A state lawmaker wants to keep segregated funds safe from budget raids. When is a segregated state fund not segregated? When it's time to plug holes in the state budget, according to State Senator Jeff Plale . "They were set up as segregated funds for a reason," says Plale. "This isn't a Democrat problem or a Republican problem. We're all equal opportunity sinners on this one."
The South Milwaukee Democrat is once again proposing that the state Constitution be amended, to end the raids. "There are some folks in the building . . . who don't want to touch the Constitution, and I respect that," says Plale. "But I also think it's gotten to the point where we can't keep doing this."
Governor Jim Doyle has a record state deficit to deal with in his budget which is due to be released next week. Does Plale expect more raids on these supposedly segregated funds? "Your guess is as good as mine. I hope not." An amendment to the Constitution must pass two consecutive sessions of the legislature and gain the approval of voters in a statewide referendum.
