A Message from Representative Dan Knodl
A reader forwarded this e-mail on to me from State Representative Dan Knodl (R-Germantown). Rather than continue to follow the slanted reporting from media outlets on the budget repair bill and obvious fawning over those protesting Walker and his proposals, people really should take the time to read the Governor's budget repair bill. See how it will help our state in the long run. With that in mind, here is the write-up from Representative Knodl that shows how one key area - school districts - could see savings in the future:
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Budget Repair Gives Schools, Local Governments Financial Flexibility
By Representative Dan Knodl
March 18, 2011
Over the next few months, the legislature will analyze, discuss and seek input on Governor Scott Walker’s 2011-13 state budget proposal. As we begin to examine the tough decisions that will need to be made, we are receiving encouraging news in terms of the savings that may be realized by local units of government and school districts under the recently-enacted budget repair bill.
A few days ago, we received a memo from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau detailing the pension savings that could be realized by every school district and local unit of government in Wisconsin as a result of the budget repair measure. Following are the estimated savings for the school districts and municipalities of the 24th Assembly District:
- Germantown School District: $222,000.00
- Menomonee Falls School District: $440,800.00
- Hamilton School District: $1.49 million
- Village of Butler: $23,600
- Village of Germantown: $1.23 million
- Village of Menomonee Falls: $1.62 million
- Village of Richfield: $28,800
- Washington County: $1.73 million
- Waukesha County: $3.79 million
Please note that these numbers are estimates and will differ depending upon contractual and other budgetary circumstances in each area. For example, savings in Waukesha County will be about $1 million less than the LFB estimates.
These numbers are encouraging, and they do not even include the potential savings that many schools and local units of government may realize under the increased public employee contributions to health insurance premiums. While those numbers will also vary widely from locale to locale, additional savings could be very large in some cases.
I expect additional numbers to be released in the days and weeks ahead that give a clearer picture of how local governments and schools will fare as a whole under the Governor’s 2011-13 budget proposal. Some initial reports indicate that many school districts and municipalities may actually come out ahead when the budget repair bill and the upcoming biennial budget are factored together.
Once a more definitive analysis is compiled, the Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) will conduct public hearings on the proposal and begin its own line-by-line breakdown. After that, the Assembly and Senate will review the changes made by the JCF and determine whether additional amendments are necessary.
Regardless of any changes, our next state budget will not raise taxes or fees, will not contain raids on segregated funds, will cut government spending, and will reduce the structural deficit by 90%. For too long our state has put off tough budget decisions and we can no longer afford to do so. It is time for our elected officials to grow up, be adults, and provide an honestly balanced budget for Wisconsin’s taxpayers.
To contact me with any questions or comments or to sign up for my regular e-updates, please send an e-mail to Rep.Knodl@legis.wi.gov or call me at (608) 266-3796.
(By the way, for those liberal readers who are so quick to wring their hands worrying about whether or not I have permission to re-print Representative Knodl's column, I do indeed. Knodl's legislative assistant, Vince Trovato, has given me open-ended permission to re-print any e-mail updates from Representative Knodl.)
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In addition, for those of you who still think "collective bargaining" is a "right," check out how it has been abused:
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The Wisconsin Supreme Court is made up of seven judges, with Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson (very liberal) a close friend of Kloppenburg. It is of utmost importance that we prevent another leftie from winning a seat on the bench. Should Prosser lose, as the unions are hoping, the Supreme Court - with a liberal majority - will do what liberal judges like to do - legislate from the bench. Not abide by the laws, but create them as they see fit. We've seen it happen many times in the past - liberal judges twisting the rules from the bench to fit their own agenda. This must not be allowed to happen. Supreme Court Judge David Prosser is an excellent judge - who does his job according to the law - ruling ON the law - fairly and impartially.
Vote to re-elect Judge David Prosser on April 5th!
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21 Comments
markjman - Mar 18, 2011 9:24 PM
I saw that reprrt on television about the GB schools getting all that pension $$ for not having to work. I think I posted that somehwre here.
What gives with the 4 missing remarks that your blog said you have. Our little libby boys not playing by the rules i suspect.
ahemmer - Mar 18, 2011 9:56 PM
Again, what is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Very difficult, it appears, for sirlaughsalittle to understand.
The end of public sector collective bargaining will be the beginning of fiscal salvation for many taxpayers.
jhayett - Mar 19, 2011 8:12 AM
Go to Al's blog to find out who sirlieslaot is. He has been banned for years but keeps changing IP addresses so to get back on. Here's a lesson you should heed. When I was a hardball liberal like jmark, we were taught to fight back when we couldn't debate the facts or the truth. No matter how dishonest or destructive liberalism is to our country, fight back so to block the pattern of thought. Stay on track and bring idiots like jmark back on track.
I can assure you this is the main reason sirliesalot/jmark can't debate Amy's blog.
