Madison – Today, the Assembly convened to vote on Assembly Bill (AB) 43, the 2023-25 Biennial Budget Bill. Representative Dave Considine (D-Baraboo) issued the following statement on the passage of the state budget:
“I do not understand why the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) co-chairs bothered to spend their time and money holding budget listening sessions around the state. I attended the JFC listening session in Wisconsin Dells and listened to the others. From what I heard, the budget does not reflect the wants and needs of the people of Wisconsin. This budget certainly does not reflect the priorities my constituents spoke about at the 12 listening sessions I hosted in my district.
“Wisconsin has a nearly $7 billion surplus. The people of our state are merely requesting that we make responsible investments in our educational systems, our municipalities, our agriculture and tourism industries, our workforce, and our small businesses. In a divided government, I am glad that Governor Evers negotiated to the best of his ability with legislative leaders, who barely budge in negotiations. Good hearted negotiations would have left us all better off. The budget we voted on today once again does not come close to the mark.
“A tax cut that disproportionately benefits those who are the most financially well off has no benefits for the majority of the people in our state. I am disappointed that Republicans rejected our amendment that targets tax relief for the middle class. It is also disappointing that more of our surplus is not going to public education. The increases in education funding in this budget is done by increasing property taxes. Under this budget, 10% of students are getting as much as 90% of students with the increase in voucher funding. These facts are disheartening. We have the money and the ability to support our public schools. Instead, the state is continuing down the same path.
“We are resilient. Despite these setbacks, we will continue to work until our government reflects the will of the people.”
