this diary I'll grant that Mike Huebsch's numbers are absolutely 100% above board. And also because I think you really need the head start.
Remember your plan to kick 17,000 off Badgercare? The rest of us do.
Remember how Federal law says that you can't do that unless you certify to the Federal government that:
In accordance with and for the purposes of section 1902(gg)(3) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Affordable Care Act, I certify that the State of Wisconsin:
[X] Has or projects to have a budget deficit during the state fiscal year 2012 representing the period January 1, 2012 through June 30, 2012.
[X] Projects a budget deficit for the state fiscal year 2013 representing the period July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2013, following the state fiscal year in which this certification is submitted.
As Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration, which develops and implements Wisconsin's state budget, I am the appropriate official to make this certification. Please contact me if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Mike Huebsch
Secretary
December 29, 2011
So which is it Scotty? Do we have a budget surplus or are we obeying Federal law?
What's that? I'm being unfair? Huebsch was certifying a deficit only under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), whereas the surplus you and he now claim is on a cash/budgetary basis? I'm sorry I can't agree, because on the campaign trail you promised you would:
Require the use of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to balance every state budget, just as we require every local government and school district to do.
So Scotty, are you lying about the surplus, or are you breaking Federal law in order to take away the insurance of 17,000 Wisconsinites who desperately need it, or did you lie in order to get elected?
Your answer is due by June 5th.
P.S. That idea of "recall ping-pong" just doesn't seem to want to come true either.
Donation links:
Tom Barrett via Daily Kos Wisconsin ActBlue.
Mahlon Mitchell who is up against Lieutenant-Governor Rebecca Kleefisch.
Lori Compas who is up against Senator Scott Fitzgerald in SD13.
John Lehman who is up against Senator Van Wanggaard in SD21.
Kristen Dexter who is up against Senator Terry Moulton in SD23.
Donna Seidel who is up against Jerry Petrowski in SD29 after incumbent Pam Galloway resigned.
If you can't decide, there's the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.