Please don't lay me off

Governor Doyle Asks for More Sacrifices

By Matt Smith

Thursday, Governor Doyle proposed more layoffs and cuts to cities and schools in an effort to tame the state's growing budget deficit.

Governor Doyle calls the plan a "responsible agreement under extraordinary circumstances," while Republicans say it's anything but.

The governor's office reports this proposal will close the $1.6 billion shortfall that's occurred in just the past few months.

Thursday we learned that means as many as 1,400 state employees could lose their jobs -- even more than first announced.

"These are painful cuts that will affect the services people rely on and the employees who deliver those services."
The governor's proposal paints a clearer picture of what will be lost.
Each state agency must cut five percent from its own budget.

Non-union employees will not receive a raise, and all state employees must take 16 furlough days over the next two years. Schools and cities across Wisconsin will see state aid cut by two-and-a-half percent.

"I know it's very hard on the districts, students, families, but we don't have any other acceptable option," the governor said.

But some Republicans call the plan sneaky, a closed-door deal, that takes money from critical funds to help offset the governor's spending.

"He has increased borrowing by 60 percent. In addition to that, he has increased spending. And On top of that the way he increased spending is he has stolen from various funds," Rep. Phil Montgomery (R-Ashwaubenon) said.

"Despite the economic downturn, despite the growing budget deficit, we're doing everything we can to first of all pass a balanced budget and second of all do it on time," Rep. Tom Nelson (D-Kaukauna) said.

The Joint Finance Committee will begin voting on the budget Friday -- a move criticized by Republicans for trying to pass it on a holiday weekend.