Republicans heralded their budget as a game-changer due to its focus on cutting taxes, but Democrats were quick to point out missed opportunities to use the state’s historic surplus.
Wisconsin faces a $4.4 billion surplus over the next three years, but Republicans are providing just a $128 million school funding boost. Evers proposed $1.6 billion.
Milwaukee’s new bus rapid transit line will use all-electric buses and provide quicker access to work, education, and health care for disadvantaged city residents.
No lead abatement. No expanded job training. No upgrade to an archaic unemployment system. Republican lawmakers say one-time pandemic relief funds should be used instead.
In flag-raising ceremony, Evers also signed executive orders to ban state money in “conversion therapy" and ensure inclusive language in state documents.
Legislators had been warned earlier that the aid from the American Rescue Plan is a supplement for struggling schools, not a substitute for state support.