BUDGET BALANCE HELP

March 26, 2009 by Mitch

La Crosse Senator Heading West For Budget Advice

Republican state Sen. Dan Kapanke of La Crosse is heading to Minnesota to talk with politicians there about how to balance budgets.

Kapanke had meetings scheduled Thursday with Gov. Tim Pawlenty's budget commissioner Tom Hanson, Minnesota Republican House Minority Leader Marty Seifert and other lawmakers.

Kapanke wants to talk about zero-based budgeting. That's an approach that discards how much was budgeted before and instead starts from scratch with each budget.

Kapanke says the idea makes sense and has bi-partisan support in Minnesota.

Kapanke says he hopes to come back with alternatives to help Wisconsin deal with its $5 billion projected shortfall.