Stories tagged: "Joint Finance Committee"


Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) speaks ahead of the Assembly's vote on the 2021-23 state budget. (Photo by Christina Lieffring)
‘Back to Basics’ or ‘Forward-Looking’? Divided Assembly Passes Budget After Hours of Debate

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.

Michael Johnson
‘I Feel Like We’re Being Punished’: Schools Push Back Against GOP Budget Plan

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.

Local, state, and federal officials attend a groundbreaking for a new all-electric bus rapid transit line in Milwaukee. The new nine-mile service will reduce carbon emissions, but it is also intended to fight racial disparities by connecting people in disadvantaged communities to jobs, schools, and health care between Milwaukee's lakefront and Wauwatosa. (Photo by Jonathon Sadowski)
Milwaukee Aims to Fight Disparities, Reduce Emissions With All-Electric Bus Line

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.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) listens as Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers delivers the governor's State of the State speech at the state Capitol Jan. 22, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (Photo © Andy Manis)
Republicans Wrongly Take Credit for $4.4 Billion Surplus. They Could Actually Cost the State Nearly $4 Billion.

Democrats mock GOP for trying to take credit for billions in surplus while simultaneously trying to strip away policies that led to the extra money.

The Legislature's budget-writing committee meets Wednesday for a session during which Republicans on the panel cut funding for lead-pipe removal, workforce development, and upgrades to the state's outdated unemployment system. (Screenshot via WisEye)
Wisconsin Republicans Continue Budget-Cutting Spree, Leaving Lead Pipes and Workforce Training Unaddressed

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.

Tony Evers meeting with LGBTQ youth
Pride Flag Hoisted Above Capitol Amid GOP Anti-Trans Effort

In flag-raising ceremony, Evers also signed executive orders to ban state money in “conversion therapy" and ensure inclusive language in state documents.

Joint Finance Democrats, including from left to right, Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee), Rep. Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) and Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-West Point) during a press conference before Thursday's hearing pointed out that the Republicans used federal funds to justify cutting requests for additional funds, but those cuts endanger said federal funds. (Screenshot via WisconsinEye)
Republicans Want to Spend Less on Schools Than Evers Proposes, but Doing So Could Cost $1.5 Billion in Federal Aid

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.