Local lawmakers talk about state budget proposal

EAU CLAIRE, Wisconsin (WEAU) – The state budget of Wisconsin is heading to Gov. Tony Evers’ office.

On Wednesday evening, the state Senate passed the bill by a 23 to 9 vote, with most support coming from Republicans.

Evers, a Democrat, must decide how to proceed. His options include signing the bill, vetoing the whole, or using his clause-by-clause veto power to overrule parts of the proposal while allowing others to become law. He has six days to make his decision. The veto over the entire bill could endanger $ 2.3 billion in federal funds.

After Wednesday’s vote approving the bill, Republican lawmakers representing western Wisconsin held a press conference highlighting the proposed budget.

One important element they highlighted, the tax cuts. The bill would reduce state income and property taxes by approximately $ 3.4 billion.

State Senator Kathy Bernier, R-Chippewa Falls, said people should start seeing more money in their paychecks as soon as the budget adjusts the way taxes are withheld.

“The detention schedules are going to change so they will see a difference in their paychecks pretty quickly,” she said.

“I hope it will make a difference for people. I’m not sure it makes a difference for everyone as it should. It should have been a more gradual tax cut, but it is. And again, this is a budget we are going to rely on, ”said State Senator Jeff Smith, D-Eau Claire.

Smith was one of three Senate Democrats to vote in favor of the budget bill.

Despite voting for the bill, Smith said he hoped Evers would make changes using the section veto to improve the bill.

Senators agreed, although they are pleased to see that the proposed budget includes $ 15 million for mental health beds at HSHS Sacred Heart and HSHS St. Joseph hospitals.

“It provides grants for 22 additional mental health beds,” Bernier said.

“This is something that was long overdue,” Smith said. “I just hope we can do more across the state.”

Evers moved the money allocated for mental health beds two years ago to another facility.

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