Eleven Republican state lawmakers say they cannot “in good conscience” support the budget working its way through the legislature unless several issues are addressed.
The group of rank-and-file Assembly Republicans sent a letter sent to Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Majority Leader Scott Suder saying they had “sincere concerns” about the budget provisions approved so far by the Joint Finance Committee.
They focused on a few, saying they want to remove from the budget a plan to let police collect DNA when people are arrested rather than when they’re convicted. They also said they wanted the budget to include the tax reform package proposed by Republican Rep. Dale Kooyenga. It would more than double the size of the tax cut proposed by Governor Walker and cut tax rates for all income levels, including the wealthiest Wisconsinites.
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The GOP lawmakers also said they wanted to cut borrowing in this budget by $500 million, a number Republicans would miss based on the votes they’ve taken so far.
Republicans have a huge majority in the Assembly, but even with 60 seats, a group of 11 Republicans would in theory be enough to prevent them from passing a budget.
Check out the letter below:
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