MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – A new state budget is scheduled to take effect in eight days — and a GOP senator says it’s still possible to get something passed by then.
Education committee chairman Luther Olsen of Ripon said his fellow Republicans are moving closer to a final agreement that would end a three-and-a-half week old stalemate. He said the party’s goal is still to get a budget passed on time.
GOP lawmakers have been disagreeing on which highway projects should be cut due to less borrowing — and whether a relaxing of the prevailing wage law and a funding package for a Milwaukee Bucks’ arena should be part of the budget.
Special interests are also working to get last minute items inserted — including an end to disclosing interest rates to rent to own customers.
Unlike past years, majority Republicans are negotiating to pass a budget which gets the blessing of the Joint Finance Committee — so it can be pushed through both houses as quickly as possible.
Earlier Tuesday, Assembly Finance chair John Nygren said his panel would not meet Wednesday on the budget.
Some lawmakers have said a final session of the finance panel could still happen this week.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
