MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – Lawmakers still have not agreed on a new two-year state budget, with the June 30 deadline nearing.
Unlike the federal government, failing to have a budget in place does not shut down state operations.
However, Representative Mike Rohrkaste (R-Neenah) says that doesn’t mean it comes without consequences.
“The increases that the education was planning for, those would obviously be delayed. Some transportation funding could be delayed down the road.”
K-12 education and transportation funding are two of the major issues holding up budget talks.
UW-Green Bay Political Science Professor David Helpap says an agreement between the two legislative chambers should happen.
“One party controls all the levers of government right now so theoretically, this should not be a very difficult process.”
Governor Walker, during a Friday stop in Green Bay, made a similar point when he expressed confidence in an agreement being reached.
“Unlike years ago, when you had a split legislature, where it went into the fall, which I certainly don’t anticipate, we agree on things, it’s just a question of degree.”
Democratic Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) isn’t as certain.
“I’m hopeful there will be something done by mid-July, but I don’t really know. Some of these things are complicated, people are dug in. We’ll see. Hopefully we’ll get together and get the best thing done for the people.”
The Joint Finance Committee could meet Tuesday.
