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MADISON – Representative Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa) is proud to vote for the new two-year spending plan that funds the priorities of the 72nd Assembly District and the entire state. On Tuesday June 25 the State Assembly approved a budget bill in a 60 to 39 vote.
The 2019-2021 biennial budget includes the largest total investment ever in K-12 education (in actual dollars), it continues the UW System tuition freeze, it funds healthcare needs without expanding welfare, and it repairs our roads and bridges with the largest increase in new revenues in a generation without raising the gas tax.
This bill will add $9M in school funding over the biennium for the eight school districts that kids from the 72nd attend. Over the 2019-21 biennium, the Wisconsin Rapids school district will see over $3,617,882 in funding from the increase per pupil funding, Almond-Bancroft $305,988, Adams-Friendship $1, 289,584, Nekoosa $877,890, Port Edwards $269,125, Tri County $468,875, Wautoma $1,029,673, and Wild Rose $397,516.
This budget creates new prosecutor positions in Wood, Adams, Waushara and Portage County to protect public safety and expand on diversion programming keeping our correctional facilities from filling up with those with addiction and mental health problems. It invests more money in Project Search which has been incredibly successful in the Wisconsin Rapids area in partnership with Aspirus, in Boys and Girls Clubs, Job Centers, Youth Apprenticeships, and in our Technical Colleges.
The Republican legislature recognized the need to increase wages for personal care workers, invest in nursing homes, protect SeniorCare, and funding Direct Caregivers in our FamilyCare program for our seniors and the most vulnerable among us. “Each of these investment ideas have come from my friends and neighbors back home. I thank them for the input.”
“In terms of input, no other single project in my legislative career has drawn more citizen input than the Tribune project by Incourage. Thousands of area residents worked to develop a community hub idea and layout through dozens and dozens of meetings. I am pleased to report that we have secured funding for continued state investment in this project. It is now up to Incourage and the community to meet us the rest of the way. Our modest investment shows investors the State has a vested interest in worker training, educational and entrepreneurial skill development and a way to create a sustainable community connecting point in the heart of the Wisconsin Rapids community”, said Representative Krug.
The budget bill makes each of these investments, yet the legislature was able to eliminate Governor Evers’ plan to increase government spending by $6 billion and raise taxes and fees by more than $1 billion. Instead, the GOP-approved budget does the opposite; it cuts taxes by more than $500 million and holds spending close to inflationary levels over the biennium.
“Being active in the community gives me an opportunity to hear first-hand what matters most to the constituents. One of those priorities is a reduction in the tax burden,” said Representative Krug. “Because of our common-sense budgeting over the past years and the strong economy, we’re able to ensure that taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned money.”
This balanced budget is a conservative spending plan. It decreases the number of government positions that Governor Evers proposed, and maintains the GOP reforms that have made a meaningful difference in our state. The two-year budget also nearly doubles the state’s rainy-day fund.
“Our citizens don’t want us to go on a spending spree or increase the size of government,” noted Representative Krug. “This is a common-sense budget that helps our family, friends and neighbors. I’m pleased with this budget and it is positive for all of Wisconsin.”
The budget bill now moves to the state Senate for a vote before heading to the Governor’s desk.
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