Vos: Lawmakers working to schedule another budget meeting with Evers

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told WisPolitics in a statement GOP legislative leaders were working to schedule another meeting with Dem Gov. Tony Evers this week.

It would be their third day of meetings after they first got together March 26. Vos, R-Rochester, also confirmed yesterday legislative leaders met with Evers last week. WisPolitics previously reported Vos told his caucus that GOP leaders met with the guv twice on Wednesday.

“Our goal is to continue talks to reach a bipartisan consensus on the budget that invests in priorities, including a tax cut for those who need it the most,” Vos said in the statement.

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Vos’ office shared the statement in reaction to a news conference where Dem members of the Joint Finance Committee urged Republicans to release details of their tax cut plan while demanding their GOP counterparts produce a budget that funds priorities such as education, child care and health care.

Rep. Tip McGuire, D-Kenosha, said the Dem Finance Committee members haven’t been briefed on Evers’ discussions with lawmakers. Still, he expressed no concern about what Evers might be negotiating, arguing the committee’s public hearings made clear what Wisconsinites are prioritizing in the budget. He argued Republicans would be wise to heed those calls and not just focus on trying to land a tax cut.

“That’s not just the governor’s responsibility to make sure that Wisconsinites have good schools or that Wisconsinites have child care or that Wisconsinites have access to a doctor,” McGuire said.

McGuire, fellow Rep. Deb Andraca and Sen. Kelda Roys questioned why Republicans have yet to introduce legislation laying out their tax cut plans. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu has said his caucus is focused on expanding the amount of income covered by the state’s second-lowest tax bracket, while Assembly Republicans want to cut taxes on retirement income.

McGuire said Republicans reserved SB 1 for their tax plan to emphasize its importance, but have yet to introduce a bill with that title.

An Evers spokesperson also didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on the talks.

Andraca, D-Whitefish Bay, said the guv’s budget sought to reduce taxes for most Wisconsinites, and it’s laudable to keep taxes low. Still, that goal has to be balanced with the calls from the public to fund education, she said.

“These districts aren’t asking for more,” she said. “They’re asking for enough, enough to make sure every kid in Wisconsin gets an amazing public education.”

Roys, D-Madison, said Dems would support Evers if an agreement isn’t reached and Republicans produce a budget that “doesn’t meet peoples’ needs.”

“He doesn’t have to accept a bad deal, a deal that screws over the Wisconsinites who made their voices heard,” she said.

The Joint Finance Committee will meet Thursday to vote on eight agency budgets, including the Department of Safety and Professional Services.