No Progress Made On State Budget Negotiations

Budget 12 Weeks Late

UPDATED: 7:52 am CDT September 20, 2007

MADISON, Wis. -- Top lawmakers and Gov. Jim Doyle talked behind closed doors Wednesday while a bipartisan committee charged with reaching a budget deal made no progress at its 14th meeting since July.

Doyle said there are still some very big differences between Republicans and Democrats but now is the time for compromises to be made.

The budget is 12 weeks late. Current spending continues while there is no deal.

"If anyone else didn't do their job, there would be an uproar. The Legislature is supposed to have it done by July 1. This is so far overboard," Doyle said.

Republicans have been pushing Democrats to give up their universal health care plan. Republican Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said keeping that $15 billion proposal alive is hampering negotiations.

But one of its main Democratic proponents, Sen. Jon Erpenbach of Middleton, said the plan is not standing in the way of progress.

The budget conference committee plans to meet again Thursday.

Previous Stories:

September 19, 2007: Assembly Passes Bills Separate From Rest Of Budget
September 17, 2007: Doyle, Lawmakers Continue To Tussle Over Budget
September 14, 2007: Budget Negotiators Agree To Portions Of Education Budget
September 13, 2007: Republicans Present School Funding Plan, Urge Passage
September 11, 2007: Doyle Says He Won't Accept Piecemeal Budget From Legislature
September 6, 2007: No State Budget Means Extra Cash For Some
September 4, 2007: Lack Of State Budget Affects All Levels Of Students
August 30, 2007: Lawmakers Working On Budget Argue Over Whether Progress Is Made
August 28, 2007: Governor: No State Budget Leaves Schools In Lurch
August 27, 2007: Students Could Be Left Without Financial Aid Without State Budget
August 22, 2007: Group: Wisconsin Last State Without New Budget