Governor Doyle's Proposal Uses Energy Conservation Money to Balance Budget

$53 million ratepayers have paid on their energy bills that was earmarked for energy conservation programs will be used to balance the budget under Governor Doyle's budget proposal, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.  A similar transfer of $47 million was made in the current budget.  Critics call the move a double tax on industry and residential customers, and say that the lack of conservation programs will cost more in the long run when more power plants are needed. Supporters say the administration is supporting conservation in other ways.  Doyle's budget also calls for taking $430 million from the medical malpractice and transportation funds to balance the budget.