Joint Committee On Finance

”CPA Caucus” Seeks Major Tax Changes

Four Republican lawmakers would simplify taxes and end some sales tax exemptions.

Governor Scott Walker Holds Press Conference Regarding Wisconsin Department of Transportation Contingent Bonding Request in Neenah

Governor Scott Walker held a press conference today in Neenah regarding the request by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Nearly one month after Walker vetoed funds for Milwaukee energy consortium, Obama makes grant announcement

“Despite frequently speaking the words, it’s almost like Governor Walker is allergic to economic growth and prosperity.”

How Republicans Worked to End Public Records

Planning began last September and would have ended open records for all local governments as well.

Republicans Debate An Imaginary Budget That Is Good for Wisconsin

In a surprise move, during today’s debate on the 2015-17 State Budget Assembly Republicans chose to make no mention of their original budget proposal recently passed by the Joint Finance Committee.

Why Tenure and Shared Governance Are Needed

Legislators' push for top-down management will damage UW System and chase away top faculty.

Statement from Senator Larson on Budget Secrecy

Republicans attempt to outrun public scrutiny

Wisconsin Center District excluded from arena hearing

The district was the only financial partner of the deal excluded from speaking at today’s hearing.

Statement on Action Taken during Today’s Joint Finance Committee Meeting

These legislative improvements will help Milwaukee County expand its impact on economic development and quality of life.

Chairwoman Dimitrijevic Responds to Proposals that Would Wipe-Out Public Transparency and Erase Checks and Balances in Milwaukee County Government

Requests that Assembly and Senate Remove Item #67 in Motion #999 from the State Budget

Governor Scott Walker and Legislative Leaders Make Statement on Government Transparency

Governor Scott Walker, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, and the Joint Finance Committee Co-Chairs, Senator Alberta Darling and Representative John Nygren, released the following statement

Changes to Wisconsin’s Open Records Laws: What Are You Hiding?

“A day later, I remain shocked and disgusted at the open records law changes in the Republican’s 999 grab-bag motion late last night.”

Legislators’ Shocking Attack on Open Government

Budget provision with no author will decimate open records rules for legislature. It will pass unless there is an outcry from legislators.

Sen. Taylor statement on committee passage of state budget

“From the day Governor Walker introduced his budget, it was clear he was more focused on Republican primary voters than the people of Wisconsin.”

State Budget Finale: Tax Breaks for the Rich, Potholes for our Roads and Secrecy for Politicians

Despite a media backlash when Republicans previously announced more tax breaks for the wealthy, the GOP proceeded ahead and cut taxes for individuals who make more than $200,000 a year.

Republicans Deal a Major Blow to Open Government, Load Budget with Special Interest Giveaways as Schools, Universities Brace for Harmful Cuts

Anti-Education, Anti-Middle Class Budget Wrapping Up in Joint Finance Committee

Wisconsin GOP: Governing, One Punt at a Time

“Wisconsin faces a serious challenge in funding and maintaining our infrastructure, and when confronted with that challenge Republicans chose to punt”

Statewide Coalition Applauds Joint Finance Committee’s Decision Not to Expand I-94

A statewide coalition of 25 groups is applauding the Budget Proposal passed by the Joint Finance Committee earlier today.

Statewide Coalition, Officials Call for Responsible Transportation Budget, Oppose I-94 Expansion

Ahead of Budget Vote, Coalition Calls for Local Infrastructure Fixes, Not I-94 Boondoggle

Crunch Time for Bucks Arena Deal

Joint Finance Committee needs nine of 16 members to approve it. That could be tough.

Republicans Sell Out Funding Public Schools for More Tax Giveaways to Rich

According to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, Republicans have spent $1.9 billion in various tax giveaways between 2011 and 2014.

How to Grow the State Economy

The proposed state budget, and last two budgets, are missing opportunities to grow Wisconsin’s economy.

AFP Releases Open Letter To Joint Finance Committee On Prevailing Wage

Time to Step Up And Send Prevailing Wage Repeal Bill To Governor's Desk

Coalition Urges Budget Committee to Stop I-94 Expansion, Save Taxpayers Hundreds of Millions

With Transportation Budget Negotiations at an Impasse, Cut to Highway Expansions Could Reduce Bonding, Bring Funds for Local Infrastructure Down the Road

GOP Legislators Redo Much of Walker’s Budget

It’s rare for so much of a governor’s budget to be changed.

Republicans Continue Assault on Our Public School System

OK $250 mil cut to UW System while gutting tenure, shared governance

Cuts In DNR Scientists Could Hurt Walleye Fishing

Longterm DNR efforts to reverse Walleye decline in state lakes could be hurt by Walker's proposed cuts.

Let’s Be Clear: Saving Long Term Care Means Leaving It Alone

“Our long term care programs work for Wisconsin and save us money.”

