Stalled: Republicans Struggle With State Budget Process
Sen. Leah Vukmir and Rep. Dale Kooyenga Fail To Get The Job Done
MADISON — Less than one month out from the deadline to pass a biennial budget, Republican infighting has stalled all progress over its key provisions. This morning, Republicans once again canceled a session of the Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) amid a multi-month long standoff between Assembly and Senate Republicans over funding for education and transportation.
Republicans’ leadership is so broken that both the Senate and the Assembly may make the highly unusual decision to each write their own versions of the state budget. Despite being in control of the state legislature and the governor’s office for six years, Republicans are still divided on creating a long-term solution to fix our state’s crumbling roads. And after historic cuts to K-12 public education, local schools stand to lose even more ground as potential cuts loom.
In the middle of the mess are Joint Finance members and wannabe U.S. Senate candidates Senator Leah Vukmir and Representative Dale Kooyenga. But if they can’t even stand up to their own party’s partisan bickering and deliver for hard-working families in Wisconsin – it’s clear that they aren’t ready for prime time.
“If Leah Vukmir and Dale Kooyenga can’t do their job in the legislature, how can Wisconsinites trust them in the Senate,” Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesman Brandon Weathersby said on Wednesday. “It’s clear that Republicans can’t be trusted to lead on behalf of hard-working Wisconsinites.”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.