"In addition, for those of you who still think "collective bargaining" is a "right," check out how it has been abused:
A Year’s Worth of Pay for 30 Days of Work
Under the Green Bay School District’s collectively bargained Emeritus Program, teaches can retire and receive a year’s worth of salary for working only 30 days over a three year period. This is paid in addition to their already guaranteed pension and health care payouts.
At the average annual salary for a Green Bay teacher of $51,355, this amounts to a daily rate of pay of $1,711.83, or an hourly rate of $213.98. Since most retiring teachers receive higher than average salary, these amounts are, in practice, much higher.
Source: WLUK-TV, 3/3/11
Teachers Receiving Two Pensions
Due to a 1982 provision of their collective bargaining agreement, Milwaukee Public School teachers actually receive two pensions upon retirement instead of one. The contribution to the second pension is equal to 4.2% of a teacher’s salary, with the school district making 100% of the contribution, just like they do for the first pension. This extra benefit costs taxpayers more than $16 million per year.
Source: February 17, 2010 Press Release, Process of developing FY11 budget begins Milwaukee Public Schools"
irked - Mar 19, 2011 9:48 AM
acting as if there is another other than obama ! lol.
irked - Mar 20, 2011 12:41 AM
that he did so !! Oh you are a bright one ! I have also seen Walker on many news
outlets especially the last two months ! What gives are you Ept ? lol... and no
definition from you yet !
ahemmer - Mar 20, 2011 10:46 AM
ahemmer - Mar 20, 2011 10:50 AM
That still doesn't come close to bamaphd's record of 42 comments on another blog (and most of the comments were the same - over and over and over).
Best plan of action on future comments from either of these two (although I still think they are the same individual) is ignore them. They aren't worth the time or effort of any response, and their remarks will be short-lived.
irked - Mar 20, 2011 9:09 PM
notice when I use their names in what I write !
Tom Bal - Mar 21, 2011 7:02 PM
1- Do you go anyway despite not being asked?
2- Do you just forget about it and go somewhere else?
3- You go they ask you to leave but you keep coming back and they keep telling you to leave.
2 of course why keep doing 3 when you not invited.
Of course this post will mean nothing in a few seconds but most will still understand it.
henry123 - Mar 22, 2011 5:44 PM
henry123 - Mar 22, 2011 5:48 PM
Tom Bal - Mar 22, 2011 6:58 PM
Your groups over there on the far left.
Just follow the torch oil drips you’ll see the light of the torches soon enough.
By the way I live in LC my parents Live in LC my Grandparents lived In LC my great great grand parents live in LC and so did their dog.
I’m glad someone with a head on their shoulders is running for anything in this country.
By the way Madison also has lakes you could go there.
Sounds like you’d fit right in.
And who said first appearance means nothing.
reformed trucker - Mar 22, 2011 10:59 PM
My grandparents came over after WW1, so I can't do that way, way back thing.
Wait, my grandparents on my mom's side, who lived in Milwaukee, would rent a cabin on Keesus over the summer because this was ''out in the sticks'' back then.
I got history.
ahemmer - Mar 23, 2011 6:54 AM
Now, henry123, any comments on the blog topic itself?
irked - Mar 23, 2011 2:19 PM
ahemmer - Mar 23, 2011 2:51 PM
And I'd put money on it that Mr. Markham doesn't even live in the Merton School District. Wonder why he is so obsessed with my run for the school board? It won't affect him in the least. Creepy.
And remember, I do support teachers - there are many great ones within the Merton Schools. By no fault of their own, they are forced to belong to a union. In the long run, this prohibits the good, engaging, enthusiastic teachers from being recognized (and paid) on their own merits. Instead, they are treated the same as those who do not do a good job, or may be poor educators - yet are protected based on seniority. Why should unions force workers - the good and the bad - to be treated the same? Why should the last hired be the first fired if lay-offs are needed? Years do not mean quality. I am all for rewarding the good ones based on their merits - as it should be.
countess24 - Mar 23, 2011 2:52 PM
You should really double check your math on those green bay figures (or at least consider your source). A daily rate of $1,711.83 equates to over $333,000 a year! Most teachers work about 190-195 days, so $51,000 is more like $268/day, or $33/hr (if they work an 8 hour day, which most work more than that). I don't think that's out of line for my child's teacher with a masters degree when I can make more than that as a waitress...
ahemmer - Mar 23, 2011 4:50 PM
And please note, I am not posting this comment as a criticism in any way. It is just a fact of how the school day is run. I am not sure when prep time came into being, and how schools determine how many sections of prep time various teachers are allowed. Also at Merton Schools, when 4 p.m. rolls around, not many teachers stay late. Some teachers do come in early to start the day. These are just the facts.
irked - Mar 23, 2011 8:35 PM
that as a waitress ? Or are you lying ?
irked - Mar 23, 2011 10:00 PM