Delegates at the Democratic Convention today had mixed feelings about both the timing of the failed $1.8 billion surplus deal and whether Senate Dems did the right thing opposing the package.

The deal using money from the state’s $2.5 billion surplus was negotiated by Dem Gov. Tony Evers and GOP leaders. It passed in the Assembly but failed in the Senate, with all Dems and three GOP senators voting against it.

The deal would have added property tax relief and income tax rebates with an increase in special education funding.

Cindy George, chair of Trempealeau County Dems, said she couldn’t decide what the right move was but had questions about the timing of the push by outgoing leaders, including Evers. Evers and the two GOP leaders are not running for reelection.

“I’m not going to call it right or wrong, I don’t know what the thinking was of the three leaders who are leaving, why would they negotiate at this late stage? Where was that negotiating two years ago when the budget was being negotiated? If they were willing to give it now, why couldn’t they have given it back then?” George said. 

Scott Walker of Crawford County told WisPolitics Senate Dems did the right thing by opposing the surplus deal. Walker has previously run for state assembly in District 49.

“I think that we were offered a one-year placebo, kind of like a shot for a junkie of money now when what we need is structural change, and we’ll do better with structural change in the future,” Walker said. 

Susan Chandler, vice chair of Walworth County Dems, questioned the collaboration between members of the GOP and Democratic leaders.

“It’s been a lot of deceivable moves behind trying to get Republicans on board. Would there be that same agreeability if there wasn’t an election year?” Chandler said.