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Editor's note (7/9/2025): In this article Sen. Howard Marklein claims that spending increased by $1.2 billion in the new budget. The increase turned out to be $15 billion.
Budget Deal: Tax Cuts for Spending Hikes
Republicans on Wisconsin’s budget-writing committee are happy that there’s an agreement on a new state budget, even if they don’t sound very happy.
Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, Tuesday announced a deal with Gov. Evers that trades $1.5 billion in tax cuts for $1.2 billion in new spending.
“This budget has involved an awful lot of compromise. Both between the houses, as well as with the governor's office,” he explained. “A budget is a compromise, and this budget certainly is one of those.”
The agreement includes tax cuts on the first $47,000 of retirement income, and tax cuts for families making up to $67,000 a year here in Wisconsin. .
In exchange, public schools in Wisconsin would get an extra $500 million for special education. There would also be another $256 million for the UW, and $110 million for child care providers in the state.
The spending increases are a major compromise for Republicans who were, just last month, talking about a nearly $100 million cut for the University of Wisconsin.
Marklein said the tax cuts will benefit “a lot of the average, hardworking people in the state of Wisconsin.”
Marklein is also proud of a sales tax exemption for utility bills.
“It isn’t that hot out right now, but if you look at the heat we’ve had over the past week or so, this is going to effectively provide a 5% cut in people’s electricity rates.”
Democrats at the statehouse, however, said it's not enough.
“This budget agreement gives our schools minimum predictability in the short term and fails to provide the long-term, reliable funding needed to prevent the endless cycle of referendums,” Sen Kelda Roys, D-Madison said. “When Senate Democrats are in the majority, Wisconsinites will be able to trust that state government will work for them and fight to address their concerns. In that future, we will pass a budget that ensures Wisconsinites have the freedom to afford their dreams,” she added.
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