MADISON – State Senator Mark Spreitzer released the following statement regarding the rejection of a rushed deal that failed in the Legislature last night:
“Last night, Senate Democrats and Republicans rejected an election-year gimmick from lame duck officials who tried to force a bad bill through the legislature in record speed. It was a deal negotiated by retiring Governor Tony Evers, Speaker Robin Vos, and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu behind closed doors and focused on the short term. It was rejected by members of both parties who could see that this proposal was leading our state in the wrong direction.
“This deal would have given some money to our schools, money that they desperately need. But that money wouldn’t have been nearly enough to stop layoffs or to prevent the need for more referendums. It also didn’t provide targeted tax relief to struggling Wisconsinites – but would have left the next state budget facing a $2.9 billion deficit.
“In our district, I have heard again and again that we need more dollars in classrooms and meaningful property tax relief. The funding in this proposal for those priorities? Less than half of the total cost of what the lame ducks proposed. And the rest of this bill would have made it harder to fund these priorities going forward.
“That’s incredibly disappointing, and it’s irresponsible.
“Despite some talk of a surplus, much of that surplus only exists in on-paper projections. The state doesn’t have the money. In an economy where we have a stock market that is propped up by AI speculation, where gas prices are through the roof, and businesses are slowing growth because of economic uncertainty caused by the federal government, Wisconsin would need the kind of economic growth that we cannot count on in order to avoid new cuts to basic services or raising taxes in the future just to cover the cost of this proposal.
“The tax relief in this bill was not targeted at the people who need help the most. The bill promised a tax rebate, but 1.36 million Wisconsin adults – almost 1 out of every 3 – would have been left out and not qualified. Seniors on fixed incomes and working families would not be guaranteed a rebate check, but millionaires and billionaires would have gotten cash from the state. These are not the right priorities, and false promises for short term election gimmicks are wrong for Wisconsin.
“We have to think sustainably, and we can. There was no need to end this discussion last night. Senate Democrats have been clear that we want to work towards a sustainable deal that is fiscally responsible and gets help to our schools and the people who need it. Now isn’t the time to be giving the ultrawealthy a handout. Now is the time to work together to help Wisconsin families who are struggling. I will keep fighting to do that.”
