Lawmakers comment on passage of state budget

State Representative Donna Rozar (RMarshfi eld) released the following statement about the biennial budget that Governor Evers signed into law on July 8: “I was pleased to see the governor sign the 2021-22 biennial budget into law this morning. Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee worked hard to give Wisconsinites a budget that makes sense. The significant investments made into long-term care facilities and nurse educators are great for Wisconsin.”

The Republican budget invested nearly $170 million more into long-term care than the governor’s recommendation.

“This historic tax-cutting, fiscally responsible budget crafted by the Republican legislature deserved to be signed into law. It’s unfortunate that Governor Evers decided to use his veto power to provide $50 million less for our state’s roads.”

Governor Evers’ proposed budget raised taxes by over $1 billion. The Republican budget cut taxes by more than $3.4 billion.

“Nevertheless, I am proud we were able to get bipartisan support while staying committed to our values and deliver on our promises.”

Sen. Kathy Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls) released the following statement: “Governor Tony Evers took action on the 2021-23 Wisconsin State Budget, signing Republican initiatives into law while using his veto pen to nix the peoples’ priorities. Items like the $3.4 billion Republican middle-class tax cut remained but elimination of the GAAP deficit, dairy initiatives, clean water programs, and a mental health bed tracker all were hastily removed by the Governor.”

“Let’s not forget that the budget Governor Evers presented included a billion dollar tax hike. As he tours the state today bragging about the bill he’s signing, we need to all remember that he’s signing Republican middle-class tax cuts: the tax cuts my Republican colleagues crafted, voted for, and took heat from Tony Evers and his allies on because they wanted to raise taxes instead.”

“I will give the governor credit for leaving the $15 million mental health bed grants in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls largely intact. He had the courtesy to communicate with me directly and he invited me to be a part of today’s events celebrating what has long been a top priority: bringing mental health treatment to west-central Wisconsin. That is something we should all be proud of.”