MADISON (WKOW) — Republicans on Wisconsin’s Joint Finance Committee have finalized education spending and tax cuts for the next two years.
The committee voted to approve an additional $229 million for K-12 schools in the next state budget.
That’s much less than the $3 billion Governor Tony Evers proposed.
Democratic representative Tip McGuire says more was needed for education.
“By not doing these things, we will continue the cycle of referendum in this state. We will continue to force Wisconsin property tax payers to have to pick between their schools with the affordability of their home. And a lot of people are really struggling with that,” McGuire said.
Republicans spoke with reporters before the meeting began, saying they would only be able to meet democrats at what’s affordable for the state.
State Representative Mark Born said, “The budget has to be right sized to what’s affordable. The governor’s budget is always reckless spending that the state can’t afford. And so, we’re choosing to make key investments and priorities. And these investments today will be some of the largest.”
The JFC also passed $1.3 billion in total tax cuts.
They will take up other parts of the budget in coming days.
The legislature faces a July first deadline for passing the budget.
