The Wisconsin Legislature will now begin crafting its version of the state budget after the Joint Finance Committee voted 10-3 to remove more than 600 items from the previous version presented by Governor Tony Evers earlier this year. The 21-page list included renewed bids to expand Medicaid, legalize marijuana, introduce paid family leave, and increase child care subsidies.

The Democratic governor was quick to rip the Republican-held Legislature for gutting what he called the most pro-kid budget in the state’s history. “After today, Republican lawmakers will be on-record voting against efforts to help keep our kids and families safe, ensure Wisconsinites have access to clean and safe drinking water, prevent property tax increases, invest in mental health services for veterans, support to help farmers navigate reckless tariffs and trade wars, and so much more,” Evers said.

Likening the situation to Charlie Brown kicking the football off Lucy’s hold, State Rep. Joel Kitchens says no one should be shocked that the Legislature went in this direction. He points out that they always strip non-budgetary measures out of the budget and that increasing the overall spending and state workforce were non-starters. He also reminds voters that just because it is taken out does not mean that it cannot be reworked and put back in.

He hopes for a compromise on many of the budget's sticky points, noting that Republican leaders and the Governor are negotiating on some of the finer details such as the tax cuts. Kitchens’ wish list for the budget includes increased funding for special education reimbursement and child-care tax credits, tax cuts, and his tax-free retirement plan. Kitchens says he is still planning to have listening sessions soon.