Preserving Wisconsin Communities

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 system Milwaukee 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 crashed
Many 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 Florida
8.4 million jobs were lost
As if every salesperson, secretary and nurse got a pink slip
39.8 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 Tax Cuts Funds for Teachers Business Loans Buses and Trains Energy Savings Rehab River Clean Up Health Care Cash for Clunkers Farm Aid Aid for Elderly Medical Research School Loans Improve Airports Child Protection Vet’s Aid $$ for Police 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 hurt communities 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
Repeal the corporate tax reforms
Cut spending for public structures
Weaken Labor Unions
Cut taxes for business
Set the stage for 2012 electoral victory
Redistricting
Voter IDs
Inflame cultural conflicts .
Progressive Goals
Expand revenue to invest in community growth
Increase the number of family supporting jobs
Protect the middle class
Strengthen tolerance and cooperation among diverse peoples
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?

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Preserving Wisconsin Communities

by Wisconsin Recovers on Jan 16, 2011

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Preserving Wisconsin Communities — Presentation Transcript