MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – Wisconsin Senate GOP leader Scott Fitzgerald said Wednesday morning he still does not have the votes to pass the next state budget.
That budget is due to take effect one week hence.
But on WTMJ Radio in Milwaukee, Fitzgerald said he’s still working with his 18 GOP Senate colleagues who want items “included, eliminated, or modified.”
The “included” category could have some last minute surprises — one of which would stop disclosing annual interest rates for rent to own customers.
Senate Republicans have also wanted to include full funding for the ongoing Zoo Interchange reconstruction project in Milwaukee — while most Assembly Republicans want all road work to be delayed equally, according to how much highway borrowing is reduced over the next two years.
Among the budget items to be eliminated at the last minute could be a funding package for the new Milwaukee Bucks arena — which could attract some Democrats who might for a separate bill but not the budget as a whole.
Lawmakers also disagree on whether the prevailing wage law for public works should projects should be scrapped or modified.
Tuesday, Senate Republican Luther Olsen of Ripon said the party’s goal was still to pass the budget on time. But it would have to sail through the Joint Finance Committee and both houses once an agreement is reached.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
