Were you as disappointed as I was with the recent state budgeting process?

Yes, we did get a budget, but at what cost?

Of course I like lower taxes. But I won't be going to Hawaii, adding on to

the house or significantly padding my retirement with the rebate check.

When I consider the size of the proposed check compared to the important

health, education and environmental issues we face I'm not sure I'm getting

much of a bargin. The modest amount I'm getting looks rather like lost

opportunities to me. Want some examples?

Let's talk about the envionment. The recent "Great Addition" purchase of

32,000 acres in northern Wisconsin by the state was wonderful. My thanks to

all involved! How about a "Great Addition" for southern Wisconsin?! The

amount of funding for the Stewardship Fund was increased this year.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, the increase was not enough to keep pace with

the rapidly escalating land prices we now pay for parkland. Will we have

enough funds to buy a Great Addition in the south? I would gladly have left

a few extra dollars in the till for increased park purchases. I know the

greenspace left for my children and the beauty and diversity of a wild

Wisconsin would be compensation enough for me.

Hey how about those schools! Many of us supported the recent referendum

issues, but I keep hearing our schools are strapped for cash. What about

that supposed state commitment to fund special education needs at a

substantially higher rate than is actually provided? How come our talented

and gifted programs go wanting in so many ways? I don't know about you, but

I would slice my rebate check a bit thinner to fund these programs.

While we're on this subject I remember discussions about education and the

W2 program. It wouldn't be fair to send W2 participants to school while so

many of the working poor don't qualify for these benefits. Excellent point!

Please someone take my check....I wouldn't mind if my rebate were reduced

just a bit more so funds could be made available for W2 folks and the

working poor to get a better education. Thanks I feel better already!

Oh yes, health care. The new Badger Care program for the poor is a step in

the right direction. And what are we going to do with all those millions

that a privatized Blue Cross wants to give the state medical schools?

Hmmm... It seems to me low cost, community based, accessible health care

is still an issue for many low income and elderly. Perhaps some of that

Blue Cross money, and while your at it, use a little more of my rebate to

provide additional physical and mental health benefits to those in need.

Well there you have it. I pretty much spent my rebate check and I didn't

spend a dime on mass transit, political campaign finance reform, affordable

housing or lead pipe replacement!

If your interested in spending your rebate check creatively give me a call

and let's talk about how maybe we can do things as neighbors on some of

these issues. Or come to the next TLNA council meeting or the winter

meeting on January 18 and share ideas. It might even be fun. See you

there!

-Ed Jepsen