Nass: Politicians throwing around big numbers, but short on detail.
Senator Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) issued the following statement regarding Governor Evers announcement of another closed-door deal with Speaker Robin Vos to spend $1.8 billion using projected revenues that have not even been collected yet:
“Once again, Governor Evers and Speaker Vos have cut a closed-door deal to spend more than $1.8 billion using projected state revenues that might be collected by the end of the biennium on June 30, 2027.
I have confirmed with the Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) that the $2.3 billion projected closing balance would be one-time dollars accounted for on June 30, 2027.
Prior to potential passage of Evers-Vos II, the state is already looking at a structural deficit of $580 million in the next biennium even if all $2.3 billion shows up by June 30, 2027. If Evers-Vos II were to become law, it could increase the starting structural deficit in 2027-29 biennium to in excess of $1 billion.
It appears Evers gets a big win by getting Republicans to agree on a large infusion of cash to education, but there are no binding reforms to address the increasingly poor performance in math and reading by students statewide. And more shockingly, it looks as though Evers 400-year veto increasing property taxes annually remains in state law.
I believe Tom Tiffany will be chosen as governor by the voters to lead Wisconsin. I know Tom Tiffany will be a better fighter for taxpayers, than the current Republican legislative leadership. As of now, I can’t support another bad deal cut by leaders that will never face the voters again.”
