Panel Says Walker's Budget Will Hurt Women, Families

A grim picture was painted Thursday night as more than 100 people packed for a forum on the effects of Gov. Scott Walker's state budget on women, children and families.

A group of panelists led by state Rep. Sandy Pasch (D-Whitefish Bay) and moderated by former Democratic Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, one by one picked apart the proposed 2011-13 budget bill, describing it as a devastating measure for women and their families.

“There is a lot of meanness in this budget,” Pasch said.

The forum focused on slashes to funding of women's health care and the deep cuts to education proposed in the budget.

"When I look at all of it, I see one big disaster," said 9to5 Milwaukee spokesperson Torrie Moffett. "All around the board, it sets you up to fail."

Pasch said the budget severely hurts low-income families as it would reduce the amount a resident would receive through the state's W-2 program.

"What I have seen lately, is a real lack of imagination from many of the lawmakers and people in power, who are making some very shortsighted policy decisions," Pasch said.

State Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) was invited to the forum but was not in attendance. A spokesperson for Walker's office didn't immediately return a phone call from Patch on Friday seeking comment on the points made at the forum.

The panel touched upon a variety of issues. Here are some of the key points that were made:

Education

Walker’s budget bill would cut more than $800 million from public schools in Wisconsin, which Moffett said isn’t the way to help a school system that is already lacking.

“If you are going to take this kind of money from a school system that is already hurting, what are we to look forward to?” Moffett asked.

As local districts see their state aid cut, school officials will have to make tough decisions, which usually results in lose of art and music programs, said Sarah Delomonte, a representative for a parent group called I Love My Public Schools.

"You don't cut education and expect jobs to grow," Pasch said.

Health care

With a proposed $500 million in cuts to the state health care program Badgercare, and funding cuts for school nurses, some members of the panel say this would be devastating to the poor in Wisconsin.

Planned Parenthood spokesperson Holly Swank called the budget dangerous in terms of the availability of health care for women.

"What the discussion hasn't been around is how we provide quality, affordable health care," Pasch added.

She said the cuts to reproductive health care are terrible and there doesn't seem to be much interest in following woman through a healthy pregnancy.

"Our infant mortality rate is in Wisconsin is something we should all just be ashamed of," Pasch said.

Child care

The budget also would affect families through a change in the state-funded, subsidized childcare program for low-income families, Wisconsin Shares, Moffett said. Co-payments also would increase under the measure. The Head Start program would see a 10 percent cut and $3.4 million would be cut from preschool funding.

Moffett said it's difficult for a single mother to work and take care of her family without child care assistance of some kind.

While the panel was unanimously opposed to Walker's budget, one audience member said the state and taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for health care and child care for others.

Walker also has said the cuts that he has proposed are needed to help balance the state's budget.