Politician listens but no commitment

Three veterans say no to state budget, but Zigmunt uncertain

By: Charlie Mathews, Herald Times Reporter

MANITOWOC — To the disappointment of several business owners, state Rep. Ted Zigmunt, D-Francis Creek, was unable to attend Monday's "State Budget Call to Action Forum" sponsored by The Chamber of Manitowoc County.

But that didn't stop Perkins Restaurant owner Mark Ring from voicing his concerns to the freshman politician later in the afternoon at a meeting called by the Economic Development Corporation of Manitowoc County.

"Why would you want to take our dream away from us … why would I want to open another restaurant in Wisconsin?" asked Ring, a Two Rivers resident and constituent of Zigmunt's, citing increased fees and taxes including a doubling of the work permit fee.

Ring said the myriad of nonfiscal policy items in the budget emerging from the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee should be stripped from the document and debated individually.

"They shouldn't be added at 3 in the morning … I challenge you to stand up and do the right thing," Ring said.

At the Chamber forum Zigmunt missed, state Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer, D-Manitowoc, and state Sens. Alan Lasee, R- De Pere, and Joe Leibham, R-Sheboygan, voiced strong disapproval of the 2009-11 budget that is scheduled to be approved by July 1.

"This budget is a direct assault on business," Leibham said. He blasted Gov. Jim Doyle's fiscal and policy proposals as "not working to promote jobs or trying to bring more jobs to Wisconsin."

Zigmunt wasn't at the Holiday Inn to join in the criticism and he wouldn't do so at the EDC's event.

"I'm not going to say whether I'll be voting for it," he said after the meeting, before heading to The Manitowoc Company to meet with its executives.

Zigmunt said he wants to see the bill's final language and potential impacts as determined by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

He said constituents have raised concerns about the cost of mandating increases in automobile insurance coverage minimums and new oil taxes.

Zigmunt said he understands business concerns but he also wouldn't join the three veteran politicians in calling the budget a jobs killer.

Disconnected from reality

Ziegelbauer said the $64.5 billion budget "is reckless in trampling on the state's business climate … it is disconnected from the reality that the private economy provides the support and resources for government to operate."

While expressing philosophical disagreement with the budget's priorities, Lasee also made his attack personal.

He said various provisions of Doyle's budget were put together to pay off the governor's political contributors including the state teachers union, trial lawyers and Native American tribes.

"I think Doyle is as corrupt as (former Illinois Gov. Rod) Blagojevich and I say that sadly," said Lasee, first elected to the Legislature in 1974.

Jim Buchen, vice president of government relations of Wisconsin Manufacturing Commerce, said major revisions in the budget are possible, "depending on how animated constituencies get … the challenge is getting people actively involved."

Attorney Andrew Steimle, president of the EDC board, is involved. He said the meeting with Zigmunt was arranged so business owners could comment on the direct impact of the budget on their businesses.

Those attending have about 4,000 employees in the county and 7,000 statewide. "(Zigmunt) seemed receptive but made no promises … we hope he acts on our concerns," Steimle said.

Will Casey, owner of Access Investment Advisors, believes Zigmunt and other legislators need to be cutting spending.

"When every corporation in Wisconsin has seen dramatic revenue decreases, been cutting expenses 10 to 40 percent, then the state cutting 3.4 percent over two years is dubious reduction, at best," Casey said.

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