Richards Report - Legislature Budget Committee Update - April 26, 2013

Rep. Jon Richards

April 26, 2013

And we're off and running!

Dear Neighbor,

The legislature’s budget committee began its work in earnest yesterday with the first round of voting on items in the governor’s budget. Unfortunately, things got off to a rather inauspicious start as the co-chairs of the committee denied a vote to remove 46 non-fiscal policy items from the budget. One of the more egregious items would allow out-of-state predatory rent-to-own operators hide their interest rates from consumers. There’s strong opposition to this item from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, though. So, I’m cautiously optimistic we can get it removed from the budget before it goes to the governor for his signature. By the way, thank you to everyone who attended last Saturday’s budget hearing in Milwaukee. Turnout was great, with about 200 people in attendance. The message we heard from Milwaukeeans was loud and clear: we need to invest in our public schools and we need to strengthen BadgerCare.

Sincerely,
JON RICHARDS
State Representative Assembly District 19
Facebook.com/RepJonRichards