Madison–State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) and Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Finance, released the following statement in regards to the budget process:
“Last week the Finance Committee wrapped up its final public hearing on the Governor’s recommended budget. These hearings are a valuable component to the finance process and are important as we move into the voting process. The committee will take the next step in the process by having its first votes on May 9th.
The committee will be voting to remove non-fiscal policy items from the governor’s budget. The non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau has identified over 70 items that are non-fiscal policy. This is the second highest amount of non-fiscal policy in a Governor’s budget recommendations since 2001. For many of these items we expect the Governor to reach out to the legislature to pursue them as separate legislation.
Over the last eight years, due to Republican reforms, Wisconsin has experienced tremendous growth. Wisconsin is on its 14th straight month of unemployment at or below 3%. Last year, we had the highest GDP growth since 2010 and will start this budget process with one of the largest balances in 20 years. We can’t afford to go backward now.
Unfortunately, we believe the proposed budget by Governor Evers’ digs a Doyle-sized deficit. The governor spends so much, the next budget would start with a $2 billion structural deficit. The bottom line is his budget is unsustainable, irresponsible and jeopardizes the progress we’ve made in the last eight years.
Republicans will live within our means and we will continue to make major investments in the people’s priorities.”
