By Jeff Simpson
We already know the republican legislature is for sale,
either as an individual sale,
or as a whole package. Now Scott Walker wants the a
bility to start selling off our assets - Cheap(and unaccounted for)!
Gov. Scott Walker's administration would gain broad authority to
sell state property - including prisons, highways, heating plants and
university dormitories - under a plan legislators will take up Tuesday.
Proceeds would be used to chip away at the state's $8 billion debt,
but the state entities that formerly owned the properties might not see
any benefit from the sales. So, a dorm built with student fees could
potentially be sold to pay down the debt for a highway expansion, or
vice versa.
Critics say the plan that's part of the GOP governor's budget
proposal could saddle the state with higher day-to-day costs - such as
buying power and steam to heat prisons and dorms - after it sells the
properties.
Under the governor's plan, the state also could negotiate sales with
individual buyers without going through a public bidding process. Any
sales would have to go through a "competitive and transparent process,"
though that process is not defined and includes no explanation of how
negotiations with a single buyer could be competitive.
The plan has generated fierce opposition from supporters of the
University of Wisconsin System, who say allowing the sale of UW
buildings without the approval of the Board of Regents could be
detrimental , especially if the buildings were paid for with the
help of student fees or private donations. Currently, the regents have a
say in the management of all UW buildings.
What is the worse thing that could happen with this? O yea:
Student leaders worry that student unions, such as the landmark Memorial
Union at UW-Madison, could be sold and no longer controlled by the
university. Student unions, built with student fees, are central to
student life, as are residence halls that also potentially could be sold
under the governor's proposal, said Matt Guidry, communications
director for United Council of UW Students.
No need to worry though:
"Legislators have told us that selling these buildings isn't their
intent," Guidry said. "We believe that's their intent today, but the
next person down the road may feel differently."
This
group of republicans is ALWAYS up front, open, honest and transparent!
This bill is so bad it has upset some of his major contributors(who also contribute to their favorite university). Sheldon Lubar, who has donated millions to the Universities of Milwaukee and Madison, and apparently has not paid attention to Scott Walker's Governance the last couple years, was not very happy:
"I really don't think (Walker) thought this through and understands the
negative impact this would have on the university," Lubar said.
Has walker thought ANYTHING through in two plus years? Well, t
rue to form, if a republican donor is unhappy, so is his/her employee:
Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), co-chairwoman of the
budget-writing Joint Finance Committee, said she was surprised the
proposal would allow the sale of highways and prisons and believed
legislators would change it to provide more legislative oversight.
"I'm very reluctant to give up any authority that the Legislature currently has," Darling said.
The Democrats response, typically intelligent, thought out, logical and meek:
Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee), a member of the committee, said he opposed the plan.
"I don't think we should be rushing to have a fire sale on state
property with no bid-contracts," Richards said. "That is not good
long-term stewardship of state property."
Things to look forward to under republican rule:
Walmart Memorial Union - $50/join, $5 entry fee when its not closed for private parties.
Rent A Center Randal - where the Badgers can pay a lease to rent games on Sunday, while losing all revenue from Sky Boxes.
ABC Supply Dorms where rent has tripled and security is a broken down phone in the hallway
Ronald McDonald Kohl center where the Badgers basketball teams will not be allowed to play a home game in January thanks to the long term commitment to Ronald McDonald on Ice (bring the kids)
You get the idea...but hey at least the money we get from selling our treasures will go to the Friends of Scott Walker campaign fund!
We can give up some conveniences to help Scotty get elected President can't we?
Posts
