The Governor unveiled his $91 billion proposed two-year budget Tuesday (2/16), which calls for many initiatives that he promised voters on the campaign trail. Every Governor does this, so there’s nothing new about proposing things that won’t get through a legislature controlled by the opposing party.
Gov. Evers budget calls for a 9.3 percent increase in year one over the 2019-20 base and a 2 percent increase in year two over the proposed 2021-22 base. It also calls for adding 309 new state employees. None are proposed for DPI.
The full meaning of the 1,846-page document (introduced as Senate Bill 111 and Assembly Bill 68) will become clear in the coming weeks as legislators, aides, and lobbyists pore over its contents.
Already, the Republicans in the legislature have signaled the Governor’s budget is likely dead on arrival. Still, to keep things moving in the court of public opinion, the Governor will deploy all his departments to promote his budget so voters can see he made efforts to keep campaign promises.
Meanwhile, Republican leadership is signaling that the Governor’s budget is “worse” than his 2019-2021 budget proposal two years ago. With that version, the legislature dismissed the Governor’s work and started from scratch. Still, the Governor’s proposal remains part of any revised budget debate.
The budget must be passed by June 30. But, it could drag out if the two sides can’t agree on a compromise. If it doesn’t pass, state spending continues at current levels. There is no government shutdown like on the federal level.
In the short-term, the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee will hold listening sessions around the state in the coming weeks. WCRIS will need advocates to register on issues of concern to our schools. We’ll alert you when that’s necessary.
Until then, stay tuned to WCRIS’ Current Events for budget updates.
A budget explainer by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty covers the education proposals that could impact our schools, if they pass, which they won’t.
