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Walker Downplays Concerns About Extended Budget Stalemate

The Current Budget Expires June 30

By
Laura Zimmerman/WPR
Photo: Laura Zimmerman/WPR

Gov. Scott Walker says the state will be fine if Republicans can’t reach a budget deal by the end of the month.

For weeks, Republican lawmakers have said they’re optimistic a budget deal is right around the corner, but at least to the public’s eye, they remain at odds over how much the state should borrow for roads and which road projects should be delayed.

Walker told reporters Wednesday that he thought a deal was imminent, but he said the state would be fine if negotiations stretch past June 30 into the next fiscal year.

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“There’s an awful lot of hysteria going on right now in the Capitol, at least in the media and from some of our opponents, acting like this is something where we’re going to shut the government down like we do at the federal level. It doesn’t happen,” Walker said. “If July 1 comes and there’s still not a budget signed into law, the state continues. Unlike the federal government, we continue to operate.”

Walker had previously said he would wait to announce his campaign for president until after the new budget was done, though he has since suggested he could do it earlier.