Wisconsin Republicans see a lot to like in Gov. Scott Walker’s budget that could pass the Legislature next week, but Democratic opponents are trying to cast it as a pay-off for the wealthy.
State Superintendent Tony Evers is running for governor as a Democrat. He said Thursday the budget shows Republicans are out of touch because it includes tax breaks primarily benefiting the wealthy while an increase in a tax credit for the working poor was rejected.
Republicans say increases in public school funding, a tuition freeze at the University of Wisconsin and no gas tax increase to pay for roads make it a strong budget.
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Republican Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke said “this is by far the best budget to run on” since he was elected in 2010.
Wisconsin lawmakers plan to start taking their final votes next week on the state budget Walker’s $3 billion incentive package for a Foxconn plant.
The Assembly plans to take up the budget Wednesday. An aide to Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said the Senate could address the spending plan next week as well or the following week.
As for the Foxconn package, the Senate plans to vote Tuesday with the Assembly following suit Thursday. Assembly approval would send the legislation to Walker for his signature.
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