Conservatively Speaking
State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) represents parts of four counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Walworth. Her Senate District 28 includes New Berlin, Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, Muskego, Waterford, Big Bend, the town of Vernon and parts of Greenfield, East Troy, and Mukwonago. Senator Lazich has been in the Legislature for more than a decade. She considers herself a tireless crusader for lower taxes, reduced spending and smaller government.
Act 10 Results in Milestone $1 Billion in Savings: Millions saved in Senate District 28 alone
Today Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) joined Governor Walker in Brown Deer to announce that Wisconsin taxpayers have now saved over $1 billion as a result of Act 10.
“This is a milestone for Wisconsin taxpayers,” said Lazich. “Instead of raising taxes on our over-burdened residents, we gave local elected officials control over their own budgets. The results speak for themselves – a billion dollars in tax savings and greater efficiency in services.”
Senator Lazich and Governor Walker were joined by other officials, including Tom David and John Kegel from the New Berlin School Board. New Berlin officials reported that under Act 10, they have been able to direct a greater portion of resources into the classroom, while actually increasing program offerings and staff.
“Early on, New Berlin officials recognized the great flexibility Act 10 provided. They deserve immense credit for rolling up their sleeves and producing a responsible budget,” Lazich stated.
As a result of reforms, New Berlin schools save over $1 million from employee pension contributions, and $2.3 million from reduced healthcare costs. At the same time, New Berlin School District is providing better services by increasing full-time staff and providing more student-teacher contact time. New Berlin officials say Act 10 allowed them to lower taxes while still providing high quality education without layoffs.
In Senate District 28, New Berlin is not alone. Waukesha County saves over $2 million from pension contributions alone. School districts from Franklin, Mukwonago, Muskego-Norway, Waukesha, Greenfield and West Allis-West Milwaukee all save over $1 million from pension reform. For Greendale, Waterford Graded, and Whitnall school districts, that figure is just under $1 million. Other school districts, such as East Troy Community, $542,400, Norris, $56,000, Washington-Caldwell, $64,600, and Waterford UHS, $370,900, also save significant amounts on pension payments.
“After 12 years of property taxes on the rise, the taxes on the median value home actually went down,” said Lazich. “With elected officials in control for the first time in recent memory, citizens will continue to see more responsible and efficient government budgeting.”
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