Contact: Senator Devin LeMahieu, 608-266-2056
LeMahieu Urges Restraint, Fiscal Responsibility
Madison – Today, Senator Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) issued the following statement in response to Governor Evers’ Budget Address:
“Governor Evers inherited an ideal starting point for his two year budget proposal. This includes a projected surplus of nearly $700 million.
“Unfortunately, even with this surplus Governor Evers presented a budget that substantially increases spending and includes major tax hikes on manufacturers and motorists. His $84 billion two year budget represents a 10% increase in spending from last session.
“We need to keep Wisconsin on the right track. The last two budgets authorized the lowest amount of new borrowing in the last twenty years. Wisconsin has the largest rainy day fund in the state’s history. The state received bond rating upgrades from three different bond rating agencies in 2017. Total state debt has fallen by nearly 8% since 2015. At the same time the Legislature reduced the tax burden on Wisconsin families.
“In addition, the litany of liberal policy items included in the Governor’s budget proposal is almost as alarming as the new spending. Proposals to grant drivers’ licenses to illegal immigrants, roll-back regulations on marijuana, and increase the minimum wage are targeted to appeal to his Madison base. However, these items have little to do with funding state government.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Joint Finance Committee to pass a budget that funds core priorities while still being fiscally responsible. We will craft a budget that is affordable for Wisconsin families.”
