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Democrats try to Spur Republicans to Pass Budget
Democrats at the Wisconsin Capitol say they’re willing to work with Republicans on a new budget, but are also accusing Republicans of making unrealistic demands and dragging their feet.
A number of Democrats on the budget-writing Joint Committee on Finance on Thursday talked-up their willingness to work with Republicans on a new state spending plan.
“We’re here, and we’re willing and ready to work,” Rep. Tip McGuire, D-Kenosha said.
But as soon as the words left his mouth, Rep. Deb Andraca, D-Whitefish Bay, blasted Republicans on the Joint Committee on Finance for not releasing money literacy program money just cleared by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
“Wisconsinites are tired of Republicans playing politics with our public schools,” she said.
The money was tied-up in a battle over Gov. Evers’ veto where he tried to send the money to the Department of Public Instruction, rather than schools themselves. The high court on Wednesday overruled the governor, and said the schools should get the money.
Republicans on Thursday said they are working to release those dollars as soon as possible.
But the bipartisanship talk didn’t end there.
Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, took particular issue with the list of budget “benchmarks” from Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater.
“He’s not serious about passing a budget or meeting the needs of Wisconsinites,” Roys said. “Sen. Nass’ demands are wildly out of step with what Wisconsinites need, or with a budget that we can deliver.”
Nass said Wednesday that he will not vote for a budget that creates a structural deficit, and added that he will not vote for a budget that “contains too much spending,” or “special interest pork.”
The Joint Finance Democrats, however, said even if there is a budget agreement between legislative Republicans and the governor, that doesn't mean they will all vote for it.
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