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Sen. Kapenga, in an X post, said the Committee “appears to be adding unnecessary spending without any reforms that would improve the budget process or dig into wasteful current spending in place.”
Sen. Kapenga then noted that the best option from his perspective, “unless something improves,” would be to not pass a new state budget and let the state continue operating under the existing budget.
Unlike many states, Wisconsin law does not mandate the passage of a new biennial budget by a specific deadline. If lawmakers fail to enact a new budget by the start of the fiscal year on July 1, the state simply continues operating under the terms of the previous budget. This “continuing appropriation” system allows essential government functions to remain funded at prior levels, avoiding the kind of shutdowns seen in other states. While this reduces pressure to compromise quickly, it can also delay funding increases, policy changes, and new investments in areas like education, infrastructure, and health care. And Wisconsin’s $4.3 billion surplus will continue to carryover.
Sen. Nass (R-Whitewater), in a statement also publicly criticized the emerging budget framework as fiscally irresponsible, citing “too much spending, special interest pork, and the creation of a structural deficit.”
Republicans have a narrow 18-15 majority in the State Senate. If two Republicans break ranks with their caucus, there are not the necessary 17 votes for the budget to pass the State Senate, without Democratic votes.
These objections have appeared to impact the activities of the Joint Finance Committee’s work on the budget this week. On Tuesday, the Committee did not take up the Universities of Wisconsin budget as planned, a significant portion of the state’s biennial spend, because of disagreements between the two Republican caucuses. On Thursday, the Republican-led Committee abruptly canceled a scheduled meeting just minutes before it was set to begin.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and budget co-chair Rep. Mark Born released a statement following the cancellation, that both Assembly and Senate Republicans have met in good faith with Governor Tony Evers over the past couple weeks and that working together will ensure that their “tax reductions actually become law, schools continue to be funded, Medicaid patients continue to receive care, and road construction projects do not stop.” And that “this is the most conservative and responsible option” and they urged the Senate Republicans to come back to the table.
Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) released a statement on the “JFC pause” acknowledging that all sides are negotiating in good faith, “however, these discussions are heading in a direction that taxpayers cannot afford.”
Currently the Joint Committee on Finance does not have any noticed meetings for next week.
Below is the list of budget papers that have delayed action from June 17th and June 19th JFC calendars and the remaining papers that have not been scheduled previously for Committee action.
June 17 (delayed action on UW/HEAB)
University of Wisconsin System
University of Wisconsin System -- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Higher Educational Aids Board
June 19 (cancelled meeting)
Elections Commission
Administration -- General Agency Provisions
Administration -- Housing and Environment
Administration -- Risk Management and Procurement
Administration -- Information Technology
Administration -- Personnel Management
Administration -- Facilities
Administration -- Tribal Affairs and Division of Gaming
Justice -- Departmentwide
Justice -- Crime Victim and Witness Services
Justice -- Law Enforcement Services
Justice -- Legal Services
Justice -- Firearms
Agricutlure, Trade and Consumer Protection -- Agricultural Assistance
Agricutlure, Trade and Consumer Protection -- Environment
Tourism
Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board
Children and Families -- TANF and Economic Support
Children and Families -- Child Welfare
Children and Families -- Juvenile Justice
Children and Families -- Departmentwide
Building Commission
Building Program
Budget Papers that have not been scheduled yet
Compensation Reserves
Corrections -- Juvenile Corrections
Health Services -- Behavioral Health
Health Services -- Care and Treatment Facilities
Health Services -- Departmentwide
Health Services -- FoodShare and Medical Assistance Administration
Health Services -- Medical Assistance
Health Services -- Public Health
Health Services -- Quality Assurance
Health Services -- Services for the Elderly and People with Disabilities
Natural Resources -- Departmentwide
Natural Resources -- Fish, Wildlife, and Natural Heritage Conservation
Natural Resources -- Forestry
Natural Resources -- Law Enforcement
Natural Resources -- PFAS and Emerging Contaminants
Natural Resources -- Parks
Natural Resources -- Stewardship
Natural Resources -- Waste, Remediation, and Air
Natural Resources -- Water Quality
Program Supplements
Shared Revenue and Tax Relief -- Forestry Mill Rate
Transportation -- Departmentwide
Transportation -- Local Transportation Aid
Transportation -- Local Transportation Assistance
Transportation -- Motor Vehicles
Transportation -- State Highway Program
Transportation -- State Patrol
Transportation -- Transportation Finance
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