Contact:
Tony Palese
tony.palese@legis.wi.gov
608-266-5490
MADISON – Wisconsin schools and communities are facing an uncertain future as Republicans in the State Capitol have been unable to reach a budget deal by the July 1st deadline. Despite having total control of the statehouse, Republican infighting has derailed budget talks for the past several weeks.
“After six years of Republican control, communities are facing more uncertainty than ever before,” said Sen. Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse). “School boards don’t know what their budgets will be, engineers can’t get to work planning road projects and families are left wondering when this mess will get sorted out. It’s a sad commentary on the state of the Republican party when they’ve had months to get their act together and still can’t pass a budget on time.”
“Because Republicans chose to prioritize tax breaks for the wealthy in this budget, we’re in a position now where schools don’t know whether they can afford to hire new teachers and communities aren’t sure if they can move forward with road projects,” added Shilling. “Rather than bickering over which special interests to placate, we should be investing in our schools, expanding access to health care and getting people back to work repairing our roads and bridges. Further delays and stalling maneuvers by Gov. Walker and Republican politicians will only worsen our state’s budget dilemma and cost families more in the long run.”