$360 Million Elephant in the Room

Medicaid Expansion Gets a ‘No’ Vote from JFC Republicans

Walker’s Flagship Agency Sinking Under His Command

Republican JFC members voted to remove Walker from his position as Chairman of the WEDC Board

Democrats ensured voices of Wisconsin seniors were heard to keep SeniorCare off chopping block

Representative Lisa Subeck Statement on Restoration of SeniorCare Funding by Joint Finance Committee

Private School Vouchers Win Big at Expense of Public Schools

Rep.Taylor Statement on Private School Voucher Expansion

Joint statement from Pres. Bonds, Supt. Driver regarding JFC budget action

"This plan targets struggling schools rather than seeking ways to support them."

Public Schools are Being Strangled by Governor Walker and His Friends

Statement from Senator Jon Erpenbach on Republican’s 29 page education omnibus motion.

Rep. Barca Statement on Extreme GOP Education Budget Plan

This Republican plan further defunds public schools and destroys local control.

Republicans Continue Pattern of Underfunding, Undermining, and Devaluing Our Children’s Education

Sen. Harris Dodd and Sen. Larson Statement on Joint Finance Action on K12 Education

Today in JFC: More prison beds instead of public school funds

“Today, Republicans created a pipeline to prison rather than a pathway to the American Dream for our school children.”

Fully Funding Public Education Means No Private Voucher School Expansion

"Until recently, Wisconsin was known as a place where legislators from both sides of the aisle had always made public education a top priority."

Erpenbach Motion to Require Audit of DOA Info Tech Funds

The motion failed along party lines.

GOP says ‘NO’ to student loan debt relief

"Simply allowing individuals to refinance their student loans at lower interest rates would save some families thousands of dollars a year."

Statement from Sen. Larson on GOP Hearing to Repeal the State Prevailing Wage Law

Republicans push for lower pay and less skill for Wisconsin workers and their families.

GOP cuts recycling while boosting Walker’s office pay

Taxpayers continue to shoulder the burden of Governor's presidential campaign

Republicans reject funding for Wisconsin’s Cancer Reporting System

GOP cuts continue to jeopardize the health of Wisconsin families

Erpenbach Motion in Finance to Support WI Cancer Reporting System

Cancer statistics will help provide insight and treatment options

Republicans Target Utility Fighter CUB

Proposal would kill funding for Citizen’s Utility Board, which advocates for consumers.

Outsourcing Scandal Re-emerges at WEDC

“It is scandalous that state policy still allows public money to go to corporations engaged in outsourcing jobs.”

Bucks Arena Tough Sell for Outstate Legislators

Poll shows state residents outside metro Milwaukee and Madison oppose subsidy by 86% to 10%.

Earth Day or April Fools Day?

"The wealth of the nation is its air, water, soil, forests, minerals, rivers, lakes, oceans, scenic beauty, wildlife habitats and biodiversity… that’s all there is."

Republicans reject oversight of Gov. Walker’s campaign travel

Move comes less than a week after limiting travel reimbursement for veterans

Legislators Hope Tax Windfall Rescues Them

If state tax collections don’t go up -- soon -- lawmakers must swallow Walker’s unappetizing budget cuts.

Rural broadband expansion plan rejected by GOP

"We should be expanding economic opportunities and investing in the infrastructure that Wisconsin businesses need to grow."

Water Hub Will Add New Office Building

Water Tech One, an 80,000-square-foot, four-story office building, will be the first constructed in the Global Water Technology Park.

New Wisconsin Poll Shows Public Wants Major Changes to Budget on Health Care

The polling shows massive public support for Wisconsin to take the enhanced federal funding for BadgerCare rejected in the Governor’s budget.

Wendell Harris urges Milwaukee residents to speak for MPS at JFC hearing

I have been encouraging concerned people of Milwaukee to oppose the draconian budget cuts to K-12 public schools and the cuts to the University of Wisconsin system.

Budget Could Delay Local Highway Projects

Republican legislators want to reduce borrowing in Walker transportation budget, but this could delay numerous projects.

DNR Secretary Suggests Corporate Sponsorship of State Parks

Assembly Democratic JFC members Chris Taylor and Gordon Hintz released the following statement on Stepp’s comments.

JFC begins briefings on “crisis budget”

"Today’s hearing created more questions than were asked."

Walker proposes staggering cuts to UW System

Proposal hurts Wisconsin students and families

Rep. Taylor statement on Joint Finance Committee appointment

Rep. Chris Taylor released the following statement on her appointment to the Joint Committee on Finance

“Jock Tax” Will Actually Increase Your Taxes

Proposal to fund NBA arena is really a Republican Tax Increase to help billionaire owners pay for the facility.

Michigan May Get Talgo Trains

Trains still in storage in Milwaukee could go to high speed line in Michigan -- if the Talgo lawsuit against Wisconsin is ever settled.

Rep. Richards Urges Gov. Walker to Sign ShotSpotter Expansion

A bill to partially restore a $445,000 cut to the Milwaukee Police Department’s gunshot sensor program is headed to Gov. Scott Walker’s desk.

