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Politics & Government

Village President Not Worried About Impact of Walker's Budget

Lapcinski says changes won't have significant effect on Sussex.

While local officials throughout Wisconsin are lamenting some of provisions in Gov. Scott Walker's budget, Sussex Village President Tony Lapcinski says he doesn't see the measure having much affect on the village.

The calls for about $96 million in cuts in shared revenue to local governments, plus another 10 percent reduction in  state transportation aids.

But Lapcinski believes Sussex will be able to weather the storm.

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“Let’s see what it (the bill) actually says,” he said Wednesday. “It’s not going to have a huge negative impact on Sussex. Whatever we lose in revenue sharing will be made up with increase in pension (contributions).”

Lapcinski said Sussex has enjoyed an amicable relationship with village employees for some time, even before he was elected. 

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Throughout their bargaining they’ve become relatively harmonious, Lapcinski said. “We don’t see this as a big financial problem. Nobody is running around like a chicken with their head cut off," he said. "But the money with the School Board is an entirely different matter.”

Walker's budget would cut $834 billion in state aid for local school districts over two years. It also would reduce the revenue limit for schools by 5.5 percent. An analysis by a University of Wisconsin professor said the Hamilton School District could see its revenue limit - the amount that the district can collect in state aid and property taxes - drop by about $3 million.

Walker's budget proposal is closely connected to the budget repair bill that's now lingering in the Legislature. That bill calls for public employees to contribute more to the cost of health care and pensions, and Walker says those savings should offset the loss of state aid to communities.

Lapcinski said it’s human nature to react negatively some benefits are taken away. But the long-term affect could be positive, he said.

“In the long run I think they’re going to get more. Private-sector union members have told me this will be a good thing for unions," he said. "This is a chance for people to get paid on merit.”

In regards to protesting and heated debates in Madison, Lapcinski said it’s politics at its worst.

“To me this is just radical far ends of the movements playing out in the paper. Most of us obey the laws and don’t have a lot of passion for what’s going on," he said. "This is 10 percent of the workers in Wisconsin who are taking issue.”

“As a community, we’re just like any other,” Lapcinski said. “We understand there are a lot of people who feel passionate on both sides. If there is a common sentiment, it’s that most people don’t really understand the specifics of what is going on.”

Still, Lapcinski said he would prefer to see a rationale discussion on the issues over heated debate and rhetoric.

“It’s always good when people are talking. It’s when they begin shouting instead of talking we start to get into trouble," he said. "It’s not in the Constitution to unionize. It’s not like the right to bear arms. We interpret things the way we want to.” 

He added there is always room for reasonable people to talk. “I lean one way but that doesn’t mean I don’t look at the other side.”

Lapcinski said Sussex village employees don’t seem too concerned with all of the issues.

“If they have a problem with things, they haven’t expressed them to me. Then again I’m not sure it’s appropriate that they would,” he said.

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