The state Legislature’s nonpartisan budget office delivered sobering news Wednesday, telling Republican lawmakers not to expect any extra tax revenue.
For months, Republicans had been banking on extra revenue to help them offset Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed cuts to education and other programs. Wednesday’s memo from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau suggests that extra revenue is not coming and that earlier revenue projections remain on track.
What that means is that Republicans will either have to swallow these budget cuts or raise revenue somewhere else in the budget.
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Democrats said the numbers showed Republicans were irresponsible to expect a “pot of gold” to fix their budget problems.
Regardless, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said Republicans would find a way to restore Walker’s $127 million dollar cut to education.
“K-12 education, educating kids in every school district around the state — that’s where we want to put the majority of the money,” said Vos.
Republican leaders, however, wouldn’t commit to reducing $300 million in budget cuts to the University of Wisconsin.
“I’m not going to be the one to slam the door on it,” said Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald. “I’m just saying it becomes more and more difficult, obviously, with the lower revenue estimates.”
Democrats said lawmakers could reduce cuts if they wanted to by delaying the full phase in of a tax credit for manufacturers, though Vos said Republicans were unlikely to take that step.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with details on reactions from Republican legislative leaders.
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