Walker Shifts and Grabs Federal Funds for Disabled

$4.2 million in new state funds for disabled job seekers will leverage $15.5 million more from federal government.

Talgo Files Claim Against State

State would have to pay $136 million for canceling train contract.

Milwaukee County Board to Hold Budget Hearing Today at 4 P.M.

Milwaukee County War Memorial to Host Annual Event

The Decline of Local Control

Republicans favor local control. So why are they passing so many laws ending it?

Mayor Barrett Calls for Delay in Wisconsin BadgerCare Changes

Health Insurance for 92,000 at Stake with Ongoing Health Insurance Marketplace Problems

How to Nab Bad Guys

ShotSpotter has become a key tool for city police, but Walker says no to funding and Abele says yes.

Rep. Richards to Introduce Legislation for Milwaukee Police Overtime Pay

Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee), a member of the Joint Finance Committee, today announced he will be introducing legislation to provide for $500,000 in state matching funds to boost city policing in the City of Milwaukee.

Choice Schools Leave Disabled Students Behind?

As voucher schools expand to more cities, critics complain they don't serve disabled students.

Fun With Budget Numbers

An insider's take on the state budget and how it was put together.

Budget Puts Extreme Policies before Middle-Class Families

Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee), a member of the legislature’s budget committee, issued the following statement on passage of the budget.

Why WisDOT Is Behind the Times

Auto traffic per capita has declined since 2004, other states now spend less on highways, but Wisconsin wants to keep expanding.

Republican budget turns $700 million surplus into $300 million structural deficit

Massive tax cuts for the wealthy take priority over public schools

An Attack on Student Journalism?

What lesson does legislators attack on the Center for Investigative Journalism teach young journalists?

The GOP’s Young Guns

Some of the newest Assembly Republicans, including four accountants, dictated the final budget.

GOP wraps up budget panel work spending money taken from school kids on tax break for the rich

Press Release from Rep. Barca, Rep. Mason, and Rep. Ricards.

GOP Adopts Ideological Health Care Plan that Costs Taxpayers More, Insures Fewer People

Republicans attempted to disguise the issue by saying that those people could simply buy private coverage in the exchanges, but failed to note that their plan does not make that insurance affordable for them.

Rep. Taylor statement on tomorrow’s major budget action

"Tomorrow’s actions will likely show that this budget isn’t for working families, women or children."

GOP advances extreme social agenda

Limits on birth control, workers’ rights considered

County Executive Abele Thanks Legislators for Increasing Child Support Funding

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele applauds members of the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee for putting money back into the budget to support Child Support funding across the state.

Walker food stamp plan puts mean-spirited ideology before taxpayers, common sense

Madison—Governor Scott Walker wants state taxpayers to pay an extra $16.7 million per year on his plan to take food off the tables of 31,350 low-income Wisconsinites.

Loading Up the Budget With Policy and Pork

In violation of his campaign promise, Walker's budget has 58 policy or non-monetary items and 15 pieces of pork.

Transit Outrage

Alberta Darling says my way or the highway. Plus: the return of Jerry Kleczka!

Common sense prevails on downtown streetcar project

Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan May 9, 2013

Republicans Move to Kill Milwaukee Streetcar

If the streetcar is killed and federal money for it is lost, it will mean the total amount of federal transit money for Wisconsin rejected by Scott Walker will exceed $1 billion.

Assembly GOP: We won’t stop WEDC from breaking the law

Republican leaders defend WEDC, tell media it is on track

Republican Finance Committee chairs rush to pump taxpayer money into broken jobs agency

Democratic call for full public and expert scrutiny of WEDC ignored by GOP leaders

County Executive Abele Asks the State to Restore Transit Funding

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele testified in front of the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) today.

Important information from Alderman Michael J. Murphy

The City of Milwaukee needs your help with an issue that's of critical importance to our future.

Important information from Alderman Jim Bohl

The City of Milwaukee needs your help with an issue that's of critical importance to our future.

Important information from Alderman Joe Dudzik

Important information from Alderman Nik Kovac

The City of Milwaukee needs your help with an issue that's of critical importance to our future.

First budget day showcases a Tale of Two Budgets

Democratic JFC members note the Walker budget repeats the mistakes of the last budget that left Wisconsin 44th in the nation in job creation.

Chairwoman Dimitrijevic Statement on Governor’s Budget

The state budget presented by Governor Scott Walker includes a number of positive items. We are excited with the grant funding for the VETransfer program, located in Milwaukee, which supports veteran entrepreneurs.

Rep. Barca announces Democratic committee assignments for upcoming legislative session

Today Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) announced the Assembly Democratic members of the standing and joint committees for the 2013-2014 legislative session.

Rep. Richards Reappointed to Joint Finance Committee

Creating jobs and helping middle class are top priorities for Milwaukee lawmaker