MADISON, Wis. (WRN) — At the Capitol, a pair of Senate Republicans throw a monkey wrench into the budget process.
On Wednesday, Joint Finance Committee co-chair, Republican Representative Mark Born remained upbeat
“We’ve had good discussions. We’re doing good committee work right now. We’re working our way through the process and we’re trying to finish on schedule and we’re always open to have conversations along the way,” said Born.
But in the Senate, Republicans Steve Nass and Chris Kapenga oppose the process between Assembly Republicans and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. Joint Finance Committee Democrat, Senator Kelda Roys, says that puts it on Senate Republican leadership.
“Do their members want to be held hostage or kowtow to the most extreme voices in their caucus that are demanding things that nobody in Wisconsin wants?” Roys said.
In a statement, Nass said “There is nothing preventing the Republican majority in the Legislature from passing a conservative state budget except for the lack of willingness at the highest levels in the Assembly.”
With a narrow 18-15 majority, Republicans in the chamber would need Democratic votes to pass the budget. The Joint Finance Committee cancelled its session scheduled for Thursday.