SAVE Commission's findings - La Follette School of Public Affairs ...

FOCUS FEDERAL FUNDING
The Commission was struck by the fact
that Wisconsin ranks 22nd in per capita income
but 49th in per capita federal aids returning
here. There are many reasons for that disparity,
including the fact that we are not a big defense
state.
However, a review of how the state sets
federal funding priorities
revealed the need for an
overall strategy. Current
agency practices allow
state employees to make
a major decision to reject
millions of “no strings
attached” dollars simply
because of the paperwork.
At the same time,
progress has been made
in keeping tabs on federal money and grant
tracking through the Department of Administration.
The state should look at some obvious
areas to increase federal dollars, especially in
categories where the federal agencies give states
credit for effort—which is considerable in Wisconsin.
One example would be if Wisconsin
simply instituted a provider tax on hospitals.
That will result in an increase of tens of millions
of dollars in Medicaid money.
From a strategy standpoint, the state should
focus on targeted areas where federal money could
be used to meet the state’s strategic economic,
environmental, human resources and other objectives.
Such an approach is compatible with the
strong recommendations made in Goal #22 on
changing the state’s budget process to a more logical,
results-oriented approach.
“State and federal mandates for
one jurisdiction may not apply
to another or at least not to the
degree.”
Gary H. Mayer, Winnebago County
SEEK MANDATE RELIEF
Unfunded mandates need immediate attention,
especially those for local government.
Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation
should join with government back home in
seeking relief by either eliminating the requirements
or providing full payment for the cost of
the programs and their administration. The
Legislature should
meet annually with the
Congressional delegation
to coordinate
strategy.
In addition, the
state should increase
the attention it gives to
mandates from the
courts, such as the decision
requiring overtime
pay for paramedics. As the cost of local
government increases due to mandates and
court decisions, greater pressure will be placed
on elected officials, employees and unions to
come up with new solutions to providing service.
Like the federal government, state government
should provide mandate relief to local
government. Mandates should be subject
to Sweeping Sunsets, with a target date of 1998,
the sesquicentennial. Any new mandate should
be funded.
Other ideas offered include allowing local
governments to opt out of state mandates
by unanimous vote of the governing body, establishing
a mandate appeals board for local
government to turn for relief and creation of a
joint survey committee on local mandates.
Actions
19.1
Enhance state
government’s federal
watch.
19.2
Secure federal revenue
with coordination and
determination.
19.3
Seek federal mandate
relief.
R E S U L T S
Changing our federal
relations will:
1 Focus more effort on getting federal
funds in those categories deemed
important.
2 Reduce the impact of unfunded
federal mandates.
3 Allow the state to change its
relationship with lower levels of
government.
4 Give more time and attention to
federal issues.
5 Expand state authority in new areas
of influence and control.
CITIZEN • COMMUNITY • GOVERNMENT — WISCONSIN: THE 21 ST CENTURY 51