MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – Ten days before the new two-year state budget is supposed to take effect, a few key issues are still holding things up.
Representative Mike Rohrkaste says GOP leaders in the Assembly and Senate still need to iron out K-12 education funding, transportation funding, and the overall tax package.
“They’re all very intertwined so it’s hard to focus on one and make any decisions until you know how you’re going to deal with all three of those.”
The Neenah Republican notes the Assembly wants less bonding for road projects than their GOP colleagues in the Senate.
As for education, Assembly Republicans introduced an alternative to Governor Scott Walker’s proposal, which would allow low-spending school districts to increase property taxes.
GOP Senators are looking to bolster state aid for those districts while still holding the line on propety taxes, one of the governor’s chief goals.
Representative Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna) is optimistic about progress on the new spending plan.
“I’ve been in the room with (Senate Majority Leader Scott) Fitzgerald and (Assembly Speaker Robin) Vos, talking over some education issues. I think there’s beginning to be the seeds of agreement on a lot of different things, so I’m hopeful things are moving along.”
On the other side of the aisle, Democrats, like Representative Gordon Hintz, say their tired of the infighting.
“There shouldn’t be arguing. The reality is, look: if public education is a priority, let’s put the money that’s needed in the program. If roads are a priority, let’s quit borrowing money and delaying projects and get it done.”
Some state lawmakers believe the budget will be in place by mid-July.
Only one of the past three state spending plans was not in place by July 1.
