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The Joint Finance Committee met on Tuesday and Thursday to consider agency budget requests. The motions approved included the sections of the budget for:
June 10th:
June 12th:
On Tuesday, the Joint Finance Committee approved an increase in funding for youth apprenticeship programs and meat inspections. However, the additional funding was less than Governor Tony Evers’ proposal. His plan included $11.3 million more into the youth apprenticeship program, providing grants of up to $1,100 per student. JFC approved $6 million in state aid in addition to the $10 million currently allocated and said it was one-time money. Gov. Evers proposed the funding increase to be ongoing into future biennium. JFC member Rep. Deb Andraca (D) criticized the decision, saying it would lead to less apprenticeship opportunities and grants. “At the time where we’re skimping on all kinds of programs for youth and young people, the youth apprenticeship program where kids can try out new skills and new jobs and train for Wisconsin’s jobs of tomorrow, sounds like it’s pretty much getting gutted,” she said.
JFC also rejected a proposal for a new office of security for Wisconsin judges and justices on Tuesday. The state Supreme Court asked for 8.4 full-time equivalent staff to add to the current 1.6 positions. Governor Evers agreed with the court and included almost $2.3 million to cover the increase.
The committee then approved $336.1 million for K-12 education on Thursday despite Gov. Evers proposing $3.3 billion. The motion passed along party lines and would primarily fund special education reimbursement. Democratic member Sen. Kelda Roys said the Republican motion was a “real failure” for Wisconsin districts. Sen. Romaine Quinn (R) disagreed, saying the proposal would pay for the highest percentage of special education costs since 1996. “We have the unique opportunity to invest real dollars in the kids that need the most services since 1996, and kids that we all care about,” he said. “We can always do better in the next budget. But it’s what we can afford.”
They also passed a $1.3 billion tax cut plan which includes a tax break for seniors and some wages taxed at a lower rate. The proposal would also expand the income of the second-lowest of the four income tax brackets. It would increase the top of the bracket from income of $14,680 to $29,370 for individual filers and $19,580 to $39,150 for married joint filers to $50,480 for single filers and $67,300 for married joint filers.
View the list of additional budget papers here.
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