Budget Committee Vote Leaves Disability Rights Advocates Disappointed

Disability rights advocates left a legislative budget committee meeting disappointed on Wednesday after Republicans approved changes to Wisconsin’s long-term care programs.

Advocates wanted Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee to completely abandon Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to end the IRIS program, in which disabled people get a budget to hire their own caregivers. Republicans ultimately approved changes that they said would preserve those choices, but they also voted to fundamentally change the system itself. That worries IRIS advocate Julie Burish, whose daughter has Down syndrome.

“I’m really disappointed with the way government works,” said Burish.

Part of the plan that has Burish most concerned would let HMOs help run Wisconsin’s long-term care system. “That is going to be profit-driven, and they’re going to manage it in a way that’s going drive their profits,” she said.

Burish worries that will eventually mean less independence for her and her daughter than they have right now. Republicans said the changes were aimed at keeping Wisconsin’s’ long-term care programs sustainable.

Republicans also approved a possible statewide expansion of Family Care, a program that helps people stay out of nursing homes, as part of its plan.

In addition to voting on long-term care measures, the committee also approved a requirement for state government to consider leasing new office space outside of Dane and Milwaukee counties. River Hills Republican Sen. Alberta Darling said the plan was aimed at getting the best deal for the state.

“We have some of the highest-priced real estate right around the Capitol and the highest rents, and we think in the interest of the taxpayer, we should look at options,” she said.

The measure would require a cost-benefit analysis for every new or renewed lease.

The other items approved by the Joint Finance Committee on Wednesday included:

• Room tax limits: This measure would restrict Madison’s ability to decide for itself how to use its tax on hotel rooms.
  
• Confluence Project funding restoration: Republicans had previously stripped $15 million in funding for the construction of an Eau Claire performing arts center from the budget. On Wednesday, they restored the funding, this time in the form of bonding through the state’s Building Commission.
  
• Building project authorization: Besides the Confluence Project, the committe approved funding for projects including a science lab at Carroll University, an agricultural education center in Manitowoc and renovations at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s chemistry building.
  
• Stiffer civil penalties for unemployment fraud: Republicans approved an increased surcharge penalty for anyone found guilty of unemployment fraud, while rejecting some harsher criminal penalties Gov. Scott Walker had proposed.
  
• Elimination of proposed state office: Walker had also proposed creating a state office that would ensure the government continues in the event of a disaster. The committee nixed those provisions.