http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/assembly-wi-robin-vos-s450.jpgSenator Smith takes you inside government in Madison, where rhetoric and hypocrisy often cloud real motives and the urgent needs of the people get lost in the shuffle.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/art-fair-crowd-s5.jpgSenator Vinehout shares what she learned at the Stockholm Art Fair about dwindling health care options in Western Wisconsin.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/uwgb-students-s5.jpgThe state budget proposed this week by Republicans in Madison lacks bi-partisan ideas and real solutions to the transportation funding crisis, creating good jobs, public education, and student loan debt relief.

Wisconsin Senate Republicans propose more credit card spending, tax breaks for millionaires.

MADISON – With funding for schools and road projects in jeopardy, Senate Republicans are poised to announce a plan for more state borrowing that already appears dead on arrival. With a state budget more than two weeks overdue, Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) released the following statement:

“It is completely irresponsible for Republicans to continue racking up credit card debt while expanding tax breaks for millionaires. I can’t imagine why anyone would support a budget that prioritizes tax breaks for 11 millionaires over funding for our local schools and roads. Working families are tired of the Republican dysfunction that is paralyzing our government from the federal level down to the state.

“Rather than more tax breaks for the rich, we should be making our schools whole. Rather than more borrowing and record debt payments for roads, we should be making long-term investments in our infrastructure. It’s time to eliminate tax breaks for companies that outsource jobs, get back to our Wisconsin values and pass a budget that actually invests in the future of our state.”

Gov. Walker introduced his state budget proposal more than five months ago. Despite having total control of the statehouse and Governor’s office, Republican infighting has prevented progress for weeks. The budget-writing Joint Finance Committee hasn’t met publicly since June 15th. Their failure to complete a budget by the state’s July 1st budget deadline has created uncertainty for Wisconsin schools, families and communities.