State Legislature

Wisconsin legislture deals with a budget surplus and high capacity wells

Terry Moulton chairs the State Senate Committee on Agriculture, Small Business and Tourism in Wisconsin. One of the bills his committee will be taking up involves a sales tax exemption for equipment used in blending grain and fertilizer. Another issue is currently developing in the State Assembly where a committee has asked the State Attorney General to issue an opinion as to whether the state’s limit on foreign land ownership is in violation of a federal trade agreement. A 127-year-old law limits foreign individuals to owning no more than 640 acres. Moulton says he is “ok with that”.

Another big issue in the Badger State is the expansion of high-capacity wells in the state. The latest incident involves plans to build a large dairy and crop farm in Central Wisconsin. The farm wants to put in 49 high capacity wells, mostly for irrigation. That prompted a lot of opposition from area land owners concerned that it will lower the water table. The dispute has precipitated numerous court challenges. Moulton expects this is going to come up in the legislature, “Water is going to be an issue going into the future all over the state.”

Over the past couple of years, a blue-ribbon panel representing agriculture, transportation, local municipalities, state officials, academia and others has been developing a revision of the state’s rules for moving farm machinery on roads. A draft rule was presented last fall and a series of public hearings were conducted around the state. The final rule should come up in this session. Moulton says he is happy with what the panel has come up with. “I think it is a good bill and I think it is way-better than the current situation.”

Without a doubt, the dairy industry is “booming” in Wisconsin as a result of a collection of state and private efforts over the past decade. Moulton says one of the challenges is to help the next generation buy into the farms and companies in the industry. Along that line, another challenge is the declining enrollment in rural schools and the shortage of ag teachers. He cites a school in his district that is dropping its ag program as an example of a situation which needs to be addressed.

Wisconsin is looking at a $1 billion budget surplus and the legislature will be charged with what to do with that. Governor Walker has proposed that $800 million of that go back to residents in a combination of property tax relief and reduced withholding on paychecks. Some, including Moulton are concerned about a projected structural deficit in the next budget term and think the state should retain some of the current surplus just in case that comes to fruition.

AUDIO: Moulton talks about the session 8:23 mp3