Governor Tony Evers’ concerns about federal funding affecting the state’s business over the next two years were not enough to garner much support from the Wisconsin Republicans on Tuesday.

Calling 2025 “The Year of the Kid,” Evers’ budget calls for an increase of over $3 billion for K-12 spending, $850 million for the Universities of Wisconsin, and $480 million for a childcare subsidy. That was paired with $2 billion in tax cuts on things like tips, electricity, and natural gas. During his budget address, Evers poked at the Trump Administration, saying that “with irresponsible decisions in Washington every day hurting people in Wisconsin, we will need to have state resources readily available to respond to basic and emergency situations alike.”

Republicans were quick to dismiss the budget proposal, with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos saying that they will not allow Evers to turn Wisconsin into “Tim Walz’s Minnesota.” Locally, State Rep. Joel Kitchens cited the 20 percent spending increase and 1,300 new positions when he called the budget “a wish list so long that no child would dare send it to Santa.” He points out that much of the money being spent is based on a $4 billion surplus that is made up of one-time money, meaning that there is no way to replace it if the funding is used to support ongoing programs. “I share many of the governor’s overarching priorities, but his budget is so unrealistic that there is almost no starting point to negotiate,” Kitchens said. “Once again, Republicans will be responsible and do the hard work of balancing the state budget.” State Senator Andre Jacque was a little more optimistic, pointing out some of his bills that he has been working on bipartisan support for appeared during the budget address.

The Wisconsin Legislature will work on its budget over the next several weeks, with a final version approved in the summer.