Contact: Rep. James Edming
(608) 266-7506

MADISON – Representative James Edming (R-Glen Flora) issued the following statement after supporting the passage of the 2017-19 State Budget on Wednesday evening.

“Since the state budget was introduced back in February, I heard from folks around the 87th Assembly District who shared with me their top priorities for our state’s two-year spending plan. Throughout the budget process, I shared these priorities with my colleagues and worked hard to make sure they were addressed.

“One of the top priorities for the people of the 87th District was increased funding for K-12 education. I am proud that this budget increases investment in K-12 education by $639 million. Another priority for the people of the 87th District was increased funding for broadband expansion. This budget includes an additional $14 million for broadband expansion grants and I am pleased to see this investment in an area important to my constituents. Also, during the budget process, I was made aware of a need in the Village of Rib Lake for funding to reimburse the village for costs incurred in the design of a safe routes to school project. I shared this need with my colleagues and I am glad that I was able to work with them to get this funding added to the budget.

“With a bill the size of the state budget, there are certainly some parts I do not agree with. One, in particular, is the repeal of the prevailing wage. Had this proposal come before me in the Assembly in a separate bill I would have voted against it. During debate on the budget, I supported an amendment that would have removed this provision from the budget, however, it did not pass.

“In the end, I supported passage of the 2017-19 Budget because it advances many of the top priorities of the people of the 87th District and keeps Wisconsin moving forward.”

The budget bill now heads to the state Senate for further consideration.

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