U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold

Feingold visits, is concerned about budget

By Doug Stohlberg

U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold visited Hudson Thursday and expressed concerns about the federal budget and tax cut proposals during his speech at the Thursday Noon Rotary meeting.

"We've made tremendous progress on the deficit and debt in recent years, but I see three bad habits creeping into the budget process," Feingold said. "It's not all doom and gloom. When I came into office (elected 1992) there was $340 billion being added on each year. Currently $4 billion is being added on each year."

Feingold, a Democrat, was critical of Republican attempts to get approval for an $800 billion tax cut. He did say, however, that he could possibly support some sort of "modest tax cut."

He identified the three "bad habits" affecting the budget, and federal government, as avoiding tough spending issues, a rosy economic outlook and increased special interest spending.

Tough spending

Feingold said both parties are falling into a trap where money is spent for all sorts of situations. Much of the spending is approved under so-called "emergency spending."

"One senator said every natural disaster is an opportunity," Feingold said.

When emergency spending is approved, money for many other issues is thrown into the package and also approved. Most politicians will not vote against an "emergency bill." The problem, Feingold says, is that there are getting to be too many "emergency bills" and too much extra baggage.

"The president asked for $6 billion for the action in Kosovo," Feingold said. "Congress ended up approving a $15 billion bill. Much of the money had nothing to do with Kosovo."

He said emergency spending has become the new way to write blank check. He said this fall could see $30 billion in spending.

"It's very dangerous and irresponsible," Feingold said.

Rosy economy

His second concern was the spending of money, or granting of tax cuts, based on a rosy outlook for the economy.

"The $800 billion tax cut proposal is based on a $2.9 trillion surplus over the next 10 years," Feingold said. "If you look at that $2.9 trillion, $1.9 trillion comes from social security and the rest is assumed that the government will make $775 billion in spending cuts. That also means no emergency spending - no real emergency spending for the next 10 years."

He said the other concern is that the economy will not be as good as it is now for the next 10 years.

"Both parties are playing political games," Feingold said.

Special interests

Feingold said there has been a tremendous increase in special interest spending.

He gave several examples of various groups and companies getting money from the government for questionable reasons.

"There is $82 billion of special interest money in this budget," Feingold said. "I heard one lobbyist say that if a lobbyist could not get what he/she wanted into this budget, that lobbyist better turn in his/her six-gun."

He said much of the questionable spending makes it into legitimate bills and ultimately passes.

"We vote on a big package, that's why I wanted the president to have a line-item veto," Feingold said. "He could get rid of the questionable items."

The line-item veto for the president has not been approved.

Feingold again said the budget process is not all doom and gloom.

"Much has been done right in recent years," Feingold said. "I don't want to see it undone. Maybe there is room for a modest tax cut, but $800 billion is too high."

Other issues

During a question and answer session, Feingold addressed several issues, including:

- Campaign finance reform. He said the federal government must find a way to close the "soft money" loophole. He said the amount of soft money into campaigns has increased tremendously in the past five years. He said many people think it is illegal, but it is not because of a loophole. The money often comes from businesses, unions and foreign countries.

"It's legalized bribery," Feingold said.

- Methamphetamine problem. Feingold said he has co-sponsored a bill called the Methamphetamine Anti-Proliferation Act of 1999. St. Croix County is first in the state in the use and manufacture of meth. Feingold's bill would provide additional funding for law enforcement agencies in the fight against meth; provide resources for meth abuse prevention and treatment and make it a federal crime to steal or transport anhydrous ammonia across state lines (except for agriculture uses).

- Clinton impeachment. Feingold was the only Democrat to vote in favor of continuing the trial, but did eventually vote against the impeachment. Holding his fingers close together, Feingold said "Clinton came this close to committing obstruction of justice."

- Upcoming election. Feingold said he can support either Al Gore and Bill Bradley in the 2000 election.

"They could do the job. Both are intellectual, relatively - by Washington standards - honest and calm, "Feingold said. "The truth is, both need some pizazz; that's part of being president, you must inspire people."

On the Republican said he said he has great respect for John McClain.

"I work with John and have a lot of respect for him," Feingold said. "I don't think the Republicans are smart enough to nominate him."

- Home health care. He said something must be done to get more money into the system and said he plans to co-sponsor a bill to change the home health care situation. He said states like Wisconsin are being penalized for being efficient and getting less money. He said some states, like California, are being rewarded for spending money recklessly.

"I voted for the 1997 Balanced Budget Act, which was good overall," Feingold said. "Unfortunately, part of the overall bill hurt home health care in Wisconsin. I hope to change that by the end of October."

- Minimum wage. A question was asked about having two levels of minimum wage, one for adults and one for teenagers. Feingold said he would look at the concept..

- Bankruptcies. He said bankruptcy reform is long overdue, but had recently voted against a proposal that included repayment of funds in cases where bankruptcy victims became successful. Feingold said, however, that he did not vote against the proposal for that reason. He said reform is due on both sides, both by people and companies who abuse the system.

- Farm crisis. Feingold said changes are needed in way laws affect farmers. He said the current trend finds the industry dominated by strong central businesses.

"I've heard that 95 percent of all grain will be controlled by one company," Feingold said. "The concentration of farming has left the family farmer in bad shape."

Likes area

Feingold visits each Wisconsin county at least once each year. His visit to St. Croix County this week included a listening session in Baldwin.

"This part of Wisconsin is an exciting and unique area," Feingold said. "It's a vibrant part of Wisconsin, and we need to educate people in the state and in Washington about the specials needs of this area."