MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Gov. Tony Evers will be giving his biennial budget address tonight in Madison. Northeast Wisconsin lawmakers on both sides hope the state’s budget addresses several issues.
“We need to spend more money regarding our judiciary system and really try to get that rolling,” said State Rep. Ron Tusler, R-3rd District.
“Investments in public education, investments in public safety, his tax plan,” said State Rep. Lee Snodgrass, D-57th District.
“It’ll be really big for our economy, our tax base to get that southern bridge done,” said State Rep. Eric Wimberger, R-30th District.
“Clean water, PFAs contamination, affordable housing, transportation,” said State Rep. Kristina Shelton, D-90th District.
Wisconsin’s elected officials have made it clear that expectations are high regarding the state’s historic budget surplus.
Snodgrass believes a lot will be accomplished.
“The next few months are really going to be Democrats and Republicans kind of going back and forth finding a compromise, and I think there are plenty of areas we all agree on.”
But others say Evers will have to scale back his expectations.
“There’s no amount of money he won’t ask for,” Tusler said. “The budget you’re going to hear tomorrow is not going to be a responsible budget; it’s going to be a Christmas wish list of everything I can possibly think of that we can spend.
Tusler said it will be up to the majority party to be responsible with spending.
Evers has also stated that his speech will touch on non-fiscal topics, including changes to drunk driving penalties.
“When we’re talking about a budget, I think it ought to be relegated to fiscal issues and not more policy type things — pushing an agenda,” Wimberger said.
Wimberger wants the budget address to remain just that. Shelton said policy issues are a reality that Republicans have to face.
“The budget doesn’t happen in a silo; it happens within the context of people’s lives. So, it makes sense that the governor would put forward his priorities because those priorities reflect those priorities of the people of Wisconsin.”
Shelton knows the challenges of being in the minority party, but she understands the importance of creating a budget that’s beneficial to everyone.
“This budget belongs to me and you and every person who lives in this state. So, it’s our job to organize and make sure our voices are heard.”
Wimberger also expects a successful legislative session, believing lawmakers will agree more than disagree.
“There’s kind of support overall on both sides on about 80% of things,” he said. “It’s really the top 20% that we argue over. So, from that perspective, these things generally speaking are bipartisan. And the governor signed the Republican’s budget last time.”
The spending plan from the Democratic governor will go to the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee. After the Republican controlled legislature is done it goes back to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or make specific changes.
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