Legislators weigh in on the state budget

Both state Rep. Joel Kitchens and state Senator Andre Jacque had reasons to be happy and frustrated with the $91 billion biennial budget plan announced by Governor Tony Evers on Tuesday. The plan calls for increasing aid to the state’s public schools, raising the minimum wage to $10.15 by 2024, and pumping more money into economic development initiatives. Kitchens says there are pieces of the budget he does support like extending the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and approving a number of water quality initiatives. He also believes the budget is filled with items the governor knows will not pass.

Jacque was happy to see 15 of his bills be included in the governor’s budget with little to no changes, like reimbursement for local governments for special elections and income tax exclusion for National Guard members. However, Jacque says some of the items are just relitigating old fights like prevailing wage and Act 10.

Both Kitchens and Jacque hope to find common ground with the Governor’s office on a budget. Rep. Kitchens announced earlier this week that he will be hosting one-hour virtual listening sessions at 9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5.30 p.m. on February 25th. Jacque says he is in the process of planning his own listening sessions to take place in the coming weeks.

REP. JOEL KITCHENS' THOUGHTS ON THE BUDGET

The Positives