MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – Governor Tony Evers rolled out his budget proposal Thursday night, which is being met with opposition from Republicans lawmakers.
Governor Evers has called his proposal the “people’s budget,” while Representative John Nygren, co-chair of the joint finance committee, argues it isn’t good news for people living in Northeast Wisconsin, especially those who work manufacturing jobs.
“The only difference between us and the Governor is that he actually wants to raise taxes on manufacturers and farmers,” he explains. “People who have been creating jobs in our state.”
Representative Nygren believes manufacturing and farming have momentum both statewide and in the region, which can only be curtailed through reform.
“Obviously what we have been doing has been working, so why risk moving backward?” he asks.
In fact, it appears that manufacturing taxation is far from the only divisive issue splitting Governor Evers and Republicans in the state legislature.
A number of different budget initiatives, such as a gas tax hike, Medicaid expansion, and automatic voter registration have all been rebuffed by a majority of Republicans.
Another controversial front is the proposed undoing of work and drug testing for individuals to qualify for food stamps and other various public aid programs.
A “right-to-work” law, which was enacted under former-Governor Scott Walker, would be repealed in the proposal.
Representative Nygren views these proposed changes as unnecessary and potentially harmful.
“We want to help people who can’t help themselves,” he explains. “But we also want to make that as a transition to employment, not as a lifelong trap.”
Some initiatives stand out as a rare example of something that may be met with bi-partisan support.
“Corrections reform,” he explains. “As long as we’re not releasing violent criminals into the public, I think those are opportunities to work together.”
On the subject of corrections, Evers budget doesn’t have money allocated for building a new prison in order to assist general overcrowding throughout the state.
It does though include a pay bump for guards, which would look to increase their wage around two-dollars per hour.
Next up, the joint finance committee will most likely look at re-writing parts of the budget proposal.
“I think the likelihood of that happening is pretty significant,” says Representative Nygren.
