The day after Gov. Scott McCallum asked the legislature to return his budget reform bill back to him for technical changes, state Assembly Democrats held a press conference announcing the creation of dozens of public hearings on the proposal throughout the state.
Assembly Minority Leader Spencer Black, D-Madison, said the hearings will be an unprecedented step towards gathering statewide input on a piece of legislation.
\Assembly Democrats believe it important the people be heard,"" he said. ""We're going to ask them how best to deal with McCallum's deficit.""
The Assembly Democrats said they expect the meetings, which will allow city and county residents to voice their concerns over the proposed loss of state support, to be well attended.
""We're talking about a massive cut that will go to the core of services in cities across the state,"" said Jon Richards, D-Milwaukee.
City of Madison lobbyist Jim O'Keefe said he was supportive of the hearings and fully expects Mayor Sue Bauman to attend any meetings held in Madison.
""We think the proposed hearings are a good way for legislators to learn what the public is thinking,"" he said.
The meetings will serve to enlighten state Democrats about the true feelings of the public concerning the Budget Reform Act, according to Steve Baas, press secretary for Senate Majority Leader Scott Jensen, R-Waukesha.
""I imagine a lot of Republicans and a lot of taxpayers are going to want to show up at these dog and pony shows to see if the Democrats have a plan,"" he said.
The state Legislature has been delaying introduction of McCallum's proposal due to a debate concerning which house would introduce the major piece of legislation. Historically the house that introduces the original budget proposal, in this case the Senate, also introduces any reform legislation.
""The bill is over in the Senate, and Sen. Chvala [D-Madison] is playing what is becoming an all-too-familiar delay game for him,"" Baas said.
McCallum also decided Tuesday to delay his State of the State address until sometime in the middle of February. Debbie Monterrey-Millett, the governor's spokesperson, said although the speech was supposed to be delivered to a joint session of the Legislature next Tuesday, the date was changed due to its proximity to his recent budget address.
The governor's office also expressed concerns over any delay the public hearings might incur to the introduction of the reform act.
""We just hope this isn't a ploy to further delay the budget,"" Monterrey-Millett said.
According to Black, the hearings are not a stalling tactic.
""[The hearings] in no way will delay consideration of the bill,"" he said. ""Whenever the Assembly Republicans who control the process decide to bring up the governor's bill, we will be fully prepared.""
Hearings will begin this Saturday in Hurley and Ashland, while meetings in Madison will occur in the next few weeks.
